Night Bowfishing Adventure in Astor, Florida
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
4hour private night bowfishing charter departing 8PM on St. Johns RiverCaptain Eugene provides beginner instruction targeting Tilapia, Gar, Catfish, and BowfinCustom 24' flat bottom boat equipped with professional bows and safety gear
Looking to try something different on the water? Captain Eugene Nieratko's night bowfishing charter on the St. Johns River offers a unique twist on traditional angling that's perfect for beginners. This isn't your typical rod-and-reel fishing trip – you'll be drawing back a bow and sending arrows into the dark waters under bright LED lights. It's archery meets fishing, and trust me, once you nail your first shot, you'll be hooked. The 4-hour private charter gives you plenty of time to get comfortable with the gear and develop your aim while targeting some of Florida's most challenging freshwater species.
Your adventure kicks off at 8PM when the sun drops and the real action begins. Night bowfishing is all about the lights – powerful LEDs illuminate the water around the boat, creating a surreal underwater stage where fish become visible targets. Captain Eugene runs a custom-built 24-foot flat bottom bass boat powered by a reliable 140 HP Suzuki, designed specifically for bowfishing with plenty of deck space and optimal lighting angles. The shallow draft design lets you access prime spots along the St. Johns River where fish congregate in the evening hours. You'll be standing on the bow, bow in hand, scanning the lit water for movement and shadows. The captain provides all professional-grade bows, arrows, and safety equipment, so you can focus on learning proper form and shot placement. This is a patient, instructional trip where beginners can take their time developing accuracy without pressure.
Bowfishing requires specialized equipment that's quite different from traditional archery gear. The bows are typically lower poundage recurves or compounds that are easier to draw repeatedly throughout the night. Each arrow is attached to a heavy-duty fishing line that's secured to a reel mounted on the bow – when you hit your target, you reel the fish in just like conventional angling. Captain Eugene will show you proper shooting stance, how to account for light refraction in the water, and the importance of aiming low since fish appear higher than their actual position. Safety is paramount on these trips, with clear shooting lanes and designated positions for each angler. The boat's lighting system creates perfect conditions for spotting fish, and the captain's experience helps position the vessel in productive areas where multiple species gather to feed after dark. You'll learn to read the water, identify different fish by their silhouettes and movement patterns, and develop the patience that makes bowfishing so rewarding.
Brown Bullhead are one of the most common targets on St. Johns River bowfishing trips, especially during warmer months. These catfish relatives cruise shallow waters at night searching for food, making them perfect bowfishing quarry. They typically run 8-12 inches and aren't particularly spooky, giving beginners multiple shot opportunities. What makes them exciting is their aggressive feeding behavior – you'll often see several in one area, and they provide consistent action throughout the night. The key is patience and accurate shot placement since their smaller profile requires more precision than larger species.
Alligator Gar represent the ultimate bowfishing prize in Florida waters. These prehistoric giants can exceed 6 feet and provide heart-pounding action when you connect with a solid shot. They're most active during summer nights and tend to cruise just below the surface in deeper channels. Gar are incredibly tough fighters with thick, armor-like scales that require proper arrow penetration and strong tackle. Landing your first gar is a milestone moment that seasoned bowfishers remember for years. Their ancient appearance and powerful runs make them the species everyone hopes to encounter on night trips.
Common Carp offer excellent bowfishing opportunities year-round on the St. Johns River system. These intelligent fish can grow quite large, with specimens over 20 pounds not uncommon in these waters. Carp are more challenging targets because they're easily spooked by boat noise and sudden movements, requiring stealth and accurate shooting. They're most active in spring and fall when they move into shallower areas to feed. What makes carp special is their fighting ability – a well-placed arrow in a big carp means you're in for a serious battle that tests both your equipment and technique.
Bowfin are native Florida gamefish that provide some of the most exciting bowfishing action available. These fish are aggressive predators that often cruise near the surface at night, making them visible targets under the boat's lighting system. They typically range from 2-5 pounds but fight like fish twice their size, with powerful runs and acrobatic jumps when arrowed. Bowfin are most active during spring and early summer months when they're feeding heavily in preparation for spawning season. Their prehistoric appearance and tenacious fighting spirit make them a favorite among bowfishing enthusiasts who appreciate both challenge and consistent action.
