Volusia Night Bowfishing Charter for Families
Private Trip
River Fishing
Private 4hour night bowfishing adventure on St. Johns RiverTarget Tilapia, Gar, Catfish aboard custom 24foot boatFamilyfriendly experience accommodates up to 6 guests safely
Picture this: it's 8PM on a warm Florida evening, and you're loading up with your family onto a custom-built 24' flat bottom bass boat. Captain Eugene Nieratko fires up the 140 HP Suzuki, and those bright bowfishing lights start cutting through the darkness of the St. Johns River. For the next four hours, you and up to five family members will experience one of Astor's most popular nighttime fishing adventures. This isn't your typical rod-and-reel trip – we're talking bow and arrow action that gets everyone involved, from kids to grandparents. The calm waters around Astor make it perfect for families, and trust me, there's nothing quite like watching your teenager nail their first gar under the Florida stars.
Captain Eugene has been running these family bowfishing trips for years, and he's got the setup dialed in perfectly. His boat is specifically rigged for night bowfishing with powerful LED arrays that light up the shallow water like daylight. You'll see fish swimming below that you never knew were there during the day. The best part? No prior bowfishing experience needed. Eugene provides all the bows, arrows, and safety gear, plus he'll teach everyone proper shooting techniques before you even take your first shot. The St. Johns River around Astor stays relatively calm most nights, which means steady shooting platforms and comfortable conditions for the whole family. Kids as young as 8 can participate with supervision, and there's always something happening – whether it's spotting a massive gar cruising by or watching someone land their first bowfin. The boat's flat bottom design lets us get into those skinny water areas where the fish like to feed at night.
Bowfishing might look simple, but there's definitely technique involved that makes the difference between missing and connecting. The key is understanding light refraction – that fish isn't exactly where it appears to be in the water. Eugene will show you how to aim low and lead your target, especially with moving fish. The bows are set up with 30-40 pound draw weights, manageable for most family members, with quick-release reels that make retrieving your catch easy. The boat's lighting system is crucial here – we're running multiple high-powered LEDs positioned to minimize shadows and give you the clearest view possible into the water column. Night bowfishing works because many of these species become more active after dark, moving into shallower water to feed. The sounds are different too – you'll hear fish rolling, jumping, and splashing around the boat. It creates this exciting atmosphere where everyone's constantly scanning the water, calling out targets, and cheering each other on when someone connects.
Brown Bullhead catfish are one of the most common targets you'll encounter on these night trips. These chunky little fighters typically run 1-3 pounds and love cruising the shallow flats after dark looking for an easy meal. What makes them great for families is they're usually not too spooky – they'll swim right up to the lights, giving newer shooters plenty of opportunities for good shots. You'll find them year-round in the St. Johns, but they're especially active during warmer months. Kids love targeting bullheads because they're easier to hit and put up a decent fight when arrowed.
Alligator Gar are the trophy fish that everyone hopes to see on these trips. These prehistoric-looking monsters can reach 4-6 feet in the St. Johns system, and spotting one under the lights gets everyone's adrenaline pumping. Gar are ambush predators that sit motionless near structure before exploding into action. Spring through fall offers your best chances, especially during new moon phases when the water's darkest before we light it up. Landing a big gar is a team effort – someone shoots, everyone helps land it, and the photos are always epic. They're not easy targets, but when you connect with a 40-pound gar, that's a memory your family will talk about for years.
Common Carp provide consistent action throughout the trip. These golden-colored fish cruise the shallows in small groups, often right at the surface where they're perfect bow targets. Carp in the 5-15 pound range are common around Astor, and they're active nearly year-round in Florida's climate. What's fun about carp is they'll often circle back after being spooked, giving you multiple shooting opportunities. They're also great for practicing your aim since they move predictably and aren't as jumpy as some other species.
