Top 5 Fish You’ll Catch on Our Fort Lauderdale Private Fishing Charters This Month

Hey everyone, Captain Scott Fleischer here from BottomsUpAdventureCharters.com, coming to you straight from the helm with salt in my beard and a bent rod in my hand. If you’ve ever wondered why hardcore anglers start twitching the second December rolls around in Fort Lauderdale, buckle up – I’m about to drop the exact intel that has my private fishing tours booked solid from now until spring.

Right now, as I write this on December 1st, the water temperature is dropping into the sweet spot, the bait schools are thick, and the big predators are stacking up like it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet. This isn’t hype – it’s happening right outside the Port Everglades inlet every single morning. And the best part? You don’t have to be a pro to get in on the action. My crew and I run private fishing tours that put everyone – from first-timers to tournament veterans – on the fish of a lifetime.

So grab a coffee (or a cold beer if you’re reading this on the boat), because here are the top five fish lighting up our reels this month – and exactly why you need to lock in your private fishing charter before the calendar disappears.

1. Sailfish – The Superstars of Winter (and They’re Here EARLY This Year)

December through April is sailfish prime time in Fort Lauderdale, and this year the bite turned on the day after Thanksgiving. We’re talking double-digit releases on half-day private fishing tours – something that usually doesn’t happen until January.

Picture this: bright blue sky, 8-foot following seas, and a 7-foot sailfish exploding out of the water doing tail-walks right next to the boat while your buddy is screaming like he just won the lottery. I’ve had grown men cry happy tears when their first sail finally comes boatside for pictures. These fish average 40-70 pounds right now and they fight like they’re possessed. We release 99% of them healthy, so you get the glory and the ocean keeps its rockstars.

Pro tip: Book a 6- or 8-hour offshore private fishing tour if sails are your target. The farther we run, the thicker they get.

2. Mahi Mahi – The Colorful Acrobats That Taste Like Heaven

Even though most people think mahi season is summer, the big bulls and cows follow the Gulf Stream current changes in winter and slide right past Fort Lauderdale in December. We’re catching 15-30 pound dolphin (mahi mahi) under birds, on floating debris, and around the color changes – sometimes only 3-5 miles off the beach.

These fish are stupid-pretty (electric blue, green, and yellow) and they jump like tarpon on steroids. Plus, nothing beats grilling fresh mahi tacos on the ride home while the sun sets over the skyline. If you only keep one species for dinner all year, make it December mahi.

3. Kingfish (King Mackerel) – The Smokers That Never Quit

If you like drag-screaming runs that empty half your spool in ten seconds, welcome to kingfish season. The kings are schooled up thick from the third reef out to 200 feet, and they’re fat from gorging on sardines. We’re boxing 20-40 pound smokers daily right now on our private fishing tours.

Kids love them because the bite is visual (you see the rod double over), and experienced anglers love them because a big king on light tackle is pure chaos. We rig live gogs and blue runners on stinger rigs – when that reel starts clicking, hang on. And yes, smoked kingfish dip is basically South Florida crack.

4. Blackfin Tuna – Footballs That Fight Like Heavyweights

The blackfin bite in December is straight fire. We’re seeing schools of 15-30 pound tuna crashing bait on the surface from Haulover Inlet all the way down to Pompano. These fish hit topwater poppers, live bait, and jigs with reckless abandon.

One trip last week we went 11-for-14 on tuna in two hours. The best part? Fresh blackfin sashimi with soy sauce and wasabi while we’re still fishing for more. It doesn’t get fresher than that. If you’ve never had tuna caught an hour before it hits your plate, you haven’t lived.

5. Wahoo – The Fastest, Meanest, and Most Delicious Surprise of the Month

Wahoo are the ninjas of the offshore world – they show up unannounced, cut your line if you’re not paying attention, and leave you shaking when you finally get one to the boat. December is when the big females (40-70+ pounds) stage for their spawn, and they’re hanging around current rips and temperature breaks in 200-400 feet.

We catch them trolling high-speed lures or pitching live baits to busting schools. One decent wahoo feeds six people easily, and the meat is mild, firm, and perfect grilled, blackened, or raw. When someone yells “Wahooooo!” on my boat, they’re usually not just excited – they’re pronouncing dinner.

Why Right Now Is the Perfect Time to Book Your Private Fishing Tour

Let’s be real – you could fish with any charter in Fort Lauderdale, but here’s why my guests keep coming back (and bringing their friends):

• Private means private. No splitting the cockpit with strangers. Your group, your music, your pace.

• All of our boats are tournament-rigged with the best gear money can buy – Shimano Tiagra 50 wides, Star rods, 80# braided line, and fresh tackle every trip.

• We supply everything: rods, reels, bait (live and dead), tackle, licenses, ice, water, and even clean the fish for you.

• My mates and I have forgotten more about Fort Lauderdale fishing than most captains will ever know. We put you on fish – period.

• We’re just as happy running a family-friendly reef trip for snapper as we are battling sailfish 15 miles offshore. You tell us what you want, we make it happen.

And if you’re worried about seasickness, cold fronts, or kids getting bored – relax. December weather is usually flat calm in the mornings, we’ve got Dramamine on board, and we carry loaner rods small enough for a 5-year-old to crank.

Mix Fishing with a Party? Yes, We Do That Too

A lot of groups book our 6-hour “Fish & Cruise” combo: we hammer the sailfish and tuna all morning, clean up, and then hit the sandbar for party boat rides with floating mats, cold drinks, and music for the ride home. Best of both worlds – trophy fish in the box and epic photos for the ‘Gram.

We also do bachelor party trips that start with rods bent at sunrise and end with a bach party boat rental vibe by sunset. I’ve had grooms catch their first sailfish the morning of the wedding – talk about starting married life with a bang!

Ready to Make December the Month You Finally Catch That Trophy?

If your heart’s pounding a little right now thinking about sailfish dancing on the leader or fresh tuna melting in your mouth, that’s the ocean calling your name. Don’t wait until the bite “gets good” – it’s already stupid-good, and my December weekends are filling faster than a reel on a wahoo run.

Head over to https://www.bottomsupadventurecharters.com right now, click “Book Now,” pick your date, and let’s get you locked in for one of the best private fishing tours of your life. Half-day, full-day, or custom – whatever you need, we’ve got you covered.

This is Captain Scott reminding you: the fish are chewing, the weather is perfect, and the boat is fueled up with your name on it.

See you at the dock – rods rigged, livewell full, and coffee hot.

Tight lines and screaming drags, Captain Scott Fleischer BottomsUpAdventureCharters.com