Fishing Headquarters | Fort Lauderdale Deep Sea Fishing
Fishing Headquarters is a one-stop shop for Fort Lauderdale deep sea fishing, running everything from budget-friendly party boat trips to private sportfishing, swordfishing and inshore tarpon charters. The fleet docks at 301 Seabreeze Blvd., at the southwest corner of Las Olas Boulevard and A1A next to the 7-Eleven, just minutes by boat from Port Everglades Inlet. Because the ocean floor drops off so quickly here, deep water and productive reefs are only about a mile or two off Fort Lauderdale beach.
Catch My Drift: Fort Lauderdale’s Air-Conditioned Party Boat
The flagship is the Catch My Drift, an 85-foot, Coast Guard-certified Gulfcraft party fishing boat with 85 feet of fishing rail. She has a fully air-conditioned enclosed cabin with dinettes and bench seating, a galley with refrigerator, freezer and microwave, separate men’s and women’s restrooms, a live bait tank, a large iced fish hold and an upper sun deck. Rods, bait, tackle and licenses are all provided, so no experience or gear is needed.
Fort Lauderdale Deep Sea Fishing Trips on the Party Boat
The Catch My Drift fishes seven days a week:
- Morning reef trip: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Afternoon reef trip: 1:30 – 5:30 PM
- Night anchor trip: 7:30 – 11:30 PM
- Saturday night 6-hour trip: 7:30 PM – 1:30 AM ($85)
Regular trips are $70 for adults and $40 for kids 12 and under. Advance booking is recommended because trips often sell out.
On the daytime trips the captain drifts or anchors over the reef in about 100 feet of water, using squid, ballyhoo and sardines for snapper, grouper, porgies, jacks, kingfish, tuna, mahi-mahi and the occasional sailfish. At night the boat anchors and chums, drawing yellowtail, mangrove and mutton snapper, grouper, cobia and sharks up from the reef. The fish tend to run smaller after dark, but the night trip usually delivers the most action.
Fort Lauderdale Deep Sea Fishing Charters for Big Game
For bigger fish, Fishing Headquarters runs two well-equipped sportfishing boats, including The Big Game. Each has an air-conditioned cabin, a full flybridge and tuna tower, a large cockpit with three fighting chairs and two live wells. Depending on conditions, trips troll, kite fish or live-bait the wrecks for sailfish, mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna, amberjack and big-game sharks.
- Shared sportfishing: 4 hours, 8 AM–12 PM or 1–5 PM, $199 per person (maximum six anglers; reservations required)
- Private sportfishing (up to 6): $875 for 4 hours, $1,275 for 6 hours, $1,700 for 8 hours
Swordfishing and Tarpon Charters
Private swordfishing trips for up to six run about 14 miles offshore into the Gulf Stream. Choose a 10-hour daytime deep-drop trip (7 AM–5 PM) or an 8-hour night drift trip (6 PM–2 AM); both are $2,500. Inshore, a 24-foot center console takes up to four anglers through Fort Lauderdale’s canals and Intracoastal Waterway for tarpon, snook, barracuda and jack crevalle, with private trips from $650 for 4 hours.
Private Charters for Groups of 7 or More
Large groups can charter the Catch My Drift or the Mary B III for bachelor parties, family reunions, company outings, team-building events or Intracoastal cruises, with either drift fishing or sportfishing.
Know Before You Go
- Arrive: about 30 minutes early and check in at the ticket office
- Bring: your own food and drinks (the 7-Eleven is right next door), sunscreen, a hat and polarized sunglasses
- Alcohol: beer and wine coolers are allowed on the party boat, but no hard liquor and no glass
- Gear: no braided line
- Kids: all ages are welcome; children under 4 are best on calm days
- Your catch: the mates will fillet your fish (they work for tips), and there’s a free walk-in freezer at the dock for visitors flying home with fillets
Book Fort Lauderdale Deep Sea Fishing With Fishing Headquarters
Reserve online through the Fishing Headquarters website or call (754) 214-7863. Looking at other options? Compare more walk-on boats in our Florida party & head boat directory or browse all Florida fishing charters.