Where boats run and how deep
Blueline tilefish fishing out of Pompano Beach is deep-drop work. Captain Sunshine gives its deep-sea range as 100 to 800+ ft, and its 8-hour trips include 800-ft drops. The wider picture is in the blueline tilefish fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast region guide.
The port, Hillsboro Inlet and launch details are covered on the Pompano Beach page. Habits, range and timing for the fish itself are in the blueline tilefish species guide.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Deep-sea range | 100 to 800+ ft |
| Trip format | 8-hour deep-drop trip |
| Deepest drops mentioned | 800 ft |
Grounds and structure off Pompano Beach
Read this section from the inlet outward. The named structure near Hillsboro Inlet gives you landmarks and inshore structure on the way out, and the Edge is where the shelf drops toward deep-drop depths.
| Site | Type | Depth | Grid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lady Luck (Shipwreck Park) | wreck | 126 ft | K-7 |
| Okinawa (Shipwreck Park) | wreck | 70 ft | K-7 |
| Pompano Drop Off | drop-off | K-8 | |
| Sailfish Alley / the Edge | shelf drop-off |
Grid references come from the Pompano Beach visitor dive map. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Sailfish Alley and the Edge
Sailfish Alley, also called the Edge, is the shelf drop-off. It marks the transition from shelf structure to the 100 to 800+ ft deep-drop water.
Pompano Drop Off (K-8)
The Pompano Drop Off is in grid K-8 on the Pompano Beach visitor dive map. Locate it there before you plot a run.
Shipwreck Park: Lady Luck and Okinawa
Lady Luck sits in 126 ft, about 1 mile SE of Hillsboro Inlet, in grid K-7. Okinawa sits in 70 ft, also in K-7. Both are landmarks inshore of the deep-drop water.
Named ledges and reefs
Local dive and fishing maps name a long list of ledge and reef sites:
- Pompano Trench, Lost Ledge, Suzzane’s Ledge
- Pompano 3rd Reef Ridge, Steve’s Twin Ledges
- Shark Reef, Touchdown Reef, Grouper Bend, Nursery
Named wrecks
The named wrecks off this port are Sucre, Miller Lite, Mariner II Tug, Union Express, Mary St. Philip, Rodeo 25, Quallman Tugs, RSB-1, RBJ, Chris Corey, Renegade, Lowrance, Captain Dan, Guy Harvey, SS Copenhagen and Caicos Express.
Dive-map sites: Hillsboro Ledge, Lighthouse Ledge, Horseshoe Reef
Hillsboro Ledge, Lighthouse Ledge and Horseshoe Reef are all listed as Pompano Beach dive sites, and they can help you fix your position on the way out.
How bluelines are fished here
The local method is deep drops. Captain Sunshine runs them on its 8-hour big game trip, with drops to 800 ft. For rigging and gear, see the deep-drop guides.
Who fishes for them out of Pompano Beach
Captain Sunshine Fishing Charters lists blueline tilefish, with Captains Jade and Zoli. Their trips run 8 hours with 800-ft drops, within a 100 to 800+ ft range.
FAQ: blueline tilefish out of Pompano Beach
How deep is blueline tilefish fishing out of Pompano Beach?
The range is 100 to 800+ ft, which is Captain Sunshine’s deep-sea range. Its 8-hour trips include 800-ft drops, so plan for that depth.
Where is the deep water relative to Shipwreck Park?
Shipwreck Park is inshore structure. Lady Luck sits in 126 ft about 1 mile SE of Hillsboro Inlet, and Okinawa sits in 70 ft, both in grid K-7. Deep-drop water lies past the Edge, the shelf drop-off.
What method do locals use for bluelines?
Deep drops on 8-hour trips. The section on how bluelines are fished here points to gear guides.
Which local charter lists blueline tilefish?
Captain Sunshine Fishing Charters lists them, with Captains Jade and Zoli.
When are bluelines around, and where are the rules?
Timing is covered in the blueline tilefish species guide. For rules, see the Regulations section above and check the pages it links before fishing.
