Night Fishing Trip in New Smyrna Beach, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Night fishing adventure on calm New Smyrna Beach watersTarget various saltwater species with experienced Captain TonyIntimate 2guest capacity ensures personalized inshore experience
When the sun dips below the horizon and most folks are heading home, that's when the real action starts. Captain Tony knows exactly where to find the big ones after dark, and this intimate night fishing adventure is designed for just two anglers who want to experience New Smyrna Beach's legendary inshore waters under the stars. The calm evening conditions make for perfect fishing, and the reduced boat traffic means you'll have prime spots all to yourself. Whether you're after that trophy snook or just want to unwind with some serious rod-bending action, this trip delivers the goods.
Once the daylight fades, New Smyrna's inshore flats and backwaters come alive with feeding fish. Captain Tony will have you rigged and ready as you navigate the shallow waters where snook, redfish, sea trout, and black drum cruise the grass beds and mangrove shorelines looking for an easy meal. The cooler evening temperatures bring these species into the shallows, and with less pressure from other boats, they're more willing to bite. You'll be using live bait and proven lures that have produced consistent results in these waters for years. The captain knows every dock light, every point, and every grass flat that holds fish after sunset. With just two spots available, you'll get plenty of individual attention and coaching to help you land the fish of a lifetime.
Night fishing requires a different approach than daytime angling, and Captain Tony has it dialed in. You'll primarily be fishing with live shrimp, pilchards, and finger mullet around structure like docks, bridges, and mangrove edges where predators ambush their prey. The captain uses subtle lighting techniques that attract bait without spooking the larger fish. Expect to throw topwater plugs early in the evening when there's still some light, then switch to suspending twitch baits and soft plastics as darkness settles in. The boat is equipped with proper night fishing gear, including red lights to preserve your night vision and quality tackle that can handle the hard-fighting inshore species. You'll learn to fish by feel and sound rather than sight, which adds a whole new dimension to the experience.
Snook are the crown jewel of New Smyrna's night fishing scene. These ambush predators love to hunt in low light conditions, positioning themselves near structure where they can easily pick off unsuspecting baitfish. During warmer months, they're incredibly active after dark and will slam a well-presented live bait or lure with aggressive strikes that'll get your heart pumping. Snook are notorious for their acrobatic fights, often jumping multiple times and making blistering runs toward cover. The slot limit keeps things interesting - you'll need one between 28 and 33 inches to take home for dinner.
Black Drum are the heavyweight champions of these waters, with fish over 30 pounds not uncommon around New Smyrna's bridges and deeper holes. They feed heavily at night, using their sensitive barbels to locate crabs and shrimp on the bottom. When a big drum takes your bait, you'll know it immediately - they make powerful, steady runs that test your drag system and your arms. These fish are most active during cooler months but can be caught year-round. Their distinctive drumming sound is something you'll hear and feel through the rod when they're hooked.
Sea Trout, or spotted seatrout as they're properly called, are abundant in New Smyrna's grass flats and provide consistent action throughout the night. They're most active during spring and fall months when water temperatures are ideal. These fish have excellent night vision and will aggressively hit both live bait and artificial lures. Trout are known for their delicate mouths, so a gentle hook set and steady pressure are key to landing them. They're also one of the best eating fish in these waters, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Redfish are year-round residents that become more active as temperatures cool in the evening. These copper-colored fighters are famous for their bulldogging runs and stubborn fights in shallow water. They'll often feed in just inches of water along mangrove shorelines, making for exciting sight fishing opportunities even in low light conditions. Reds have excellent senses of smell and hearing, making them perfect targets for night fishing techniques. When hooked, they'll make powerful runs and use their broad tails to create impressive splashes that add to the excitement.
This night fishing adventure offers something you won't find on crowded daytime charters - peace, quiet, and fish that are genuinely hungry. Captain Tony's local knowledge and proven techniques give you the best shot at landing multiple species in a single trip. With only two spots available, you'll get personalized instruction and plenty of opportunities to improve your night fishing skills. The calm evening conditions and reduced boat traffic create the perfect environment for both serious anglers and those looking to try something different. Don't miss out on experiencing New Smyrna Beach's world-class inshore fishing when the conditions are at their absolute best. Book your night fishing trip today and discover why the locals save their best fishing stories for after dark.
Captain Tony's 17' Mitzi Tournament boat is your ticket to New Smyrna Beach's best night fishing action. This reliable motorboat handles the calm evening waters with ease, getting you and one other angler to where the fish are biting after dark. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating your targets, while GPS navigation keeps you on course to the hottest spots. An ice box keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those peaceful nighttime hours on the water. With room for three total, this setup is perfect for anglers who want to escape the daytime crowds and experience the unique rhythm of saltwater fishing under the stars. The boat's compact size makes it ideal for navigating the inshore waters around New Smyrna Beach, where various species come alive once the sun goes down.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the flats - powerful, stubborn fighters that'll test your drag. Most fish we catch run 5-15 pounds, but don't be surprised if you hook into a 30-pounder. They cruise oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water, using their crushing jaws to crack open crabs and shellfish. Spring months are peak season when they school up for spawning. Night fishing can be productive since they feed actively in shallow water after dark. What guests love is their hard-pulling fight and the drumming sound they make. Smaller fish under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig, and let it sit on the bottom near oyster beds. Be patient - they take their time inspecting bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with the signature black spot near their tail typically run 20-32 inches in our waters. They cruise oyster bars, mangrove edges, and grass flats in ridiculously shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and winter months are outstanding when they school up. What makes reds special is their powerful runs and stubborn fight in shallow water. They're also excellent eating with mild, firm meat. Night fishing works well since they move onto the flats to feed on crabs and shrimp. Here's what works: sight-cast live shrimp or a gold spoon to cruising fish, but lead them by a few feet. They spook easily in shallow water, so stay quiet and make accurate casts.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. These spotted beauties average 14-20 inches but can push 24 inches on good nights. They patrol grass flats, sandy holes, and drop-offs in 3-12 feet of water throughout our area. Cool weather months from fall through spring offer the best fishing when they school up in deeper channels. Night trips are productive since they move shallow to feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Guests appreciate their willingness to bite and their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're not the strongest fighters, but they make up for it in numbers. Local secret: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. The noise draws them in from a distance.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's most sought-after gamefish, and for good reason. These silver-sided fighters typically run 18-30 inches around New Smyrna, though trophy fish over 40 inches show up regularly. You'll find them hugging mangrove shorelines, around dock pilings, and near creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. They love structure and ambush prey with lightning-fast strikes. Night fishing is prime time - they get aggressive in low light and feed heavily after dark. What makes them special is their explosive fight and acrobatic jumps when hooked. The meat is white, flaky, and delicious. Here's a local tip: cast your live shrimp or pinfish right to the edge of mangroves where the water drops off slightly. That's where they wait to ambush baitfish.
New Smyrna Beach