5.0(1 Reviews)Night Fishing Charter in Key Largo | 8 Hour Trip
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8-hour night fishing charter targeting tuna, snappers, and groupersCaptain provides all fishing gear and expert tipsSmall group experience for up to 3 guests
When the sun drops below the horizon in Key Largo, that's when the real action begins. This 8-hour night fishing charter with Lock It Up Charters puts you right in the thick of some of the best fishing the Florida Keys has to offer. Captain Jason knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got a track record of putting anglers on fish when most folks are heading home for dinner. You'll be targeting premium species like blackfin tuna, red grouper, great barracuda, and mutton snapper – all fish that love to feed when the lights go down. This isn't your typical sunset cruise; this is serious fishing that runs deep into the night, and the payoff is worth every minute.
This charter is built for the angler who wants to experience Key Largo fishing the way the locals do it. Captain Jason provides all the tackle and gear you'll need, so you can focus on what matters – getting fish in the boat. The trip accommodates up to 3 guests, which means you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work. You'll start as the evening light fades, positioning over productive spots where these target species like to hunt. The atmosphere is electric once you're out there – the water takes on a different personality at night, and fish that were sluggish during the day suddenly come alive. Bring your own food and drinks because you'll work up an appetite hauling in quality fish. Captain Jason shares his techniques and local knowledge throughout the trip, so you're not just catching fish – you're learning how to fish these waters like a pro.
Night fishing in the Keys requires a different approach than daytime angling, and Captain Jason has the setup dialed in perfectly. You'll be using medium to heavy tackle depending on what's biting, with live bait and cut bait being the primary methods. For the grouper, expect to drop baits down to structure and wrecks where these fish hold tight during nighttime hours. Tuna fishing involves different techniques – sometimes slow trolling, other times live bait fishing over deeper water. The barracuda often come up shallow at night, creating some fast action on lighter tackle. Captain Jason keeps multiple rods rigged and ready, so when one species shuts down, you can quickly switch tactics and target something else. The boat is equipped with proper lighting for night operations, but it's strategically used so you don't spook the fish. You'll learn how different species respond to light, bait presentation, and the unique conditions that night fishing presents.
"On our trip to the Keys, we went out 3 different days with lock it up charters. Every day was an absolute blast. We were targeting sharks and man did he ever put us on the sharks. He remembered that my son did not get the Goliath grouper that he was trying for 3 years ago and on our first day out he stopped on a shipwreck and made sure that the Goliath grouper was checked off the bucket list. The night fishing trip was a little creepy and probably not for the faint of heart but it was the absolute best experience of my life. I will stay on Shore and fish before I will choose any other guide in the Florida Keys." - Michael
Blackfin tuna are one of the most sought-after species on this night charter, and for good reason. These fish typically run 10-25 pounds and are absolute fighters that will test your tackle and technique. Blackfins feed heavily at night, often coming up from deeper water to chase baitfish near the surface. They're most active during the warmer months, and Key Largo's position puts you right in their migration path. What makes them so exciting is their speed and endurance – they'll make long runs that strip line off your reel, and they never give up easy. The meat is premium sashimi grade, making them as valuable on the dinner table as they are fun to catch.
Red grouper are the bottom dwellers that make this trip legendary. These fish can range from keeper size up to genuine trophy specimens, and they're most active at night when they venture out from their rocky hideouts to feed. Red grouper are ambush predators that live around structure, wrecks, and hard bottom areas that Captain Jason knows intimately. They're exciting because you never know what size you've hooked until you get them up – a 5-pounder fights hard, but a 20-pounder will give you a workout you won't forget. They're also excellent eating, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying.
Great barracuda bring the speed and aggression that gets your heart pumping. These fish can reach 4-6 feet and are pure muscle, known for their lightning-fast strikes and aerial displays when hooked. Night fishing for barracuda is particularly productive because they use the darkness to hunt baitfish in shallow water. They're exciting to catch because they fight dirty – jumping, tail-walking, and making sudden direction changes that can catch you off guard. Barracuda are most active year-round in Key Largo waters, and their aggressive nature means they'll often hit lures or baits that other species ignore.
