Fort Lauderdale fishing charters
Peacock and largemouth bass in the canals and lakes, plus iguana hunts.
Book a local guide for peacock bass and largemouth bass on the canals, lakes and Everglades waters around Fort Lauderdale, or a guided iguana hunt on Broward County waterways. Bass trips start at $225 for 2 hours on Lake Ida and $350 for 4 hours. Iguana hunts start at $400 for 2 hours. Inshore trips start at $500 and offshore trips at $950 for 4 hours.
Build Your Trip
Book your Fort Lauderdale fishing trips today: canals and lakes close to town, plus iguana hunts.
Tell us what sounds fun and we’ll show the trips that fit, or pick a trip and the fish you want.
1. What sounds fun? Optional
2. Pick your trip Start here · select one
Canals, lakes & iguana hunts
Saltwater
Looking for a specific fish?
2. Your options
Where do you want to fish? How longPick a trip to see your options and the live calendar.
Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm. Your guide or captain confirms the meeting spot and start time with you before the trip. Distances are straight-line estimates; drive times vary with traffic.
What Fort Lauderdale fishing charters can you book?
iOutdoors books guided bass trips for peacock and largemouth bass at seven canal and lake spots around Fort Lauderdale: the Everglades canals, Markham Park, Sawgrass, the C-14 Canal, Alligator Alley (mile markers 35 and 41) and Lake Ida in Delray Beach. Bass trips start at $225 for 2 hours on Lake Ida, and 4-hour trips start at $350. We also book guided iguana hunts on Broward County waterways from $400 for 2 hours, with 6- and 8-hour fish-and-hunt combos from $700. Inshore trips start at $500 and offshore trips at $950 for 4 hours. Bass trips include the guide, bass boat, fuel and tackle; iguana hunts include the air rifles and ammo.
Bass, iguana hunt or saltwater?
| Bass (canals & lakes) | Iguana hunt | Inshore | Offshore | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Everglades canals, Markham Park, Sawgrass, C-14 Canal, Alligator Alley (MM 35 and 41), Lake Ida | Broward County public waterways | Intracoastal and bays | The Atlantic off Fort Lauderdale |
| Main target | Peacock and largemouth bass | Invasive green iguanas | Snook, tarpon | Sailfish, mahi, kingfish, wahoo |
| Trip lengths | 2–8 hours on Lake Ida; 4, 6, 8 hours elsewhere | 2 or 4 hours; 6 or 8 hours fish & hunt | 4, 6, 8 hours | 4, 6, 8 hours |
| Price | From $225 | From $400 | From $500 | From $950 |
| License | Freshwater license needed, 16 and older | No hunting license needed | Covered by the captain | Covered by the captain |
| Best for | Families up to 4, first-timers, peacock bass | Something different; beginners and kids welcome | Light tackle in protected water | Big fish and experienced anglers |
| Book bass | Book a hunt | Book inshore | Book offshore |
Reviews from Fort Lauderdale trips
4.9602 reviews
Captain Brett was great! Put us on fish and iguanas. He went above and beyond, offering multiple suggestions on everything from places to eat and things to do after we finished. He was Easy to talk to and very friendly.
Rosa Babin · October 2026 · Google
Captain Richard Hernandez was an amazing guide. We did the 4 hour fishing tour in the Everglades and it was a great experience. Highly recommend!
Patricia R · October 2026 · Google
Jose was wonderful! Thanks for a great time!
Elisha Stoecklin · October 2026 · Google
We did the cast and blast trip and were able to check a couple things off the list. One of the guys in our group was really wanting to catch a snakehead and got it done, and I was able to knock a peacock bass off my bucket list as well.We also got some good iguanas during the hunting portion of the…
Derek Marlin · September 2026 · Google
Jose got us on a lot of iguanas and caught some nice fish very professional really knows what he is doing and was really nice to be around
Trenton Tillotson · September 2026 · Google
Made last minute reservations and had a great time fishing with Captain Tim.
