Captain Jason at the wheel of the Cool Runnings 32 ft Contender on a Fort Lauderdale fishing trip

Reports · Guides · Seasonal Picks

Fishing Reports & Guides

Captain Jason's notes from the boat. Seasonal fishing tactics, packing checklists, gear advice, and stories from a decade running charters out of Fort Lauderdale.

The Cool Runnings blog is where Captain Jason posts charter guides, seasonal fishing reports, and the kind of dock-side advice that turns a first-time angler into a repeat guest. Newest posts run at the top. Browse the index for what to pack, when to fish, and how the South Florida bite changes month by month.

Offshore sportfishing boat trolling blue water off Fort Lauderdale with rods set
Charter Guides 8 min read

Is Offshore Fishing in Fort Lauderdale Worth Booking for Your Next Trip?

June 9, 2026

A straight answer on whether offshore fishing out of Fort Lauderdale earns the booking, from a captain who runs the trips year-round.

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Family of four reeling in a fish on a private Fort Lauderdale fishing charter
Charter Guides 6 min read

Private Family Fishing Charters in Fort Lauderdale & Miami

March 13, 2026

Private charters built for families. Patient instruction, calmer trips for younger kids, and the kind of shared experience that becomes a tradition. How to make it count.

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Fort Lauderdale fishing charter heading offshore toward the Gulf Stream at sunrise
Charter Guides 5 min read

Why Anglers Book Fishing Charters in Fort Lauderdale for Nonstop Action

February 27, 2026

The Gulf Stream runs close, the captains know every reef and wreck, and the bite stays year-round. Why Fort Lauderdale fishing charters consistently outproduce other Florida destinations.

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Cooler, sun shirt, hat, and sunglasses packed for a Fort Lauderdale fishing charter
Charter Guides 5 min read

What to Pack for a Fort Lauderdale or Miami Fishing Charter

February 13, 2026

Sun protection, non-slip shoes, hydration, cash for tipping, and a few small things that separate a great charter day from a miserable one. Captain Jason's pack list.

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Split view of inshore mangrove flats and offshore blue water off Fort Lauderdale
Charter Guides 6 min read

Choosing Between Inshore and Offshore Charters in Fort Lauderdale

January 30, 2026

Inshore means calmer water, lighter tackle, snook and tarpon. Offshore means open ocean, heavy gear, sailfish and mahi. How to pick the right Fort Lauderdale trip.

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Offshore sportfishing boat on the Gulf Stream off Miami at sunrise
Seasonal Insights 6 min read

When's the Best Time to Go Offshore Fishing in Miami

January 16, 2026

Miami offshore fishing isn't about luck. It's about the calendar. Sailfish in winter, mahi in spring, blackfin tuna in fall. A season-by-season breakdown of when to book.

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Angler fighting a fish on a Fort Lauderdale deep sea fishing charter in the Gulf Stream
Charter Guides 5 min read

What a Deep Sea Fishing Trip in Fort Lauderdale Is Like

January 2, 2026

Deep sea fishing off Fort Lauderdale isn't a lazy afternoon. Early mornings, Gulf Stream blue water, and the kind of adrenaline that sticks. What to actually expect on a charter.

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Captain Jason holding a mahi mahi caught on a Fort Lauderdale summer fishing charter
Fishing Reports 4 min read

Red Hot Summer Fishing in Fort Lauderdale & South Florida

August 3, 2019

Summer kicked off in live-bait mode flying kites on the edge: blackfin tunas, kingfish, bonita, and even summer sailfish. Then mahi season pushed offshore. Captain Jason's summer recap.

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Sailfish jumping next to the Cool Runnings boat off Fort Lauderdale in spring
Fishing Reports 4 min read

Spring Fishing Report: Sailfish, Tunas & Kingfish off Fort Lauderdale

May 2, 2019

March and April brought double-digit sailfish release days, 30+ lb blackfin tunas, and a 45 lb kingfish on light tackle. Captain Jason's recap of the spring bite off Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

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Captain Jason with a fall blackfin tuna caught offshore of Fort Lauderdale
Fishing Reports 6 min read

Fall Fishing Tactics for Fort Lauderdale & South Florida

September 24, 2018

Fall fishing in South Florida is a challenge. With the right plan, it can be your most productive season. Captain Jason breaks down offshore tuna, deep dropping, reef snapper, and the mullet run.

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Read About It, Then Go Fish

The blog is the warm-up. The real story happens on the boat. Lock in a charter date and find out what is biting this week.

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