Night Fishing Shalimar: 3-Hour Inshore Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Night fishing adventure targeting Redfish and Sea TroutAll fishing gear, bait, and licenses includedSmall group experience with maximum three guests
When the sun drops behind the trees and the water turns glass-smooth, that's when the real action starts on Choctawhatchee Bay. This top-rated 3-hour night fishing trip puts you right where the redfish and sea trout come alive after dark. We'll cruise the shoreline hitting productive bridges, docks, and structure that hold fish year-round. Everything's included – your rods, reels, tackle, bait, and fishing license – so you just need to show up ready to catch. With space for up to 3 anglers, this intimate charter gives everyone plenty of room to work their spots without crowding.
Night fishing around Shalimar opens up a completely different world than daytime angling. As darkness settles over Choctawhatchee Bay, baitfish move shallow and the predators follow. We'll start by rigging up with live shrimp or artificial lures depending on what the fish are hitting. The game plan revolves around working structure – bridge pilings, dock lights, oyster bars, and grass flats where hungry reds and trout ambush prey. You'll hear the difference before you see it – that distinctive pop of a redfish crushing bait or the gentle slurp of a trout sipping off the surface. The cooler evening temperatures make for comfortable fishing, and there's something special about hearing a drag scream in the quiet night air. We keep it relaxed but focused, moving between spots based on tide movement and fish activity.
We run medium-action spinning rods spooled with 15-20 pound braid – perfect for feeling those subtle night bites while having enough backbone to turn a bull red away from structure. Live shrimp under popping corks work magic around lighted docks and bridges, while soft plastics on jig heads let us work deeper drop-offs and grass edges. The key to night fishing success is staying quiet and letting your bait work naturally. We'll anchor up-current from productive spots, casting into the strike zone and letting the tide bring our offerings to the fish. DOA shrimp, Gulp baits, and topwater plugs all have their place depending on conditions. When fish are feeding aggressively, nothing beats the surface explosion on a Spook or Skitter Walk worked slowly over shallow grass. The bite often happens in windows – sometimes it's steady action for 30 minutes, other times it's one quality fish every hour. That's night fishing.
Sea trout absolutely love the night bite around Shalimar's grass flats and drop-offs. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches in our area, with occasional gator trout pushing 5-6 pounds. They're most active during moving water, especially on outgoing tides when baitfish get flushed out of the shallows. Trout have excellent night vision and will hit both live shrimp and artificials worked slowly. What makes them so fun is their aggressive strikes – they'll absolutely crush a topwater plug or rip line off your reel on the initial hit. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but even winter nights can produce when conditions are right. The cooler water seems to fire them up, and there's nothing quite like a big trout blowing up your bait under dock lights.
Redfish are the crown jewel of our night trips, and Choctawhatchee Bay holds some bruisers. These copper-colored fighters range from slot-size fish around 20-26 inches up to oversized bulls that'll test your drag system. Reds patrol shallow grass flats and oyster bars after dark, often in just 2-3 feet of water where you can hear them feeding. They're opportunistic night feeders, crushing anything from live shrimp to cut bait to well-presented artificials. What makes redfish so special is their incredible fighting ability – they'll make multiple blistering runs and use their broad sides to stay pinned to the bottom. Year-round residents in our waters, they're most aggressive during warmer months but will bite throughout the year. The night bite often produces the biggest fish, as mature reds feel more comfortable moving shallow under cover of darkness.
This customer-favorite night fishing adventure offers something you won't find during daylight hours – the chance to experience Choctawhatchee Bay's renowned inshore fishery when it truly comes alive. With all gear, bait, and licenses provided, plus expert local knowledge of the most productive night spots, you're set up for success from the start. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to try something different or new to saltwater fishing, this 3-hour trip delivers the perfect introduction to what makes Shalimar's inshore waters so special. Space fills up fast, especially during prime fishing months, so don't wait to secure your dates. Book now and get ready to discover why so many anglers consider night fishing the best-kept secret in the Emerald Coast.
This well-equipped motorboat is your floating command center for targeting redfish and sea trout in Choctawhatchee Bay's prime fishing waters. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into position around bridges and docks without spooking fish, while the fish finder reveals exactly where they're holding. Night fishing means relying on electronics – the GPS keeps you on productive spots and the radar helps navigate safely in low light. Stay connected with other anglers via VHF radio and keep your catch fresh in the onboard ice box. With room for three anglers, a head for convenience, and all the tech you need to locate fish in the dark, this boat puts you right where the action happens after sunset.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the backbone of our night fishing here in Choctawhatchee Bay. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches with that signature black spot near the tail. They cruise super shallow water around docks, oyster bars, and grass edges - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Reds are year-round residents but really turn on during warmer months when they're actively feeding at night. What makes them special is their powerful runs and stubborn fight once hooked. The meat has a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. They'll eat just about anything - shrimp, crabs, or small fish. My local trick: listen for them "tailing" in shallow water and cast just ahead of the disturbance.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of the most reliable night fish in Choctawhatchee Bay. They typically run 14-24 inches and love hanging around grass flats and dock lights after dark. These silver beauties with black spots feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish, making them perfect targets for our evening trips. They're strong fighters with surprising runs once hooked. The meat is tender and flaky - some of the best eating you'll find inshore. During cooler months, they school up in deeper channels, but summer nights find them shallow hunting under lights. Pro tip: work your lure slow and steady around the lights - specks like to study their prey before striking, so patience pays off.
Shalimar, FL