Reviewed · DEEP SEA FISHING CHARTERS
Private Sportfishing Charter For Up To 6 People
The main event here is simple: you and up to five companions head offshore from Fort Lauderdale to fish for sharks that can weigh as much as 1,000 pounds. A captain and mate handle the boat and fishing setup, then help you work the gear when a serious fish takes the bait.
I like the private boat setup, since your group does not have to share the day with strangers or wait while another party takes its turn. I also like the practical inclusions: bait, tackle, fishing licenses, ice, coolers, and fish cleaning are all covered.
The main consideration is the four-hour time limit. That is enough for a focused outing, but it is not a full-day fishing expedition. You also need to bring your own food and drinks, and the trip depends on good weather.
In This Review
- Key Points Before You Book
- Why the Shark Fishing Is the Big Draw
- Leaving From Lady Pamela II Sportfishing
- What Four Hours Feels Like on the Water
- A Private Boat Makes the Price Easier to Judge
- What You Need to Bring
- Family-Friendly, With a Few Practical Limits
- The Crew Is Part of the Experience
- Fish Cleaning Adds Value After the Catch
- Weather Can Change the Plan
- Who Will Get the Most From This Charter
- Should You Book This Fort Lauderdale Fishing Charter?
- FAQ
- Where does the fishing charter depart from?
- How many people can join the private charter?
- How long does the charter last?
- How much does the charter cost?
- What fish might I catch?
- Is fishing equipment included?
- Are fishing licenses included?
- Are food and drinks provided?
- What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?
Key Points Before You Book

- Shark fishing is the main target: You may also catch mahi-mahi, tuna, or sailfish.
- The boat is private for up to six people: Your group gets the full experience without other parties aboard.
- The captain and mate provide the working knowledge: They help with bait, tackle, and the catch.
- Four hours keeps the outing manageable: It suits families and first-time anglers who do not want to spend all day offshore.
- Most fishing costs are already covered: Licenses, bait, tackle, ice, coolers, and fish cleaning are included.
- Bring your own refreshments: Food and drinks are not included, but you can take them along.
Why the Shark Fishing Is the Big Draw

Many fishing charters promise a chance at a large catch. This one puts sharks at the center of the plan, which gives the outing a clear purpose from the moment you step aboard. A shark weighing hundreds of pounds is not a casual catch. You need the crew’s help, patience, and careful handling of the equipment.
The stated target size reaches 1,000 pounds, though that is a possibility rather than a promise. Fishing is fishing. You may hook a shark, catch another species, or spend part of the trip waiting for the right bite. That uncertainty is part of the sport, but it is worth understanding before you pay for the experience.
You also have a chance at mahi-mahi, tuna, and sailfish. That variety matters because shark fishing may not suit everyone in your group. One person may be excited by the thought of a huge shark, while another may prefer the possibility of a fast-moving tuna or colorful mahi-mahi.
The captain and mate are especially important here. This is not a trip where you simply pick up a rod and figure everything out alone. The crew helps you make the catch, which makes the charter more approachable for families, casual anglers, and people who do not own offshore fishing gear.
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Leaving From Lady Pamela II Sportfishing
The meeting point is Lady Pamela II Sportfishing at 5400 N Ocean Dr, Hollywood, Florida 33019. The location is in Hollywood, just south of Fort Lauderdale, so check the address carefully when planning your morning or afternoon.
The boat departure marks the start of a compact four-hour experience. Since the charter is private, the schedule belongs to your group rather than a mixed party. That can make the trip feel more relaxed, especially if you are bringing children or family members who have different levels of fishing experience.
The available details do not provide a minute-by-minute route, named fishing grounds, or promised sightseeing stops. I would treat this as a fishing trip first, not a sightseeing cruise with a few fishing rods added. The ocean setting is part of the appeal, but the crew’s attention is aimed at finding and landing fish.
Once underway, the captain and mate provide the equipment and help prepare you for the fishing. All bait and tackle are included, as are the fishing licenses. That removes two common chores that can complicate a fishing day, especially if you are visiting from out of town.
What Four Hours Feels Like on the Water

Four hours is a useful middle ground. It gives you a real block of time to fish without asking your whole group to commit to an all-day outing. Families with children may appreciate the shorter format, since even an exciting fishing trip can feel long when the bite is slow.
At the same time, four hours leaves less room for delays or a slow start. If conditions take time to settle or the fish are not biting right away, you cannot simply add several more hours. The captain will make the most of the scheduled trip, but you should book this with realistic expectations.
The pace depends on the fish. Some time is spent waiting, watching the lines, and staying ready. When something takes the bait, the tone changes quickly. That contrast is part of the experience: calm water and patience, followed by a demanding fight with a large fish.
The crew’s assistance makes a difference during that fight. Shark fishing is not just about having a rod in your hands. The captain and mate can guide you through the process and help you respond when the fish moves. You still take part in the catch, but you are not expected to manage every technical detail alone.
A Private Boat Makes the Price Easier to Judge

The cost is $1,200 per group, not per person, for up to six people. Split six ways, that works out to $200 per person. For four people, it becomes $300 each, and for two people, the per-person price rises to $600.
That math makes the group size important. I see the best value when six people share the boat. A family or group of friends can enjoy a private charter for less per person than a smaller party, while still getting the same captain, mate, boat, gear, and fishing time.
The price also includes several items that can add cost or hassle elsewhere: bait, tackle, licenses, ice, coolers, and fish cleaning. You do not need to rent rods separately or arrange a fishing license before arrival. Those details help make the price more predictable.
Still, this is not a budget activity for a couple. If you have only two people, compare the total cost with other half-day options before booking. The private format is the value here, not a low individual fare.
You should also budget for your own food and drinks. The charter provides ice and coolers, but refreshments are not included. Bring what your group needs for four hours, using the onboard coolers for storage.
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What You Need to Bring

