Fort Lauderdale: Half-Day Sportfishing Charter & Fish Cleaning

You'll Hook Sailfish Off Fort Lauderdale's Coast, With a Crew That Actually Knows How

You'll fish the Fort Lauderdale Gulf Stream for sailfish, mahi, wahoo and tuna on a shared half-day charter with a maximum of six anglers. All gear, tackle, bait and fishing licenses are included, plus free fish cleaning if you land something. The crew handles the technical side. You just show up and fish. You're back by early afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Half day deep sea fishing trip

• Depart from Fort Lauderdale marina
• Head offshore to Gulfstream edge
• Fish for sailfish, wahoo, mahi-mahi, tuna
• Enjoy professional and fun crew assistance
• Return to marina after fishing

The experience

The boat leaves the dock early, and within twenty minutes you're past the breakers watching the Gulfstream come into view. That's when it hits you: you're about to spend the next four hours trying to land something that fights back. If you've never done this before, that moment of "what did I sign up for" is real. But the crew (and this matters more than you'd think) they've seen that look a hundred times. They know how to talk you through the first cast, how to keep the energy up when the bite slows, and how to make sure you're not the person who loses the fish.

The Fort Lauderdale sportfishing charter runs as a shared boat, which means you're fishing alongside four to five other people instead of chartering solo. That's the trade that keeps the price reasonable, and it's also why the crew matters so much. They've been running these charters for over twenty-five years: family-owned, which means they're not cycling through seasonal staff. Everyone on deck knows the water, knows the species, and knows how to keep a mixed group of strangers laughing even when the sailfish aren't biting. You get all the gear, all the bait, your fishing license included, and if you land something, they clean it right there on the boat so you leave with fillets, not a mess.

The half-day format means you're back by early afternoon: long enough to feel like you've actually fished the Gulf Stream, short enough that you're not wiped out for the rest of your day. Families bring kids. First-timers show up nervous. People who've fished their whole lives come back because the crew makes it fun. You'll chase wahoo, mahi-mahi, tuna, and if you're lucky, sailfish. The boat holds a maximum of six people, so it never feels crowded, and there's room for coolers if you want to bring drinks or snacks. Wheelchair accessible, stroller-friendly if you're bringing little ones: they've thought through the logistics.

Book early in the day if you can. The bite is usually better in the morning, and the crew will tell you that straight. Bring sunscreen, wear shoes that grip, and don't overthink it. This is the kind of thing that sounds like it should be stressful and turns out to be the opposite.

What’s included

• Your half-day charter includes all fishing gear, tackle and bait, a valid fishing license, coolers and ice for your drinks and snacks, and complimentary fish cleaning if you land a catch.
• The crew handles rigging, baiting and guidance throughout the trip.
• You'll fish in a shared charter with a maximum of six anglers total.

Information

Lasts 4h, runs every day at 08:00 and 13:00, from US$ 214 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 6 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 13:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 66 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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Fishing Headquarters

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to fish the Fort Lauderdale Gulf Stream without renting a whole boat or figuring out licenses and gear. The crew takes care of all that, and the shared format keeps the cost down while the small group size keeps it from feeling crowded.

Traveler reviews

4.74★★★★★★★★★★

352 verified traveler reviews

5 ★312

4 ★15

3 ★9

2 ★7

1 ★9

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

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.

How long is the half-day charter?

Approximately four hours on the water, including transit to and from the fishing grounds.

What species can you catch off Fort Lauderdale?

Sailfish, wahoo, mahi-mahi, tuna and other big game species depending on the season and conditions.

Is the fishing license included?

Yes, fishing licenses are included in the charter price.

What's the maximum group size?

Six people per shared charter.

Do they clean the fish you catch?

Yes, fish cleaning is included at no extra cost.

Is this suitable for first-time fishers?

Yes, the charter is family and first-timer friendly. The crew will guide you through casting, handling and landing fish.

What's included in the price?

All fishing gear, tackle, bait, licenses, fish cleaning, coolers and ice for drinks and snacks.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the boat is wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller.