Evening Trip-New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Evening inshore fishing for Tarpon and Snook with Captain GeorgeAll fishing equipment provided for groups up to 4 guestsGuests bring sunscreen, sunglasses, food and drinks for trip
When the sun starts dropping toward the horizon and most folks are heading home from the beach, that's when the real action kicks off in New Smyrna Beach waters. Captain George knows these inshore flats like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish during this top-rated evening charter. With the water cooling down and baitfish moving shallow, you'll be casting for some of Florida's most sought-after gamefish including tarpon, snook, redfish, and more. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – we're talking about productive waters where local guides have been putting clients on fish for decades.
Your evening adventure starts when the day crowds thin out and the fish start getting active. Captain George runs a tight ship that accommodates up to four anglers, so you're getting that personalized attention that makes all the difference between stories and just casting practice. The boat launches from New Smyrna Beach, giving you quick access to the productive inshore waters of the Indian River Lagoon system and Mosquito Lagoon – some of the most renowned fishing grounds on Florida's east coast. You'll be working the mangrove shorelines, grass flats, and oyster bars where these fish love to hunt. The captain provides all your fishing gear, so you don't need to worry about tackle selection or rigging – just bring your sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and whatever snacks and drinks you want for the trip. The evening bite can be fantastic, especially when the water temperature drops a few degrees and the baitfish start moving.
Captain George sets you up with the right gear for targeting multiple species in these shallow inshore waters. You'll likely be throwing live bait like shrimp, pilchards, and finger mullet on circle hooks, plus working some artificial lures when the fish are actively feeding. The technique varies based on what we're seeing – sometimes it's sight fishing to cruising fish on the flats, other times you're working structure like docks, mangroves, and oyster bars where these fish like to ambush prey. The water depth ranges from just a few feet on the flats to maybe eight or ten feet in the deeper channels, so you're always in that productive inshore zone. Captain George knows when to anchor up and wait for the fish to come to you, and when to keep moving and covering water. The tackle is sized right for the species you're targeting – not too heavy that you lose the fight, but strong enough to turn a big snook or redfish away from the mangroves when they make their run.
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing around New Smyrna Beach, and these evening trips put you in prime position to connect with these awesome gamefish. These silver-sided bruisers love to hang around structure during the day and move into the shallows to feed as the sun drops. Snook are ambush predators with that distinctive black lateral line, and they'll absolutely smoke a well-presented live shrimp or mullet. The best part? They fight like fish twice their size, making blistering runs and trying every trick to throw the hook. Peak season runs from spring through early fall, but you can find keeper-sized snook year-round in these waters.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the lagoon, but they're customer favorites for good reason. These bottom-dwellers can push 20, 30, even 40 pounds, giving you that deep, bulldogging fight that'll test your tackle and your back. They love to cruise the oyster bars and grass flats, using their downward-facing mouths to root out crabs, shrimp, and worms. Black drum are most active during cooler months, making them perfect targets for evening trips when the water temperature starts dropping. When you hook into a big drum, just hold on – they're not fast, but they're incredibly strong.
Tarpon are the reason many anglers make the trip to Florida's east coast. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish in the 10-20 pound range up to massive adults pushing 100 pounds or more. Evening hours are prime time for tarpon, especially during their peak season from late spring through summer. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size – it's those spectacular jumps when they're hooked. A jumping tarpon is one of fishing's greatest sights, and even smaller fish will clear the water multiple times during the fight. They're predominantly catch-and-release fish, so you're fishing for the experience and the photos.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the bunch, with those human-like teeth perfectly designed for picking crabs and barnacles off structure. These black-and-white striped fish are notorious for stealing bait, but when you hook one, they provide a scrappy fight and excellent table fare. Winter months are prime time for sheepshead around New Smyrna Beach, when they gather around structure in large numbers. Captain George knows the productive spots and the right techniques to get these finicky biters to commit.
