5.0(1 Reviews)Night Gigging Adventure in Davie's Waters
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Three-hour guided gigging trip through freshwater and brackish watersNight fishing with powerful lights targeting flounder, drum, and troutCaptain Jonathan provides expert guidance and all necessary equipment
When the sun goes down in South Florida, that's when the real action starts. Captain Jonathan Michailiuk knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why night gigging is one of the most exciting ways to target fish in the Everglades region. This isn't your typical cast-and-wait fishing trip – you'll be actively hunting fish in shallow water with lights and gigs, combining stealth, skill, and a good eye to bring home dinner.
Your 3-hour night gigging adventure starts as daylight fades over Davie's freshwater and brackish channels. Captain Jonathan fires up the powerful lights that transform your boat into a floating spotlight, cutting through the darkness to reveal what's moving below. The water comes alive under these beams – fish that were hiding during the day suddenly become visible as they cruise near the bottom, completely unaware of your presence above. You'll move slowly and quietly through the shallows, with Jonathan calling out targets and guiding your aim. This top-rated experience accommodates up to 3 guests, so you'll get plenty of personal attention and coaching. The calm nighttime conditions make for steady gigging, and the cooler temperatures are a welcome break from Florida's daytime heat. Don't expect any meals on this trip – you're here to catch your own dinner.
Gigging is all about precision and timing. You'll be using specialized multi-pronged spears designed to penetrate and hold fish securely. Captain Jonathan provides all the gear and will teach you the proper stance, aim, and follow-through that separates successful giggers from those who go home empty-handed. The key is learning to compensate for light refraction – fish aren't always where they appear to be in the water. You'll practice reading the water depth, accounting for the angle of your strike, and developing the quick reflexes needed when a target suddenly appears in the light beam. The shallow waters around Davie are perfect for this technique, with clear sight lines and fish that hold relatively still once illuminated. Jonathan's steady guidance helps newcomers avoid common mistakes like striking too early or misjudging distance, while experienced giggers can refine their technique in prime hunting grounds.
"Good day out in the swamp. The dog was nice and so were the fish :)" - Franco
Spotted Gar are the crown jewel of Florida gigging, and these prehistoric predators put up an impressive fight once you stick them. These fish can stretch over three feet long and are covered in diamond-hard scales that make them look like swimming armor. They're most active in the warmer months and tend to cruise just below the surface in search of smaller fish. What makes Spotted Gar so exciting to target is their unpredictable movement – they can hold perfectly still for minutes, then suddenly dart away with lightning speed. When you successfully gig one of these ancient fighters, you've earned serious bragging rights among Florida anglers.
Oscar are chunky, colorful fish that originally came from South America but have made themselves right at home in Florida's freshwater systems. These fish are aggressive feeders and relatively easy to spot under the lights due to their size and bold patterns. Oscars typically run 2-3 pounds and fight hard once gigged, thrashing and rolling in an attempt to break free. They're year-round residents in these waters, but they're most active during the warmer evening hours when they venture into the shallows to hunt. Many anglers love targeting Oscars because they're excellent eating and their size makes them satisfying targets for beginners learning proper gigging form.
Florida Gar are the smaller cousins of the Spotted Gar, but don't let their size fool you – these fish are just as challenging to gig successfully. They're native to Florida waters and perfectly adapted to the shallow, weedy areas where gigging is most productive. Florida Gar have the same elongated snout and needle-sharp teeth as their larger relatives, but they're more abundant and often travel in small groups. Spring and summer nights are prime time for these fish, when they're actively feeding in water shallow enough for effective gigging. Their quick reflexes and ability to disappear into vegetation make them a favorite target for experienced giggers looking to test their skills.
Bowfin are true living fossils that have remained virtually unchanged for millions of years, and they're one of the most prized catches in Florida's freshwater gigging scene. These powerful fish can grow over 20 pounds and are incredibly strong fighters with a mouth full of sharp teeth. Bowfin are most active during the pre-spawn period in late winter and early spring, when they move into shallow water to prepare for breeding. What makes them so exciting to encounter is their prehistoric appearance and their reputation as one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish in North America. Successfully gigging a large Bowfin is a highlight that experienced guides and customers remember for years.
Longnose Gar are the most common gar species in South Florida and often the first target species that newcomers successfully gig. Their extended snout and slender body make them unmistakable under the lights, and they're typically found in both fresh and brackish water throughout the year. These fish can reach impressive lengths of 4-5 feet, though most gigging targets run smaller. Longnose Gar are ambush predators that like to hold motionless near structure or vegetation, making them ideal for practicing your gigging accuracy. They're particularly active during the summer months when baitfish are abundant, and their predictable behavior makes them a customer favorite for building confidence before targeting more challenging species.
