Marco Island Night Bowfishing Adventure
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
4hour nighttime bowfishing adventure in Marco Island backwatersTarget sheepshead, black drum, jacks, mullet aboard 30' center consoleAll bowfishing gear and fishing licenses included for groups
Looking for something different than your typical fishing charter? Captain Seth's got you covered with a top-rated nighttime bowfishing experience that'll have you targeting fish in a whole new way. This isn't your grandfather's rod-and-reel trip – we're talking bow and arrow, bright lights cutting through the darkness, and the kind of action that gets your heart pumping. Four hours on Marco Island's backwaters with all the gear you need, plus your license taken care of. Just show up ready to shoot some fish.
Captain Seth runs this show aboard a spacious 30-foot Tidewater center console that's been set up specifically for bowfishing. We're talking serious lighting systems that turn night into day, giving you crystal-clear shots at your targets. The backwater areas around Marco Island come alive after dark – that's when the real action happens. You'll be standing on deck with a bow in your hands, scanning the shallows for movement while the boat drifts quietly through prime hunting grounds. The whole setup accommodates up to six people, so bring your crew or join other shooters for a shared adventure. Captain Seth knows these waters like the back of his hand, positioning the boat in spots where fish congregate once the sun goes down. The atmosphere is laid-back but focused – part hunting, part fishing, all fun.
Everything's provided, so don't stress about bringing equipment. We're using compound bows with specialized arrows designed for underwater shots – these aren't your typical hunting arrows. They're connected to the bow with heavy line so you can retrieve your catch. The technique takes a minute to get used to, especially if you've never done bowfishing before. Water refracts light, making fish appear in slightly different positions than where they actually are. Captain Seth will walk you through the basics: aim low and lead your target if it's moving. The boat's lighting system illuminates the water around us, creating perfect shooting conditions. Most first-timers get the hang of it within the first hour, and by the end of the night, you'll be making shots you never thought possible. The shallow backwaters around Marco Island are ideal for this style of fishing – clear water, predictable fish behavior, and plenty of targets moving through the lights.
Black Drum are one of the most satisfying targets you'll encounter on this trip. These chunky fish cruise the shallows at night looking for crabs and shellfish, often in water so shallow their backs break the surface. They're not the fastest swimmers, which makes them perfect for bowfishing beginners, but they're strong fighters once you stick them. Black Drum around Marco Island typically run 2-10 pounds, with the occasional bigger fish showing up. Spring through fall offers the best action, though we see them year-round in these protected backwaters.
Southern Stingray bring a different kind of excitement to the mix. These prehistoric-looking fish glide through the shallows like underwater flying carpets, and spotting one cruising through your lights gets everyone's attention. They're surprisingly large targets – some spanning three feet across – but they can disappear in a cloud of mud if spooked. The key is patience and a well-placed shot. Rays are most active during warmer months, and Marco Island's grass flats provide ideal habitat for them to hunt for shellfish and worms.
Sheepshead are the trickiest targets but also the most rewarding when you connect. These black-and-white striped fish are notorious for their wariness and quick movements. They love structure – docks, pilings, oyster bars – anywhere they can find crabs and barnacles to munch on. At night, they venture into open areas more freely, giving you shots you'd never get during daylight hours. Sheepshead fishing peaks in spring when they move shallow for spawning, but Marco Island's year-round population means action any time of year.
Redfish occasionally make appearances, especially during summer months when they school up in the backwaters. These copper-colored bruisers are premium targets – excellent table fare and strong fighters that'll test your shooting skills. They're more active than other species, requiring quicker reflexes and better shot placement. When you spot a school of reds moving through the lights, everyone gets excited. They're most common from late spring through early fall around Marco Island.
This world-class bowfishing experience offers something completely different from traditional charters around Marco Island. Captain Seth's got the local knowledge, the right equipment, and the patience to help both beginners and experienced shooters have a customer favorite night on the water. The backwater areas we fish are protected from weather and waves, making this a reliable trip even when offshore conditions aren't perfect. Four hours gives you plenty of time to get comfortable with the technique and rack up some shots. All licenses and gear are included, so you're only responsible for showing up ready to try something new. Whether you're looking to break up a week of conventional fishing or want to introduce your group to a completely different style of angling, this renowned nighttime adventure delivers memories that'll last long after you head home.
Get ready to hunt fish under the stars aboard this beast of a center console. This 30-foot 2024 Tidewater runs on twin 300HP Yamaha engines that'll get you to the prime bowfishing spots in Marco Island's backwaters fast and smooth. The spacious deck gives all 6 anglers plenty of room to draw back and shoot when those Sheepshead, Black Drum, and Jacks light up under the boat's glow. Modern electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finder help Captain Seth navigate the shallows in the dark and put you right on top of the action. The center console design keeps gear organized and gives everyone clear shooting lanes whether you're targeting Mullet cruising the surface or Stingray gliding across the sandy bottom. Twin outboards mean reliable power and quick positioning when schools appear in the lights.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the backwaters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with occasional giants pushing 90. These grey-black bruisers love our shallow oyster bars and muddy flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with jaws like a vice. You'll hear them first - they make drumming sounds that carry through the water, especially during spring spawning when they school up in big numbers. That's prime time for bowfishing since they're easier to spot and target. What makes them special is the challenge - they're tough fighters and smart fish that spook easily. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with flaky white meat. Pro tip: look for nervous water over oyster beds on calm nights - that's usually drum rooting around for food, and they won't even know you're coming until that arrow hits.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the gold standard of our shallow water game, running anywhere from slot-sized 18-27 inchers up to bull reds pushing 40+ pounds. Those signature black spots near the tail and bronze-copper backs make them easy to identify cruising our grass flats and oyster bars. They love super shallow water - sometimes their backs stick right out - and they're most active on moving tides, especially dawn and dusk. What guests love is watching them cruise like submarines in 1-3 feet of water, plus they're fantastic table fare with mild, sweet meat. Spring and fall are peak times when they school up and feed aggressively. The fight's impressive too - even smaller ones pull hard and the big bulls can really test your equipment. Best bowfishing tip: look for wakes and nervous water over the flats on calm mornings - that's usually reds pushing bait or tailing in the shallows where they're perfect targets.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Marco's backwaters with those distinctive black stripes and creepy human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds, but we occasionally spot 15-20 pounders cruising the dock pilings and bridge structures. They're year-round residents but really concentrate around spawn time in early spring. These guys stick tight to structure - docks, pilings, oyster bars - anywhere they can pick barnacles and crabs. What makes them fun targets is they're always moving and relatively spooky, so you need a good shot. Plus, they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in these waters - sweet, white, flaky meat that beats most restaurant fish. The challenge is their tough scales and sharp spines make cleaning a chore, but it's worth it. Bowfishing tip: watch for them in 3-6 feet around any structure on rising tides when they come up to feed actively.
Hypanus AmericanusSouthern stingrays are perfect bowfishing targets because they cruise our sandy flats and grass beds looking like underwater flying carpets. Females can stretch nearly 5 feet across and weigh 50 pounds, while males stay smaller around 26 inches. They're bottom feeders that dig for crabs and small fish, often in just 2-3 feet of water where our lights pick them up easily. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're most active in the shallows. What guests love is the unique shot - they glide so smoothly it's like archery in slow motion, plus there's that cool factor of landing something with a barbed tail. They're not aggressive but demand respect. The meat's actually pretty good if prepared right, similar to skate wing. My tip: aim just behind the head where the body's thickest - stingrays are tougher than they look and a good solid hit ensures a clean harvest.
Marco Island, FL, United States