Fort Lauderdale: Shared Sportfishing Trip & Top Crew

Summary

Small group deep sea fishing in fort lauderdale with friendly crew

You’ll join a small group off Fort Lauderdale’s coast for deep sea sportfishing with an easygoing local crew — expect help with gear, laughs over missed casts, and your catch cleaned right at the dock. It’s relaxed but exciting in all the best ways; you might even surprise yourself.

What’s the experience like?

We were already bouncing along the dock at sunrise when I realized I had no clue how to hold a fishing rod — not properly, anyway. The boat smelled like salt and sunscreen, and Captain Mike (he’s been doing this forever) just grinned and handed me one. “Don’t worry, we’ll make a fisherman out of you yet,” he said. There were only five of us on board, swapping nervous jokes as we pulled away from Fort Lauderdale’s marina, gulls screeching overhead. I’d booked this shared sportfishing trip half on a whim, but the energy felt right — like nobody expected you to be an expert.

The water out past the city is way bluer than I thought it’d be — almost glassy that morning, with just enough breeze to keep things comfortable. Our guide, Li (I hope I’m spelling that right), showed us how to bait the lines for mahi and wahoo. He laughed when my first cast went sideways and told me about the time someone caught a tuna with their eyes closed — not sure if he was joking or not. When something finally tugged hard on my line, my heart honestly thumped so loud I nearly missed Mike shouting instructions over the engine noise. That moment right before you see what’s coming up from the deep? Weirdly quiet. And then wild cheering when it turned out to be a decent-sized mahi.

I didn’t expect to care much about who else was fishing with me, but by hour two we were swapping stories and sharing snacks from the cooler (they keep it stocked with ice for your drinks). One family had never fished before either; their youngest kept asking if every splash was a shark. The crew cleaned our catch right there at the dock — you could smell fresh fish and diesel mixing in the air, which sounds odd but felt sort of perfect after being out on the water all morning.

I still think about that view back toward Fort Lauderdale as we headed in — sun high now, hands smelling like bait, everyone tired in a good way. If you’re looking for some big game action but don’t want anything fancy or intimidating, this shared sportfishing charter is honestly just fun. And yeah, they really do handle everything for you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — 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

Top questions

What fish can you catch on this Fort Lauderdale sportfishing trip?

You can catch sailfish, mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna and other big game species off Fort Lauderdale.

Is this shared sportfishing charter suitable for beginners?

Yes, it’s beginner-friendly and the crew helps with everything from gear to baiting hooks.

How many people are on each fishing trip?

The shared charter takes up to 6 people per trip.

Are fishing licenses included in the price?

Yes, all fishing licenses are included for participants.

Is equipment provided or do I need to bring my own?

All gear, bait and tackle are provided by the crew.

Do they clean your fish after catching?

Yes, free fish cleaning is included after your trip.

Is this Fort Lauderdale sportfishing trip family-friendly?

Yes, it’s kid and family-friendly; even first-timers are welcome.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes, wheelchair access is available on this charter.

What’s included

Your day includes all fishing gear plus bait and tackle ready to go when you board in Fort Lauderdale; licenses are sorted for everyone; coolers packed with ice for your drinks or snacks; expert help from a friendly local crew throughout; free fish cleaning at the end before heading home tired but happy.