Private Night Fishing Under Key West Stars
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 5hour night fishing trip departing at 7 PM summer eveningsTarget snapper, grouper, porgies using deep sea and bottom techniquesFish nearshore waters, offshore reefs, and wrecks under starlit skies
There's something magical about dropping lines into dark Key West waters while the rest of the world sleeps. This top-rated 5-hour private night fishing charter puts you right in the heart of the action, targeting some of the best bottom species around our local reefs and wrecks. Starting at 7 PM, you'll have the entire Gulfstream IV to yourself, working prime fishing spots when the big snapper and grouper come out to feed. Summer nights are when these waters really come alive, and this seasonal trip runs from June 19 through August 15 when conditions are just right.
Night fishing in Key West is a completely different ballgame than daytime trips. The cool evening breeze makes for comfortable fishing weather, and the lack of boat traffic means we can work spots that get hammered during the day. You'll be fishing multiple locations throughout the night - nearshore patches, offshore ledges, coral reefs, and some of our favorite wrecks that hold big fish. The crew knows these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on productive bottom structure where red grouper, mutton snapper, and other tasty species set up to ambush baitfish. With just you on board, there's plenty of room to spread out and work different angles without tangling lines with other anglers.
This is primarily a bottom fishing trip, which means we're dropping baited rigs down to the seafloor where these species live and feed. You'll be using circle hooks with natural baits like squid, sardines, and ballyhoo to target structure-oriented fish. The crew will set you up with the right tackle - typically 30-50 pound class conventional reels spooled with enough line to reach depths of 80-120 feet. Deep sea bottom fishing requires a bit of technique to feel the bite and set the hook properly, but the experienced crew will walk you through it. We'll anchor up on productive spots and fish multiple rods to maximize your chances. The key is keeping your bait right on the bottom where these fish are cruising and feeding after dark.
Red Grouper are the bread and butter of Key West bottom fishing, and night trips give you the best shot at hooking into quality fish. These guys average 5-15 pounds around here, with bigger specimens pushing 20+ pounds on the deeper wrecks. They're aggressive feeders after sunset, leaving their rocky hideouts to hunt for crabs and small fish. Red grouper fight hard with powerful runs toward structure, making them a customer favorite. The meat is excellent - firm, white, and perfect for the dinner table.
Mutton Snapper are another world-class target that feeds heavily at night around our reef systems. These beautiful fish can reach impressive sizes in Key West waters, with 5-10 pounders being common and larger specimens exceeding 15 pounds. Muttons are known for their wariness during daylight hours, but darkness makes them much more aggressive. They have excellent eyesight and strong jaws, so fresh bait and sharp hooks are essential. Summer months are prime time for these prized snappers.
White Grunt might not win any beauty contests, but they're phenomenal eating and fight surprisingly well for their size. These 1-3 pound fish are abundant on our local reefs and provide consistent action when the bigger fish aren't cooperating. They get their name from the grunting sound they make when brought to the surface. Grunts are perfect for novice anglers to build confidence, and experienced fishermen appreciate them for the dinner table.
Scup, also known as porgies, are another tasty bottom dweller that's active during night fishing trips. These silver fish typically run 1-3 pounds and are excellent table fare. They school up around structure and can provide fast action when you locate a good concentration. Scup have small mouths, so downsizing your hooks often pays off when targeting these fish specifically.
Black Grouper are the trophy fish of this trip, and while they're less common than their red cousins, hooking into one makes the entire night worthwhile. These bruisers can exceed 30 pounds in Key West waters and are renowned for their powerful fights and excellent eating quality. Black grouper prefer deeper water and more complex structure, so we'll target them on specific wrecks and ledges where they set up to ambush prey. Summer nights offer some of the best opportunities to connect with these prized fish.
This private night fishing charter offers the perfect combination of productive fishing and a unique Key West experience. With no crowds, cooler temperatures, and fish that are actively feeding, you're set up for success from the moment we leave the dock. The 5-hour trip gives us plenty of time to work multiple spots and target different species as conditions dictate. Plus, with free cancellations up to one day prior, you can book with confidence knowing the weather will cooperate. Summer night fishing in Key West is something every angler should experience at least once, and having the entire boat to yourself makes it even more special. Don't miss your chance to fish these world-class waters under a blanket of stars.
