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Fishing around Fort Lauderdale
AI field guide · refreshed weeklyFishing Fort Lauderdale: September Transition—Tarpon, Permit, and Inshore Gamefish
What's biting
Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus)
Where: New River, Las Olas Boulevard bridges, Port Everglades inlet, shallow flats near Deerfield Pier; also offshore reefs 5–10 km out.
September is peak tarpon season in the New River and inlet systems. Use live mullet (20–30 cm), mackerel, or large shiners on 6/0–8/0 circle hooks; sight-cast to rolling fish in 1–3 m of water at dawn or dusk. Expect explosive strikes and long runs.
Caution: Tarpon are catch-and-release only in Florida—check current FWC regulations for any exceptions. Bring heavy tackle and wire bite tippet.
Permit (Trachinotus falcatus)
Where: Shallow flats and sandy bottoms near Port Everglades, Hillsboro Inlet, and the New River mouth; also around mangrove edges.
Sight-fish for tailing permit in 0.3–1.5 m of water using live crabs (fiddler or blue crab) or small shrimp on 2/0–4/0 hooks. Approach slowly and cast ahead of the fish; permit are extremely wary.
Caution: Permit are regulated; confirm current size and bag limits with FWC before fishing.
Snook (Centropomus undecimalis)
Where: Mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and structure in the New River, Middle River, and Intracoastal Waterway; also inlet jetties.
Fish live mullet or shiners (10–15 cm) on 3/0–5/0 hooks near structure at dawn, dusk, or on the incoming tide. Snook hunt ambush points; cast tight to mangroves and pilings.
Caution: Snook have strict seasonal closures and size/bag limits that vary by region—verify current regulations with FWC; September may fall within a spawning closure.
Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus)
Where: Shallow grass flats, mangrove creeks, and sandy bottoms in Biscayne Bay, the Intracoastal, and river systems; also around oyster bars.
Use live shrimp, mullet, or cut baitfish on 2/0–4/0 hooks in 0.6–2 m of water. Sight-cast to cruising or tailing fish, or work structure on the incoming tide. September heat pushes reds into deeper channels and early-morning shallows.
Caution: Redfish are regulated; check FWC for current size and bag limits.
Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus)
Where: Nearshore reefs, wrecks, and sandy bottom 3–8 km offshore; also inlet channels and the Intracoastal.
Cast small spoons (7–10 cm), live mackerel, or mullet on 1/0–3/0 hooks. Spanish mackerel are fast strikers; work lures with quick retrieves or drift live bait near structure. September is good for schooling fish.
Caution: Spanish mackerel have seasonal and size regulations—confirm current rules with FWC.
Best times
Early morning (05:00–08:00) and dusk (18:00–20:30) are prime; incoming tide favors inshore flats and mangrove creeks. The waning crescent (new moon 11 Sept) will produce minimal tidal range this week—focus on structure and current breaks. Calm mornings before wind picks up (forecast shows 16–23 km/h) are best for sight-casting.
Waters to try
- New River (downtown Fort Lauderdale), Las Olas Boulevard bridges, Port Everglades inlet, Hillsboro Inlet, Deerfield Pier, Biscayne Bay (shallow flats south of Port Everglades), Intracoastal Waterway (Middle River and Las Olas sections), nearshore reefs 5–10 km east of inlet.
Regulations
All species listed are subject to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulations, including seasonal closures, size limits, and bag limits that may change monthly. Tarpon are catch-and-release only. Snook may be under a spawning closure in September—verify before fishing. Confirm current rules at https://myfwc.com/fishing/ or contact FWC directly. A valid Florida saltwater fishing license is required.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ↗The fishing note for Fort Lauderdale, every week
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