Expert-Guided Night Fishing in Clearwater, FL

A fisherman catches a hogfish in Florida

Crevalle Jack, a large fish caught while fishing in Clearwater

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Expert-Guided Night Fishing in Clearwater, FL

Florida

What you will be catching:

Redfish
Sea Trout
Snook
Tarpon
Tripletail

4-hour nighttime fishing targeting tarpon, snook, redfish, and trout
Small 2-guest groups ensure personalized attention and premium fishing locations
Late evening departure avoids heat while fish remain active in cooler waters

Trip Pricing and Availabilities :

Trip pricing information is temporarily unavailable.

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Night Fishing Adventure in Clearwater Waters

When the sun goes down and most folks are calling it a day, that's when the real magic happens on Clearwater's waters. This 4-hour private night fishing trip with Island Time Family Charters isn't your typical daytime fishing experience. Starting at 10 pm or later, you'll dodge the Florida heat and step into a completely different world where big fish come alive in the darkness. With just two guests max, this intimate charter gives you the personal attention and prime fishing spots that make all the difference when you're chasing trophy snook, massive tarpon, and other prized catches under the stars.

What to Expect on the Water

Night fishing in Clearwater transforms the entire experience from what you'd get during daylight hours. The cooler temperatures make it comfortable to fish for hours, and the lack of boat traffic means we can hit the prime spots without competition. Your captain knows exactly where these fish like to hang out after dark – around lighted docks, bridge pilings, and channel edges where baitfish congregate. The peaceful atmosphere lets you actually hear the water and feel connected to what's happening below the surface. Don't worry about bringing gear; everything you need is provided, from quality rods and reels to fresh bait and tackle. The boat's equipped with proper lighting so you can see what you're doing without spooking the fish, and safety equipment ensures you're covered throughout the night.

Tactics That Work After Dark

Night fishing requires a completely different approach than daytime angling, and that's what makes it so rewarding. We'll be using live bait like pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp, presented in ways that take advantage of how predators hunt in low light conditions. Artificial lures come into play too – topwater plugs that create just enough commotion to draw strikes, and soft plastics that mimic wounded baitfish. The key is working the shadows and light lines around docks and structure where game fish ambush their prey. Sound becomes more important at night, so you'll learn to listen for feeding activity and adjust your presentation accordingly. The captain will position the boat to use current, wind, and available light to your advantage, often anchoring up and letting the fish come to you rather than constantly moving around.

Top Catches This Season

Snook are the crown jewel of Clearwater night fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators absolutely love hunting under dock lights and around bridges after the sun goes down. They can grow well over 30 inches here, and their powerful runs will test your drag system and fighting skills. Summer months are prime time for snook, when they're most active and feeding aggressively. What makes them special is their intelligence – they're not easy to fool, so when you hook one, you've really accomplished something. The way they explode on topwater baits in the darkness will get your heart pumping every single time.

Tarpon fishing at night is legendary around Clearwater, especially during their migration periods from late spring through summer. These silver kings can reach over 100 pounds and put on aerial displays that you'll never forget. Night fishing for tarpon means fewer boats competing for the same fish, and these giants often move into shallower water to feed under cover of darkness. Their prehistoric appearance and raw power make every hookup feel like you're connected to something truly wild. Even if you don't land one, just having a big tarpon roll near the boat in the moonlight is worth the trip.

Sea trout are reliable producers during night trips and perfect for anglers looking to put some fish in the cooler. They school up over grass flats and around channel edges, often feeding heavily during the first few hours after sunset. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches but can push over 20 inches during peak seasons. They're excellent eating and fight well for their size, making them a customer favorite for families wanting to bring dinner home. Their willingness to bite artificial lures makes them great targets when you want consistent action throughout the night.

Redfish patrol the shallows after dark, especially around oyster bars and mangrove shorelines where crabs and shrimp are active. These copper-colored fighters average 18-27 inches in Clearwater waters and are known for their bulldogging runs that test your tackle. Fall and winter months can be particularly productive for reds, when they school up in larger numbers. What makes redfish special is their accessibility – they're often feeding in just 2-4 feet of water, so you can sight fish for them using the boat's lights. Their distinctive spot patterns and bronze coloration make them one of the most beautiful inshore species you can catch.

Tripletail are the wild card of night fishing trips, showing up when you least expect them but providing some of the most memorable fights. These oddly-shaped fish hover around structure and debris, often mistaken for floating leaves until they move. They're excellent table fare and put up a surprisingly strong fight for their size, often jumping and making powerful runs. Spring and summer offer the best tripletail opportunities, though they can show up year-round in Clearwater. Finding one at night requires sharp eyes and local knowledge, which is why having an experienced captain makes all the difference.

