6hr Night Gigging Trip in Orange, TX
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Night gigging for gar and bluegill under highpowered lightsSixhour trips accommodate up to four guests maximumAll bowfishing gear provided for beginners and experienced shooters
When the sun goes down in Southeast Texas, that's when the real action starts. Our 6-hour night gigging trip puts you right in the heart of Orange's shallow waters, where gar cruise the surface and shell crackers hang tight around structure. Starting around 7:30 PM from March through early November, you'll experience one of the most popular ways to fish these waters after dark. We've got high-powered lights that turn night into day, and an 18ft Grizzly Tracker Jon Boat that'll get you into spots where the fish feel safe. At $360 for two anglers, with room for up to four total, this top-rated trip gives you a completely different perspective on fishing these productive waters.
Night gigging isn't your typical rod-and-reel fishing – it's a hands-on experience that gets your adrenaline pumping. We'll cruise the shallow flats and backwaters around Orange, using our lighting system to spot fish before they know we're there. The boat runs quiet, and we'll position you for clean shots at gar, redear sunfish, bluegill, and common carp. Don't worry if you've never done this before – our crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, and we provide all the gear you need. The shallow draft of our Grizzly Tracker lets us get into places where bigger boats can't go, putting you right on top of fish that rarely see pressure. You'll be amazed how different the water looks at night, and how active these fish become when they think nobody's watching.
We provide everything you need for a successful night on the water. Our high-powered LED light systems illuminate the water column, making it easy to spot fish even in murky conditions. The gigs themselves are sharp, multi-pronged spears designed specifically for different species – what works great for gar might not be the best choice for bluegill. We'll show you proper stance, how to account for light refraction in the water, and the best angles for clean shots. The key is staying quiet and moving slow – these fish spook easily once they figure out what's happening. Our 18ft jon boat gives you a stable platform to work from, and we position the lights to minimize shadows and glare. Most folks get the hang of it within the first hour, and by the end of the night, you'll be spotting fish before we point them out.
Spotted Gar are the stars of the show on our night gigging trips. These prehistoric-looking fish cruise just under the surface, making them perfect targets for gigging. They can stretch over three feet long and put up a surprising fight even after you stick them. Spring through fall is prime time, especially on warm nights when they're most active. What makes gar so exciting is their size and the challenge – they're wary fish that require patience and skill to approach. Plus, they're excellent eating when prepared right, with firm white meat that's completely different from what most people expect.
Redear Sunfish, or "shell crackers" as we call them locally, are another favorite target. These panfish hang around structure and shallow cover, making them easy to spot under our lights. They're typically 8-12 inches, perfect for the dinner table, and they school up in predictable spots year after year. What guests love about redear is how they hold still once you spot them – unlike bass or crappie that bolt immediately, shell crackers give you time to line up your shot. They're most active during their spring spawn, but we find good numbers all season long in the backwaters around Orange.
Bluegill might be smaller than our other targets, but they make up for it in numbers. These scrappy panfish are everywhere in Southeast Texas waters, and they're perfect for beginners learning to gig. They typically run 6-10 inches, but the bigger ones are surprisingly meaty. Bluegill are most cooperative on calm nights when they move into super shallow water to feed. Kids especially love targeting bluegill because they're easier to approach and stick, building confidence for bigger species. They also fry up beautifully, making them a customer favorite for shore lunches.
Common Carp round out our target species list, and they're the wildcards of night gigging. These bottom feeders can get massive – we've seen them over 20 pounds in these waters – and they provide the biggest challenge for experienced giggers. Carp are extremely wary and require perfect execution to approach successfully. They're most active in late spring and early summer, often moving into surprisingly shallow water to spawn. What makes carp exciting is their size and the fact that many people have never seen one up close. They're also excellent for smoking or making fish cakes, though most folks release the bigger ones to fight another day.
