Miami Night Fishing Adventure Awaits
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour night charter targeting snappers, snook, tarpon, and troutAdvanced SIONYX Nightwave camera provides enhanced nighttime fishing visibilityCooler temperatures and calmer waters create optimal afterdark conditions
There's something magical about fishing Miami's waters after dark. When most folks are heading home for dinner, you'll be heading out for some of the best inshore action South Florida has to offer. This 4-hour private night fishing charter with Scale House Charters puts you right where the action is, targeting snappers, snook, tarpon, and trout when they're most active. The cooler evening temperatures and calmer waters make this a top-rated experience that keeps guests coming back season after season.
Your captain knows these Miami inshore waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish based on what's biting best that particular evening. No two nights are exactly the same out here – that's part of what makes night fishing so addictive. You might find yourself drifting over grass flats one evening or working structure around bridges and docks the next. The fish are more aggressive after sunset, and with up to 6 anglers on board, everyone gets plenty of shots at some serious action. What really sets this charter apart is the SIONYX Nightwave ultra-low-light marine camera system. This isn't your typical night vision setup – it's military-grade technology that turns pitch black water into something you can actually see. You'll watch baitfish moving below the surface and see predators stalking their prey in real-time. It's like having superpowers on the water, and it completely changes how you think about night fishing.
Night fishing in Miami's inshore waters is all about adapting your approach to how fish behave when the sun goes down. Your captain will have you rigged up with a mix of live bait and artificials, depending on what's working that evening. Live shrimp and pilchards are usually the go-to options, but sometimes a well-placed soft plastic or topwater plug can absolutely light up the bite. The boat comes equipped with everything you need – rods, reels, tackle, and bait are all provided. Most of the action happens in 3 to 15 feet of water, working everything from mangrove shorelines to channel edges and grass flats. Your guide knows exactly where to position the boat to take advantage of current and structure. LED lights help attract baitfish, which in turn draws in the predators you're targeting. The key is staying quiet and letting the fish come to you – they're much more skittish at night, so stealth becomes a bigger factor than it is during daytime trips.
Tarpon are the undisputed kings of Miami's inshore waters, and they absolutely come alive after dark. These silver giants can range anywhere from 30 pounds up to well over 100, and they're most active during the warmer months from April through October. What makes tarpon so special is their acrobatic fighting ability – when you hook one, get ready for multiple jumps and screaming runs that'll test your drag system to its limits. They're incredibly strong and have a habit of shaking the hook if you don't keep constant pressure. Night fishing gives you a huge advantage because tarpon often move into shallower water to feed under cover of darkness. The experience of watching a 6-foot tarpon explode on your bait in the boat's lights is something you'll never forget.
Cubera Snapper are the heavyweight champions of the snapper family, and Miami's inshore waters hold some true monsters. These bruisers can exceed 50 pounds and are known for their bulldogging fights that'll leave your arms aching. Cuberas are structure-oriented fish that love hanging around bridge pilings, rock piles, and deep holes during the day, but they venture into shallower water at night to hunt. They're most active during the summer and fall months, and they have a reputation for being extremely line-shy, which makes the night bite so productive. When a big cubera hits your bait, there's no mistaking it – they'll nearly rip the rod out of your hands and immediately try to get back to their rocky hideouts.
Lane Snapper might be smaller than their cubera cousins, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and aggressive attitudes. These colorful fish typically run 1 to 3 pounds and are absolute action junkies' dream fish. They school up heavily around structure and grass beds, and when you find them, you can literally catch them as fast as you can drop your line. Lane snappers are active year-round in Miami waters, but they really turn on during the cooler months when other species slow down. They're also fantastic table fare, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or ceviche. Don't let their smaller size fool you – a school of feeding lane snappers can provide non-stop action that keeps everyone on the boat busy.
This world-class night fishing experience showcases exactly why Miami is considered one of the premier inshore fishing destinations in the country. The combination of diverse species, cutting-edge technology, and expert local knowledge makes this charter a customer favorite that delivers consistently excellent results. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to try something different or a newcomer wanting to experience the magic of night fishing, this trip offers something special for everyone. The 4-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunity to target multiple species and fishing spots without the marathon commitment of longer charters. Scale House Charters has built their reputation on putting clients on fish, and their night fishing program represents the best of what Miami's inshore waters have to offer. Don't miss out on this trending fishing experience – book your night fishing adventure today and discover why the bite really does heat up when the sun goes down.
This 2024 Sportsman 252 is your ticket to Miami's hottest night fishing action. When darkness falls and the water cools down, that's when snappers, snook, tarpon, and trout come alive. Our boat cuts through the waves with ease, keeping you dry and comfortable while we hunt for the evening's best bite. What sets this apart? We've got a SIONYX Nightwave ultra-low-light camera that turns night into day, giving you crystal-clear vision of what's happening below. Combined with our fish finder and GPS, we'll put you right where the action is. The spacious deck gives all 6 anglers room to work, while the icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh. With VHF radio for safety, a toilet for convenience, and a hull designed for Miami's waters, this boat handles whatever the night throws at us. The calmer evening conditions make for better fishing and a smoother ride – perfect for targeting those big game fish that prowl Miami's inshore waters after dark.
Lutjanus CyanopterusThe heavyweight champion of the snapper family, cuberas are built like tanks and fight twice as hard. These bruisers average 40 pounds and 3 feet, but can push 120 pounds - those big canine teeth aren't just for show. We target them around rocky ledges and reefs in 60-150 feet of water, where they ambush crabs, lobsters, and smaller fish. Night fishing gives us the edge since they're more aggressive feeders after dark. The fight is all about power - they'll try to get back to the rocks and break you off immediately. Year-round fishing is good, but May through August during spawn is peak time. Here's the key: once you hook up, crank hard and fast - don't give them an inch or they'll wrap you around the nearest structure and snap your line.
Lutjanus SynagrisThese pretty little fighters are perfect for action-packed nights when you want steady bites. Lane snappers run 10-14 inches typically, with their distinctive pink and yellow racing stripes making them easy to spot in the cooler. We find them over coral reefs and sandy patches with good vegetation, usually in 70-230 feet around Miami. They're aggressive biters and not too line-shy, which makes them great for getting kids and new anglers hooked up. March through September is prime time when they're spawning and feeding heavily. They fight harder than their size suggests and make excellent table fare. Night fishing really turns them on since that's their natural feeding time. My go-to trick: use small pieces of shrimp on a light jig head - they can't resist it, and you'll often catch them while targeting bigger snappers.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver giants are what fishing dreams are made of - watching a 100-pound tarpon launch 10 feet out of the water will get your heart racing. Most fish we catch run 80-100 pounds and about 4-6 feet long, though they can hit 280 pounds. Around Miami, we find them in Biscayne Bay, around Key Biscayne, and along the deeper channels. They love warm water and feed actively at night, making our evening trips perfect timing. The fight is pure athleticism - they'll jump repeatedly trying to throw the hook. These ancient fish have been around 125 million years and can live 50+ years, so we always practice catch and release. Pro tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip - keeps that line tight and the hook set.
Miami, FL