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Florida Keys Night Fishing: 4-Hour Sunset Trip
- Published Date: July 18, 2025
- Fishing
- Key Largo, FL
- $400 - $1,150 price range
- Updated Date: November 19, 2025
Summary
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Night Bite Action
Sunset & Night Fishing: Florida Keys Adventure
Ready for a twist on your usual fishing trip? Our 4-hour sunset and night fishing adventure in the Florida Keys is where it's at. As the day winds down and the sun dips below the horizon, we'll be gearing up for some serious action. The waters come alive at night, and that's when we strike. We're talking barracuda, grey snapper, redfish, and more – all waiting for you in the dark. It's a whole different ball game when you can't see what's on the end of your line until it breaks the surface. Trust me, once you've felt the thrill of a nighttime hit, you'll be hooked.
What to Expect on the Water
Picture this: You're on the boat as the sky turns from blue to orange to inky black. The lights of the Keys twinkle in the distance, and the water laps gently against the hull. But don't let the peaceful vibe fool you – underneath, it's feeding time. We'll set you up with the right gear and show you the ropes of night fishing. Whether you're a seasoned pro or it's your first time out after dark, you're in for a treat. We'll target spots where the fish are most active, using techniques that work best when the sun goes down. And hey, if you've never battled a barracuda under the stars, you're in for a real rush.
Night Fishing Know-How
Night fishing isn't just about throwing a line in the water and hoping for the best. We use special lights to attract bait fish, which in turn bring in the bigger predators. You'll learn to feel the bite more than see it, and trust your instincts when it's time to set the hook. We'll be using a mix of live bait and lures, depending on what's biting. Expect to do some bottom fishing for snapper and maybe even some sight casting if we spot rolling tarpon. The gear is all top-notch, designed to handle whatever decides to take a bite in the dark. And don't worry about fumbling around – our boat is set up with just the right lighting to keep you safe without scaring off the fish.
Hunter Highlights
"He's one of the best, book this if you haven't!" - Jeff
Species You'll Want to Hook
Snook are the ninjas of the night fishing world. These slick predators love to hang out near structure, waiting to ambush their prey. They put up a heck of a fight and are known for their acrobatic leaps. The best part? They're most active at night, making our trip prime time for hooking into one of these bad boys.
Grey snapper, or mangrove snapper as we call 'em down here, are crafty little devils. They might not be the biggest fish in the sea, but they're tasty and can be a challenge to outsmart. These guys have excellent eyesight and can detect the slightest imperfection in your presentation. When you do hook one, get ready for a scrappy fight – they'll try to dive back into the structure they call home.
Tarpon, the silver kings of the Keys, are a bucket list fish for many anglers. These prehistoric beasts can grow over 6 feet long and put on a show like no other. When hooked, they'll leap clear out of the water, shaking their massive heads trying to throw the hook. Night fishing for tarpon can be incredibly productive, as they often feed more aggressively after dark.
Barracuda are the speed demons of these waters. With a mouthful of razor-sharp teeth and a body built for bursts of incredible speed, hooking into one of these is like trying to stop a torpedo. They'll hit your bait hard and fast, often leaping out of the water and making blistering runs that'll have your reel screaming.
Sea trout might not be the biggest fish we'll target, but they're a blast to catch on light tackle. These guys have soft mouths, so finesse is key. They're known for their spotted patterns and tend to school up, so where there's one, there's often more. Night fishing for trout can be incredibly productive, especially around lighted docks or bridges.
Redfish, or red drum, are the bulldogs of the flats. They're strong fighters that'll test your drag and your patience. These copper-colored beauties are known for their distinctive spot near the tail. At night, they'll often move into shallower water to feed, making them perfect targets for our trip.
Time to Book Your Spot
Look, I could go on all day about the fish we might catch, but nothing beats experiencing it for yourself. This sunset and night fishing trip in the Florida Keys is the real deal. You'll see a side of these waters that most folks miss out on, and you'll have stories to tell for years to come. Whether you're looking to cross some species off your list or just want to try something different, this trip delivers. Remember, we can only take 6 people out at a time, so spots fill up fast. And just a heads up, deposits are non-refundable – but trust me, once you're out there feeling that first nighttime strike, you'll know it was worth every penny. So what are you waiting for? Grab your spot and let's make some memories under the stars. The fish are waiting, and the night is calling. Let's go fishing!
