Golden tilefish fishing out of Pompano Beach is deep-drop fishing in 100 to 800+ ft, and the fish run here January through August. Boats leave through Hillsboro Inlet, cross the reef and wreck marks, and run over the Edge to reach that band. The location is covered in the wider Pompano Beach picture. This page covers when the fish are around, where boats run, the named structure, how the fish are fished, and who runs the trip. For the wider coast, see the golden tilefish fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the wider Atlantic Southeast guide.
When golden tilefish are around Pompano Beach
Golden tilefish run here January through August, per Captain Sunshine Fishing Charters. The charter’s FAQ also lists summer as a deep-drop window.
For life history and range, see golden tilefish biology and range. This page stays with the port.
Where boats run and the structure along the way
The fish sit in 100 to 800+ ft, past the Edge. Most named structure off the port is shallower water you cross to get there. Grid references below come from the Pompano Beach visitor dive map, which is mapped for divers and not surveyed for deep-drop bottom.
Sailfish Alley and the Edge
Sailfish Alley, also called the Edge, is the shelf drop-off. Boats run past it to reach 100 to 800+ ft.
Pompano Drop Off and Pompano Trench
- Pompano Drop Off: map grid K-8 on the Pompano Beach visitor dive map.
- Pompano Trench: a named reef and ledge site off the port.
Ledges and reefs
These are reference marks off the port, not tilefish grounds:
- Lost Ledge
- Suzzane’s Ledge
- Pompano 3rd Reef Ridge
- Steve’s Twin Ledges
- Shark Reef
- Touchdown Reef
- Grouper Bend
- Nursery
Hillsboro Ledge, Lighthouse Ledge and Horseshoe Reef are also listed as Pompano Beach dive sites.
Wrecks and Shipwreck Park
The Shipwreck Park wrecks are reference marks that sit far shallower than the deep-drop band.
| Site | Type | Depth | Map 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 |
Lady Luck sits about 1 mile SE of Hillsboro Inlet.
Other named wrecks off the port:
- 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
- Caicos Express
Chart layers are not for navigation.
How golden tilefish are fished here
Golden tilefish are fished here on deep drops, alongside snowy grouper, in 100 to 800+ ft. The local format is the 8-hour trip, and the same drops target both species.
Electric reels, rigs and drift management are covered in deep-drop rigging and drift technique. Before the run, check the National Weather Service marine forecast for wind, wave height and period.
Who fishes for golden tilefish out of Pompano Beach
Captain Sunshine Fishing Charters lists golden tilefish out of Pompano Beach, with Captains Jade and Zoli. The charter runs 8-hour deep-drop trips for golden tilefish and snowy grouper. A guided trip shows you the run and the depth band before you take your own boat.
FAQ about golden tilefish fishing out of Pompano Beach
When is the season?
January through August, per Captain Sunshine. The charter’s FAQ lists summer as a deep-drop window.
How deep do boats fish?
100 to 800+ ft, past the Edge.
What else comes up on the same drops?
Snowy grouper, fished on the same deep drops in 100 to 800+ ft.
How long are local trips?
8 hours, the format the local charter lists for deep drops.
Which charter lists golden tilefish?
Captain Sunshine Fishing Charters, with Captains Jade and Zoli, on 8-hour trips.
