Ready to dip your toes into the exciting world of night fishing? Captain Todd Bailey's got you covered with this laid-back 4-hour trip that's perfect for newbies. Whether you've never held a rod before or just want to brush up on your skills, this evening adventure on the calm waters of West Palm Beach is the ideal way to get hooked on fishing. We'll target snook, one of Florida's most prized catches, and I'll walk you through everything you need to know. No stress, no fuss - just good times on the water under the stars.
As the sun sets, we'll head out to some prime snook spots in the inshore waters around West Palm Beach. The beauty of night fishing is that it's often when the big ones come out to play. I'll set you up with all the gear you need - rods, reels, bait, the works. We'll start with the basics: how to cast without tangling your line (trust me, we've all been there), how to bait your hook like a pro, and the art of feeling for that telltale tug. The waters are usually pretty calm inshore, so you don't have to worry about getting your sea legs. It's all about relaxing, learning at your own pace, and hopefully, reeling in your first snook.
Night fishing for snook is a whole different ballgame, and I'm here to show you the ropes. We'll use live bait - usually shrimp or small baitfish - to entice these nocturnal predators. I'll teach you how to work your bait near structures like docks, bridges, or mangrove edges where snook love to hang out. You'll learn the "bump and run" technique - that's when you let your bait bump along the bottom, mimicking an easy meal. We might also try some artificial lures if conditions are right. The key is patience and feeling for that bite. When a snook hits, it's like lightning - and that's when the real fun begins. I'll coach you through the fight, showing you how to play the fish without losing it. Even if you don't land a monster, you'll come away with skills you can use on any fishing trip.
There's something magical about fishing at night. The water's calm, the air's cooler, and it's just you, the rod, and the anticipation of what might be lurking below. Beginners love this trip because it's low-pressure and hands-on. You're not just watching - you're doing. And when you feel that first solid hit on your line, trust me, you'll be hooked for life. Plus, snook are known for their acrobatics when hooked, so even if you're just learning, you're in for some excitement. Many of my first-timers come back for more, eager to build on what they've learned and tackle bigger challenges.
Snook are the stars of this show, and for good reason. These sleek, silver fish with their distinctive black lateral line are a Florida fishing icon. They're ambush predators, which means they like to hide near structures and pounce on unsuspecting prey. Snook can grow pretty big - the state record is over 44 pounds! - but even a modest-sized snook will give you a run for your money. They're known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps when hooked. The best part? Snook are at their most active at night, especially during the warmer months. This makes our evening trip prime time for hooking into one of these beauties. While they're a catch-and-release only species most of the year, the experience of landing one is unforgettable. And who knows? If we're fishing during one of the short open seasons, you might even get to take one home for dinner.
Look, I get it - trying something new can be a little nerve-wracking. But that's the beauty of this trip. It's designed for folks just like you who want to give fishing a shot without any pressure. With only room for two guests, you'll get plenty of one-on-one attention to help you get comfortable with the basics. Everything you need is provided, so all you have to bring is a good attitude and maybe a snack. Whether you're looking for a unique date night, want to introduce your kid to fishing, or just want to try something different, this trip fits the bill. The skills you'll learn here will set you up for a lifetime of fishing adventures. So why not take the plunge? The snook are waiting, and there's nothing quite like the thrill of your first catch under the stars. Give me a shout, and let's get you out on the water for a night you won't forget.
## Common Snook (Centropomus Undecimalis) The Common Snook is one of the largest in the snook species family. The Centropomus Undecimalis has a sleek and slender body with a very visible and pronounced dark lateral line. The common snook has a sloped forehead which features a lower protruding jaw and a large mouth along with very high and divided dorsal fins. The Common snook is also golden yellow in color with a pale yellow fin. They are also referred to as Snook, Sergeant Fish, and Thin Snook. ## Common Snook Size Common snook can grow to a maximum length of 4 1/2 feet but the common size is only around 1 ½ feet. Sizes of the Common Snook can vary depending on the location of the fish. Snook in Central America generally tends to grow bigger than snook found on the Northern Atlantic coast. The world record was caught in Costa Rica and weighed in at 59 lbs 8 oz. and 47.6 inches in length. ## Distribution and Habitat  ## Common Snook Fun Facts Common Snook changes from male to female after maturation. Most large snook are female because the larger ones are more apt to change to female. Common Snook have very wide tails and are capable of short but incredibly fast bursts of speed to ambush or attack prey. Snook spawning season occurs with the new and full moon cycles from May to September. The fish gather in networks of high current areas that will take the eggs seaward. The males bump the females causing them to release the eggs, which are then fertilized. When the eggs hatch, the juvenile common snook return inshore, finding their way to the small streams where they can better avoid their many predators. During the spawning season, the snook's fins turn a bright yellow. Common snook are carnivores that eat fish, crabs, shrimps and other crustaceans that live in both fresh water and salt water. ## Common Snook Habitat The Common Snook is an estuarine dependent species, found in both fresh and saltwater. Adult Common Snook are normally found in lagoons and estuaries along with shallow, coastal waters of around 60 feet in depth. At times they will even enter fresh water creeks and inlets in the areas. These estuaries, lagoons and mangroves, and other shallow water areas are sanctuaries for the juvenile snook to grow to adult sizes and have cover from predators. They are also capable of surviving in a wide range of salinities from higher to lower concentrations, using a process known as osmoregulation. The snook family has 12 other closely related species, throughout the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The Snook family is very temperature sensitive and sudden drops to unusually cold temperatures in their habitat can produce a winter kill, in which large numbers of snook population die-off. However, adult common snook can withstand the cooler water temperature better than the larvae or young juvenile snook. ## Snook Fishing Snook are a very popular game fish for the angler. Fishing for the common snook is actually fairly similar to fishing for largemouth bass, with some of the top snook lures originating in the bass-fishing world. Snook are very cover-oriented and can be found around areas with brush and mangroves In the estuaries, lagoons and creeks and other waters that they call home. Snook are also a very popular species for fly fishing, and fly fishermen can fish for them in a variety of ways including sight fishing. ## Snook Fishing Lures Many lures that are used for bass fishing can be used in snook fishing. Soft plastic swimbaits and jerk bait style minnows work great. Jigging shrimp imitations, as well as topwaters and crankbaits, can all work very effectively while fishing for snook. Flies like the imitator or the Dahlberg diver are excellent choices for fly fishermen. ## Distribution and Range Common Snook can be found throughout the warm waters of the western Atlantic Ocean. Reaching as far north as North Carolina and south down to Brazil, including the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and Central America. The coloration of these fish may vary slightly from location to location mostly due to water color and habitat, along with variations in size.
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 2
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 30
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 115