Mahi MahiDolphinfish
April to August
The fish our guests mention more than any other. We look for weed lines, frigate birds and floating debris and run the edge until we find them.
What you catch
Twelve months of fishing, and it is different every month
The Gulf Stream runs closer to shore off Pompano Beach than almost anywhere in Florida. That is why the fishing here changes with the season instead of shutting down for it.
What fish can you catch off Pompano Beach, Florida?
Mahi mahi, sailfish, wahoo, blackfin tuna, king mackerel, yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, amberjack, cobia and grouper offshore, plus snook and tarpon inshore when the ocean is rough.
These are the fish we actually catch on this boat. We left off the ones that look good in a brochure and never come over the gunwale here.
SailfishAtlantic Sailfish
November to March
South Florida is one of the best sailfish fisheries in the world. Cold fronts push them south and we fish them on kites and live bait.
WahooOno
November to March
The fastest thing you will ever hook. High-speed trolling around the full moon along the deep edge is how we find them.
Blackfin Tuna
Year round, best March to July
Hard-pulling, great on the table, and reliable. Often the fish that saves a slow morning.
KingfishKing Mackerel
November to April
Smoking runs off the reef. Kids love them because they never stop pulling.
Yellowtail Snapper
Year round
Reef fishing at its most fun and the best eating fish we bring in. Great for beginners and light tackle.
Mutton Snapper
April to June
A prize on the reef and a real test of a light drag. We target them on the spawning aggregations.
AmberjackReef Donkey
December to April
If you want your arms to hurt, this is the fish. We drop on the deep wrecks and hang on.
CobiaLing
December to February
Sight fishing off the rays and around the buoys. One of the most exciting bites of the year.
GrouperGag and Red
Open seasons set by FWC
Bottom fishing over structure. Seasons and size limits change, so we fish them when they are open.
Snook and TarponInshore
Spring and summer
When the ocean is rough we can fish the inlet and the Intracoastal instead of canceling your day.
When is the best time to fish in Pompano Beach?
There is no bad month. Sailfish and wahoo peak from November through March, mahi mahi peak from April through August, and the reef fishes for snapper and blackfin tuna all year.
January
Sailfish, wahoo, kingfish, amberjack, cobia, blackfin tuna, yellowtail
February
Sailfish, wahoo, kingfish, amberjack, cobia, blackfin tuna, yellowtail
March
Sailfish, wahoo, kingfish, amberjack, blackfin tuna, yellowtail
April
Mahi, kingfish, amberjack, mutton snapper, blackfin tuna, yellowtail
May
Mahi, mutton snapper, blackfin tuna, yellowtail
June
Mahi, mutton snapper, blackfin tuna, yellowtail
July
Mahi, blackfin tuna, yellowtail, bottom fishing
August
Mahi, blackfin tuna, yellowtail, sharks
September
Blackfin tuna, yellowtail, bonito, mixed bag
October
Blackfin tuna, yellowtail, first sailfish of the season
November
Sailfish, wahoo, kingfish, blackfin tuna, yellowtail
December
Sailfish, wahoo, kingfish, amberjack, cobia, blackfin tuna, yellowtail
Grouper seasons are set by the FWC and change from year to year, and inshore snook and tarpon run spring and summer. Seasons also shift with water temperature and bait, so call Captain Shawn and ask what is biting this week. He will tell you straight, even if the answer is to come back next month. Tell him which month you are coming.
Ask what is biting
Captain Shawn answers his own phone
No booking engine, no call center, no back and forth with a receptionist. Tell him the date and how many people, and he will tell you straight whether the fishing is worth your money that week.
Prefer email? captainshawn311@yahoo.com