Nighttime inshore fishing can often put anglers on their personal best catches for the following reasons: Those huge fish that ignore your baits and lures all day will oftentimes turn downright carnivorous at night. In the dark, fish have a harder time discerning their artificial lures from real prey, increasing your chances of success.
Why Fish at Night?
In the deep south of the United States, during the ultra-hot months, water temperatures often reach beyond what most fish species can stand. This makes it very common for them to retreat to deeper waters during the day. Early mornings, late afternoons, and especially nighttime become the best times to target fish when temperatures drop to more comfortable levels.
Finding the Right Spots
The real key to success in inshore fishing at night is locating lights that reflect into the water. These would naturally attract baitfish, which in turn attract predator fish to feed on them. Bridges, docks, inlets, and even seawalls lighted up are all places to target.
Night Fishing under Bridges
Bridges are excellent spots for species such as snook, tarpon, redfish, speckled trout, sharks, grouper, snapper, and sheepshead. All the lights on and around bridges come on at dark, illuminating shrimp and all other small fish that turn on feeding frenzies for all of the aforementioned predators. Just remember to check your local regulations, as some bridges do not allow fishing.
- Snook: Snooks also love just hanging around bridge lights. A flare hawk Snook jig is the nighttime lure of choice when pursuing snook. Employ a 7-foot medium/heavy rod with a 5500 series reel, loaded with a minimum of 30-pound braided line and a 50-pound leader. Cast up the current and work your jig back along the bottom at the same speed the current is flowing to best present your offering.
- Tarpon: Tarpon also loves bridge lights. Use a large paddle tail with a jig head that is 4 to 8 inches in length. Dark lures are best for contrast. A 6500 or 7500 series reel with a stout medium/heavy rod, 50 to 80-pound braided line, and a 60 to 100-pound leader is ideal.
Night Fishing Docks
There are excellent opportunities to fish inshore on docks at night. Docks have lights that attract a large number of prey items, which in turn act as hotspots for predators.
- Redfish: Redfish will search for food close to the bottom. Scented baits like Berkeley GULP shrimp will work very well. Use a 3500 series reel, a medium/heavy rod, a 15-pound braided line, and a 20-pound leader. Pitch your jig under the dock and work it from the dark into the light.
- Speckled Trout: Chumming, staying suspended in the upper parts of the water column. A 3-inch paddle tail with a 1/8-ounce jig head does it very nicely. Reel: 2500 series; Action: Medium; Line: Braided, 10 pounds; Leader: 15 pounds.
- Snook: Snook also follows dock lights. A 3 to 5-inch paddle tail with a jig head worked near the bottom does the trick here too. Use a 3500 or 4500 series reel, medium/heavy action rod, 20-pound braided line, and a 30-pound leader.
- Flounder: They are ambush predators. A slow presentation works well with a Berkeley GULP swimming mullet or shrimp near the bottom. Use a 3500 series reel, medium action rod, 10-pound braided line, and a 15 or 20-pound leader.
Summing Up!
Nighttime is the time for catching your personal best inshore fish. Look for spots where lights will shine into the water and attract prey and predators alike. Use proper gear for the species you’ll be targeting, and have fun—this nighttime thrill of inshore fishing. Now, with these tips, you’re all set to get out on the water and reel in some whoppers.
This post was written by a professional at Copeland Outdoors. Welcome to Copeland Outdoors, where the sun always shines and the fish are always biting! Right in the heart of St. Petersburg, Florida, our charter, owned and operated by the legendary Tyler Copeland, promises an adventure like no other. Embark on a st petersburg inshore fishing charters and reel in some of the most prized catches The Bay area has to offer. Tyler, with his years of experience and a knack for finding the honey holes, will guide you to where the fish are practically jumping into the boat! For those craving a bit more adrenaline, why not try your hand at duck hunting or alligator hunting near you? Grab your sunscreen, your sense of adventure, and come join us at Copeland Outdoors. Let’s make some waves and reel in some memories together!
