Family Tarpon & Snook Night Fishing in Miami
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour private night fishing trip targeting Snook and TarponFamilyfriendly experience suitable for beginners and childrenDeparts 6:00 PM with Captain Tobias providing instruction
There's something magical about fishing under the stars with your family, and Captain Toby's half-day night fishing trip delivers exactly that experience. This top-rated 4-hour adventure starts at 6 PM, giving you and your crew the perfect opportunity to target Miami's most sought-after gamefish when they're most active. Snook and tarpon love feeding in low light conditions, and Captain Tobias knows exactly where to find them. With space for up to 3 anglers, this private charter keeps things intimate and focused on what matters most - having fun on the water together while learning the art of inshore night fishing.
Captain Tobias has designed this trip specifically with families in mind, keeping the pace relaxed and the instruction simple. You'll head out as the sun starts setting, giving everyone time to get comfortable on the boat and learn the basics before the real action begins. The evening bite is when both snook and tarpon become aggressive feeders, cruising the shallows and ambushing baitfish near docks, bridges, and mangrove shorelines. Miami's inshore waters offer the perfect backdrop for this style of fishing - protected from ocean swells but loaded with the structure and current breaks that hold fish. The moonlit setting creates an atmosphere that's both peaceful and exciting, especially when you hear that first drag screaming in the darkness. Captain Tobias will handle all the navigation and fish-finding, so your family can focus on the experience rather than worrying about the technical details.
Night fishing for snook and tarpon requires a different approach than daytime angling, and Captain Tobias has perfected the techniques that work best in Miami's waters. You'll be using live bait like pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp, presented near lighted structures where gamefish ambush prey. The captain provides all tackle, including medium-heavy spinning rods with smooth drags capable of handling tarpon runs and snook's notorious gill-rattling jumps. Artificial lures also play a key role - soft plastics worked slowly through the shadows and topwater plugs that create just enough commotion to draw strikes without spooking fish. The boat is equipped with proper lighting to help with bait rigging and fish handling while maintaining the low-light conditions that make night fishing so productive. Captain Tobias will teach simple but effective techniques like proper bait presentation, reading water movement around structure, and timing your hookset when you feel that telltale thump in the darkness.
Snook are the ultimate inshore gamefish and Miami's waters hold some of the best populations in Florida. These ambush predators love hanging around docks, bridges, and mangrove edges where they can dart out to grab unsuspecting baitfish. They're most active during low-light periods, making them perfect targets for night fishing. Snook hit hard and immediately try to cut your line on any nearby structure, so the fight starts the second you set the hook. They'll make powerful runs toward cover, often jumping and gill-rattling to throw your lure. Most snook you'll encounter range from 20 to 30 inches, though Miami's waters regularly produce fish over the slot limit. What makes snook special is their aggressive nature and the technical challenge they present - you need to turn them quickly before they reach structure, making every hookup a test of skill and tackle.
Tarpon are simply in a class of their own, and Miami offers some of the most consistent tarpon fishing in the world. These silver kings are most active at night when they cruise shallow flats and channels looking for easy meals. Even juvenile tarpon in the 20 to 50-pound range will test your tackle and technique with their legendary jumping ability and powerful runs. When a tarpon takes your bait, the first jump usually happens within seconds - a sight that'll have the whole family cheering. They're called the silver king for good reason, with their chrome sides flashing in the moonlight as they leap completely out of the water. Tarpon are catch-and-release fish, but the fight alone makes them worth targeting. The best part about night fishing for tarpon is they often feed more aggressively in low light, giving you multiple shot opportunities during a single trip.
Captain Toby's family-friendly night fishing trips book up quickly, especially during Miami's prime fishing seasons. This world-class experience combines the excitement of targeting trophy gamefish with the relaxed atmosphere that makes it perfect for kids and beginners. You'll leave the dock with fishing skills, family memories, and hopefully some great photos of the fish you caught under the stars. The 6 PM start time means you'll be back at a reasonable hour while still experiencing the magic of Miami's night bite. Whether you're introducing kids to fishing or just looking for a different way to enjoy Miami's renowned inshore fishing, this trip delivers the perfect blend of adventure and family fun. Captain Tobias provides all the expertise, equipment, and local knowledge you need - just bring your sense of adventure and get ready to see why night fishing for snook and tarpon keeps anglers coming back to Miami's waters year after year.
Your floating base for tonight's Snook and Tarpon adventure is a classic 1996 Action Craft that's been completely rebuilt in 2023, giving you the reliability of modern construction with the proven hull design that Miami guides trust. This motorboat handles the calm evening waters perfectly, providing a stable platform for families to cast lines and fight fish without worrying about rough conditions. The onboard GPS keeps Captain Tobias on target for the hottest nighttime fishing spots, while the fish finder helps locate schools of baitfish that attract hungry Snook lurking near the mangroves. With space for up to 3 guests, there's plenty of room for everyone to fish comfortably without crowding. The boat's shallow draft design lets you slip into those skinny water spots where the big Tarpon roll and Snook ambush prey under the cover of darkness. Whether you're helping kids land their first fish or learning to read the water yourself, this rebuilt craft delivers the smooth, quiet ride you need for a successful family fishing trip on Miami's legendary inshore waters.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Miami's signature gamefish - sleek, golden predators with that distinctive black lateral line running down their sides. Most run 18-30 inches, though bigger ones lurk around deeper structure. You'll find them hugging mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings in our estuaries where fresh and saltwater mix. They're ambush hunters that love low-light conditions, making our night trips perfect timing. Summer through fall gives you the best action when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll run straight for cover the second they feel the hook. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: cast your live shrimp or pinfish tight to structure and let it drift naturally. Snook won't chase far, so accuracy beats distance every time.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate Miami gamefish - silver giants that'll jump clear out of the water when hooked. Most fish we see run 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds, though monsters over 200 exist. They cruise our shallow bays, channels, and bridge areas, often rolling at the surface as they gulp air. Spring through summer is prime time, especially during moon phases when they're most active. What draws people to tarpon is pure adrenaline - watching a 100-pound fish launch itself skyward never gets old. They're strictly catch-and-release since the meat isn't great, but the fight is legendary. These fish can run, jump, and test your drag for 30 minutes straight. My best advice: when they jump, bow to the fish by pointing your rod tip at them. It gives slack and prevents them from throwing the hook on those spectacular leaps.
Miami