Hudson FL 4 Hour Night Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour private night charter targets active Snook and TarponLight tackle fishing adapted for aftersunset feeding conditionsAll equipment and licenses included for twoguest maximum trips
When the sun dips below the horizon and the water cools down, that's when Hudson's inshore fishing really comes alive. This four-hour night charter takes you into a completely different world where the fish feed aggressively and the competition from other boats disappears. Captain Sports Coast Fishing has this timing dialed in perfectly - you'll launch in the evening and fish through the prime after-dark hours when snook, tarpon, and redfish move shallow to hunt. With just two anglers maximum, this private charter gives you the personalized attention and flexibility that makes all the difference when sight-fishing turns to sound and feel.
This isn't your typical day trip - night fishing requires a completely different mindset and approach. You'll start in the golden hour when baitfish are still active near the surface, then transition into full darkness where your other senses take over. The captain knows exactly which lights to use around structure without spooking fish, and how to position the boat so you're casting into feeding zones rather than just hoping for the best. The water gets quieter as evening progresses, which means you can actually hear fish feeding - that distinctive pop of a snook hitting a pinfish or the rolling splash of a tarpon coming up for air. It's methodical fishing that rewards patience, but when it pays off, you'll understand why so many anglers prefer hunting fish under the cover of darkness.
All your tackle comes included, which is huge because night fishing requires specific setups you probably don't have sitting in your garage. The captain brings light tackle spinning gear that won't tire you out during long fights, plus fly rods if conditions are right and you want to try sight-casting to rolling tarpon. Bottom fishing gets dialed in with circle hooks and enough weight to stay connected to structure without getting hung up every cast. When trolling comes into play, it's usually with diving plugs or spoons that create vibration fish can track in low light. The key difference from daytime tactics is relying more on scent, sound, and vibration rather than pure visual presentation. Live bait gets switched out more frequently since you can't see when it gets beat up, and lure selection focuses on profiles that push water and make noise.
Snook are the bread and butter of Hudson night fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators use darkness to their advantage, sliding up against mangrove edges and dock pilings where they can attack baitfish without being seen. They're most active from late spring through early fall, with summer nights producing the most consistent action. What makes snook so addictive is their explosive strike - there's no subtle tap or gradual weight, just a rod-bending slam that gets your heart racing. Plus they fight dirty, using every piling and oyster bar to try cutting you off.
Grey Snapper become completely different fish after sunset, moving from deep structure into shallow flats and grass beds to feed. During the day they're finicky and spook easily, but night fishing lets you get close enough for accurate presentations. They average 2-4 pounds around Hudson, but the bigger breeding females show up in summer months and can push 8-10 pounds. Their fight isn't flashy, but they're bulldogs that just won't quit pulling, and they're some of the best eating fish in these waters.
Tarpon are the holy grail of Hudson night fishing, especially during their peak migration from May through July. These silver kings use darkness to feed in surprisingly shallow water, often rolling and gulping air in less than four feet of water. You'll hear them before you see them - that distinctive rolling sound followed by a massive splash. Hook a tarpon at night and you're in for a completely different experience than daytime fishing. Without the sun glare, you can actually watch them jump, and their runs seem even more powerful in the darkness.
Crevalle Jack are the workhorses that keep your rod bent when other species get finicky. These bruisers hunt in packs and aren't afraid of boat lights or noise - if anything, they use the commotion to corral baitfish. They're available year-round but peak in warmer months when bait concentrations are highest. Don't let anyone tell you jacks aren't worth targeting - a 15-pound crevalle on light tackle will test your drag system and your shoulders. They're also excellent indicators of bait presence, so where you find jacks, you'll usually find snook and tarpon nearby.
Cobia are the bonus fish that can make your entire trip. These brown sharks cruise shallow flats at night looking for crabs and small fish, and they're curious enough to investigate boat lights and lures. Spring and fall are prime times around Hudson, with fish ranging from 20-40 pounds. Cobia fight like freshwater bass on steroids - long runs followed by sudden direction changes that test your reflexes. They're also fantastic table fare, which makes them a customer favorite for anglers who want to take dinner home.