PDQ Fire & Water Damage · August 2026 · Google
Captain Jose is highly recommended!!!! We had a blast…no pun intended. Very affordable, great conversations with the captain and crew, and a little rain didn’t ruin the fun. If you were ever looking g for some reason to get to Florida, this is your reason
Jay Cueva · August 2026 · Google
We had a blast! We caught fish all day, some nice largemouth bass, some peacock bass, and even a couple catfish! We highly recommend !
Jeremy Bartley · August 2026 · Google
I would highly recommend these guys if you wanna get the peacock bass marked off your list. My second time using this outfit and worth every penny.
Patrick Mehran · July 2026 · Google
Awesome experience. Captain was awesome as well!
William Hamlet · July 2026 · Google
Cpt Jose was great, he had cold water on hand and noticed my uncle fading in the sun. He's already a lifesaver in my book, would definitely book with him again.
Christopher Bell · July 2026 · Google
Have fished with Brett several times.He's very good
Michael Mayhall · July 2026 · Google
What’s biting by season around Fort Lauderdale
Full Fort Lauderdale fishing calendarWinter Dec–Feb
- Canals & lakes: Largemouth bass are active; peacock bass slow down after cold fronts
- Saltwater: Sailfish season offshore
Spring Mar–May
- Canals & lakes: Peacock bass pick up as the water warms
- Saltwater: Snook and tarpon inshore; mahi start to show offshore
Summer Jun–Aug
- Canals & lakes: Prime time for peacock bass; fish early for largemouth
- Saltwater: Mahi offshore; snook and tarpon inshore
Fall Sep–Nov
- Canals & lakes: Bass feed up as the water cools
- Saltwater: Kingfish and wahoo offshore; the mullet run inshore
What fish can you catch in Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale fish species depend on where you fish:
- Canals and lakes: peacock bass and largemouth bass all year. See Fort Lauderdale bass fishing.
- Inshore (Intracoastal and bays): snook and tarpon. See Fort Lauderdale inshore fishing.
- Offshore (the Atlantic): sailfish, mahi-mahi, kingfish and wahoo. See Fort Lauderdale offshore fishing.
Peacock bass
Butterfly peacockHard-fighting, colorful bass that live in South Florida’s canals and lakes. Best in the warmer months.
Largemouth bass
Florida bassCaught all year in the canals, lakes and Everglades waters west of town.
Mahi-mahi
DolphinfishSpring and summer, often under weed lines and floating debris.
Kingfish
King mackerelFast fish on the reefs and edges off the coast.
Wahoo
OnoOne of the fastest fish in the ocean; best in the cooler months.
Seasons, size and bag limits apply to many species: see the FWC freshwater and saltwater fishing regulations.
Where you’ll fish
Open in Google Maps: Markham Park · Everglades Holiday Park · Lake Ida
Bass: trips run in the Everglades canals of west Broward (see Everglades Holiday Park), at Markham Park in Sunrise and Sawgrass in Weston, on the C-14 Canal in Plantation (see Pompano Beach bass fishing), along Alligator Alley and on Lake Ida in Delray Beach. Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time before the trip.
Iguana hunts: run on Broward County public waterways, canal banks and seawalls. See iguana hunting in Florida.
Saltwater: inshore trips fish the Intracoastal and bays, offshore trips run on the Atlantic, and drift boat, shared and night trips are also available. Your captain confirms the meeting spot and start time before the trip.
Planning a fishing trip in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale sits between the Atlantic and the Everglades. The canals and lakes west of town hold peacock bass and largemouth bass, a short drive from the beaches and the airport, and iguana hunts run on the waterways in town.
Bass or iguana hunt: how to choose
Choose a bass trip for peacock bass and largemouth bass; bass boats take up to 4 people, which suits families and first-timers. Choose an iguana hunt for something different: your guide runs the boat, provides the air rifles and ammo, and finds the iguanas. The 6- and 8-hour combos add fishing to the hunt. For saltwater, choose inshore for the Intracoastal and bays, offshore for the Atlantic, or a drift boat, shared or night trip.