Time to Book Your Spot

This world-class night fishing experience offers something you simply can't get during regular daytime charters. The combination of cooler temperatures, active fish, and peaceful surroundings creates the perfect recipe for a top-rated fishing adventure. With only two spots available, you're getting the personal attention and prime fishing time that larger groups just can't provide. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for your next trophy or someone wanting to experience the magic of night fishing for the first time, this 4-hour trip delivers the goods. The captain's local knowledge and dedication to putting you on fish means you're not just booking a boat ride – you're investing in an authentic Clearwater fishing experience that showcases why this area is renowned among serious anglers. Don't wait to secure your date, especially during peak seasons when the

Learn more about the animals

Redfish

Redfish are the bread and butter of our night trips - reliable fighters that'll bend your rod. They typically run 18-27 inches around Clearwater, with that signature black spot near the tail and bronze coloring. Look for them in 1-4 feet of water over grass flats, oyster bars, and around dock lights where they ambush baitfish. Fall and spring are peak times, but they bite year-round here. What guests love about reds is their strong, steady fight - no crazy jumps, just pure muscle pulling drag. They're also top-notch eating with firm, sweet meat. These fish are sight feeders, so our night lights really get them going. My secret weapon: a gold spoon worked slowly over the grass flats. The flash drives them nuts, and when they hit, you'll know it.

Sea Trout

Spotted sea trout are perfect for night fishing - they move into shallow grass flats after sunset to feed. Most of our trout run 14-20 inches, with nice ones pushing 3-4 pounds. They've got those distinctive black spots and a soft mouth, so don't horse them in. You'll find them over sand holes in turtle grass beds, usually in 3-8 feet of water. Spring through fall are your best bets, but winter can be great when they school up in deeper channels. Anglers love them because they're scrappy fighters and excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also willing biters on artificials. Here's my trick: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. That pop-pop-pause rhythm drives them crazy on calm nights.

Snook

Snook are one of my favorite night targets - these ambush predators really come alive after dark. Most run 18-28 inches around here, though we occasionally hook into those chunky 30+ inch females. They love hanging around docks, bridges, and mangrove edges where they can surprise baitfish. The pronounced black lateral line and golden color make them easy to identify. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll try to wrap you around structure every time. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. Peak season runs May through September when they're actively feeding. Pro tip: cast your live shrimp or pinfish right to the shadow line near lit docks - that's where they wait to pounce.

Tarpon

The "Silver King" is what night fishing dreams are made of. These giants average 80-100 pounds but can push 200+ - and when they jump, your heart stops. We find them rolling in channels, around bridges, and over grass flats in 10-60 feet of water. Summer months from May to August are prime time, especially around new and full moons. What makes tarpon fishing addictive isn't just their size - it's watching 6 feet of silver explode from the water in a series of gill-rattling jumps. They're ancient fish, some over 50 years old, so we always release them carefully. Most folks don't eat tarpon anyway - too bony and strong-tasting. My go-to trick: use a circle hook with live crab or pinfish, and when they jump, bow to the fish to keep tension off the line.

Tripletail

Tripletail are the oddball prize of our night trips - they look like floating leaves until you get close. These chunky fish average 5-10 pounds but can hit 20+, with a unique body shape that gives them their "three tail" name. We spot them floating near the surface around weed lines, channel markers, and floating debris. Summer months are best, especially July and August when they're most active. What makes tripletail fun is the sight-casting challenge - you have to be stealthy or they'll spook. Plus, they're surprisingly acrobatic for such a chunky fish and taste amazing - some say better than grouper. They change color to match their surroundings, which is pretty cool to see. Key tip: cast well past them and work your bait into their zone slowly. Direct casts will send them diving every time.

About the Dorado (Bay boat)

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 5

Manufacturer Name: Suzuki

Maximum Cruising Speed: 42

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 200

Looking to escape the Florida heat and experience some seriously good fishing? This 4-hour night trip out of Clearwater is where the magic happens. We'll be targeting big tarpon, snook, redfish, trout, and triple tail under the stars - there's something special about hooking into these fish when the world gets quiet and the moonlight hits the water. Starting at 10 pm or later means we skip the blazing sun and crowds, giving you a completely different perspective on these waters. It's just you, one other angler, and some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer. The cooler night air makes everything more comfortable, and honestly, fish often feed more aggressively after dark. This isn't your typical daytime charter - it's a chance to see Clearwater's waters in a whole new light while chasing some genuine trophy fish. Perfect for anglers who want quality fishing without the heat and hustle of peak hours.

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