Bowfin are hands-down one of the most exciting species to arrow. These native Florida fighters are built like footballs with attitudes to match. They'll range from 2-8 pounds typically, and they fight harder than fish twice their size. Bowfin love the grassy areas and canal mouths around Astor, especially on warm nights when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their prehistoric appearance – they've been around for millions of years and look it. When you arrow a bowfin, expect some serious head-shaking and diving. They're also excellent eating if your family wants to take some fish home for dinner.
This top-rated family bowfishing experience books up quickly, especially during peak season from March through October. Captain Eugene's reputation for safe, fun trips has made this one of Volusia County's most requested nighttime fishing charters. The 4-hour timeframe is perfect for families – long enough to get plenty of action, but not so long that younger kids get worn out. At 8PM departure, you'll be back to the dock by midnight, making it manageable even on school nights during summer break. Remember, this is a private charter, so it's just your family and Captain Eugene – no crowded boats or waiting your turn for shots. The St. Johns River around Astor offers some of Florida's best bowfishing action, and there
This 24-foot custom flat bottom bass boat cuts through the St. Johns River like it was made for these waters—because it was. The 140 HP Suzuki pushes you smoothly to the best bowfishing spots while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you need to sneak up on those big gar. Built wide and stable, there's room for the whole family to spread out and take their shots without bumping elbows. The bright bowfishing lights turn night into day, lighting up the water so you can spot tilapia and catfish cruising below. GPS keeps Captain Eugene on track to the hottest fishing areas, while the spacious deck gives everyone a clear shot at whatever swims by. Six people fit comfortably with all the gear, bows, and arrows you need for a solid night of bowfishing action on Florida's premier bass waters.
Atractosteus SpatulaAlligator Gar are prehistoric monsters that can reach 4-6 feet and over 100 pounds on the St. Johns. These armored fish have razor-sharp teeth and look like swimming dinosaurs with their bony scales. They hang out in deeper river bends near shallow areas and come up to breathe air, making them perfect bowfishing targets. Late summer nights are prime time when they're most active in warm water. Guests get pumped about arrowing these ancient fish - it's like taking down a living fossil. The fight is intense and they'll thrash hard once hit. My tip: aim just behind the head when they surface. Remember, gars are catch-and-release only in Florida, so we photograph and admire these amazing creatures before letting them go.
Amia CalvaBowfin are tough, prehistoric fish that females can reach 30 inches and 8 pounds, while males stay smaller around 18-24 inches. These olive-green fighters have a long dorsal fin and males sport a yellow-ringed eyespot near their tail. They love thick vegetation in marshes and backwater areas where other fish can't survive. Being nocturnal, they're perfect for our night trips when they're actively hunting. Guests love the challenge - bowfin are aggressive and give an amazing fight, often called "poor man's tarpon" for their jumping ability. They can breathe air and water, so they're incredibly hardy. Pro tip: look for them cruising just under the surface near weed lines where they ambush prey.
Ameiurus NebulosusBrown Bullheads are mud-brown catfish that typically run 8-12 inches, though some reach 20 inches in good habitat. They're bottom feeders with whisker-like barbels that help them locate food in murky water. You'll find them in slow-moving sections of the St. Johns where the bottom is soft and muddy. They're most active on warm nights, making our 8PM departure perfect timing. Kids love targeting these because they're plentiful and give a decent fight for their size. While they're bony and not great eating, they're excellent practice for beginners learning to handle their first bowfishing shot. Look for them in shallow areas near vegetation where our lights will easily spot their movement along the bottom.
Cyprinus CarpioCommon Carp are stocky, golden-colored fish averaging 15-30 inches and 10-20 pounds around Astor. These hardy bottom feeders love the slower sections of the St. Johns where they root around vegetation. They're most active during spring and fall when they move shallow to feed, but summer nights work great too since they come up in cooler evening temps. Families enjoy targeting carp because they're abundant and put up a strong fight - they'll thrash and run hard when hit. While they're considered invasive here, they make decent table fare when prepared right. Watch for muddy water getting stirred up - that's usually carp feeding below. When you spot one, stay still and wait for the perfect side shot.
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