Half Day Night Fishing in New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Evening inshore fishing targeting snook, redfish, and tarponFourhour trip accommodates up to five guests comfortablyCaptain provides all highquality fishing gear and equipment
There's something magical about fishing under the stars in New Smyrna Beach, and Captain Zachary Griffith knows exactly how to make it happen. This 4-hour evening trip kicks off at 8:00 PM when the water starts to come alive with feeding fish. You'll head out into some of Florida's most productive inshore waters where snook, redfish, and tarpon patrol the flats and channels. With room for up to five anglers and all the gear provided, this is your chance to experience world-class fishing without the daytime crowds or blazing sun.
When you step aboard with Captain Zachary, you're getting a guide who knows these waters like his own backyard. The evening departure gives you cooler temperatures and active fish that have been waiting all day for the sun to drop. You'll work everything from shallow grass flats to deeper channels where big fish cruise looking for an easy meal. The boat's equipped with quality rods, reels, and tackle designed specifically for these target species. Captain Zachary handles the navigation and fish-finding while you focus on what matters most – getting your line tight and fighting fish. The atmosphere is relaxed but focused, perfect for both seasoned anglers and folks just getting started with saltwater fishing.
Night fishing in New Smyrna Beach calls for a different approach than your typical daytime trip. Captain Zachary uses a mix of live bait and artificial lures depending on what the fish are showing him that evening. You might find yourself pitching live shrimp under dock lights for snook or working soft plastics along grass edges for redfish. When tarpon are rolling, he'll switch up to larger baits and heavier tackle to handle these silver kings. The boat carries spinning gear in various weights, from lighter setups for slot redfish to stouter rods when tarpon show up. Circle hooks are the standard here, making it easier for everyone to hook up solid while keeping the fish healthy for release. Captain Zachary reads the water constantly, adjusting locations and techniques based on tide movement, bait activity, and fish behavior.
Red snapper bring serious fight to the table and are one of the most reliable species you'll encounter on this trip. These bottom dwellers typically run 2-8 pounds in the inshore waters around New Smyrna Beach, with their bright red color and aggressive strikes making them a customer favorite. They're most active during evening hours when they move up from deeper structure to feed in shallower areas. Red snapper hit hard and pull steady, giving you a good workout on medium tackle. Best months are typically late spring through early fall when water temperatures stay consistent.
Snook are the ultimate inshore game fish, and New Smyrna Beach has some of the best snook fishing on Florida's east coast. These ambush predators love to hang around docks, bridges, and mangrove edges where they can surprise baitfish. They typically range from 20-35 inches in these waters, with bigger fish showing up during cooler months. Snook are famous for their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps once hooked. They're also notorious for wrapping you up in structure, so Captain Zachary keeps you positioned right to pull them away from cover. Peak action happens during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk.
Grey snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are scrappy fighters that punch above their weight class. These fish are incredibly smart and can be picky about baits, making them a fun challenge for experienced anglers. They school up around structure and grass flats, typically running 12-18 inches in these waters. Grey snapper have excellent eyesight and can be line-shy, so Captain Zachary often uses lighter leaders and smaller hooks. They're active year-round but really turn on during summer months when baitfish are abundant.
Tarpon are the silver kings of inshore fishing, and when they show up on this trip, everything else takes a backseat. These prehistoric fish can range from 40-100+ pounds in New Smyrna Beach waters, with their incredible jumping ability making them one of the most sought-after game fish in Florida. Tarpon season typically runs May through September, with peak action in summer months. They're catch-and-release only, but the fight you'll get from even a medium-sized tarpon will have you talking about it for years. Captain Zachary switches to heavy tackle when tarpon are around, and he'll coach you through the fight to maximize your chances of landing one.
Redfish are the bread and butter of inshore fishing, and New Smyrna Beach consistently produces quality fish. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-27 inches in the slot, with their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Redfish feed aggressively in shallow water, especially around oyster bars and grass flats. They're less spooky than snook and more predictable than tarpon, making them reliable targets throughout the year. Fall and winter months often produce the biggest numbers as schools of reds move through the area.
