Surf Fishing at Night in Florida – Everything You Need To Know

When the sun goes down, the night fishers—and night fish—come out. Florida has long been known for its bright, sunshiny days, but when the sun sets and both the air and water temperature takes a slight dip, it can be a great time to hit the beach for some night fishing.

A common question I am asked is “Is Surf Fishing at night better than surf fishing during the day”? For many species of fish commonly caught from the beach, nighttime fishing can be more productive than fishing during daytime hours. This is due to many reasons including nigh time feeding patterns, fewer predators, and less beach population just to name a few.

The ability to catch different fish in cooler weather and among a different crowd are all valid reasons to want to fish at night. If you’re thinking about surf fishing at night, here’s everything you need to know.

Know the rules before you go

No matter which beach you’re digging your toes into in Florida, you’ll want to make sure that you have a recreational saltwater fishing license. There are a variety of different types of licenses available, including a specific saltwater shoreline-only fishing license.

Generally, annual fishing licenses of most types are available at no or low-cost to Florida residents. Non-residents may purchase a multi-day, one-week, or annual non-resident pass for a relatively small fee. To learn more about how to purchase a Florida fishing license, be sure to check out our article “How To Get a Florida Fishing License“.

Pack that license up in a safe spot—keep it in your wallet or your tackle box in a waterproof sleeve.

Can you fish from the beach at night?

It’s legal to fish in many places at night in Florida. To determine where you can, and can’t cast a line at night, it’s always best to defer to local rules and regulations. It may not always be clear where you can or cannot fish, so we recommend doing your homework before you head out.

• Look for posted signs indicating if the land is private or public. City, county, state, and federal regulations may apply.
• Contact the property owner before accessing the property or body water.
• Public land, beaches, and bodies of water from one location to another may be managed differently. Do not assume all beach fishing locations operate under the same rules.
• Ask locally. Staff and customers of local bait shops are a wealth of information and can provide valuable tips for a successful surf fishing trip.

You can always search the records at a local appraiser’s office to find out who owns a particular piece of land.

Is beach fishing good at night?

Often people wonder if it’s better to fish at night or during the day. We love fishing here so we will always encourage you to get out to cast a line, day or night. Whether you do that by sunlight or by headlamp is really up to you.

Beach fishing at night is a great, relaxing, and quiet way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the daytime. You’ll catch a different variety of fish at night, but you’ll also have more space to spread out and fewer disturbances along the way.

Fewer people on the beach (and in the water) give you a more peaceful experience. There naturally will not be as many people out fishing, too, so you have less competition than during busier daytime hours.

There will be some challenges to fishing in the dark, beyond just low-light conditions: it is harder to see things like birds circling their next meal, jumping fish, or even schools passing by. But, with the right gear, you can definitely grab some good catches! Night fishing will challenge you to use your senses in different ways, tuning into your surroundings with a different perspective.

Finding the best beach for night fishing in Florida

The best way to find the best beach for night fishing in Florida is to go there during the day, or at least before the sun has set. Time your visit around low tide and bright light—you will be able to see hollows or other dips that might attract fish or give them a good place to hide during high tide. You will have the home beach advantage.

When you visit the bait shop, some of your best resources are right there behind the counter. Local fisherman will always know the best spots to go and and have many tips to share form their own experience and what other customers are saying.

Keep an eye out around dusk to see where people are taking their gear. That will also give you an idea of where the good night fishing spots are.

We’ve done some of the hard work for you already: no matter what coast of Florida you’re on, we have a list of some of our favorite fishing spots on Florida’s Atlantic Coast and surf fishing tips for Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Common night fishing catches

At night, in low visibility, lots of fish head towards top waters. Because low lighting conditions make it hard for fish to see, they are also relying on other senses like smell to navigate around their environment.

Many fish species, including predator fish, approach the shore to eat after dark, giving you more of a chance to catch a bigger fish. We should also add that your hook, line, and leader will be less visible at night, making fish more susceptible to taking a bite.

The list of fish you can catch from the beach is extensive, and there are hundreds of types of fish you can catch while surf fishing. There are lots of variables including time of day, season, and surf conditions. You might end up catching a snook or a shark. You need to be prepared for anything!