This world-class night gigging experience fills up fast, especially during peak fishing season when conditions are perfect for spotting fish in the shallows. Captain Jonathan's local knowledge and patient instruction have made this a
This 22-foot Carolina Skip DLV is built for serious night gigging in Florida's backcountry waters. The 150HP Yamaha pushes you smoothly through shallow flats and mangrove creeks at speeds up to 30 mph, getting you to those prime gigging spots before dark. What makes this boat perfect for night fishing is the wireless trolling motor that lets Captain Jonathan position you silently over flounder beds and drum hangouts without spooking the fish. The spacious deck gives you room to move around with your gig while powerful lights cut through the water to reveal your targets. Built in 2016, this Carolina Skip handles the brackish waters around Davie like a champ, drawing just enough water to slip into those skinny areas where the big fish feed after sunset. The stable platform and quiet approach mean you'll get clean shots at flounder, trout, and drum as they cruise the bottom.
Amia CalvaBowfin are the ultimate prehistoric fish - these things survived since the dinosaurs and it shows. Most run 18-24 inches, but females can push 30 inches and 8 pounds of solid muscle. They love thick vegetation in marshes, wetlands, and slow-moving backwater areas where other fish can't handle the low oxygen. That's their superpower - they breathe air and water, so they thrive in spots that would kill other species. They're most active at night, which makes them perfect for our gigging trips. People target them for the pure challenge and bragging rights of landing a "living fossil." They fight like nothing else their size - aggressive, strong, and they don't give up easy. The meat's an acquired taste, but the experience is what counts. Here's what works: look for them in the nastiest, weediest water you can find. When you spot one, be ready because they're aggressive and will definitely let you know they're not happy about the encounter.
Lepisosteus PlatyrhincusFlorida gar are our local version of the gar family, running smaller than their spotted cousins but just as interesting to target. Most are 20-30 inches with that distinctive olive-green back and spotted pattern that helps them blend into the vegetation they love. You'll find them in 4-10 feet of water around thick weeds, especially in canals and muddy-bottom areas where oxygen levels run low - they can handle it thanks to that special air bladder. They're active hunters year-round, but night gigging really lights them up when they cruise the edges looking for crayfish and small fish. The appeal is that prehistoric look and the challenge of a clean shot on a narrow target. While not the best eating, some folks smoke them with good results. Here's my tip: look for them right at the weed line where clear water meets vegetation. They position themselves there to ambush, and that's where you get your best shots.
Lepisosteus OsseusLongnose gar are the sleek hunters of our waters with that signature needle-like snout that sets them apart from other gar species. These torpedo-shaped fish typically run 28-48 inches in our area, and they're built for ambush hunting in the shallows. You'll find them cruising vegetation lines in freshwater canals, marshes, and slow-moving areas, especially at night when they're most active. They're year-round targets here, but cooler months bring more consistent shallow water activity. What draws people to them is that amazing prehistoric appearance and their reputation as strong fighters - plus they're actually decent eating if you can get through that tough skin. The meat tastes like a cross between chicken and gator. Since their mouths are too narrow for regular hooks, the key is getting a clean gig shot. Watch for them hanging motionless near cover, then moving in quick bursts to grab prey. That's your window for a good shot.
Astronotus OcellatusThese chunky South American cichlids have made themselves right at home in our canals and freshwater spots around Davie. Most oscars you'll see are 10-12 inches, but the big ones can hit 18-20 inches and pack some serious weight. They stick to the bottom in slower water with good cover - think canal edges, around docks, and anywhere there's structure. Oscars are territorial and aggressive, which makes them fun to target because they'll hit almost anything you put in front of them. Year-round fishing is solid here, but they're most active during warmer months. People love going after them because they fight hard for their size and the meat is actually pretty tasty - firm white chunks that fry up nice. Here's the thing about oscars: they're smart fish. When you spot one, don't rush the shot. Let it settle into a comfortable position because spooked oscars will dart into the nearest cover faster than you can blink.
Lepisosteus OculatusThese prehistoric-looking fish with their long snouts and diamond-shaped scales are perfect targets for night gigging. Most run 20-30 inches in our waters, though we see some pushing three feet. They love hanging around fallen logs and vegetation in shallow areas during the day, but come nighttime they move into open water to hunt. That's when our lights really shine - literally. Spotted gar are active year-round in Florida's warm waters, but cooler months bring them into the shallows more consistently. What makes them special is that dinosaur-age look and the way they ambush prey with lightning-fast strikes. They're not great eating due to all those bones, but the experience of seeing one under the lights is something else. Pro tip: look for their telltale surface rolls - they gulp air with that specialized bladder, so watch for those subtle ripples.
5.0 out of 5.0Good day out in the swamp. The dog was nice and so were the fish :)
Davie, FL, United States