5.0(1 Reviews)Night Gigging Adventures in the Everglades
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Night gigging for flounder, drum, and trout in shallow watersCaptain Jonathan provides gear and expert guidance throughout tripThreehour adventure through Everglades freshwater and brackish areas
When the sun goes down in South Florida, a whole different fishing world comes alive. Captain Jonathan Michailiuk knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why gigging is one of the most rewarding ways to fish the Everglades after dark. This isn't your typical day on the water – we're talking about a 3-hour night adventure where powerful lights cut through the darkness, revealing fish moving along the bottom in ways you've never seen before. The calm, quiet atmosphere of nighttime fishing creates perfect conditions for spotting your targets, and Jonathan's steady guidance means you'll learn the ropes whether this is your first time with a gig or you're looking to sharpen your skills.
Your night starts as daylight fades and the Everglades settle into their evening rhythm. We'll be working the freshwater and brackish zones around Davie, where the mix of waters creates prime habitat for our target species. The boat setup includes high-powered lights that illuminate the shallows, turning the dark water into a clear window where you can watch fish behavior in real time. Jonathan keeps the group small – just three guests max – so everyone gets plenty of hands-on time and personal instruction. You'll learn to read the water, spot fish movement, and handle the gigging equipment safely. The pace is relaxed but focused, giving you time to really observe and understand what you're seeing below the surface. Don't worry about experience level; Jonathan tailors his approach to work with beginners and seasoned giggers alike. The whole vibe is about quiet observation mixed with quick action when the right moment presents itself.
Gigging is all about precision and timing, and having the right setup makes all the difference. We use specialized multi-pronged spears designed specifically for this type of fishing, along with powerful LED lighting systems that penetrate the water without spooking the fish. Jonathan provides all the gear and teaches proper technique – how to hold the gig, when to strike, and how to secure your catch. The key is learning to compensate for light refraction in the water, which makes fish appear in slightly different positions than where they actually are. You'll practice reading fish behavior too, since different species react differently to the lights. Some fish freeze when illuminated, giving you a perfect shot, while others move predictably along the bottom. The shallow waters we fish are ideal for this technique, typically running 2-4 feet deep with good visibility. Safety is always the priority, especially when working with pointed equipment in low light conditions, so Jonathan covers all the basics before we start actively gigging.
"Good day out in the swamp. The dog was nice and so were the fish :)" - Franco
Spotted Gar are one of the most exciting targets for night gigging in these waters. These prehistoric-looking fish can reach 2-3 feet in length and have distinctive spotted patterns along their elongated bodies. They're ambush predators that often hold perfectly still near structure or vegetation, making them ideal candidates for gigging. Spotted gar are most active during warmer months and tend to move into shallower water at night to hunt. What makes them so appealing to giggers is their tendency to freeze when hit with bright lights, giving you time to line up your shot. Their armor-like scales and bony structure mean you need good technique to secure them properly.
Oscar are another favorite target, especially in the freshwater sections of our route. These chunky, colorful fish are actually non-native species that have established strong populations in South Florida waters. They typically run 1-2 pounds and put up a solid fight even after being gigged. Oscars are curious fish that often approach the lights rather than fleeing, making them relatively easy targets for beginners. They're most active year-round in our subtropical climate, though they tend to be more aggressive during spawning season in spring and early summer. Their broad, flat bodies make them easy to spot against sandy or muddy bottoms.
Florida Gar represent the classic Everglades gigging experience. These native fish are perfectly adapted to shallow, weedy waters and can breathe air when oxygen levels drop. They range from 12 inches to over 2 feet and have the characteristic long snout filled with sharp teeth. Florida gar are year-round residents that become more active at night, often cruising just above the bottom in search of prey. They're masters of camouflage during daylight hours but stand out clearly under artificial lighting. Gigging gar requires patience since they can be more skittish than their spotted cousins, but their prehistoric appearance makes them a trophy catch for many anglers.
Bowfin are the ultimate challenge for night giggers, earning respect for both their size and fighting ability. These primitive fish can exceed 3 feet in length and are incredibly strong, with the ability to breathe air and survive in low-oxygen conditions that would stress other species. Bowfin are most active during cooler months and early morning hours, making late-night gigging trips your best bet for encounters. They're ambush predators that often hold tight to cover, but their large size makes them unmistakable when spotted. Successfully gigging a bowfin requires good technique and quick reflexes, since they can thrash violently when struck. Many consider them the premier freshwater gigging target in Florida.
