4hr Evening Inshore Fishing Trip in Stuart, Florida
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Evening inshore fishing targeting Snook, Tarpon, and Redfish4hour nighttime trip along peaceful residential shorelinesHandson sight casting with fly or artificial lures
There's something special about casting lines as the sun sets over Stuart's pristine inshore waters. Captain Jacob Ertle knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish during the prime evening bite. This 4-hour PM trip with Shrimp Slingers Fishing Charters targets the most sought-after species in South Florida - Snook, Tarpon, Redfish, Grey Snapper, and Crevalle Jack. You'll fish the peaceful residential shorelines where trophy fish cruise the shallows, making this a top-rated experience for up to 3 anglers who want authentic inshore action without the crowds.
Captain Jacob runs a hands-on operation that's perfect for anglers who love sight casting and working artificial lures. As evening approaches, you'll glide through Stuart's calm inshore waters, targeting structure along docks, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars where gamefish come to feed. The atmosphere is relaxed but focused - no party boat chaos here. This is fishing the way it should be done, with personal attention and local knowledge that only comes from years on these waters. The evening bite is legendary in Stuart, and you'll understand why once you see Snook crashing topwater plugs under the dock lights or feel a Tarpon explode on your fly rod as darkness settles in.
This trip is all about finesse and presentation. Captain Jacob specializes in sight casting with fly rods and light spinning tackle using artificial lures. You'll work the shallow flats and residential canals where stealth and accuracy matter more than raw power. Expect to throw topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live bait depending on conditions and target species. The boat is rigged for serious inshore fishing with a shallow draft that gets you into those skinny water spots where the big fish hide. Whether you're an experienced fly angler or prefer conventional gear, Captain Jacob will match the technique to your skill level and the fish's mood. The evening hours are prime time for visual fishing, so be ready to spot your target before making that perfect cast.
Snook are the crown jewel of Stuart inshore fishing, and evening is prime time to target these ambush predators. These fish love structure and will stack up under docks, bridges, and mangrove overhangs as the sun goes down. Snook are notorious for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, often clearing the water multiple times before surrendering. The slot fish here run 28-32 inches typically, with plenty of oversized bruisers that'll test your drag. They're most active during moving water, making the evening tides perfect for consistent action.
Tarpon turn Stuart's inshore waters into a world-class fishery, especially during their seasonal migrations. These silver kings range from juvenile fish in the 20-40 pound class up to triple-digit monsters that will leave you speechless. Evening Tarpon fishing is visual and exciting - you'll often see them rolling on the surface before making your presentation. When hooked, they're pure chaos with their signature jumps and long runs. Peak season runs late spring through summer, but resident fish provide year-round opportunities.
Redfish are the perfect inshore gamefish, combining accessibility with serious pulling power. Stuart's grass flats and oyster bars hold quality Reds year-round, with fish ranging from slot-sized drum to hefty bull Reds over 30 inches. They're excellent sight fishing targets in shallow water, often tailing or cruising just under the surface. Redfish fight with pure determination, making long runs and using their broad sides to maximum advantage. They're less spooky than Snook, making them great for newer anglers to cut their teeth on.
Grey Snapper bring consistent action when the bite gets tough on other species. These reef dwellers move into the shallows to feed, especially around structure and moving water. While they might not have the glamour of Snook or Tarpon, Mangrove Snapper are scrappy fighters that will keep your rod bent. They're also excellent table fare, making them a customer favorite for anglers who like to take dinner home. Look for them around docks, bridge pilings, and rocky bottom areas.
Crevalle Jack are the bulldogs of the inshore waters, offering non-stop action when you find a school. These fish travel in groups and feed aggressively, often creating surface commotion that's visible from long distances. Jack Crevalle fight way above their weight class, making screaming runs and testing tackle to its limits. They're not shy about taking artificial lures, making them perfect targets for topwater action. While they're not typically kept for the table, the sport fishing value is off the charts.