Night gigging in Orange represents some of the best fishing Southeast Texas has to offer, and our 6-hour trips give you plenty of time to master the technique and fill your cooler. With our experienced crew, top-quality gear, and intimate knowledge of these waters, you'll experience a world-class fishing adventure that's completely different from anything you've done before. We keep groups small – maximum four guests – so you get personal attention and plenty of opportunities to practice your skills. The season runs March through early November, with the best action typically happening on warm, calm nights. Remember, deposits are non-refundable, so plan ahead and secure your dates early. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for something new or a beginner ready for hands-on fishing action, this trip delivers memories that'll last long after you head home.
Our 18ft Grizzly Tracker Jon Boat is built for serious night gigging in the shallow waters around Orange, TX. With a 90HP Mercury pushing us through the flats at 35 knots, we can cover plenty of water to find those gar and shell crackers. The shallow draft design lets us slip into spots where bigger boats can't go, getting you right on top of the fish. High-powered lights mounted on the bow will illuminate the water as we cruise the Sabine River and Lake system. At 18 feet, there's room for you and a buddy to move around safely while taking shots. The stable platform and quiet operation means we won't spook the fish, and the reliable Mercury gets us back to the dock no matter how far we roam. Perfect setup for a productive night on the water.
Cyprinus CarpioCommon carp are the bulldozers of our local waters - stocky, golden-colored fish that average 15-30 inches and can push 20+ pounds. You'll find them rooting around muddy bottoms in shallow areas, stirring up clouds as they feed on everything from aquatic plants to crawfish. They love stagnant or slow-moving water, especially around fallen timber and weed beds. Spring and fall are prime time when they move shallow to feed aggressively before and after spawning. What makes them popular targets is their incredible fighting power - they'll test your gear and your patience with long, stubborn runs. They're also great table fare when prepared right, despite what some folks say. The key to success is staying quiet and keeping movements minimal. These fish are surprisingly smart and spook easily. When you spot them feeding, give them space and approach from downwind.
Lepisosteus OculatusSpotted gar are prehistoric-looking fish with long snouts full of needle-sharp teeth and bodies covered in dark spots. They typically run 20-30 inches, but we've seen some real monsters over three feet. During the day, they hang motionless near fallen logs or brush in shallow water, using that olive coloration as camouflage. At night, they turn into active predators hunting crayfish and smaller fish. Spring through fall is your best shot when water temps are right, especially in those shallow backwaters with soft bottoms. What draws folks to target them is the challenge - they're tough to approach and put up a serious fight with those armored scales. Plus, they're living dinosaurs that have been around since prehistoric times. Pro tip: move slow and steady when you spot one. They spook easy, but if you're patient and get a clean shot, that swim bladder will keep them on the surface.
Lepomis MacrochirusBluegill are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing - colorful little fighters that punch way above their weight class. Most run 6-8 inches, but the big spawning males can hit 10+ inches with that bright orange belly and attitude to match. They school up around vegetation, fallen logs, and any structure that gives them cover in shallow water. Spring and early summer are money time when they move up to spawn and get aggressive protecting their nests. What makes them perfect for our trips is they're always willing to bite and put up a scrappy fight that'll surprise you. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in these waters. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. Look for those circular spawning beds in sandy areas - the bigger males will be right there guarding them and ready to attack anything that gets too close.
Lepomis MicrolophusRedear sunfish, or "shellcrackers," are built different from regular bluegill - they've got specialized teeth that let them crunch through snails and mussels like popcorn. You'll spot them by that distinctive red-orange patch behind their gills. Most run 6-10 inches, but we see some nice ones pushing a pound in these waters. They love hanging around vegetation and fallen timber in shallow areas, especially during spawning season from late spring into early summer. That's prime time for gigging since they move up shallow to build their nests. What makes them fun to target is they're not shy about taking bait, but they'll give you a solid fight once hooked. Here's the thing - look for their spawning beds in sandy areas near cover. Those circular depressions are dead giveaways, and that's where you'll find the bigger males guarding territory.
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