Fort Lauderdale fishing calendar
What’s biting each month, and the best months to book.
Plan your Fort Lauderdale fishing trip (Ft. Lauderdale) with our month-by-month calendar for peacock bass, largemouth bass, snook, tarpon, sailfish and mahi-mahi. Peak means the best fishing of the year, Good means steady fishing and Fair means possible but slower.
When is the best time to fish in Fort Lauderdale?
The best fishing in Fort Lauderdale is Apr and Oct–Nov, when peacock bass, snook, tarpon, sailfish and mahi-mahi are at their peak. There is something to catch all year: winter is best for largemouth bass and sailfish; spring is best for peacock bass, largemouth bass and snook; summer is best for peacock bass, tarpon and mahi-mahi; fall is best for peacock bass, snook and tarpon.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): best for largemouth bass and sailfish; also king mackerel, wahoo and blackfin tuna.
- Spring (Mar–May): best for peacock bass, largemouth bass, snook and tarpon; also king mackerel.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): best for peacock bass, tarpon and mahi-mahi; also largemouth bass and snook.
- Fall (Sep–Nov): best for peacock bass, snook, tarpon and sailfish; also largemouth bass and blackfin tuna.
Fort Lauderdale fishing calendar by month
How good the fishing is for each fish, month by month. Tap a fish for our full guide.
- Peak best fishing of the year
- Good steady fishing
- Fair possible, but slower
- – slow, out of season or closed
| Fish | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass (canals & lakes) | ||||||||||||
| Peacock bass | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair |
| Largemouth bass | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak |
| Inshore | ||||||||||||
| Snook | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Fair |
| Tarpon | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Fair |
| Offshore | ||||||||||||
| Sailfish | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak |
| Mahi-mahi (dolphin) | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
| King mackerel (kingfish) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Wahoo | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Blackfin tuna | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good |
Seasons, size limits and bag limits change every year: see FWC saltwater rules and FWC freshwater rules. Snook and some other fish are catch-and-release in closed months.
What’s biting each month in Fort Lauderdale
Swipe to see every month →
January
Peak Largemouth bass and Sailfish
Good King mackerel (kingfish), Wahoo and Blackfin tuna
February
Peak Largemouth bass and Sailfish
Good King mackerel (kingfish), Wahoo and Blackfin tuna
March
Peak Largemouth bass, Sailfish and Blackfin tuna
Good Peacock bass, Snook, Tarpon, Mahi-mahi (dolphin) and King mackerel (kingfish)
April
Peak Peacock bass, Snook, Tarpon, Mahi-mahi (dolphin) and Blackfin tuna
Good Largemouth bass, Sailfish and King mackerel (kingfish)
May
Peak Peacock bass, Snook, Tarpon and Mahi-mahi (dolphin)
Good Largemouth bass and Blackfin tuna
June
Peak Peacock bass, Tarpon and Mahi-mahi (dolphin)
Good Largemouth bass and Snook
July
Peak Peacock bass and Mahi-mahi (dolphin)
Good Largemouth bass, Snook and Tarpon
August
Peak Peacock bass
Good Largemouth bass, Snook, Tarpon and Mahi-mahi (dolphin)
September
Peak Peacock bass and Snook
Good Largemouth bass, Tarpon, King mackerel (kingfish) and Wahoo
October
Peak Snook, Tarpon, King mackerel (kingfish) and Wahoo
Good Peacock bass, Largemouth bass, Sailfish and Blackfin tuna
November
Peak Snook, Tarpon, Sailfish, King mackerel (kingfish) and Wahoo
Good Peacock bass, Largemouth bass and Blackfin tuna
December
Peak Largemouth bass and Sailfish
Good King mackerel (kingfish), Wahoo and Blackfin tuna
Best months for each fish in Fort Lauderdale
- Peacock bass: best Apr–Sep; good Mar–Nov.
- Largemouth bass: best Dec–Mar; good all year.
- Snook: best Apr–May and Sep–Nov; good Mar–Nov.
- Tarpon: best Apr–Jun and Oct–Nov; good Mar–Nov.
- Sailfish: best Nov–Mar; good Oct–Apr.
- Mahi-mahi (dolphin): best Apr–Jul; good Mar–Aug.
- King mackerel (kingfish): best Oct–Nov; good Sep–Apr.
- Wahoo: best Oct–Nov; good Sep–Feb.
- Blackfin tuna: best Mar–Apr; good Oct–May.
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
Fort Lauderdale fishing calendar FAQ
When is the best time to fish in Fort Lauderdale?
The best fishing in Fort Lauderdale is Apr and Oct–Nov, when peacock bass, snook, tarpon, sailfish and mahi-mahi are at their peak. There is something to catch all year: winter is best for largemouth bass and sailfish; spring is best for peacock bass, largemouth bass and snook; summer is best for peacock bass, tarpon and mahi-mahi; fall is best for peacock bass, snook and tarpon.
What fish are biting in Fort Lauderdale in winter?
From December to February, largemouth bass and sailfish are at their best, and king mackerel, wahoo and blackfin tuna are good. Pick calm days between cold fronts.
What fish are biting in Fort Lauderdale in summer?
From June to August, peacock bass, tarpon and mahi-mahi are at their best, and largemouth bass and snook are good. Book an early start to beat the heat and afternoon storms.
What is the best month for peacock bass in Fort Lauderdale?
Peacock bass fishing in Fort Lauderdale is best Apr–Sep, and good Mar–Nov.
When is the best time for snook in Fort Lauderdale?
Snook fishing in Fort Lauderdale is best Apr–May and Sep–Nov, and good Mar–Nov.
Do fishing seasons and limits apply in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Some fish have closed seasons, size limits and bag limits that change from year to year. Months marked “–” on this calendar are slow, out of season or usually closed. Your captain follows the current rules; check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for this year’s dates.
How do I book a fishing trip in Fort Lauderdale?
Pick your trip and date on the Fort Lauderdale fishing charters page and book online with a local captain. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before your trip, and a full refund or free reschedule if the captain cancels for weather. Questions? Call or text (407) 392-4593.