Deep sea fishing in Fort Lauderdale aboard the 52′ Hatteras “Happy Day Today” and Top Shot Sportfishing Charters.
Trip 1:
Mark was eager for an exciting day aboard Happy Day Today as we set out for a deep-sea fishing charter off the coast of Fort Lauderdale. The sun shimmered on the open water, but despite our best efforts, the fish seemed uninterested. It had been a slow day—until a crackle came through the VHF radio.
Another charter boat captain shared some electrifying news. He had spotted a massive Mako shark circling nearby. Since he wasn’t targeting sharks, he offered up the information to anyone willing to take a shot. We were only a short distance away, and with adrenaline pumping, we wasted no time heading to the area.
As we arrived, we scanned the water for any sign of the predator. The first mate quickly rigged two bloody Bonita baits, knowing the scent would spread fast. With sharks able to detect even the faintest trace of blood—one part in a million—it was only a matter of time before the scent trail worked its magic.
And then, like a shadow from the depths, it appeared.
The unmistakable figure of a Mako shark emerged—its sleek, torpedo-shaped body shimmering in hues of deep purple and electric blue. The tall dorsal fin cut through the water, and its sharp, pointed snout signaled one thing: this was an apex predator on the hunt.
The Mako circled once, twice—then exploded on the bloody bait.
Mako fishing in Fort Lauderdale
The reel screamed as the shark tore off with blistering speed, ripping drag and testing our tackle. Mark grabbed the rod and dug in, his face set with determination. The battle was on. Every time we gained a little ground, the angry Mako would dive again, peeling off line and forcing Mark to work harder.
The fight was a test of endurance. Back and forth they went—the shark pulling deep and Mark refusing to give up. Inch by inch, Mark made progress, bringing the beast closer to the boat. The tension was electric as the massive Mako finally surfaced, thrashing and glinting in the sunlight.
With teamwork and patience, we carefully brought the shark alongside. Mark, still catching his breath, posed for a quick photo with his prize—a moment he wouldn’t soon forget. After ensuring the Mako was healthy, we released it back into the deep blue, watching as it disappeared beneath the waves.
A huge thanks for the shark tip—it turned a slow day into an unforgettable adventure. Mark’s epic battle with the monster Mako was a reminder that fishing in Fort Lauderdale, you never know what might be lurking just below the surface
Mako fishing in Fort Lauderdale
Trip 2:
We started with a game plan: first, catch some juvenile Bonita—prime bait for Sailfish. The conditions were ideal for slow-trolling live baits over the Fort Lauderdale fishing reefs, a proven method for hooking these acrobatic billfish. After a little work, our live well was packed with fresh Bonita, and it was time to get serious.
We began trolling the reef, working our way from shallower waters out to deeper zones, meticulously covering every promising stretch. I like to target Sailfish while fishing in Fort Lauderdale anywhere from 100 to 300 feet of water, and today was no different. As we cruised along, I kept a sharp eye on the fish finder, and soon enough, I started marking baitfish in 210 feet of water—a promising sign.
This spot was just upcurrent of a Fort Lauderdale sunken shipwreck, a classic ambush zone for hungry predators. I carefully positioned our baits to drift right over the area where the baitfish were schooling. If there was a Sailfish nearby, this was the perfect place to find it.
For 20 minutes, we worked the area, dragging our live baits over the school again and again. On the fifth pass, it happened—BAM! One of the long baits got crushed. The reel screamed as line peeled off at lightning speed. A Sailfish had taken the bait!
The ocean erupted as the Sailfish launched itself out of the water, its sail-like dorsal fin glinting in the sunlight. Matias grabbed the rod, his face lighting up with excitement as he battled the powerful fish. The Sailfish put on a spectacular show—leaping, tail-walking, and making blistering runs. Each time it dove deep, Matias held firm, working the fish closer to the boat.
Sailfish caught in Fort Lauderdale
After an intense fight and plenty of impressive aerial acrobatics, Matias skillfully angled the Sailfish alongside the boat. We moved quickly to keep the fish healthy—removing the hook and snapping a quick photo to capture the moment. With a smooth release, the Sailfish swam away strong, disappearing back into the deep blue.
Matias’ dream of catching a Sailfish in Fort Lauderdale had come true, and the pure joy on his face said it all. It was another epic day aboard Happy Day Today—proof that with the right bait, a solid game plan, and a little patience, anything is possible when deep sea fishing in Fort Lauderdale.
Trip 3:
Jamey and his group from Pennsylvania booked us for a second time for a deep sea fishing charter in Fort Lauderdale. With the sun rising over the Atlantic, Jamey made his mission clear—he wanted to target either a Sailfish or a Shark and was hoping for some big-game action. We were up for the challenge.
We kicked off the trip by catching juvenile Bonita, a prime bait for both Sailfish and Sharks. With a well full of lively baitfish, we set our sights on Sailfish first. The first mate rigged a spread of live baits, perfectly suited for these acrobatic billfish. But knowing the unpredictable nature of the ocean, we also had a pitch rod ready—just in case a hungry Shark decided to crash the party. As the saying goes: The 5 P’s—Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance. And we were prepared.
I worked the baits methodically from 100 to 300 feet of water, covering the most productive depths along the Fort Lauderdale fishing reef, drop-offs, and sunken wrecks. With the spread perfectly positioned, we scanned the water, ready for anything.
As we trolled from deeper water back toward the shallows, I noticed a change—the live bait on the right side of the spread started swimming erratically. A nervous bait means only one thing—something big is lurking below.
I glanced back and spotted a large, unmistakable dorsal fin cutting through the water—a Hammerhead Shark was tailing the bait. While exciting, we had a problem—the bait was rigged on light tackle designed for Sailfish. If we wanted a real shot at landing this beast, we needed to act fast and execute a bait-and-switch.
The first mate, Kyle, moved with precision. As he quickly reeled in the bait on the light tackle, he grabbed the heavier rod rigged with an 8/0 circle hook and pitched a bloody Bonita toward the prowling shark. It was a delicate dance—could we switch the baits before the Hammerhead devoured the lighter rig?
The shark circled twice, sizing up the new offering. For a moment, it seemed hesitant—but then, with one swift movement, it struck hard, inhaling the bait and tearing off into the deep.
Hammerhead shark fishing in Fort Lauderdale
The reel screamed as the Hammerhead ripped drag, and Jamey and his group sprang into action. The fight was on. This was no small task—a battle of strength, endurance, and teamwork. Jamey took the first round, holding steady as the shark made blistering runs. As the fight wore on, the group took turns on the rod, each angler doing their part to wear down the powerful predator.
After an intense back-and-forth battle, the Hammerhead finally surfaced alongside the boat. It was a massive, awe-inspiring sight—a true giant of the deep. We carefully positioned the shark for a quick photo, capturing the moment of triumph.
Hammerhead shark fishing in Fort Lauderdale
With the hook successfully removed and the Hammerhead still full of energy, we released it back into the ocean, watching as it swam gracefully away. Jamey and his crew cheered, knowing they had conquered one of the ocean’s fiercest predators.
To book your own fishing charter in Fort Lauderdale contact Capt. Dave Zsak at (954) 439-8106 or visit the website at: Topshotfishing.com
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