Hit the waters of Key West aboard the Gulfstream IV, a proven 60-foot fishing machine that's been putting anglers on fish since 1986. This restored headboat runs on twin Detroit diesels pushing 1,500HP, cruising smoothly at 25 knots to get you to the productive grounds fast. Built for serious fishing with an icebox to keep your catch fresh, GPS and fish finder to locate the honey holes, plus radar for safe navigation in any conditions. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to work your lines whether you're dropping baits on the reef or working the wrecks for snapper and grouper. With a full galley and head onboard, you'll have everything needed for those long summer nights when the fish are biting. This boat handles Key West's waters like a champ, getting you out to where the big ones live and back to the dock safely.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the heavyweights of the reef, averaging 10-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These dark, mottled fish live around deep reefs, wrecks, and ledges in 60-300 feet of water. Cold weather brings them shallower, making winter and spring prime time. They're ambush predators that inhale prey whole, so when you get a bite, it's usually solid. Guests target them for the incredible fight - they're incredibly strong and will try every trick to get back to structure. The meat is top-notch, firm and mild-flavored. They'll eat live or dead bait but prefer larger offerings like bonito strips or live pinfish. My key advice: use heavy tackle with at least 80-pound braid and get them off the bottom immediately after hookup - hesitate and they'll wrap you in the rocks and break you off every time.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snapper are prized catches that average 3-8 pounds but can hit 15+ pounds around Key West. These olive-colored fish with blue lines on their face prefer sandy areas near reefs in 30-150 feet of water. Night fishing works well since they feed actively after dark. They're smart, so fresh bait and light leaders are key - they'll inspect your offering carefully. What guests love is the strong fight they put up and the excellent table fare. The meat is firm, white, and has great flavor. You'll often find them along inlet mouths where current brings food. They're usually solitary or in small groups. Pro tip: use a knocker rig with minimal weight and let your bait drift naturally in the current - they spook easily with heavy presentations, so finesse beats power with these fish.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are solid fighters that usually run 5-10 pounds, though some reach 20+ pounds. You'll find them around reefs, ledges, and wrecks in 30-200 feet of water. They love structure and won't venture far from cover. These rusty-red fish with white spots are aggressive feeders that'll hit live or dead bait - shrimp, crabs, and small fish work great. Summer nights are prime time since they're more active after dark. What makes them special is the fight - they're incredibly strong for their size and will try to get back to structure once hooked. The meat is outstanding too, firm and flaky with a mild taste. Pro tip: once you hook one, get it off the bottom fast or it'll wrap you up in the rocks and break you off.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, also called porgy, are underrated fighters that average 1-2 pounds but can reach 4 pounds. These silver, deep-bodied fish love rocky bottoms and structure in 20-100 feet of water. Summer brings them inshore, making night fishing productive when they're actively feeding. They're bottom feeders with strong jaws that crush shells, so they'll hit clams, squid, and worms hard. What surprises guests is how scrappy they fight for their size - they'll bend your rod and make solid runs. The meat is excellent eating, firm and sweet. They're also great live bait for bigger predators like grouper. Since they feed near structure, drop your bait right to the bottom and work it slowly. My local trick: use a small sinker and let the current drift your bait naturally along the rocks - they can't resist it.
Haemulon PlumieriiWhite grunt are perfect night fishing targets that typically run 6-12 inches and gather in good-sized schools around reefs and wrecks. They're nocturnal feeders that come alive after dark, making our summer night trips ideal for targeting them. You'll hear them "grunt" when they hit the deck - they literally grind their teeth to make that sound. They hang out in 10-100 feet around structure, feeding on shrimp and crabs. Guests love them because they're aggressive biters, great eating with flaky white meat, and you can often catch multiple fish quickly. They're not picky eaters - squid, shrimp, or small crabs on a knocker rig work perfectly. My tip: use small hooks and light tackle since their mouths are small, and fish right on the bottom where they feed.
Key West, FL