Fort Lauderdale Reef Fishing
Bottom fishing charters are a great way to fill the cooler with some of the tastiest fish in the ocean. This is a year-round fishery with a wide variety of species available. If you have a specific target in mind, feel free to give us a call—we’re happy to let you know the best time to go after it!
Much of our bottom fishing action peaks in late summer through fall, typically from September to November, thanks to the consistent north current.
Snapper fishing is especially productive year-round, with Mutton Snapper being one of the most sought-after species. Grouper fishing is available only during the open season, from May 1 through December 31.
Target Species
We can target a wide variety of reef species on our bottom fishing trips, but we typically plan these charters around grouper season, which runs from May 1 through December 31. During the open season, we focus on known grouper spots; outside of that timeframe, we leave them alone to support a healthy fishery.
Common catches while bottom fishing include Yellowtail Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Cubera Snapper, Lane Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, Yelloweye Snapper, Golden Tilefish, Snowy Grouper, Black Grouper, Gag Grouper, Scamp Grouper, Amberjack, Almaco Jack, and more!
Where We Fish
We typically stay within ¾ to 2 miles of shore. How far north or south we travel depends on the trip duration—on longer trips, we may run 25–30 miles in search of clean water and strong current. We usually fish in depths of 100 to 500 feet, focusing on artificial reefs, wrecks, or any area holding a good concentration of bait.
We drop live or dead bait rigs directly onto the bottom while setting up on key pieces of structure in the area we’re targeting.
What's Included
- All tackle
- Bait
- Ice
- Cooler
- Fish cleaning service
- All necessary federal licensing
- Experienced captain and mate
What To Bring
Feel free to bring anything you’d like for your day on the water! This includes food and drinks (other than water), as well as sunscreen and sun protection like hats, buffs, or hooded sun shirts. Be sure to pack polarized sunglasses to reduce glare and help spot fish, and don’t forget your camera to capture those trophy moments with your catch.
- A customary 20% tip for the hardworking mate is appreciated
- Food & drinks you'd like for the day, excluding water
- Sun protective clothing
- Sunscreen
- Polarized Sunglasses
- Camera
- Spray Sunscreen
- No hard liquor (nothing good comes from a bottle of liquor in the summer sun)
Fort Lauderdale Reef Fishing FAQs
Have a question? We've got answers. If you do not see your question answered below, please do not hesitate to contact us.
From $400
Trip Rate
second-generation charter fisherman
Capt. Lou Perez
I was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale as a second-generation charter fisherman and have fished our local waters for over three decades. My life revolves around fishing, and I hold a high standard for every trip. I build almost all of the equipment we fish with, and look forward to showing you a memorable day on our special fishery!
The Ultimate Fort Lauderdale Offshore Boats
45’ Hatteras |
28’ center console
We run two highly specialized boats to suit every type of fishing adventure. Our 45’ Hatteras has been custom built and fine-tuned over the past 15 years for comfort, range, and serious offshore performance. Our 28’ center console was custom restored specifically for Southeast Florida fishing.