Night Offshore Fishing in Dania Beach
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fourhour night offshore fishing charter targeting snapper and grouperBottom fishing over reefs with all gear and licenses includedSmall group experience accommodating up to four guests maximum
There's something special about dropping lines in the dark waters off Dania Beach. When the sun goes down and the boat lights come on, the bottom fishing action really heats up. This 4-hour night charter with Legasea Life LLC puts you right where the snappers and groupers love to feed - over the productive reefs that make South Florida's offshore scene so legendary. You'll fish alongside up to 3 other anglers in a relaxed setting where the focus stays on putting quality fish in the box. All your gear, bait, and fishing license come included, so you just need to show up ready to fish.
Your captain knows these Dania Beach waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on the spots that consistently produce. We're talking about proven bottom structure where red grouper, mutton snapper, and lane snapper congregate to feed after dark. The night bite is often more aggressive than daytime fishing - these fish get comfortable in the darkness and become less boat-shy. You'll anchor up over rocky bottom and ledges, usually in 60 to 120 feet of water, where the current brings in plenty of baitfish. The small group size means everyone gets personalized attention and plenty of elbow room at the rail. Don't worry if you're new to offshore fishing - your guide will walk you through everything from rigging up to fighting fish properly.
This trip is all about precision bottom fishing over hard structure. You'll be using conventional reels loaded with braided line and circle hooks rigged on knocker rigs or chicken rigs - setups designed to get your bait right down to where the fish are holding. The key is keeping your sinker bouncing along the bottom while the current carries your bait naturally. Live sardines, pilchards, and cut bait work best for these species, and your captain will have everything rigged and ready. When a fish picks up your bait, you'll feel that telltale tap-tap before the rod loads up. Circle hooks mean you just reel tight and let the hook do the work - no dramatic hooksets needed. The electric reels help when you're pulling fish up from deeper water, but most of the action happens in that sweet spot where you can still feel every headshake on the way up.
Red grouper are the heavyweight champions of these offshore reefs, and they're most active during night hours when they venture out from their rocky hideouts. These bruisers typically run 5 to 15 pounds in these waters, though bigger fish always lurk around the right structure. They're notorious for their powerful initial runs straight back toward the bottom, testing your drag and your patience. Red grouper have excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying. The best action usually happens from late spring through early fall, but South Florida's year-round fishery means you can connect with them most nights.
Mutton snapper are the crown jewel of South Florida's offshore scene, and night fishing gives you the best shot at these wary fish. They're smart, spooky, and absolutely delicious - everything you want in a target species. Muttons typically range from 3 to 8 pounds, with their distinctive black spot and yellowish fins making them easy to identify. These fish are extremely structure-oriented and will hold tight to ledges, wrecks, and rocky bottom. They're also seasonal, with the best action happening during their spawning aggregations in summer months. When you hook a mutton, expect a strong initial run followed by determined head-shaking - they don't give up easily.
Lane snapper might be smaller than their mutton cousins, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and fighting spirit. These colorful fish rarely exceed 2 pounds, but they're aggressive biters and excellent eating. Lane snappers school up over the same reefs where you'll find grouper, often providing steady action between bites from bigger fish. They're perfect for newer anglers who want to stay busy, and they're fantastic in fish tacos or ceviche. The night bite is particularly good for lanes since they're less finicky about boat noise and activity after dark.
Night offshore fishing in Dania Beach delivers the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back trip after trip. The combination of productive reefs, experienced guides, and prime feeding times creates opportunities you won't find during daylight hours. Whether you're looking to put some quality fillets in the cooler or just want to experience South Florida's offshore fishery at its finest, this 4-hour adventure hits all the right notes. The small group size ensures everyone gets the attention they deserve, and the included gear means you can focus on what matters most - catching fish. These night trips book up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait too long to secure your dates.
This 24-foot Cobia center console is built for serious night fishing in Dania Beach waters. Twin 150HP Yamaha engines push this 2020 boat up to 50 knots, getting you to productive offshore reefs quickly while the snapper and grouper are actively feeding after dark. The center console design gives all four anglers plenty of room to work their lines without getting tangled up. The onboard fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish in the darkness, while GPS keeps you on the productive spots. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 4-hour trip. When nature calls, there's a head onboard so you don't miss prime fishing time. The boat handles offshore swells smoothly, letting you focus on dropping baits to the bottom where the big grouper and red snapper are waiting.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are the scrappy underdogs of the snapper family - smaller fish averaging 1-3 pounds, but they make up for size with attitude and numbers. These pink and yellow striped fighters love coral reefs and sandy areas with good structure, usually in 30-100 feet of water. They're aggressive biters that aren't too hook-shy, making them great for keeping the action steady between bigger fish. Night trips are perfect since they feed heavily after dark. While they're smaller, they're still excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. March through September is peak season when they're spawning and feeding heavily. The key with lanes is using lighter tackle - they'll bite almost anything, but on heavy gear you won't feel their spirited fight that makes them so much fun to catch.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snappers are the pink beauties of our reefs, typically running 3-8 pounds with the occasional double-digit fish to keep things interesting. Look for them around coral heads and rocky structure in 80-200 feet, though they'll move into shallower water at night. You can spot them by their olive-pink color and distinctive blue lines around the face. They're solid fighters that'll make runs toward the bottom when hooked, and the meat is top-shelf eating. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially during warmer months when they're more active. They can be picky eaters, so fresh bait presentation is key. Pro tip: when you see that pink color coming up through the water, keep steady pressure but don't rush it - they'll throw the hook if you horse them.
Epinephelus MorioRed groupers are what we call the workhorses of the reef - chunky, rust-colored fish that average 5-10 pounds but can surprise you with something in the 20-30 pound range. You'll find them hanging around rocky bottoms, ledges, and wrecks anywhere from 20-100 feet deep. They're ambush predators with big mouths and bigger attitudes, so they'll hammer just about any bait that comes their way. Night fishing is prime time since they're more active in low light. What makes them special? They fight like bulldogs and taste even better - firm, flaky white meat with a sweet flavor. Here's the trick: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to structure or they'll cut you off in the rocks every time.
Fort Lauderdale, FL