Deep Sea Fishing off Fort Lauderdale: Half-Day Reef Trip

Fish a mile offshore and keep what you catch

A half-day deep sea fishing trip off Fort Lauderdale puts you on a boat heading to the reef a mile from shore, where an experienced crew handles baiting and rigging while you fish for snapper, grouper, kingfish and whatever else is biting that day. All gear, bait, tackle and fishing licenses are included. The crew cleans your catch at the end so you can take it home or to a local restaurant to cook. Choose the 8:30am or 1:30pm drift fishing departure, or the 7:30pm night anchor fishing option if you want to fish after dark.

The experience

The boat leaves Fort Lauderdale and heads out just a mile to the reef, where the water drops fast enough for bottom fishing. You're not traveling far or spending hours in transit. You're on the water and fishing within minutes of departure. The crew handles the setup: they bait your line, rig your tackle, and show you what to do. Every day is different out there, so you never know what species will be biting, but snapper, grouper and kingfish are regulars. The mates stay with you throughout the trip, helping when you hook something and keeping the day moving.

If you land good eating fish, the crew cleans them for free before you head back to shore. You can take them home in the coolers and ice they provide, or head straight to one of the local restaurants nearby and have them cooked up for dinner. No gutting, no mess in your hotel room: that part is done. Bring your own food and drinks, though there's a convenience store right next to the boat if you need anything before departure.

Arrive 30 minutes early so the crew can get you checked in and settled. The trip runs four hours, so pick the morning departure if you want the afternoon free after, the afternoon slot if you're sleeping in, or the night fishing option if you want to fish under the lights when different species feed.

What’s included

• All fishing gear, bait and tackle.
• fishing licenses.
• experienced crew to help with rigging and baiting.
• coolers and ice.
• free fish cleaning at the end of the trip.

Options for this experience

4 options

Drift fishing trip at 8:30 amGuide in English · 08:30 and 13:30Join our fun and experienced crew for a fishing outing aboard the 85-foot party fishing boat, Catch My Drift, to catch snapper, grouper, kingfish and more. Gear, bait, tackle and licenses are all included.

Drift fishing trip at 1:30 pmGuide in English · 08:30 and 13:30Join our fun and experienced crew for a fishing outing aboard the 85-foot party fishing boat, Catch My Drift, to catch snapper, grouper, kingfish and more. Gear, bait, tackle and licenses are all included.

Night anchor fishing at 7:30 pmGuide in English · 19:30Fish with us after dark on our Night Anchor Trip. We anchor and chum the water to catch the many species of snapper and grouper on the reef. All bait, tackle and equipment are supplied.

Saturday Night 6 Hour at 7:30 pmGuide in English · 19:30Head out on a late-night fishing trip on a Saturday night. Every Saturday we stay out a couple of extra hours to catch the late-night snapper bite. Gear, bait, tackle and licenses are included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 4h, runs every day at 08:30, 13:30 and 19:30, from US$ 85 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 13:30 and 19:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 306 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.1 with pickup ›

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Fishing Headquarters

Is this one for you?Book the 8:30am or 1:30pm drift fishing departure if you want a half-day on the water and the rest of your day free, or choose the 7:30pm night anchor fishing option if you prefer to fish after dark when different species feed. The crew handles everything from rigging to cleanup, so you show up, fish and leave with your catch ready to cook.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What kind of fish will I catch on this trip?

Snapper, grouper and kingfish are the main species you'll target on the reef, though the crew says every day is different and you never know what may bite. The experienced mates can tell you what's running that day when you arrive.

How far offshore do we fish?

The boat heads out about a mile from the Fort Lauderdale coast to reach the reef where bottom fishing happens. The water drops deep quickly at that distance, which is where the snapper and grouper hold.

Do I need to bring my own fishing gear?

No, all gear, bait, tackle and fishing licenses are included in the price. The crew provides everything and helps you rig your line before you cast.

What happens if I catch fish? Can I take them with me?

Yes. The crew cleans your catch for free at the end of the trip, and you can take it home in the coolers and ice they have aboard. Many people take their fish to a local restaurant to have it cooked the same day.

What time should I arrive, and how long is the trip?

Arrive 30 minutes before your departure time. The trip itself runs four hours. You can choose the 8:30am or 1:30pm drift fishing departure, or the 7:30pm night anchor fishing option.

What should I bring?

Bring your own food and drinks, sunglasses and sunscreen. There's a convenience store right next to the boat if you need anything before you leave the dock. The crew provides coolers and ice to keep your catch fresh.