This evening fishing trip offers everything you want in a New Smyrna Beach fishing experience – productive waters, quality fish, and a captain who knows how to put you on them. The 8:00 PM start time means cooler weather and active fish, while the 4-hour duration gives you plenty of time to work different spots and techniques. With all gear included and room for five anglers, it's perfect for families or groups of friends looking for a top-rated fishing adventure. Captain Zachary's local knowledge and attention to detail ensure you'll have the best possible shot at hooking into some of Florida's most popular game fish. Don't wait – evening trips like this fill up quickly, especially during peak fishing seasons.
Hit the waters of New Smyrna Beach aboard this solid 26' Pathfinder motorboat, built to handle Florida's inshore fishing grounds with ease. Powered by a reliable 300 HP Yamaha engine, she'll get you to the best fishing spots quickly and quietly. The spacious deck comfortably holds up to 6 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to work their lines without tangling. Whether you're targeting snook in the shallows or battling tarpon near the inlet, this boat handles like a dream in these coastal waters. The onboard toilet means you won't have to cut your fishing short, and the stable platform makes it perfect for anglers of any experience level. Captain Zachary knows these waters inside and out, and this Pathfinder gives him the perfect tool to put you on the fish when they're feeding at night.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, or mangrove snapper as most folks call them, are scrappy little fighters perfect for our night trips. They typically run 10-14 inches and 1-3 pounds, though open water can produce some 5+ pounders. These copper-red fish love hanging around docks, bridges, and mangrove roots where they can ambush prey. You'll find them in 5-30 feet, often right under the boat. They're most active at night, which makes our evening trips perfect timing. People love targeting them because they're aggressive biters, great table fare with sweet white meat, and always willing to cooperate. They're opportunistic feeders, so they'll hit live shrimp, small crabs, and cut bait. The key trick: once your bait hits bottom, reel up just a foot or so to keep it off the structure but in their strike zone. Don't jerk when you feel the bite - let them take it and reel steady.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are deep-water fighters that'll test your gear and patience. These crimson beauties typically run 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds around here, though bigger ones lurk in the depths. You'll find them hugging structure in 30-200 feet - wrecks, ledges, and hard bottom are prime spots. They love cooler water temps between 50-70 degrees, making fall through early spring our best months. What makes them special? That pure white, flaky meat is restaurant quality, and they'll give you a solid fight on the way up. They're smart too - they'll try to cut your line on structure if you let them. My tip: use circle hooks with fresh cut bait, and once you hook up, keep steady pressure and get them away from the bottom fast. The bigger ones are usually females, so handle them with care.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread-and-butter inshore species - tough fighters with that distinctive black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, perfect eating size with sweet, mild meat. Look for them tailing in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they school up. What guests love is watching them cruise the shallows with their backs out of water, plus they'll eat just about anything you throw at them. These copper-colored fish are ambush feeders that use that black spot to fool predators into attacking the wrong end. Best baits are live shrimp, cut mullet, or gold spoons. Pro tip: when you see them tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead and let your bait settle - they spook easily but once hooked, they'll make long, powerful runs.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore game fish - smart, aggressive, and built for speed. Most run 18-30 inches, but the big females can push 40+ inches and really put up a battle. Look for them around mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. They're temperature sensitive, so summer through early fall gives you the best action when water stays above 70 degrees. What guests love most is their explosive strikes and those trademark jumps - plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. These fish are ambush predators that love current and structure. During spawning season May through September, their fins turn bright yellow. Here's my go-to technique: work live shrimp or pinfish tight to cover, but don't horse them - their mouths are bony and hooks pull out easy. Let them run initially, then apply steady pressure.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings - pure adrenaline on a fishing rod. These prehistoric giants average 80-120 pounds around New Smyrna, but can push 200+ pounds. You'll spot them rolling in shallow flats, around bridges, and near inlets during summer months when water temps hit the 80s. May through September is prime time when they migrate through our waters. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating - they're mostly catch and release due to those tough, bony bodies. It's all about the fight and those spectacular jumps that can reach 10 feet out of the water. They're 125 million years old as a species and can live 50+ years. Live bait works best - crabs, pinfish, or mullet. Here's the key: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This keeps tension off and prevents them from throwing the hook. Be patient - these battles can last 30+ minutes.
Titusville