Straight answers from the captain
Pompano Beach Fishing
Charter FAQs
Everything first-time and returning anglers ask before they step aboard at Hillsboro Inlet.
Know Before You Go
Here are the questions we field every week about fishing charters in Pompano Beach: what a private trip costs, when the boat leaves, whether you need a license, what to pack, which species are running in the month you are visiting, and how far outside Hillsboro Inlet we go to find them. It also covers the cruise side of the business for guests planning a sunset run or a sandbar afternoon.
The answers come straight from Capt. Ron and the crew who fish these boats daily. If you are deciding between trip lengths, the fish species we target guide pairs well with the fishing questions below, since the right species often decides the right trip.
Cannot find what you need? Call (954) 263-4648 and ask. A real person picks up.
Booking & Pricing
Trip lengths, cost, departure times and how to reserve a date.
Every trip is private with room for up to 6 guests. A 4-hour charter is $850, a 6-hour charter is $1,250, and a full 8-hour day is $1,600. The price covers the boat, captain, mate, licenses, tackle, bait, ice and bottled water.
Book online through our booking calendar, or send a fishing charter request form and Captain Ron will confirm your date. A 20% gratuity for the crew is customary.
Our half-day fishing charters in Pompano Beach run on two schedules. The morning trip departs at 7:00 AM, so please arrive by 6:45. The afternoon trip departs at 12:00 PM, with an 11:45 arrival.
Departures are near Hillsboro Inlet, and the fishing grounds sit just outside it.
Each boat carries up to 6 guests, and every fishing charter is private to your group. Both the 47-foot Buddy Davis and the 42-foot Post carry six guests plus the captain and mate.
Sandbar trips can run both boats together for up to 12 people. For a larger fishing group, call (954) 263-4648 and Captain Ron will work out the best way to get everyone on the water.
Yes. We welcome anglers from Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point and other Broward County cities. The boat departs from Pompano Beach near the Hillsboro Inlet, a short drive from all of them.
Our offshore sportfishing charters for Fort Lauderdale anglers fish the same reefs, wrecks and Gulf Stream edge as every other trip.
We offer multiple convenient pickup locations including Lighthouse Point Marina and near the Deerfield Beach Pier, depending on your charter type and preferences.
Guests booking a Deerfield Beach fishing charter are only a few minutes from the Hillsboro Inlet, so the run to the fishing grounds is short.
The Fishing
What bites, when it bites and how far we run to find it.
No, you do not need a fishing license. All fishing licenses are included in your charter with Don't Panic Sportfishing.
Our USCG certified captains ensure all necessary permits and licenses are covered, so you can focus on enjoying your fishing experience in Pompano Beach and South Florida waters.
Pompano Beach offers excellent offshore sport fishing opportunities. Depending on the season, you can catch a variety of fish including mahi-mahi, sailfish, kingfish, wahoo, tuna, snapper, grouper, and amberjack. Our experienced captains know the best spots and techniques to help you land your catch.
Each of the fish species we target off Pompano Beach has its own season and its own technique.
Winter cold fronts push sailfish and kingfish in close, and sailfish peak from November through March. Our sailfish fishing charters in South Florida are busiest during those months.
Spring and summer bring mahi-mahi along the weed lines and floating debris. Blackfin tuna, wahoo, snapper, grouper and cobia round out the year, along with bonito, barracuda and amberjack. The Gulf Stream runs close to shore here, which is why Pompano Beach fishes well year-round.
Not far at all. The reefs, wrecks, ledges and the continental-shelf drop-off sit 1 to 5 miles off Pompano Beach, and the Gulf Stream runs right along that edge. The fishing grounds sit just outside the inlet.
That short run is the main advantage of our offshore deep sea fishing charters from Pompano Beach. You spend your charter hours fishing, not riding out to the grounds.
Yes. Families, first-timers and experienced anglers all fish with us, and a mate is aboard every charter on Don't Panic. The crew rigs the lines, sets the spread, coaches you through the fight and handles the fish at the boat.
All rods, reels and tackle are tournament-quality and included, so you do not need to own or bring any gear. Some of our best Google reviews come from guests on their very first offshore trip.
Yes. At the end of the trip the crew fillets what you caught, and the coolers with ice keep it fresh on the ride home. Guests regularly mention cooking their mahi-mahi and tuna that same night.
One Google reviewer had the day's barracuda, tuna and mahi-mahi filleted and then prepared at a restaurant of their choice. That is a popular way to finish a Pompano Beach fishing charter.
On the Boat
What to bring, who can come and what happens with your catch.
All fishing equipment, licenses, bait, safety gear, coolers with ice, and bottled water are included. Just bring your food, drinks, and sunscreen!
Adults 21 and over are also welcomed aboard with a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa, and a Bluetooth radio is on board for your music.
Sunglasses, bathing suit, towels, sunscreen (preferably not spray) and food or beverage of your choice. Our captains and Mates go out of their way to provide the best experience possible. When fishing our mates work on tips and if you feel they have taken care of you it is common to tip up to 20%.
Alcohol is allowed on board for those over the age of 21. The captain reserves the right to cancel the trip at any time. That applies if he feels someone has become too intoxicated and a danger to themselves or anyone else on the boat.
A charter will be cancelled immediately if illegal drugs are brought on the boat. Cancellations due to drugs or alcohol will not be refunded.
If you are concerned about being sea sick then make sure to take motion sickness medicine per the directions. If you do not follow the directions the medicine may have no effect. A hangover may also cause sea sickness.
We run two sportfishing boats: Don't Panic, a 47-foot Buddy Davis, and Don't Panic!!, a 42-foot Post. Both are set up for offshore fishing near the Hillsboro Inlet and comfortable Intracoastal cruising.
Each boat has an air-conditioned salon with couches, a full galley with a full-size fridge, microwave and sink, and a full private head with fresh water. The Don't Panic sportfishing boats also carry tournament-quality gear and a spacious deck for fighting fish.
Yes, kids are welcome on our boat charters! We accommodate families and can host up to 6 guests on our private boat. Our USCG certified captains ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all ages.
Whether it's a family fishing trip, sunset cruise, or sandbar excursion, children can participate in the fun. We recommend bringing appropriate safety gear and sun protection for younger passengers.
Policies
Cancellations, weather calls and refunds.
All cancellations must be made 7 days before the scheduled trip to receive a refund on your deposit. If the cancellation is less than 7 days you will not receive a refund for your deposit.
The captain has the right to cancel a trip at any time for severe weather or mechanical failure. If the trip is canceled before it leaves the dock the trip will be fully refunded if arrangements for another day cannot be made.
Still Have Questions?
Call (954) 263-4648 to talk through dates, group size or what is biting this week, or text Captain Ron and we will reply the same day. When you are ready, the calendar below shows live availability for every charter.