Half Day Bow Fishing & Gigging in Florida
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday bowfishing and gigging adventure in Florida watersCaptain Mike provides 13+ years of expert guiding experienceAll fishing gear and licenses included for groups
Looking for something different than your typical rod-and-reel fishing trip? Captain Mike Pisciottano and the crew at Kaptain Hook Outdoors offer a top-rated bow fishing and gigging adventure that'll put you right in the action. With over 13 years guiding Florida's waters, Captain Mike knows exactly where to find the fish and how to set you up for success. This half-day trip accommodates up to 4 anglers, so grab your buddies and get ready for a hands-on fishing experience that's way more interactive than sitting back waiting for a bite. All your gear and licenses are handled, so you just need to show up ready to aim and shoot.
Bow fishing and gigging is active fishing at its finest. You're not casting lines and waiting around – you're scanning the shallows, spotting your target, and taking your shot. Captain Mike runs his trips in Florida's prime inshore waters where the fish are cruising in clear, shallow flats perfect for sight fishing. The boat moves quietly through these areas while you and your group keep your eyes peeled for shadows and movement below. When someone spots a fish, it's game on. You'll grab your bow or gig and line up your shot, accounting for light refraction in the water. It's part hunting, part fishing, and 100% adrenaline when you connect with a good fish. The learning curve isn't steep, but Captain Mike will coach you through proper technique so you're not just flinging arrows into the water.
Bow fishing uses specialized recurve or compound bows rigged with heavy-duty reels and braided line. The arrows have barbed points designed to penetrate and hold fish securely. Unlike regular archery, you're shooting down into water, which means adjusting your aim to compensate for refraction – the fish is always deeper than it looks. Gigging involves long-handled spears with multiple tines that you thrust down to pin fish against the bottom. Both techniques require good hand-eye coordination and patience, but they're surprisingly easy to pick up with proper instruction. Captain Mike provides all the specialized equipment, from bows and arrows to gigs and safety gear. He'll show you how to hold and aim properly, explain shot placement, and help you understand how to read the water and spot fish. The boat is set up with elevated platforms and good lighting for optimal shooting conditions, especially if you're fishing into the evening hours when some species are more active.
Black Drum are perfect bow fishing targets because they cruise shallow flats in schools, often with their backs partially out of the water. These copper-colored bruisers can weigh anywhere from 5 to 30 pounds and provide excellent eating. They're most active during spring and fall months, feeding on crabs and shellfish in the shallows. What makes them great for bow fishing is their predictable behavior – they move slowly while feeding, giving you plenty of time to line up a good shot. Plus, they're tough fish that won't go down easy, so expect a solid fight even after a clean hit.
Barracuda are the speed demons of the bow fishing world. These silver bullets patrol the flats looking for baitfish, and their aggressive nature makes them prime targets. Florida barracuda typically run 5 to 15 pounds, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. They're curious fish that will often approach the boat, giving you close-range opportunities. The challenge with cuda is their explosive speed – one second they're there, the next they're gone. But when you connect with one, you're in for a wild ride as they jump and run hard. They're year-round residents in Florida waters, but summer months offer the most consistent action.
Crevalle Jack are the bulldogs of the bow fishing scene. These broad-shouldered fighters travel in schools and create serious commotion when feeding. They average 3 to 10 pounds but fight like fish twice their size. Jacks are aggressive feeders that will chase bait right up to the boat, making them relatively easy targets for beginning bow fishers. They're most active during warmer months and can be found crashing bait in shallow water throughout the day. The best part about targeting jacks is their numbers – where you find one, you'll usually find a whole school.
Cobia are the holy grail of bow fishing in Florida. These brown sharks look-alikes are curious fish that often swim right up to investigate the boat. They can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 30 pounds being fairly common. Cobia are most prevalent during their spring and fall migrations when they move through Florida's coastal waters. They're intelligent fish that will follow rays and sharks, so Captain Mike knows to look for these indicators. Landing a big cobia on bow fishing gear is a real accomplishment – they're powerful swimmers that will test your equipment and skills.