This top-rated night bowfishing charter fills up quickly, especially during peak season when conditions are optimal for shooting. Captain Eugene's reputation for working with beginners and his custom boat setup make this trip a customer favorite among first-time bowfishers. The St. Johns River provides world-class bowfishing opportunities right in your backyard, and there's no better way to experience this growing sport than with patient, professional instruction. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so plan your dates carefully and be ready for an evening on the water that combines archery skills with fishing excitement. Whether you're looking to try something completely new or add bowfishing to your angling repertoire, this 4-hour private charter offers the perfect introduction to one of Florida's most unique fishing experiences.
Your night bowfishing adventure runs on a 24-foot custom flat bottom bass boat that's built specifically for St. Johns River fishing. The 140 HP Suzuki motor gets you to the best spots quickly, while the stable flat bottom design gives everyone plenty of room to move around and take clean shots. Bright bowfishing lights illuminate the water so you can spot Tilapia, Gar, and Catfish cruising below the surface. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you need to position perfectly for that shot, and GPS navigation helps Captain Eugene find the most productive fishing areas. With space for up to 6 anglers, this boat gives beginners the perfect platform to learn bowfishing technique while staying comfortable and safe on the water. All the professional bows, arrows, and safety gear are provided, so you can focus on mastering your aim and enjoying the unique challenge of night bowfishing on Florida's waters.
Atractosteus SpatulaThese prehistoric-looking giants are the crown jewel of our night shoots. Alligator gar can reach 4-6 feet and over 100 pounds, with armor-like scales and a mouth full of razor teeth that'll get your heart pumping. They cruise the deeper bends and backwaters of the St. Johns, often near shallow feeding areas. Late summer nights like ours are prime time - they're most active in warm weather and low water conditions. What makes them special is their ancient appearance and the pure adrenaline rush of arrowing something this massive. They can breathe air and water, so you'll sometimes see them surface. Remember, alligator gar are catch-and-release only in Florida, but the photo opportunity is worth it. Pro tip: watch for their slow rolls near the surface - they move like logs until they don't.
Amia CalvaThese living fossils are tough fighters that'll test your skills once you arrow one. Bowfin typically run 18-30 inches with females reaching up to 8 pounds, sporting a long dorsal fin and prehistoric appearance that's survived since dinosaur times. They hang around heavy vegetation in marshes and backwaters, perfect habitat along the St. Johns. Being nocturnal hunters, our night trips catch them during peak feeding time when they're most active. What guests love is their aggressive nature and the unique experience of targeting such an ancient species - they can breathe air and water, making them incredibly hardy fighters. They're not great eating due to all the bones, but the battle is memorable. Here's my tip: focus on weedy areas with slow current - bowfin use vegetation for cover and ambush feeding, so be ready for quick shots.
Ameiurus NebulosusThese mud-brown catfish with their signature whiskers are perfect targets for night bowfishing. You'll find them cruising the muddy bottom of the St. Johns, usually 8-20 inches long and weighing up to 2 pounds. They love warm weather and become more active after dark, making our 8PM trips ideal timing. Brown bullheads stick to slow-moving, murky water with soft bottoms where they hunt for worms, insects, and small fish. What guests love about targeting them is they're abundant and give beginners plenty of shooting practice. They're not the strongest fighters, but they're reliable targets under our lights. Here's a local tip: look for them in the shallow, weedy areas first - they often move in schools, so where you spot one, there's usually more nearby.
Cyprinus CarpioThese golden, heavy-bodied fish are some of the most reliable targets on our night trips. Common carp average 15-30 inches and 10-20 pounds, with barbels like catfish that help them sense food in murky water. They cruise shallow areas with muddy bottoms, especially around vegetation where they root for aquatic plants and insects. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they move into the shallows aggressively, but our summer night trips still produce steady action. Guests enjoy them because they're abundant, good-sized targets, and put up a decent fight once arrowed. Being bottom feeders, they're often easy to spot under our lights as they stir up sediment. Local trick: look for muddy water trails and bubbles - that's usually carp feeding and they'll be focused on food rather than your boat approaching.
Volusia