A few types of fish you might find at night in Florida from the beach are:

• Whiting
• Black Drum
• Snook
• Pompano
• Red drum
• Speckled Trout
• Tarpon
• Shark

Want to learn more? Check out this roundup of the 10 most common fish caught from the beach for more about each species.  

Beach Fishing at Night Setup

At night, you can expect to catch a variety of fish in many shapes and sizes, so having a variety of gear can help, too.

• Bring more than one rod. If you’re one of the few anglers on the beach at night, you should have plenty of room to spread out. You can set several rods with spinning reels and different bait to catch more fish. Your rod should be heavy and long enough for a cast out into the surf. If you don't already have one, check out our article all about picking out the best surf rod, and don’t forget sand spikes for your setup.
• The right type of line. Surf fishing gear must hold up to some different challenges, like pulling in a big fish while battling the surf. 20-pound Power Pro line is a good place to start but be sure to check out our article “How to Choose the Right Fishing Line” to take a deeper look into choosing your line.
• Light up the night… just not too much. Bring ample light to help you see your way, identify gear in your tackle box, and unhook a fish. A hands-free headlamp, with backup batteries, gives you one less thing to worry about.
• Beach fishing carts. Navigating in the dark presents additional challenges, so be sure to have a sturdy cart to bring your tackle down to the beach. Check out the Fish N Mate Cart for a great all-around beach cart.
• Dark clothes or waders—with a wading belt. Dark clothes and waders can help you camouflage but don’t sacrifice safety. If you plan to enter the water, be sure you have a wading belt.
• Bait and lures. Without the help of natural light, you will want bait and lures that make a lot of noise, have a strong scent, or create attention-grabbing movement in the water. You don’t have to worry as much about fish seeing your lines. Live bait like mullet and shrimp
• Rigs. Give yourself an advantage and set your rig up before you head out. Rigging in the dark can prove difficult.
• Skip the sunscreen but pack the bug spray. Many bugs and insects come out at night and are attracted to water and light.

Other things you’ll want to be sure to pack include:

• Garbage bags
• A cooler with ice and water
• A bait knife and cutting board
• Large bucket
• Chair or somewhere to sit

Nighttime Beach Fishing Safety Tips

Fishing at night comes with a different set of hazards than daytime fishing. With less natural light, and harder-to-see hazards, you can take some steps to remain safe during your trip. Making sure you have the proper equipment to get to and from the surf will keep you safe.

Here are our nighttime surf fishing safety tips:

• Visit in the daylight first. One of the best ways to increase the success of your nighttime fishing trip is to know what you are getting yourself into. Visit the fishing spot you’ve selected when you have ample sunlight. Make note of any topographic features, like rocks, access paths, and parking areas.
• Know before you go: tide and weather. It will be more challenging during the cover of darkness to see what’s coming, and it’s not unusual for passing showers to pop up in Florida. Check the weather before you go and bring your rain gear.
• Knowing the weather ahead of time can also help you predict what you might catch—an evening with predicted high winds or rough waters might make surf fishing more difficult than it would be on a calm night.
• Enter the water with caution. The same hazards that exist during the day, like waves and undertow, are still there at night. The big difference is that there are no lifeguards on duty to help if you’re caught up in a current. Proceed with caution if you enter the water.
• Organize your gear before you go. Spend some time before you head out to make sure your gear box is organized. This way, you will know where all your tools are, and you have everything you might need at your fingertips.
• Wear the right gear. Dark clothes can help you camouflage, and also can reduce the amount of bug bites you leave with.
• Charge your device. Make sure to fully charge your phone before leaving, and consider bringing a portable charging pack to keep your phone charged and a waterproof bag to protect your device from the elements.
• Know how to navigate. Nighttime fishing requires some additional tools such as a red light for night vision, a headlamp for hands-free fishing, and a compass for helping you to navigate any sand bars or even the way back to your car.
• Bring a friend. We always recommend bringing a friend when night fishing. Less populated beaches and increased hazards make nighttime fishing slightly more dangerous than fishing when the sun is out.
• Make a plan. Share your fishing plans with a friend or family member before you head out, and plan to check in with them when you are done and back at your destination.

Turn on that headlamp and get out there!

Night fishing in Florida is a great way to relax and enjoy everything Florida has to offer without the sun, sweat, and daytime crowds. You’ll be able to set up multiple lines to catch a variety of fish. So stock up your tackle box, load up your gear, and hit the surf safely for a great time fishing.