Night fishing separates the casual anglers from the serious ones, and this charter delivers the kind of personalized experience that keeps customers coming back season after season. With everything included - tackle, bait, licenses, and local expertise - you can focus entirely on fishing instead of logistics. The $500 private charter rate for two anglers works out to exceptional value when you consider four hours of prime-time fishing with a captain who knows exactly where fish feed after dark. Hudson's inshore waters offer some of Florida's most consistent night fishing, and Sports Coast Fishing has the local knowledge to put you on fish when other boats are heading back to the dock. Don't wait for perfect conditions - book your night charter and discover why serious anglers prefer fishing when the sun goes down.
Step aboard this well-equipped 24' Tidewater bay boat for your Hudson night fishing adventure. Powered by a reliable Yamaha 250 HP engine, this vessel cuts through inshore waters with ease while providing a stable platform for after-dark angling. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to work your lines when targeting snook, tarpon, and redfish around structure as the sun sets. Quality electronics including GPS and fish finder help locate feeding areas in low light conditions, while the wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over productive spots without spooking fish. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 4-hour trip, and the multimedia system adds convenience between fishing action. Built for both comfort and performance, this bay boat handles nearshore runs smoothly while offering the shallow water access needed for prime inshore fishing grounds where these species become most active after sunset.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are unique fish that often get mistaken for sharks due to their brown coloration and single dorsal fin. These solitary hunters typically run 20-40 pounds in our waters, with some pushing 50-60 pounds. You'll find them around structure like wrecks, reefs, and channel markers in 20-50 feet of water. Spring and early summer are peak seasons as they move through during spawning migrations. What makes cobia special is they're excellent table fare - firm, white meat that rivals any fish in the Gulf. They're also sight fishers, so you can often see them cruising near the surface. Here's the trick: when you spot one, cast well ahead of where it's swimming and work a bucktail jig or live bait slowly back toward the fish. Cobia are curious and will often follow before committing to bite.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jack are the bulldogs of the Gulf - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that'll test your tackle and your arms. These brassy-green bruisers typically run 3-8 pounds around Hudson, but the big ones can push 15-20 pounds. They roam shallow flats, around structure, and anywhere there's current moving baitfish. Summer and fall are prime time when they school up and go on feeding frenzies. What guests love is their raw power - pound for pound, jacks fight harder than almost anything else. They're not the best eating, but the action more than makes up for it. Watch for diving birds - that's your best sign of jacks pushing bait to the surface. When you find them, work fast retrieves with silver spoons or swimbaits. These fish love the chase, so keep that lure moving aggressively.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are smart little fighters that keep things interesting on our night trips. Most run 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds, but occasionally we'll see one push 5-6 pounds around deeper structure. These copper-colored fish with the dark eye stripe are opportunistic feeders that love docks, reefs, and any rocky bottom where they can hide. They're most active at night, which is perfect for our evening charters. What guests love about them is the steady action - they're abundant and willing biters once you find them. The bonus is they're fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Pro tip: use the smallest hook you can get away with and let your bait sit still on the bottom. Grey snapper are cautious, so too much movement will spook them off your bait.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the gold standard for inshore fishing around Hudson. These sleek, silver fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though the bigger females can push 3-4 feet. They love hanging around docks, mangroves, and any structure where they can ambush prey. Night fishing is prime time since they're most active after dark, especially during warmer months from spring through fall. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and run like crazy once hooked. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's a tip: when fishing around lights at night, let your bait drift naturally in the shadows just outside the light cone. Snook often sit in that transition zone waiting to pounce on anything that moves.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the kings of inshore fishing - silver giants that can reach 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds around Hudson waters. These prehistoric fish prefer shallow flats, channels, and anywhere baitfish congregate, especially during summer months when they migrate through our area. Night fishing gives you a real advantage since they often roll and feed more actively after sunset. What makes tarpon legendary is their aerial show - they'll jump 6 feet out of the water and fight like nothing else that swims. Most anglers release them since they're not great eating, but landing one is a bucket list experience. Here's the key: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. This prevents the line from snapping tight and pulling the hook free during their acrobatic display.
Hudson FL