Fishing charters from Hillsboro Inlet

Why Hillsboro Inlet

Hillsboro Inlet sits at the north end of Pompano Beach, under the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse. It connects the Intracoastal Waterway to the Atlantic, and the charter and drift-fishing boats that work this coast are docked along its approaches. From the inlet, deeper water is a short run offshore, which is why the area has a long history as a sportfishing port.

You do not need to be an expert to go. Most trips supply the rods, the bait and a crew who rig lines and help you land fish. Your job is to show up on time, bring water and sun protection, and say yes when someone hands you a rod.

Drift boats or a private charter?

There are two main ways to fish offshore from here, and they suit different groups.

Drift boats (party boats)

Drift boats are larger boats that sell tickets by the person. The captain runs out to a reef or ledge, cuts the engine and lets the boat drift while everyone fishes the bottom. You share the rail with other anglers, the price per head is lower, and trips run on a set schedule, often several times a day. They are a good first trip for families and for anyone who wants a taste of offshore fishing without booking a whole boat.

Private charters

A private charter books the whole boat and crew for your group, usually by the half day or full day. You choose the trip, and the captain targets what is biting, which off this coast can include sailfish, mahi-mahi, kingfish, wahoo and reef fish such as grouper and snapper. It costs more, but you split it among your group, and you get the crew’s full attention.

Prices, trip lengths and schedules vary by boat and season. Ask each operator what is included, and check before you go.

Do you need a fishing license on a charter?

Usually not. Under FWC rules, charter boats, headboats and guides must hold an FWC charter captain or boat license that covers their paying passengers, so you do not need your own recreational saltwater license on a licensed for-hire trip. People on board who are not fishing do not need a license either.

Two things to know. The coverage is limited to the number of passengers on the boat’s FWC license, and some species carry their own permit rules. If you are unsure, ask the captain when you book. A good operator will answer that question in one sentence.

How to choose a boat

We do not recommend specific companies here, because boats change hands and crews move. These questions will sort a good trip from a bad one:

• Is the captain licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard, and does the boat hold a current FWC charter license?
• What is included: rods, bait, tackle, ice, fish cleaning?
• What is the cancellation policy if the weather turns?
• Is there a restroom and shade on board?
• Do you keep the catch, and will the crew clean it?
• Is the trip suitable for children, and is there a minimum age?

Read recent reviews from more than one site, and book with a crew that answers your questions clearly before you pay.

Seasons and conditions

There is fishing here every month, but what you target shifts through the year, and so do FWC’s seasons and bag limits for each species. Your captain will know what is open and what is biting. Wind matters more than the calendar for comfort: a breezy day offshore can be rough, and some boats will reschedule if the forecast turns. If anyone in your group gets seasick, a calm morning trip on a larger boat is the gentlest start.

The inlet itself

Hillsboro Inlet is narrow and busy, and the water moving through it can be fast. Leave the inlet to the boats. Do not swim, snorkel or paddle in the channel; FWC’s divers-down guidance drops to 100 feet in inlets for good reason. The best place to watch the boats go out is from the park on the south side. Hillsboro Inlet Park, also called Roy L. Rogers Family Park, is home to the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society’s museum. See our Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse guide.

A day on the water, start to finish

Morning trips usually mean an early start. Eat something plain, put on sunscreen before you leave, and pack a hat, sunglasses with a strap, a light layer and water. Wear shoes with a good grip. Bring cash for a crew tip, which is customary on both drift boats and charters.

If you keep fish, ask the crew to clean and bag them. Our suites have a full kitchen and our studios have a kitchenette, so dinner can be what you caught that morning. Please double-bag fish scraps before they go in the trash.

Other ways to fish

If a boat is not for you, the Fisher Family Pier is a simpler option, and you do not need your own license there. See fishing the Pompano Beach pier. For the rest of the group, the same reefs that hold the fish are popular with snorkelers and divers, and the calmer Intracoastal is good for paddling.