Longnose Gar round out our target list with their distinctive appearance and challenging behavior. These sleek fish can reach impressive sizes, with some specimens exceeding 4 feet in length. Their needle-like snouts and slender bodies make them unmistakable in the water column. Longnose gar prefer deeper channels and moving water compared to other gar species, so we target them in specific areas where current flows create feeding opportunities. They're most active during transition periods between seasons and can be found year-round in suitable habitat. Their tendency to move steadily rather than holding still makes them
Captain Jonathan's 2016 Carolina Skip DLV is built for serious night gigging in Florida's shallow waters. This 22-footer handles the brackish flats around Davie with ease, powered by a reliable 150HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fishing spots without disturbing the water. The wireless trolling motor is key for silent positioning when you're hunting flounder and drum in the shallows. With room for three anglers, there's plenty of space to move around safely while working the gig poles under the spotlights. The boat's shallow draft design lets Jonathan navigate tight creeks and grass beds where the fish feed after dark. Perfect setup for stalking speckled trout and redfish when they're most active.
Amia CalvaBowfin are tough, prehistoric fighters that anglers either love or hate - but they always put on a show. These "living fossils" have smooth, scaleless heads and long dorsal fins running down their olive-green backs. Males sport a distinctive yellow-ringed eyespot near their tail. They typically run 18-24 inches for males, up to 30 inches for females, and they're built like tanks. You'll find them in vegetated marshes, slow-moving canals, and swampy areas where other fish can't survive due to low oxygen levels. They can actually breathe air and water, making them incredibly hardy. Best action is at night when they're actively hunting crayfish and small fish. What makes bowfin special is their prehistoric nature - they've been around since the dinosaurs - and their legendary fighting ability. They'll jump, roll, and battle right to the boat. Fair warning: keep your hands clear when landing one - they bite hard and don't let go easily.
Lepisosteus PlatyrhincusFlorida gar are medium-sized prehistoric fish with shorter, broader snouts than their longnose cousins and distinctive spotted patterns. They typically measure 20-35 inches and have that classic torpedo shape with olive-green backs fading to white bellies. You'll find them in vegetated canals, muddy lakes, and marsh areas around 4-10 feet deep where they ambush prey like crayfish and small fish. They can handle low-oxygen water better than most species thanks to a specialized air bladder. What makes them interesting targets is their ability to bury into mud during dry spells and their aggressive nature when threatened. They put up a solid fight with lots of thrashing and rolling. Unlike some gar, they're decent eating if prepared right. Here's a local trick: look for them around fish cleaning stations where they feast on scraps, or try live shrimp near heavy vegetation where they like to hide during daylight hours.
Lepisosteus OsseusLongnose gar are the classic "needle-nose" fish with extremely narrow snouts packed with sharp teeth. These olive-green torpedoes typically measure 28-48 inches and can live over 20 years in our local waters. They're ambush predators that hang motionless in vegetation during the day, then become active hunters at night. You'll spot them in streams, canals, and backwaters - they can even tolerate some brackish water near the coast. What sets them apart is their primitive nature: they can breathe both air and water, and they're incredibly strong fighters once hooked. Unlike other gar, their meat has a chicken-like texture and is considered pretty good eating by those who know how to prepare it. Since their mouths are too narrow for regular hooks, we use unbraided nylon rope that tangles in their teeth. Pro tip: run your lure parallel to vegetation where they're hiding - their opportunistic nature makes them strike at almost anything that moves nearby.
Astronotus OcellatusOscars are chunky, aggressive cichlids that make for exciting targets in our freshwater canals and lakes around Davie. These South American natives typically run 10-12 inches but can push 18 inches in Florida waters. They come in several color varieties - tiger, red, and green being most common - all with that distinctive oval body and fan-shaped tail. You'll find them cruising slowly near the bottom in vegetated areas, especially around structure like fallen trees or canal walls. They're most active during warmer months and feed heavily on crayfish, small fish, and insects. What guests love about oscars is their intelligence and fierce fight when hooked - they're surprisingly strong for their size. They also make decent table fare with firm, white meat. My advice: look for them in 4-8 feet of water near cover, and don't be fooled if one plays dead on its side - that's their defense mechanism.
Lepisosteus OculatusThese prehistoric-looking fish with their long snouts and rows of sharp teeth are night hunters that cruise our shallow waters after dark. Most spotted gar we encounter run 20-30 inches, with their olive-brown bodies covered in distinctive dark spots and diamond-shaped scales. During the day, they hang motionless near fallen logs or brush in muddy areas, but once our lights hit the water at night, you'll spot them prowling for crayfish and small fish. They're ambush predators that can survive in low-oxygen water thanks to a special swim bladder. What makes them fun to target is their tenacious fight once hooked - they'll thrash and roll trying to throw the gig. Pro tip: aim just behind the head for a clean shot, as those thick scales can deflect poorly placed strikes.
5.0 out of 5.0Good day out in the swamp. The dog was nice and so were the fish :)
Davie, FL, United States