Captain Jacob's evening trips fill up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons when the bite is hottest. This 4-hour adventure gives you the perfect window to experience Stuart's world-class inshore fishing without committing to a full day on the water. With space for just 3 anglers, you'll get the personal attention and local expertise that separates a good trip from a great one. Whether you're looking to cross species off your bucket list or just want to unwind with some quality fishing, Shrimp Slingers Fishing Charters delivers the authentic South Florida experience you're after. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so plan accordingly when you're ready to secure your spot for this top-rated inshore adventure.
Our 23-foot C Hawk is built for serious fishing in Stuart's inshore waters. With a powerful 175HP Evinrude pushing us to 39 knots, we'll quickly reach those prime evening fishing spots where Snook and Tarpon love to feed. The shallow draft lets us get tight to mangrove shorelines and residential docks where big fish hide as the sun sets. Our fish finder helps locate structure and bait schools, while the GPS keeps us on productive spots. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long fights with Jack Crevalle. VHF radio ensures we stay connected with other boats and marine traffic. Perfect for fly fishing and sight casting in skinny water - this boat gets you close to the action without spooking fish in those quiet evening hours when the big ones come out to play.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bruisers of the flats that'll test your tackle and your arms. These broad-shouldered fighters usually run 3-8 pounds in our waters, but we get some real bulls over 15 pounds that'll smoke your drag. They hunt in schools around grass flats, channels, and structure, often pushing baitfish to the surface. Look for diving birds - that's your best sign they're feeding. Evening trips work well since they're active hunters in low light. What makes jacks fun is their raw power - pound for pound, they're one of the strongest fish we catch. They're not great table fare, so most folks release them. Here's the trick: when you see a school busting bait, cast past them and retrieve fast with a silver spoon or topwater plug. They love the chase and rarely turn down a meal that's trying to escape.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snappers, or mangrove snappers as most folks call them, are smart little fighters that keep things interesting. Around here, you'll typically catch them in the 12-16 inch range, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. They love hanging around docks, bridges, and any kind of structure in 5-20 feet of water. These guys are most active at night, making our evening trips perfect timing. What makes them special is they're excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also incredibly line-shy and will inspect your bait before committing. My go-to trick is using a 4/0 circle hook with live shrimp, but here's the key - let your bait sit still on the bottom. Too much movement and they'll spook. Once you feel that tap, don't set the hook hard, just start reeling steady.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of the most reliable targets we have, especially on these evening trips. They typically run 20-30 inches around Stuart, with that classic copper-red color and black spot near the tail. You'll find them in shallow grass flats, around oyster bars, and cruising residential canals in just 1-4 feet of water. They feed year-round but are especially active during cooler months. What guests love about reds is their strong, bulldogging fight - they don't jump much but they'll strip drag and make long runs. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. They're not spooky like some species, so they're great for beginners. My secret weapon is a gold spoon or soft plastic shrimp worked slowly along the bottom. Watch for their tails when they're feeding head-down in the shallows - that's your money shot.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore game fish here in Stuart waters. These silver-sided beauties with the distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though we catch some real slabs pushing 35+ inches. They love structure - docks, mangroves, bridge pilings, and residential seawalls where they ambush prey. Evening trips are perfect since snook feed heavily at dusk and into the night. They're incredibly strong fighters that'll make multiple runs and try to cut your line on structure. Most anglers target them for the sport since the meat can be hit or miss. Pro tip: when you hook one near a dock, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back under the structure. They're masters at wrapping your line around pilings, so be ready to move the boat if needed.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings that every angler dreams about catching. These prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds in our waters, but they can get much bigger. They prefer shallow flats, channels, and around bridges where they roll and gulp air. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our area. What makes tarpon fishing special isn't the eating - most folks release them - it's the fight. They'll jump 6-8 feet out of the water and can run for hundreds of yards. The acrobatics are something you'll never forget. Evening fishing works great since they often feed actively as light fades. Here's a tip from years of guiding: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip. This gives slack and prevents them from throwing the hook on their way back down.
Stuart