Fort Lauderdale fishing report for the charter boat “Happy Day Today” and Top Shot Sportfishing Charters.
Fort Lauderdale, like many coastal areas, can experience changes in sea conditions based on seasonal weather patterns. And with these weather patterns can bring species closer to shore and move these fish along the Fort Lauderdale drop off. We tend to see a good run of fish over the next few months. In general, during the winter months (December through February) while charter fishing in Fort Lauderdale, the region may experience more frequent cold fronts and increased wind speeds.
It is very common for the wind to blow from an Easterly direction for a few days, then as the low pressure system is passing the wind direction will start to clock to the SE and Southernly directions. This is about the time the wind speeds are averaging anywhere from 15 to 20 mph, and continuing to clock around to the West. As the low pressure system passes we typically have cloudy weather with frequent showers. After a day of Westerly winds the system passes and the primary wind will switch again and start to blow out of the North East. Once this happens we traditionally start to see a good run of both Sailfish and Mahi Mahi.
The changing weather patterns and east winds will push the Mahi Mahi closer to the shore and Sailfish will start to feed along the drop off. Wind plays an important role in creating top water features such as weed lines, floating debris or sargassum. Mahi Mahi are known to associate with these structures as they provide shelter as well as provide Mahi Mahi with smaller fish to feed on. Changes in wind patterns will push the fish closer to shore making it easier for us to target them.
As we are experiencing a rising or falling barometric pressure this can trigger a feeding behavior. We find targeting both Sailfish and Mahi Mah is productive just before or after a low pressure. The Fort Lauderdale fishing weather patterns will also determine what species we will target and how we will accomplish the task.
In addition to targeting Sailfish and Mahi Mahi fishing we are also trolling the reef and bottom fishing. We are catching some King Mackerel, Bonita and Black Fin Tuna while trolling. Last few trips we had a very productive catch with Black Fin Tuna.
On one particular trip the skies were overcast with choppy seas. The overcast skies reduce the intensity of the sunlight creating a lower light condition making them more willing to feed. Also the choppy seas create more turbulence breaking up the water making the Tunas strike more aggressively. We were catching what we call “football” size Tunas weighing anywhere from 7 to 12 pounds. Also having some recent success with bottom fishing. We have been catching some Yellow Tail Snappers, Mutton Snappers, Amberjack along with some sizable Sharks. Depending on the fish we are targeting will determine the size of the hook, line and bait used. While we have been kite fishing with surface baits, we have also been sending down bottom baits. A slow drift with the surface live baits allows us to effectively bottom fish covering the top and bottom spectrum.
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