Night Bowfishing on Florida's St. Johns River
Shared Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
4-hour night bowfishing adventure on St. Johns River starting 8PMTarget Tilapia, Gar, Catfish aboard custom 24' flat bottom boatShared charter accommodates 3-6 guests with equipment provided
Get ready for a completely different kind of fishing adventure. Captain Eugene Nieratko takes you out on the legendary St. Johns River for four hours of pure bowfishing action under the cover of darkness. This isn't your typical rod-and-reel setup – you'll be hunting fish with a bow and arrow from his custom-built 24-foot flat bottom boat, watching the water come alive under bright deck lights. Starting at 8PM when the fish get active, you'll share this top-rated experience with up to two other anglers, creating memories that'll have you talking for years.
Captain Eugene runs one of the most well-equipped bowfishing rigs on the St. Johns. His custom flat bottom boat draws just inches of water, letting you slide into those shallow backwaters where the big fish hang out. The 140 HP Suzuki gets you to the honey holes fast, but once you're there, it's all about stealth and precision. Those deck lights illuminate the water like daylight, and suddenly you're seeing fish everywhere – cruising just below the surface, completely unaware you're watching from above. The captain provides all the bows and arrows you need, plus he'll coach you through your first shots if you're new to the game. The shared trip format means you'll meet other fishing enthusiasts, and there's something special about celebrating a great shot with fellow anglers who know exactly how tough that target was.
Bowfishing combines archery skills with fishing knowledge, and it's way more addictive than most people expect. You're using a recurve bow with a heavy-duty arrow attached to braided line, so when you nail a fish, you can retrieve both the arrow and your catch. The trick is learning to aim low – water refracts light, making fish appear higher than they actually are. Captain Eugene will show you the ropes, from proper stance on the deck to reading water depth and fish movement. His boat setup includes multiple shooting positions, letting everyone spread out for clear shots. The best part? Unlike regular fishing where you're waiting for bites, bowfishing keeps you actively hunting the entire time. You're constantly scanning, drawing, and releasing arrows at moving targets.
Brown Bullhead catfish are perfect starter targets for new bowfishers. These chunky bottom-dwellers cruise the shallows at night, often in schools, giving you multiple shot opportunities. They're not the fastest swimmers, so you've got time to line up your shot. Most run 8-12 inches, and they're surprisingly meaty for their size. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during warmer evenings when they're actively feeding.
Alligator Gar are the holy grail of Florida bowfishing. These prehistoric giants can stretch over four feet and pack serious weight. They're ambush predators that sit motionless near the surface, which makes them challenging targets – you need to distinguish them from floating logs or debris. When you do connect with a big gar, get ready for a fight. They're incredibly strong and will test both your arrow setup and your nerves. Late spring and summer nights produce the most consistent gar encounters on the St. Johns.
Common Carp might not win beauty contests, but they're fantastic bowfishing targets. These golden-brown fighters often cruise in pods through shallow water, creating multiple shot opportunities. They're smart fish that spook easily, so your first arrow better count. Carp average 5-15 pounds in this system, though monsters pushing 20+ show up regularly. They're most active during warm weather months and provide steady action when gar fishing slows down.
Bowfin are Florida's forgotten gamefish, and they're absolute demons on the end of an arrow. These living fossils have attitude and won't give up without a serious fight. They typically hang in weedy areas during daylight but move to open water after dark. Bowfin have incredibly hard skulls, so shot placement matters – aim for the body, not the head. They average 2-8 pounds but pack the fighting power of much larger fish. Year-round residents, they provide consistent action regardless of season.
Captain Eugene's shared bowfishing trips fill up fast, especially during prime season. This customer favorite combines expert guidance, top-notch equipment, and some of Florida's best bowfishing waters into one world-class package. Whether you're a complete beginner or someone looking to improve your technique, four hours on the St. Johns will leave you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock. The 8PM departure lets you enjoy dinner beforehand, and you'll be back on shore by midnight with stories that'll last a lifetime. Remember, deposits are non-refundable, so once you commit, you're locked in for an adventure that's completely different from anything else you've done on the water.
Step aboard our 24' custom-built flat bottom bass boat, perfectly designed for night bowfishing adventures on the St. Johns River. This stable platform is powered by a reliable 140 HP Suzuki motor and built with plenty of room for up to 6 anglers to move around comfortably while taking shots at Tilapia, Gar, Catfish, and Bowfin. The boat features bright bowfishing lights that illuminate the water, making it easy to spot your targets in the darkness. A wireless trolling motor lets us glide silently through the shallows without spooking fish, while the GPS navigation system keeps us on course during those late-night fishing sessions. The flat bottom design gives us access to skinny water where the action happens, and the spacious deck layout means everyone gets a clear shot when fish appear in the lights.
Atractosteus SpatulaAlligator Gar are the prehistoric giants of the St. Johns - these armored fish can stretch 4-6 feet and tip 100+ pounds. They cruise shallow areas near deep bends, especially during hot summer nights when they surface to gulp air. Their bone-like scales and razor-sharp teeth make them look like swimming dinosaurs. Bowfishing is the primary way to target them since they're catch-and-release only. Guests get fired up about gar because they're living fossils and put up serious fights when arrowed. They hang in deeper water during the day but move shallow at night to feed on anything from fish to birds. Watch for their long snouts breaking the surface - they'll often roll and show their backs. The trick is waiting for a clean broadside shot since those thick scales can deflect arrows at bad angles.
Amia CalvaBowfin are tough, prehistoric fish that females can reach 30 inches while males stay around 18-24 inches. They're built like torpedoes with olive-green bodies and males sport a distinctive yellow-ringed eyespot near their tail. These ancient predators love thick vegetation in shallow backwaters where they ambush other fish. Night bowfishing is perfect since they're most active after dark. Guests love bowfin because they fight harder than almost anything else in the river and you're literally shooting a living fossil that survived the dinosaurs. They can breathe air and water, so they thrive in low-oxygen areas other fish avoid. Watch for them cruising just under the surface near grass lines and fallen timber. Pro tip: once you arrow one, get it in the boat quick - they're aggressive and will thrash like crazy with those sharp teeth.
Ameiurus NebulosusBrown Bullheads are mud-brown catfish that run 8-12 inches on average, though some reach 20 inches in deeper waters. They're bottom feeders with sensitive barbels that help them find food in murky conditions. You'll spot them cruising the muddy shallows of the St. Johns, especially around vegetation and soft bottoms where they root for insects, worms, and small fish. These cats are most active at night during warmer months - perfect for our bowfishing trips. While they're bony and not great table fare, guests love targeting them because they're plentiful and give you steady practice shots. The key is watching for their distinctive whiskers breaking the surface as they feed. Look for the telltale mud clouds they stir up in shallow water - that's your shot opportunity right there.
Cyprinus CarpioCommon Carp are golden-brown fighters that average 15-30 inches and 5-20 pounds, with some real bruisers pushing 30+ pounds. These bottom feeders love the muddy flats and grass beds of the St. Johns where they root around for plants, insects, and crawfish. Spring and fall bring the best action when they move shallow to spawn and feed aggressively. Guests enjoy targeting carp because they're strong fighters and fairly common, plus they're actually good eating if prepared right - despite what some folks say. They spook easily, so approach quietly and watch for the mud clouds they kick up while feeding. During our night trips, look for their backs breaking the surface in shallow water. The key is staying patient - they'll often circle back to the same feeding spots, giving you multiple shot opportunities.
Volusia