Customer Review
Top Pro Must Book
Jeff Karish
March 19, 2025
Learn more about the animals
Barracuda
Barracuda are the missiles of the flats, all teeth and attitude. These sleek predators can hit 4 feet long and are lightning-fast. You'll spot them patrolling the edges of reefs and grass flats, often in surprisingly shallow water. They're active year-round but really fire up in summer. Barracuda are known for their explosive strikes - they'll absolutely demolish a topwater lure. The fight is all speed and power, with some impressive jumps mixed in. While not the best eating, they're a blast to catch on light tackle. Here's a tip: Use wire leader or you'll lose a lot of lures to those razor teeth. And watch your fingers when unhooking them!
Grey Snapper
Grey snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are crafty little brawlers that'll test your skills. Most run 1-3 pounds, but you might luck into a 5-pounder. Look for them around any structure - docks, reefs, wrecks. They hang deep during the day and move shallow to feed at night, making them perfect for our sunset trips. Grey snapper are opportunistic feeders, so live shrimp or small baitfish work great. They've got excellent eyesight and can be leader-shy, so use light fluorocarbon. When you hook one, get ready for some hard pulls - they fight above their weight class. The meat is top-notch too, flaky and sweet. Pro tip: If they're being finicky, try chumming to get them fired up.
Redfish
Redfish, or red drum, are one of the most popular inshore species. These bronze bruisers can reach 40+ inches, but most run 18-27 inches. You'll find them tailing in shallow water, often so shallow their backs are out of water. They love to cruise mangroves, oyster bars, and grass flats. Fall is prime time as they school up, but they bite year-round. Redfish are known for their powerful runs and dogged fights. They'll crush a topwater lure or scented soft plastic. The meat is excellent, with a mild, sweet flavor. Sight-fishing for tailing reds is a rush. Here's a local trick: If you see mudding redfish, toss a gold spoon right into the mud cloud - they can't resist it.
Sea Trout
Sea trout, or speckled trout, are a staple of the flats. These spotted beauties average 1-3 pounds but can reach 5+ pounds. Look for them over grass flats and sandy potholes, especially early and late in the day. They're most active in cooler months but bite year-round. Sea trout are suckers for soft plastics and live shrimp under a popping cork. They're not the hardest fighters, but make up for it with their willingness to bite and excellent table fare. The meat is delicate and sweet. Locals love targeting big "gator" trout on topwater lures at dawn. Pro tip: Work your lure with subtle twitches - sea trout often hit on the pause.
Snook
Snook are one of the most prized gamefish in the Keys. These sleek predators typically run 20-40 inches and put up an amazing fight. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, bridge pilings, and other structure in shallow water. They love to ambush prey, so casting lures or live bait near their hideouts is the ticket. Snook season peaks in summer when they gather to spawn. Anglers go crazy for their hard strikes and acrobatic leaps. The meat is excellent too, with a mild, buttery flavor. Here's a local tip - when you hook one, keep your rod tip up and don't let it get its head down, or it'll wrap you around a piling in a heartbeat. Catch-and-release is encouraged to protect the population.
Tarpon
Tarpon are the silver kings of the flats, and hooking one is an experience you won't forget. These prehistoric beasts can top 150 pounds and put on an aerial show like no other. We find them cruising the channels and flats, often in just a few feet of water. Spring and early summer are prime time as they gather to spawn. Sight-fishing for tarpon is a rush - you'll see their massive silver sides flashing as they roll. They're notoriously tough to hook, but once you're on, hold on tight. Tarpon have bony mouths, so keeping constant pressure is key. We practice catch-and-release to protect these magnificent fish. Local secret: On calm days, look for their bubbles to pinpoint where they're holding.
About the Pathfinder
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 52
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
He’s one of the best, book this if you haven’t!