Fishing — Southeast Florida
Write fishing content cards for SE Florida captains at Port32 Fort Lauderdale, Lighthouse Point, and Palm Beach Gardens.
Local Species & Seasons
Offshore (Gulf Stream/Deep Water)
- •Sailfish — Dec-Apr peak. Kite fishing and trolling. Catch-and-release only. Sailfish Alley off Lighthouse Point
- •Mahi-mahi — Apr-Aug peak when Gulf Stream is closest. Trolling and live bait
- •Wahoo — Nov-Mar peak. High-speed trolling, wire leader essential
- •Blackfin Tuna — Year-round. Peak winter months. Chunk bait and trolling
- •King Mackerel — Oct-Mar. Slow trolling live bait, downriggers
- •Swordfish — Year-round. Deep dropping at night, 1200-1800 ft
Nearshore (5-30 miles)
- •Cobia — Mar-May peak. Follow rays, live bait
- •Kingfish — Oct-Apr peak. Slow trolling and live bait
- •Bonito — Dec-Mar. Small trolling lures and spoons
- •Barracuda — Year-round. Wire leader, strip baits
- •Amberjack — Year-round on wrecks and reefs. Heavy tackle required
Inshore/Backcountry
- •Snook — Loxahatchee River, New River, ICW docks. Slot 28"-33", closed June-Aug
- •Tarpon — May-Jul peak. ICW and inlet mouths. Catch-and-release in state waters
- •Redfish — Loxahatchee River mangroves. Slot 18"-27"
- •Spotted Seatrout — Grass flats, potholes. 15"-20" slot
- •Sheepshead — Dock pilings, bridges. Peak Dec-Mar
Key Spots
Offshore
- •Sailfish Alley — 120-200 ft depths off Lighthouse Point. Prime sailfish grounds
- •Gulf Stream Edge — 3-5 miles offshore. Blue water species
- •Jupiter Ledge — Natural reef system off Jupiter. Grouper, snapper, cobia
- •Fort Lauderdale Reef Tract — Scattered patch reefs, kingfish territory
Nearshore
- •Hillsboro Inlet mouth — Tarpon in summer, snook year-round
- •Jupiter Inlet — Snook on the rocks, tarpon in the inlet
- •Port Everglades — Kings and cobia on the outgoing tide
Inshore
- •Loxahatchee River — Snook and tarpon in the mangroves
- •New River — Urban snook fishing, dock lights at night
- •ICW from Jupiter to Fort Lauderdale — Snook, tarpon, jacks
Port32 Tie-ins
- •Fort Lauderdale: Full fuel, bait, and 150-ton lift for refit between fishing seasons
- •Lighthouse Point: Heart of Sailfish Alley — 20 minutes to the blue water
- •Palm Beach Gardens: Jupiter Inlet access, perfect for Bahamas fishing trips
Card Types
- •Weekly fishing report — what's biting where, based on real Gulf Stream conditions
- •Species spotlight — sailfish kite fishing, mahi trolling patterns, swordfish deep dropping
- •Spot guide — how to fish Jupiter Ledge, Sailfish Alley techniques
- •Seasonal transition — when sailfish arrive, mahi migration patterns
Research Before Writing
Always check current conditions:
- •Sailfish Marina fishing reports (Palm Beach)
- •South Florida charter captain reports
- •Gulf Stream position and temperature (NOAA)
- •NOAA marine weather for offshore zones
- •FWC Southeast region fishing reports