4 Hour Evening Bowfishing Trip - Orlando, FL
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Guided nighttime bowfishing adventure on Central Florida lakesTarget catfish, gar, and tilapia with provided equipmentPrivate beginnerfriendly trip with Captain Winston Burger
Looking for something completely different on the water? Captain Winston Burger's 4-hour evening bowfishing adventure delivers a one-of-a-kind Florida fishing experience that combines archery skills with nighttime angling. This isn't your typical rod-and-reel trip – you'll be targeting fish with bow and arrow under the cover of darkness on Central Florida's most productive lakes and waterways. Starting from St. Cloud, this private guided trip runs from about 30 minutes before sunset until around 11 PM, giving you plenty of time to master this ancient fishing technique while pursuing some serious catches in the shallow waters around Orlando.
Your evening kicks off with a thorough safety briefing and bowfishing tutorial before the sun drops. Captain Winston makes sure you're comfortable with the equipment and technique before darkness falls and the real action begins. Once night settles in, specialized lights illuminate the shallow water, revealing your targets as they move through the shallows. The boat setup is perfect for bowfishing – stable platform, strategically placed lighting, and all the gear you need including bows, arrows, and safety equipment. This is shallow-water fishing at its finest, where you'll spot your targets and take precise shots in water typically ranging from 2-6 feet deep. The steady action keeps things exciting throughout the evening, and since it's a private trip, Captain Winston can adjust the pace and locations based on what's working best that night.
Bowfishing uses specialized recurve bows designed for water shots, paired with heavy arrows attached to strong fishing line. The key difference from regular archery is accounting for light refraction – fish appear higher in the water than they actually are, so you'll need to aim low. Captain Winston walks you through proper shooting stance, draw technique, and the critical skill of reading water depth and fish position. The arrows are tethered to the bow with heavy-duty line, so once you hit a fish, you can retrieve both your catch and your arrow. Shot distances are typically 10-20 feet, making this accessible for beginners while still challenging enough to keep experienced archers engaged. The specialized lights create perfect visibility conditions, turning the dark water into a clear hunting ground where you can track fish movements and line up your shots.
Channel catfish are the bread and butter of Orlando bowfishing, and these whiskered fighters provide consistent action throughout the night. They cruise the shallows looking for food, often in groups, giving you multiple shot opportunities. Most run 2-5 pounds, but don't be surprised if you connect with a 10+ pounder that'll test your arrow setup. Florida gar are the prehistoric-looking predators that really get bowfishers excited – their long, narrow bodies and armored scales make them challenging targets, but they're incredibly satisfying to arrow. They can stretch 3-4 feet and put up a serious fight once hit. Mozambique tilapia are abundant and aggressive, making them perfect for practicing your technique. They're excellent eating and typically run 1-3 pounds with good numbers available year-round. Sheepshead round out the target species list with their distinctive black stripes and hard-fighting nature – they're considered excellent table fare and provide some of the most challenging shots due to their spooky behavior around lights.
Channel catfish dominate the evening bite around Orlando's lakes, becoming most active after sunset when they move into shallow water to feed. These whiskered bottom-dwellers are perfect bowfishing targets because they often swim just below the surface in water 3-6 feet deep. They're not as spooky as other species, giving you time to line up good shots. Best fishing happens during warmer months when they're most active, though they can be targeted year-round. The fight is solid but not spectacular – what makes them special is their reliability and excellent eating quality.
Florida gar are the trophy targets that make bowfishing addictive. These living fossils have been around for millions of years, and their armored scales and needle-sharp teeth make them look like something from another era. They cruise just under the surface in shallow bays and flats, often basking near the top on warm evenings. Spring through fall provides the best action, especially during spawning periods when they gather in larger numbers. A 4-foot gar is a legitimate trophy, and their prehistoric appearance makes for incredible photos. Their thick scales require precise shot placement, and once arrowed, they thrash violently – pure bowfishing excitement.
Mozambique tilapia are the perfect beginner species – abundant, aggressive, and not too spooky around the lights. Originally from Africa, they've established huge populations in Central Florida's warm waters and provide year-round action. They typically cruise in schools through the shallows, feeding actively after dark. Most run 1-3 pounds with occasional larger specimens pushing 5+ pounds. They're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos or blackened preparations. Their abundance means you'll get plenty of shot opportunities to practice your technique.
