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 TonySmall group experience accommodating up to 2 guests
When the sun dips below the horizon and the crowds head home, that's when the real action starts. Captain Tony's night fishing adventures in New Smyrna Beach give you a completely different perspective on these productive inshore waters. The cooler evening temps bring baitfish closer to shore, and predators like snook, redfish, black drum, and sea trout turn on the feed. With just two anglers max, you'll get personalized attention and prime positioning at the best spots along the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River systems. This isn't your typical daytime charter – it's a chance to experience the magic of fishing under the stars while targeting some of the most sought-after species in Central Florida.
Your evening starts around sunset when Captain Tony picks you up at the dock. The boat ride out gives you time to watch the sky change colors while he explains the game plan for the night. New Smyrna's shallow flats and mangrove shorelines come alive after dark, creating perfect ambush points for hungry gamefish. You'll fish structure like oyster bars, dock lights, and grass flats where baitfish congregate. The calm conditions typical of evening hours make for comfortable fishing, and the lack of boat traffic means you can work spots thoroughly without interruption. Captain Tony provides all the tackle and bait you'll need, from live shrimp to artificial lures that work best in low-light conditions. The intimate two-person limit ensures you're not fighting for rod space or waiting your turn to fish prime water.
Night fishing requires a different approach than daytime angling, and Captain Tony has dialed in the techniques that consistently produce. You'll primarily fish with live and cut bait under corks or on the bottom, letting scent do the work in murky water. Shrimp, pilchards, and finger mullet are go-to baits that trigger strikes from multiple species. When conditions allow, you'll also throw soft plastics and topwater plugs around structure – there's nothing like a redfish blowing up on a surface lure under dock lights. The boat stays positioned using a trolling motor to maintain stealth, and Captain Tony uses his knowledge of tides and moon phases to put you on feeding fish. You'll learn to read subtle strikes and set hooks in low visibility, skills that separate successful night anglers from weekend warriors. The lighting setup includes green underwater lights that attract baitfish, creating a natural feeding zone right next to the boat.
Snook are the crown jewel of New Smyrna night fishing, and these ambush predators become aggressive feeders once darkness falls. They position along mangrove edges, under docks, and near bridge pilings where they can surprise unsuspecting baitfish. Most snook here run 20 to 30 inches with occasional slot fish over 28 inches that you can keep for dinner. They're most active during moving tides and prefer live shrimp or pinfish presented near structure. The fight is what hooks most anglers – snook make powerful runs and aerial displays that test your drag system and rod handling skills.
Black drum patrol the deeper edges of flats and around oyster bars, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. These bruisers average 15 to 40 pounds in local waters, with trophy fish pushing 50-plus pounds during winter months. They're year-round residents but feed most aggressively on outgoing tides when crabs and shrimp get flushed from shallow areas. Cut blue crab and fresh shrimp on circle hooks produce consistent results. Black drum make bulldogging runs that test your endurance, and their size makes them perfect for photo opportunities and fish fries.
Sea trout, or speckled trout, are abundant throughout the grass flats and provide steady action when other species turn finicky. They range from schoolie 12-inchers to gator trout over 20 inches, with the bigger females often caught in deeper holes during cooler months. These fish respond well to live shrimp under popping corks and soft plastic jigs bounced along the bottom. Sea trout are excellent table fare and fight with quick runs and head shakes that keep things interesting. They're often the first fish to turn on as temperatures drop in the evening.
Redfish are the bread and butter of New Smyrna's inshore scene, and night fishing puts you on fish that are less pressured than their daytime counterparts. Most reds here run 18 to 27 inches – perfect slot size for keeping or releasing. They cruise shallow flats looking for crabs and shrimp, often feeding in water so shallow their backs show above the surface. Cut bait and live shrimp work consistently, but artificials like gold spoons and paddle tails can trigger aggressive strikes around structure. Redfish make powerful runs and use their broad tails to create drag-screaming battles that showcase why they're called bull reds.
Captain Tony's night fishing trips offer something you won't find during regular daytime charters – solitude, cooler temperatures, and fish that behave completely differently after dark. The two-person limit means you're getting a semi-private experience at a fraction of the cost of exclusive charters. New Smyrna Beach's location gives you access to both Mosquito Lagoon's shallow water fishing and the deeper Indian River system, depending on conditions and what's biting. Whether you're looking to escape the heat, try something different, or target specific species that feed better at night, this trip delivers. Don't wait until peak season when spots fill up fast – book your night fishing adventure now and discover why so many anglers prefer fishing under the stars.
Step aboard this reliable Mitzi 17' Tournament Boat, perfectly rigged for night fishing adventures along New Smyrna Beach's productive inshore waters. Built to handle up to 3 anglers comfortably, this well-equipped fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need for a successful evening on the water. The onboard fish finder helps locate those prime fishing spots where saltwater species gather after dark, while the GPS navigation system ensures safe passage through familiar waters. An ice box keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those longer fishing sessions. Captain Tony knows these waters like the back of his hand, guiding you to the hottest bite zones where redfish, trout, and other local favorites feed actively in the cooler night hours. The boat's compact 17-foot design allows access to shallow backcountry spots that larger vessels can't reach, giving you an edge when targeting fish in skinny water. Whether you're casting live bait around docks or working artificial lures along grass flats, this tournament-style boat provides the stable platform needed for effective fishing presentations.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldozers of our inshore waters, averaging 10-20 pounds but capable of reaching 50+ pounds. These bottom-feeders cruise oyster bars, mudflats, and shallow bays, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're not flashy fighters but provide a steady, powerful pull that'll test your equipment. Smaller drum under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm white meat. The big ones are better released since the meat gets tough. For night fishing, focus on structure with good current flow. Fresh blue crab is my secret weapon - cut it in half and fish it on the bottom with enough weight to hold. Black drum have excellent noses, so let them run with it before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are absolute favorites with their copper-bronze color and signature black spots near the tail. Most run 18-27 inches, though we occasionally hook into 30+ inch "bull" reds. They love super shallow water - oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet where you can often see their backs. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. Reds are scrappy fighters that make long, powerful runs and will test your drag system. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. These fish aren't spooky like some species, making them great for beginners. During night trips, they move into the shallows to feed aggressively. My best advice: use gold spoons or live shrimp near structure, and when you hook one, keep steady pressure. They'll try to wrap you around oysters or mangroves, so turn them quick and fight them in open water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are a staple of our nighttime charters, typically running 12-18 inches with those distinctive black spots covering their silver sides. These fish prefer grass flats and sandy bottoms in 2-8 feet of water, feeding heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. Cool weather months bring the best fishing as they school up in deeper holes and channels. Trout have a delicate mouth, so they provide a fun light-tackle fight without being overpowering. The meat is white and flaky - perfect for the dinner table if you don't overcook it. Night fishing is productive because they move shallow to feed under cover of darkness. Soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork is deadly effective. Here's the key: use a light drag and let them take the bait before setting the hook gently. Their mouths tear easily, so steady pressure beats aggressive fighting.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier gamefish, typically running 1-3 feet with that signature black lateral line and golden color. These ambush predators love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. They're temperature sensitive, so spring through fall offers the best action, especially around new and full moons during spawning season. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that test your drag. The meat is excellent eating with white, flaky texture. Night fishing really shines for snook since they feed aggressively in low light. My go-to tip: cast live shrimp or soft plastics right into the shadow lines under docks and bridges. Let it sit for a few seconds before twitching - that's when they usually hammer it.
New Smyrna Beach