Private 6 Hour Night Snapper Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour night fishing adventure targeting snapper and nocturnal speciesAll equipment, bait, licenses, and refreshments included in tripSmall group experience with maximum four guests per charter
When the sun dips below the horizon and most boats head back to the dock, that's when the real action kicks off. This 6-hour private night fishing adventure with Coastal Runners puts you right in the thick of it when snapper and other hard-fighting species come alive to feed. We'll work the inlets, bridges, and reef structures under the stars, targeting prime spots where big red snapper, mutton snapper, and other nocturnal predators patrol the depths. With cooler night temps and fewer boats crowding the water, you'll get the kind of peaceful yet action-packed fishing that keeps anglers coming back trip after trip.
Night fishing is a whole different ballgame, and that's exactly what makes it so special. As darkness settles in, the underwater world transforms. Baitfish move closer to structure, and that draws in the predators we're after. We'll start by setting up at productive inlets where current flows create natural feeding zones. Bridge lights become our best friend, attracting bait and creating perfect ambush points for snapper. When conditions allow, we'll also work the reef where bigger fish cruise the edges looking for an easy meal. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, reading the subtle signs that separate a good night from an epic one. The boat comes fully rigged with everything you need - quality rods, fresh bait, chum to get things fired up, plus fuel, water, ice, and your fishing license all covered. Just bring yourself and get ready to feel some serious pulls on the other end of that line.
Night snapper fishing is all about precision and patience. We'll primarily be bottom fishing with heavy sinkers to get your bait down to where these fish live - anywhere from 30 to 100+ feet depending on the spot. Circle hooks paired with fresh cut bait or live bait work best for snapper, and we'll have you rigged up with the right tackle to handle these hard-fighting fish. Around bridge structures, we'll position the boat to take advantage of the artificial lighting that draws in baitfish. The current is key here - we want enough flow to keep the chum line working but not so much that we're fighting it all night. When we hit the reef, it's about reading the bottom structure and dropping baits right where snapper like to hold. GPS and fish finder technology help us locate the sweet spots, but local knowledge of how these fish behave after dark makes all the difference. You'll learn to feel the difference between a snapper bite and other species - snappers tend to hit hard and run, so be ready to set that hook when you feel that telltale thump.
Red Grouper: These chunky bottom dwellers are absolute bulldogs once hooked. Red grouper average 5-15 pounds in these waters and are most active during the cooler night hours when they venture out from their rocky hideouts. They've got an incredible ability to wedge themselves into structure, so you'll need to muscle them up quickly once you set the hook. What makes targeting red grouper so rewarding is their excellent table fare and the satisfying fight they put up on medium-heavy tackle.
Cobia: The brown sharks, as some folks call them, are opportunistic feeders that often show up when you're targeting other species. These fish can range from 20-50 pounds and are known for their curious nature - they'll sometimes follow hooked fish right up to the boat. Cobia are most active in warmer months and provide one of the strongest fights you'll experience in these waters. Their unique appearance and excellent eating quality make them a favorite among serious anglers.
Cubera Snapper: The king of the snapper family, cuberas are the fish that make your drag scream. These monsters can exceed 40 pounds and are primarily nocturnal feeders, making our night trips perfect for targeting them. They're found around deeper reef structures and require heavy tackle due to their incredible strength and tendency to head straight for cover when hooked. Landing a cubera is a badge of honor that'll have you talking about this trip for years.
Mutton Snapper: These beautiful fish with their distinctive red fins and yellow-green coloration are prized for both their fight and their taste. Muttons typically run 5-15 pounds and are incredibly spooky during daylight hours, but become much more aggressive feeders after dark. They're known for their powerful initial run and acrobatic jumps, testing both your tackle and your skills as an angler.
Lane Snapper: Don't let their smaller size fool you - lane snapper are scrappy fighters that make up for their 1-3 pound average with sheer numbers and attitude. These silver and pink striped beauties are prolific around reef structures and provide non-stop action when they're feeding. They're perfect for anglers who enjoy constant bites and are excellent table fare when prepared fresh.