Sheepshead are the wariest targets you'll encounter, requiring stealth and quick shooting. These black-striped beauties are incredibly spooky around boat lights, often appearing at the edge of the illuminated area before darting away. They're most active during cooler months and around structure like docks, bridges, and vegetation lines. Their hard-fighting nature and excellent eating quality make them highly prized catches. They typically run 2-6 pounds around Orlando, and their distinctive appearance makes them easy to identify. Success requires patience and precise shooting, as you usually only get one chance before they disappear.
This top-rated bowfishing adventure offers something you won't find anywhere else in Central Florida – a chance to combine archery skills with nighttime fishing in a completely unique way. Captain Winston's expertise and beginner-friendly
This rugged aluminum Jon boat gets you where the fish are hiding when darkness falls over Orlando's waters. Powered by a reliable Yamaha 80HP outboard, she cuts through shallow lakes and backwaters with ease, letting Captain Winston position you perfectly for those nighttime shots at gar, catfish, and tilapia. The shallow-draft hull slides right into tight spots where bigger boats can't reach, while the stable platform gives you solid footing for drawing your bow. Built tough for Florida's varied waterways, from open lakes to narrow channels, this workhorse handles whatever Central Florida throws at it. The spacious deck layout keeps your gear organized and gives you room to move when the action heats up after sunset.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel cats are some of the most reliable targets we see on night bowfishing trips. These whiskered fighters typically run 2-5 pounds, though we've seen some pushing 15-20 pounds come through our lights. They're bottom dwellers that love muddy lake beds and around any structure that holds food. Their slime-covered bodies make them slippery to handle, and those sharp pectoral fins will cut you if you're not careful. Night fishing is perfect for them since they're most active after dark, using their incredible sense of smell to hunt. What makes them fun is the fight - they're tough and don't give up easy. The meat is great eating when prepared right. Pro tip: watch for them cruising just outside the light beam - they're curious but cautious, so patience pays off when you get your shot lined up.
Lepisosteus PlatyrhincusFlorida gar are prehistoric-looking fish that give bowfishing a whole different dimension. These toothy predators average 20-30 inches and 3-6 pounds, with that distinctive long snout packed full of needle-sharp teeth. They love hanging in weedy shallows between 4-10 feet deep, especially around vegetation where they ambush prey. Year-round fishing is solid in Florida, but they're most active during warmer months. What makes them special is they're living fossils - unchanged for millions of years. They put up a serious fight with those powerful bodies and don't quit easy. The meat's not great eating, but that's not why people target them. They can breathe air, so they'll cruise right under your lights looking for baitfish. My advice: aim just behind the head - their skull is like armor, but a good shot in the body will anchor them down before they roll and throw your arrow.
Oreochromis MossambicusThese invasive panfish are actually great targets for bowfishing because there's no limit and they're everywhere in Central Florida waters. Most run 1-2 pounds and about 8-12 inches, with a deep, compressed body that makes for a good target. They love shallow, weedy areas where the water stays warm year-round. Spring and fall are peak times when they're most active, but honestly, you can find them any month in Florida. What guests enjoy is the action - they school up in good numbers and aren't too spooky once you get dialed in. They're decent eating with mild, white meat that's popular worldwide. The key thing is they get spooked easy in clear water, so don't crowd them. Watch for their spawning beds in shallow flats - they'll be guarding those nests and give you multiple shot opportunities if you stay patient.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese gray fish with black vertical stripes earned the nickname "convict fish" for obvious reasons. What really sets them apart are their human-like teeth - perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs around docks and pilings. Most sheepshead run 1-3 pounds, but you might hook into one pushing 8-10 pounds if you're lucky. They hang tight to structure in shallow water, making them ideal bowfishing targets around Central Florida's lakes and canals. Spring months are prime time when they move shallow to spawn. What guests love is the challenge - these fish are notorious bait thieves with incredible eyesight. The meat is excellent eating with sweet, flaky white flesh. My tip: get your shot ready fast because they spook easily and won't hang around long once they sense pressure.
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