The supplied equipment keeps your packing list short. Bait and tackle are included, and so are the required fishing licenses. Ice and coolers are also provided, so you do not need to arrange those items separately.
Your main responsibility is food and drink. Since the charter allows you to bring your own, you can pack familiar snacks and beverages for your group rather than rely on an onboard menu. Keep your food simple and easy to manage around fishing equipment.
The available details do not specify clothing requirements, footwear rules, or a recommended packing list. I would confirm any boat-specific instructions with the provider before departure, especially if you have questions about what containers or drinks are permitted.
You should also think about the kind of day your group wants. This is active fishing, not a passive cruise. You may spend time handling gear, responding to a bite, and working with the crew. The private setting lets your party focus on its own pace, but it does not remove the physical side of fishing.
Family-Friendly, With a Few Practical Limits

The charter is listed as kid friendly, and most people can participate. That makes it a sensible choice for a family that wants a shared outdoor activity rather than separate plans for adults and children.
Children may enjoy the excitement of watching a large fish take the line, but the information does not give a minimum age or describe child-specific safety equipment. If you are traveling with young children, ask the provider about age requirements and onboard arrangements before you commit.
Service animals are allowed. The experience is private, so only your group takes part, which can be helpful if someone in your party needs a calmer setting or extra flexibility.
A private boat does not mean every person must fish constantly. Your group can share the time and watch the action, but the main activity remains sportfishing. If someone in your party dislikes waiting or has no interest in fishing, the charter may feel less rewarding for that person.
The Crew Is Part of the Experience

The captain and mate are not just transportation staff. They provide the working support that lets beginners take part in serious offshore fishing. They help with bait and tackle, guide you during the catch, and handle fish cleaning afterward.
That hands-on support is one of the strongest reasons to choose a charter rather than attempt to arrange the day independently. You get the boat, equipment, licenses, and crew in one booking. You also avoid the trouble of learning which gear suits a large shark.
A past booking described the captain as very nice and helpful, and praised the boat. Those details fit the kind of service you want on a private fishing day. The crew’s attitude matters because you may spend much of the four hours waiting for a bite, then need clear help when the action starts.
No individual captain or mate names are provided, so do not book expecting a particular guide. The important point is that a captain and mate are included, with the crew helping your group throughout the trip.
Fish Cleaning Adds Value After the Catch

Fish cleaning is included, which is a useful extra if you catch a species that can be kept. You do not have to return home with an unprepared fish and then find someone to handle it.
The details do not state which species may be kept, how the cleaned fish is packaged, or whether every catch can be taken home. Ask the provider about local rules and handling before the trip if bringing fish home matters to you.
For shark fishing, fish cleaning may not be the main reason you book. The excitement is in the fight and the experience of landing the fish. Still, having the crew handle the cleaning for eligible catch makes the day easier and gives you one less task afterward.
Weather Can Change the Plan
This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is a fair safeguard for an ocean activity, where conditions affect both comfort and safety.
You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes in that same period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time.
The weather rule means you should avoid booking this as the one fixed centerpiece of a tightly packed itinerary unless you have room to move it. A replacement date is useful only if you still have time in Fort Lauderdale.
Who Will Get the Most From This Charter
I would choose this trip for a group that wants a private, focused fishing outing and likes the idea of a potentially large catch. It works especially well for:
- A family sharing a special day on the water
- Friends who can split the $1,200 group price
- First-time anglers who want crew support
- Visitors who want a short fishing trip rather than a full-day commitment
- Experienced anglers who value a private boat and a shark target
I would think twice if your group wants guaranteed shark action, a sightseeing cruise, or a full day offshore. No fishing charter can promise a catch, and four hours gives you a limited window.
The charter is also less attractive for a small group that cannot share the cost. Two people pay the same group rate as six, so the value improves sharply as you fill the boat.
Should You Book This Fort Lauderdale Fishing Charter?
Book it if your group can bring close to six people, wants a private boat, and sees shark fishing as the main attraction. The combination of captain, mate, bait, tackle, licenses, ice, coolers, and fish cleaning makes the $1,200 group price easier to understand.
I would especially recommend it for a family day or a group of friends who want one shared challenge. The private format keeps the outing personal, while the four-hour schedule limits the fatigue that can come with a longer charter.
Skip it if you want guaranteed action, included meals, or a low per-person price for just one or two people. Go in ready for the possibility of a slow period, bring your own food and drinks, and leave room in your schedule in case weather forces a change.
FAQ
Where does the fishing charter depart from?
The meeting point is Lady Pamela II Sportfishing, 5400 N Ocean Dr, Hollywood, FL 33019, USA.
How many people can join the private charter?
The boat accommodates up to six people total. Only your group participates.
How long does the charter last?
The fishing experience lasts approximately four hours.
How much does the charter cost?
The price is $1,200 per group of up to six people.
What fish might I catch?
Sharks are the main target, with possible catches including mahi-mahi, tuna, and sailfish. Sharks may weigh up to 1,000 pounds.
Is fishing equipment included?
Yes. Bait and tackle are included with the charter.
Are fishing licenses included?
Yes. Fishing licenses are included in the price.
Are food and drinks provided?
No. You need to bring your own food and drinks. Ice and coolers are included.
What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?
You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. You can also receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the experience start time.
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