Short on time?
Lake Ida in Delray Beach has 2-hour bass trips, from $225, and iguana hunts start at 2 hours, from $400. Most other bass spots run 4, 6 or 8 hours.
The best time of year
Bass bite all year around Fort Lauderdale. Peacock bass are a warm-water fish and bite best from spring through fall, and they slow down after winter cold fronts. Iguana hunts run year-round. Offshore, winter is sailfish season and spring and summer bring mahi. The Fort Lauderdale fishing calendar has the month-by-month details.
Where to stay and what’s nearby
Pick a base by the trip you book. Your captain or guide confirms the exact meeting spot before the trip.
- Bass trips (west Broward): stay near Sawgrass: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sunrise - Sawgrass Mills or Hampton Inn Weston Ft. Lauderdale, close to Markham Park, Weston and Everglades Holiday Park.
- Saltwater trips: stay on the beach: Beach House Fort Lauderdale, Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach and Marriott’s BeachPlace Towers are on Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard.
- Iguana hunts: run across Broward County, so either area works.
Getting here: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is close to both areas.
Off the water: Las Olas Boulevard and the beach promenade.
Hotels are listed for convenience; iOutdoors isn’t affiliated with them.
Good to know before you book
- Licenses: on freshwater trips each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. Iguana hunts don’t need a hunting license.
- Group size: bass boats take up to 4 people. Iguana hunts take up to 4 hunters per boat.
- Weather: if the guide or captain cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.
- Cancellation: free up to 72 hours before your trip.
Fort Lauderdale fishing questions
How much does a fishing charter in Fort Lauderdale cost?
Bass trips start at $225 for 2 hours on Lake Ida in Delray Beach. Four-hour bass trips start at $350 at Markham Park, Sawgrass, the C-14 Canal and Alligator Alley mile marker 35, and at $375 in the Everglades canals and at Alligator Alley mile marker 41. Iguana hunts start at $400 for 2 hours, and fish-and-hunt combos start at $700 for 6 hours. Inshore trips start at $500 and offshore trips at $950 for 4 hours. Drift boat trips start at $70, shared trips at $200 and night trips at $550. The booking calendar shows the exact price for your date and trip.
Where can I go bass fishing near Fort Lauderdale?
In the Everglades canals of west Broward, at Markham Park in Sunrise and Sawgrass in Weston, on the C-14 Canal in Plantation, along Alligator Alley and on Lake Ida in Delray Beach. In Build Your Trip, pick where you are staying and the spots sort by distance.
Can I catch peacock bass in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Peacock bass live in the canals and lakes of South Florida, and our guides target both peacock bass and largemouth bass. Peacock bass bite best in the warmer months.
What is an iguana hunt?
A guided hunt for invasive green iguanas on Broward County public waterways. Your guide runs the boat, provides the air rifles and ammo, and finds the iguanas. Hunts run 2 or 4 hours, and the 6- and 8-hour trips combine fishing and hunting. No hunting license is needed.
Can I book inshore or offshore fishing in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Inshore trips run 4, 6 or 8 hours from $500, and offshore trips run 4, 6 or 8 hours from $950 for up to 6 guests. There are also drift boat trips from $70, shared trips from $200 and night trips from $550. Pick one in Build Your Trip to see the live calendar.
Do I need a fishing license?
On freshwater trips, each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. Iguana hunts don’t need a hunting license.
What’s included in a Fort Lauderdale bass trip or iguana hunt?
Bass trips include the guide, bass boat, fuel, life jackets, rods, reels, tackle and artificial lures. Iguana hunts include the guide, boat, air rifles, ammo and gear. Not included: the guide’s tip (10–20% is customary), food and drinks, and a freshwater fishing license.
Are these trips good for kids and first-timers?
Yes. Bass trips take up to 4 people and suit families and first-timers, and the guide sets up the rods and helps every step of the way. Beginners and kids are welcome on iguana hunts.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If the guide or captain cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for free up to 72 hours before your trip.
