Mahi-mahi fishing out of Fort Lauderdale means trolling offshore water past 3 miles, reached through Port Everglades or Hillsboro Inlet. This guide covers the named grounds with their BR numbers, the run, the method and the local fleet. For the port itself, see the Fort Lauderdale port guide.
When mahi-mahi are around Fort Lauderdale
FishingBooker’s Fort Lauderdale catch chart rates mahi-mahi fair in October. A catch-chart rating is a planning guide and says nothing about what the water is doing on the day you go.
The Atlantic Southeast guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide) covers the wider seasonal picture. Plan around October and offshore Fort Lauderdale water, then check the day’s numbers before you commit to the run.
Where boats run from Fort Lauderdale
Charter listings put the mahi water over 3 miles out, and boats work offshore Broward County water past that line. Before the run, read the wind and sea figures on the NWS Miami coastal waters forecast and decide from the numbers.
Two inlets feed this water:
| Inlet | Role | Grounds nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Port Everglades | The Fort Lauderdale inlet | BR-32, BR-57, BR-65, BR-42 |
| Hillsboro Inlet | The northern inlet | BR-167, BR-164, BR-168, BR-158, BR-161 |
Port Everglades
Port Everglades is the Fort Lauderdale inlet. Its nearby grounds (BR-32, BR-57, BR-65 and BR-42) are listed below by name and number.
Hillsboro Inlet
Hillsboro Inlet is the northern inlet. The named Hillsboro cluster sits around it, and each ground below carries its stated position.
Grounds and structure off Fort Lauderdale
These spots appear with their BR labels as they do in the Breakpoint app. They are reference structure. Mahi are fished in the offshore water past 3 miles, and a mapped ledge is a place to start reading the water, not a promise of fish. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Fort Lauderdale grounds
- Hammerhead Reef (BR-32)
- The Caves, Twin Ledges S (BR-57)
- The Caves, Twin Ledges N (BR-65)
- Port Everglades Reef (BR-42)
Hillsboro Inlet grounds
- Hillsboro Ledge (BR-167), outside Hillsboro Inlet
- Hillsboro Domes (BR-164), north of Hillsboro Inlet
- Opal Towers (BR-168), just off Hillsboro
- Attis Bathtub Reef (BR-158), east of Hillsboro Inlet
- Abby Too (BR-161), south of Hillsboro Inlet
How mahi-mahi are fished here
Trolling is the local method. For rigging and spread basics, see the mahi-mahi fishing guide.
Who fishes mahi-mahi out of Fort Lauderdale
These local charters list mahi-mahi:
- Good Hit Sport Fishing: The Good Hit, with Captain Mike. Based at Bahia Mar.
- All-Inclusive Sportfishing: Marlin My Darlin runs My Marlin Darlin, plus a 46 ft Hatteras used for dinner cruises.
- SoFlo Sportfishing LLC: 40 ft
- All Good Charters: 22 ft
- Wicked Cuda: 30 ft
- The Way Sportfishing: 30 ft
FAQ: mahi-mahi fishing out of Fort Lauderdale
When is mahi-mahi good off Fort Lauderdale?
FishingBooker’s Fort Lauderdale catch chart rates mahi-mahi fair in October. Use that as a planning guide. It cannot tell you what the water will hold on a given day.
How far do boats run for mahi-mahi fishing out of Fort Lauderdale?
Charter listings put the mahi water over 3 miles out, in offshore Fort Lauderdale water. Boats reach it through Port Everglades or Hillsboro Inlet. Read the wind and sea numbers on the NWS marine forecast before the run, and decide from the figures.
Which structure is near Hillsboro Inlet?
Five named grounds sit around Hillsboro Inlet: Hillsboro Ledge (BR-167), outside the inlet; Hillsboro Domes (BR-164), north; Opal Towers (BR-168), just off Hillsboro; Attis Bathtub Reef (BR-158), east; and Abby Too (BR-161), south. They are reference structure.
Which charters target mahi-mahi from Fort Lauderdale?
Six charters list mahi-mahi. Good Hit Sport Fishing runs The Good Hit with Captain Mike from Bahia Mar. Marlin My Darlin runs My Marlin Darlin and a 46 ft Hatteras. SoFlo Sportfishing is 40 ft, All Good Charters 22 ft, Wicked Cuda 30 ft, and The Way Sportfishing 30 ft.
Is mahi-mahi the same as dolphin, and where are the limits?
Yes. Mahi-mahi is also called dolphin, which is the name the federal rules use. Limits come from FWC and federal rules, so check the Regulations section above. For other offshore species, see the offshore gamefish guides.