Mutton snapper are the prize of the reef fish world, and night fishing gives you the best shot at the big ones. These fish are extremely wary during daylight hours, but darkness gives you the advantage you need to fool them. Mutton snapper can reach impressive sizes in Key Largo waters, with fish over 10 pounds being genuine trophies. They're challenging because they're smart – they'll inspect your bait carefully and won't hesitate to drop it if something doesn't feel right. When you do hook one, they make powerful runs toward the bottom, using their broad sides to fight against the current. They're also among the best eating fish in these waters, with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect prepared any way you like it.
Captain Jason's 18-foot McKee Craft cuts through Key Largo's waters with its reliable 150hp Yamaha, hitting speeds up to 35 mph to get you to the best night fishing spots fast. This 2003 motorboat handles beautifully in inshore waters where Tuna, Snappers, and Groupers are biting after dark. The GPS keeps you on course while the fish finder pinpoints schools below. Perfect for small groups of up to 3 anglers who want serious fishing without the crowd. The compact design means you're close to the action when that rod bends and the drag starts screaming. Built tough for Florida's saltwater and designed to get you where the fish are feeding when the sun goes down.
Thunnus AtlanticusThe smallest tuna species we target, blackfins usually run 10-20 pounds but pack serious fight. These fast-growing fish have dark backs with distinctive yellow stripes that fade after you land them. They're schooling fish that love warm water over 68°F, making our Keys waters perfect year-round. Peak season runs fall through spring when they move closer to shore. What makes blackfins special is their fierce battle - they're known as some of the best fighters pound-for-pound. The meat is outstanding, perfect for sashimi or steaks. Here's a local trick: scale down your tackle and use fluorocarbon leaders since these fish have sharp eyesight. A 5/0 circle hook with live pilchards works magic, especially when you chum them up to the surface.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat barracuda are apex predators that can reach 4-6 feet and swim up to 35 mph in bursts. These silver torpedoes patrol nearshore reefs, grass flats, and drop-offs, usually hunting alone except during spring spawning. They're visual hunters attracted to movement and shine, making them relatively easy to hook but challenging to land. What makes them exciting is their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps - they'll test your drag and skills. While the meat isn't commonly eaten due to ciguatera risk, the thrill of battling these ocean bullets keeps anglers coming back. They're active year-round in our warm waters. My tip: use wire leaders and be ready for their trademark jump. Keep your rod tip low and maintain steady pressure. Have a landing net ready - never lip a barracuda.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snapper are prized targets that can grow to 20+ pounds, though most run 3-8 pounds. These olive-colored fish with blue facial lines prefer sandy areas near reefs and structure in 60-200 feet. Adults are usually solitary, making them trickier to locate than schooling snappers. They're excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat that's hard to beat. Peak action happens during warmer months when they move shallower to feed. What makes muttons special is their wariness - they require finesse and fresh bait. They're strong fighters that immediately head for structure once hooked. Local secret: use a knocker rig with the freshest bait possible and minimal weight. Let it drift naturally in the current. Once you see that pink flash coming up through clear water, you'll know you've got one.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are the bread and butter of our reef fishing, typically running 5-15 pounds with some monsters pushing 40+. These rusty-red bottom dwellers hang around rocky ledges, wrecks, and reefs in 30-150 feet of water. They're aggressive predators with big mouths, feeding on crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish. What guests love most is the tough fight - once hooked, they'll dive straight for structure trying to break you off. The meat is superb, firm and flaky with a sweet taste that makes them one of the best eating fish out there. They're most active during cooler months when they move shallower. Pro tip: use heavy tackle and get them up fast - let them reach the rocks and you'll lose them. Fresh shrimp or crab on a circle hook works best.
5.0 out of 5.0On our trip to the Keys, we went out 3 different days with lock it up charters. Every day was an absolute blast. We were targeting...
Key Largo, FL