Redfish complete the inshore slam possibilities on these evening trips. These copper-colored gamefish with the distinctive spot near their tail are perfect for sight fishing on the shallow flats. Reds are year-round residents that love to cruise the grass beds and mangrove edges looking for crabs, shrimp, and small fish. They're strong fighters that will make powerful runs into the shallows, and they're also excellent eating if you decide to keep a legal-sized fish for dinner.
Evening fishing trips with Poseidon Fishing Charters give you that world-class inshore experience that keeps anglers coming back to New Smyrna Beach year after year. Captain George's local knowledge and the prime evening timing put you in position for some of the best fishing these waters have to offer. Whether you're after that first snook, looking to tangle with
Hit the waters of New Smyrna Beach aboard our well-equipped motorboat, perfectly set up for evening inshore fishing adventures. This reliable vessel handles the shallow flats and backwaters like a dream, getting you to those prime Tarpon and Snook spots as the sun starts to set. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating your targets, while GPS keeps us on track to the most productive fishing grounds. Captain George knows these waters inside and out and provides all the tackle you'll need. The boat comfortably fishes up to 4 anglers with plenty of deck space for casting and fighting fish. Modern amenities include a multimedia system for tunes between bites and a head for convenience during longer trips. The stable platform makes it easy to land those hard-fighting inshore species that call these waters home. Just bring your appetite for fishing, some snacks, drinks, and sun protection for an evening you'll remember on the water.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the flats - powerful fish that use crushing jaws to crack oysters and crabs. Most run 5-30 pounds, but the big ones can hit 90. You'll find them on shallow muddy flats, around oyster beds, and near structure in 2-20 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning. What draws anglers? That steady, determined fight and the drumming sound they make underwater. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's the key: use fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom with enough weight to stay put. They're bottom feeders, so keep your bait down where they're rooting around for food.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored beauties with that signature black spot near the tail - nature's fake-out to confuse predators. Most run 20-35 inches, but the big bulls can hit 45+ inches and 50 pounds. They cruise super shallow flats in 1-4 feet, often with their backs showing. Year-round fishing here, but fall and spring are peak when they school up. What's the draw? Explosive topwater strikes and that steady bulldogging fight. Plus, slot-sized fish are fantastic eating - mild and sweet. The secret is sight fishing the flats during moving tides. Cast ahead of cruising fish, not on top of them. Gold spoons and topwater plugs work magic, but don't overlook live shrimp under a popping cork.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convicts of the reef with their black and white stripes and freaky human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches. They hug structure like docks, bridges, and jetties where they crunch barnacles and crabs all day. Spring spawning season brings the biggest crowds, but they bite year-round. Guests love the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light bites that require quick reflexes. Plus, they're top-shelf eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The trick is using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, and fish tight to the pilings. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook hard immediately. Wait too long and you'll just be feeding them.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are ambush predators with that distinctive black lateral line running down their golden sides. Most run 1-3 feet, but the big mamas can hit 4+ feet. They love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges - anywhere they can hide and pounce on baitfish. Best bite is dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding in 2-6 feet of water. What makes them special? That explosive strike and bulldog fight, plus they're great eating with firm, white meat. They're also sensitive to cold, so warmer months are prime time. Pro tip: cast your lure or live bait tight to structure and let it drift naturally - snook won't chase far from cover, so precision beats power every time.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings - massive fish that can hit 6+ feet and 200+ pounds, though most are 4-5 feet and 80-100 pounds. These ancient fish love shallow coastal waters, bridges, and passes where baitfish gather. May through September is peak season when they migrate through our waters. What makes them legendary? Those acrobatic jumps - they'll leap 10 feet trying to throw your hook. Pure catch and release since the meat's bony and tough. The fight is what you're after - raw power and athleticism. Best tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. Keeps tension off the line so they can't use that jump to break free. It's all about respecting their power.
New Smyrna Beach, FL