Alligator Gar are the prehistoric monsters that make bow fishing trips legendary. These ancient fish can grow massive in Florida's waters, with specimens over 6 feet and 100 pounds being possible. They're most active in warmer months and prefer areas with structure and cover. Gar are sight feeders that cruise just below the surface, making them perfect bow fishing targets. What makes them special is their armor-like scales and prehistoric appearance – landing one feels like catching a living dinosaur. They're also excellent eating despite their intimidating looks, with meat that's often compared to lobster.
Captain Mike's bow fishing and gigging trips offer something completely different from your standard fishing charter. You're actively hunting fish in shallow water, using skills that connect you to fishing's most primitive roots. The combination of sight fishing, accurate shooting, and hand-to-hand combat with quality fish creates memories that last way longer than typical fishing photos. With all gear and licenses included, plus over a decade of Captain Mike's experience guiding these waters, you're set
Meet Hurricane, our 22-foot fishing machine that'll get you to the best bowfishing and gigging spots in Florida waters. This 2022 beauty packs a 130HP Yamaha engine that pushes her up to 40 knots, so you'll spend more time with your bow in hand and less time getting there. Captain Mike keeps the icebox stocked and relies on the GPS and fish finder to put you right where the action is. With room for 4 anglers, Hurricane's built for serious bow fishing adventures in Florida's inshore waters. The shallow draft gets you into those skinny water spots where the big fish hang out, while the stable platform gives you the steady shooting base you need when that perfect target swims into range.
Atractosteus SpatulaAlligator Gar are prehistoric monsters that look like they swam out of the dinosaur age. These armored fish can reach 4-6 feet and 100+ pounds, with bone-hard scales and teeth that'll cut you if you're not careful. Find them in deep river bends, backwaters, and areas where fresh meets salt. Late summer during hot, dry weather is prime time when they're most active near the surface. What draws people is the sheer size and ancient look - it's like catching a living fossil. They're catch-and-release only in Florida, so it's all about the experience. For bowfishing, look for them rolling on calm evenings. Pro tip: they can breathe air, so don't be surprised when you see one surface and gulp.
SphyraenidaeBarracuda are Florida's silver torpedoes, built for speed and attitude. Most run 12-24 inches, but the big ones can hit 4-6 feet and really test your drag. You'll find them cruising shallow grass flats, mangroves, and reef edges where they ambush baitfish. They hunt by sight, so clear water days are best - look for that metallic flash just under the surface. What makes them fun is the aggressive strike and blistering runs when hooked. They're decent eating too if you want to keep a few. The key is fast retrieval with shiny spoons or quick-moving plugs. Here's a tip: remove any jewelry before getting in the water - they're attracted to anything that sparkles and might mistake it for prey.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bruisers of Florida's flats, running anywhere from 5 to 30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90. They're called drums because of the croaking sounds they make - you'll actually hear them before you see them during spawning season in spring. These gray-black fish love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring fishing is prime when they school up, but they're around year-round in our brackish waters. Guests love the strong, steady fight they put up. Keep smaller ones under 15 pounds for eating - the big ones get tough. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab on the bottom and listen for that drumming sound.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are Florida's brown sharks that aren't sharks - they often get mistaken because of that single dorsal fin. These loners average around 20-40 pounds but can push 100, making them serious gamefish. Look for them cruising reefs, wrecks, and around buoys in 15-50 feet of water. Spring migration and summer months are peak times when they move into our waters. What makes them special is the incredible fight they put up and some of the best eating you'll find - firm, white meat that rivals any fish. They're curious and will often approach the boat, giving you sight-casting opportunities. Best tip: use a bucktail jig and work it slow around structure - color doesn't matter as much as presentation.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bulldogs of our inshore waters, averaging 3-5 pounds but capable of reaching 60. These brassy-green fighters school up and push baitfish to the surface, creating feeding frenzies that bring in diving birds - that's your best visual cue. You'll find them on grass flats, around structure, and in sandy bays from shallow water down to about 30 feet. Spring through fall is prime time when they're most active. Guests love the raw power these fish deliver - they'll test your drag and never give up easy. They're not great table fare, but the fight more than makes up for it. My go-to trick: cast past the school and rip your lure back fast - they can't resist the chase.
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