September 13th, 2024: Dave Hill and his group from Boston, Massachusetts, were in South Florida for more than just sunshine. In town for the Bills vs. Dolphins game, they decided to add a deep-sea fishing in Fort Lauderdale to their itinerary. They boarded the "Happy Day Today" at Bahia Mar Marina, greeted by Captain Dave Zsak and the skilled first mate Kyle Groth. The plan was set troll the waters searching for Sailfish and Tuna and head to one of the legendary shipwrecks that lie beneath the ocean’s surface.
As soon as the crew deployed the trolling spread—two deep planner lines and four surface rigger lines—the action started. No sooner had the lines hit the water than the first strike came in. The reel screamed as a King Mackerel took the bait. Cheers erupted from the group, and it was clear this would be an exciting day on the water. The bites didn’t stop there; Bonitas, more Kingfish, and even a few Barracudas followed in quick succession.
The group trolled southward, heading toward a sunken shipwreck known to harbor big fish. As they ventured deeper into waters about 250 feet, they found themselves along the edge of a rip current—a prime spot for fish activity. Just as they were working this current, the deep planner line exploded with energy. Line ripped off the reel at lightning speed, and Dave’s crew knew they were in for a good fight. The angler took the reel and braced for a battle.
With each pull of the fish, excitement built. The fish made several hard runs, testing the strength of the angler and the rod. After a thrilling struggle, up came the prize—an impressive Sailfish broke the surface. Its sleek body danced across the water, making for a fantastic sight. The crew carefully brought the fish alongside the boat, removed the hook, snapped a quick photo, and released it back into the wild. Everyone on board was buzzing from the adrenaline. Catching a Sailfish while fishing in Fort Lauderdale is one of the most impressive fish any crew could ask for.
The day wasn’t over yet, though. As they continued trolling along the edge, another rod snapped down hard. This time the first mate’s eyes lit up. "Tuna!" he called out as the fish fought with speed and precision. The angler worked the reel, and soon a plump Blackfin Tuna was brought aboard, secured with a swift stroke of the gaff. This was the perfect addition to the day’s catch, and smiles spread across the group.
With the trolling action behind them, Captain Dave steered "Happy Day Today" toward the sunken shipwreck. This was the final stop—a perfect opportunity to target the powerful Amberjacks that lurk in the deep. The crew rigged live baits, the go-to for wreck fishing, and sent them down to the bottom. It didn’t take long.
The line suddenly tightened, and the angler felt the unmistakable pull of a massive fish. After a hard-fought battle, an Amberjack was brought to the surface, its size and strength impressive even to seasoned anglers. They circled the wreck again, dropped another live bait, and once again—boom! Another Amberjack was on the line, and the fight was just as intense as the first.
Dave Hill and his group were thrilled with their day on the water. They’d experienced the best of Fort Lauderdale’s fishing—everything from Sailfish to Tuna to the strong Amberjacks that make wreck fishing so exciting.
With the day winding down, the boat turned back towards Bahia Mar. Dave and his crew celebrated their success, a day packed with action, memories, and stories they would tell for years. And after all that excitement on the water, they were ready to relax and enjoy the Bills game.
September 15th, 2024: Jim and his group from Texas were eager for an adventure when they booked a deep-sea fishing charter in Fort Lauderdale aboard the "Happy Day Today". Their mission was clear: they wanted to reel in some great catches and make the most of their time on the water. As the boat departed from the dock, excitement filled the air, and Captain Dave Zsak and first mate Kyle were ready to deliver.
Their first destination was a well-known Snapper ground. The crew sprang into action, preparing the equipment for bottom fishing. The first mate rigged up some fresh bait on circle hooks, and the guys eagerly sent their lines overboard. It didn’t take long for the bites to start coming in. One by one, Snappers were hauled up from the depths, their vibrant colors adding to the growing collection of fish in the box. The group's excitement was palpable as each successful catch was celebrated.
With a solid haul of Snappers, the crew decided it was time to move on. The boat headed toward a sunken shipwreck, an ideal spot for targeting larger fish. Once they arrived, the first mate prepared another circle hook rig, this time with live bait. The bait was carefully sent down to the structure below.
It wasn’t long before the rod bent sharply, and the fight was on. The anglers felt the powerful tug of a massive Amberjack as it battled from the depths. After an intense struggle, the fish was brought aboard—its size and strength impressive to everyone. The crew set up for another round, and soon enough, another big Amberjack was hooked. The day was turning out to be a fantastic success.
As the sun began to dip towards the horizon, Captain Dave and his crew set up for the final leg of the charter. They rigged three dead baits and sent them down to the bottom, hoping for one last thrilling catch. The lines barely had time to settle before one of the rods doubled over.
This time, it was a Shark that took the bait. The angler braced for a fight, and the crew watched with anticipation as the Shark put up a strong resistance. The battle was intense, with the Shark making powerful runs and the angler working hard to keep control. After a fierce struggle, the Shark was finally alongside the boat. The crew expertly removed the hook and carefully released the Shark back into the ocean, ensuring it swam away healthy and strong.
As the boat made its way back to the dock, Jim and his group were thrilled with the day’s catches. They had experienced a variety of fishing techniques, from Snapper fishing to battling Amberjacks and Sharks. The "Happy Day Today" crew had delivered an unforgettable deep-sea fishing adventure located in Fort Lauderdale.
For anyone looking to have their own fishing adventure in South Florida, Captain Dave Zsak and the 52' Hatteras "Happy Day Today" team at Top Shot Sportfishing Charters are ready to make it happen. Call 954-439-8106 or visit Topshotfishing.com to book your trip. Whether you're in town for the big game or just looking for an unforgettable fishing experience, you won’t be disappointed.
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