Night fishing for snapper offers something you just can't get during regular daylight hours - a chance to target these incredible fish when they're most active and aggressive. With everything provided from tackle to licenses, all you need to do is show up ready for some serious fishing action. The combination of cooler temperatures, active fish, and fewer boats makes this a world-class fishing experience that consistently produces both numbers and quality. Whether you're after a trophy cubera snapper or just want to fill the cooler with excellent eating fish, this 6-hour night adventure delivers the goods. Don't let another season pass without experiencing the magic of night fishing - book your private trip today and get ready to see why serious anglers swear by fishing after dark.
This restored 2022 Mako 25' walkaround is your ticket to serious night snapper action. Powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast at 35 knots, this cabin cruiser handles Biscayne Bay's waters like a champ. The spacious cockpit gives all four anglers plenty of room to work their lines without getting tangled up. When the snapper are biting hot around bridges and inlets after dark, you'll appreciate the onboard fish finder that marks the schools below. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long night sessions, while the GPS gets you safely back to dock even in the dark. With a head onboard for convenience and multimedia system for those quieter moments between bites, this boat's got everything covered for a productive night on the water chasing red snapper and other nocturnal feeders.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - their single dorsal fin fools a lot of people at first glance. These fish average around 30-50 pounds but can push 100+ pounds when you find a big one. They're loners, rarely schooling up, and love hanging around structure like reefs, wrecks, and even floating debris in 30-70 feet of water. Spring and summer are prime time when they're moving and feeding aggressively. What guests love about cobia is the strong fight and that firm, white meat that tastes similar to mahi. They'll eat just about anything - live bait, jigs, even topwater lures. My go-to trick is using a bucktail jig in any color; these fish aren't picky about color, but they want that jig bouncing near the bottom around structure.
Lutjanus CyanopterusCubera snapper are the giants of the snapper family - we're talking fish that can hit 40+ pounds and stretch over 3 feet long. These bruisers hang around rocky ledges and reef structure, typically in 50-150 feet of water. They're most active during night hours, which makes them perfect for our evening trips. What makes cuberas special is the sheer power - they'll test your tackle and your arms with runs that'll make you question your drag settings. The meat is excellent eating, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. Best baits are live skipjack or large squid on heavy tackle. Here's the key: when you hook one, you've got to pull hard and fast right away. Give them time to think about it, and they'll head straight back to the rocks where you'll never get them out.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snapper are perfect action fish for our night trips - they're aggressive, abundant, and great for keeping the rods bent. These colorful pink and silver fish with yellow-striped "lanes" typically run 10-14 inches and 3-7 pounds. They're most active after dark, feeding heavily around coral reefs and sandy bottoms with good structure in 20-100 feet of water. March through September is prime time when they're spawning and feeding aggressively. Guests love them because they hit hard, fight well for their size, and make excellent table fare. They're not line-shy like other snappers, so they're great for beginners. Shrimp, squid, and small cut baits work perfectly. Pro tip: they often show up in numbers, so when you catch one, keep your bait in the same spot - where there's one lane snapper, there's usually more.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snapper are one of our favorite targets on night trips - they're strong fighters with that beautiful pinkish color and distinctive blue lines under their eyes. Most run 3-8 pounds, but we see some nice 15-20 pounders around the deeper reefs. They love sandy areas near structure, typically in 60-200 feet of water, and they feed actively at night. What makes muttons special is they're excellent table fare and put up a solid fight on light tackle. They'll change color depending on bottom type - more gray over sand, pinker over reef. Fresh shrimp and small crabs work best, presented on light tackle with minimal weight. The trick is letting your bait drift naturally in the current - muttons are spooky and will reject anything that looks unnatural.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are some of the toughest fighters you'll hook on the reef. These rusty-red fish with distinctive white spots average 5-10 pounds, though we occasionally see monsters pushing 30-40 pounds. They love rocky bottoms and reef structure anywhere from 10-100 feet deep, making them perfect targets during our night trips. What makes them special is that meaty, flaky white meat with a sweet shellfish taste - easily one of the best eating fish out there. They're aggressive predators that'll slam shrimp and crab baits hard, but once hooked, they'll try to dive straight back into the structure. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let up - they're notorious for wrapping you around rocks if you give them any slack.
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