Nighttime proves successful for BIG Tarpon in Ft. Lauderdale
Capt. Dennis Crowley
July 21, 2025
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report
🌙🎣 Fort Lauderdale Nighttime Tarpon Fishing Report – July 2025
🌊 Capt Dennis Flat Bottom Fishing Charters
📍 Region: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
🕓 Time of Day: Night (5 PM – 1:00 AM)
🎯 Target Species: Tarpon (20–100+ lbs)
🌡️ Water Temp: 83–86°F
🌊 Tide Influence: Outgoing tide remains the most productive after sunset
🌌 Night Fishing Overview
Nighttime tarpon fishing in Fort Lauderdale is hot in both action and temperature during July. As the sun goes down, the heat eases off, and tarpon become more aggressive, especially around well-lit structure like bridges, inlets, marinas, and dock lights.
Using live pilchards and artificial lures after dark is one of the most consistent methods for hooking into both juvenile and trophy-class fish this time of year.
🎯 Prime Nighttime Locations
🔦 Bridges & Dock Lights
Las Olas Bridge, Sunrise Blvd Bridge, and 17th Street Causeway are prime spots.
Look for fish staging in current seams and shadow lines.
Tarpon ambush bait flowing with the tide under the lights.
🌉 ICW & New River
Calm canal edges with overhanging docks and dim light provide cover for rolling fish.
New River near downtown has been producing well around 10 PM–midnight.
🌊 Port Everglades Inlet
Larger tarpon are active on the outgoing tide at night, especially when bait schools flush through the channel. South side of the inlet, just past the jetty is a prime spot to find both snook and tarpon.
🐟 Live Pilchards: Nighttime Tactics
✅ Setup
Rod/Reel: 7' medium-heavy spinning rod with 5000–6000 size reel
Line: 30 lb braid to a 50–60 lb mono leader
Hook: 5/0 circle hook, nose-hooked pilchards for freelining
🧠 How to Fish Them
Freeline with the current near light lines and shadow edges.
Cast up-current and allow the bait to drift naturally into the strike zone.
Keep the drag light — tarpon often hit without warning and go airborne fast.
Try a splitshot when the current is strong to keep your bait streamlined.
📍 Hot Zones
Pilchards drifted near bridge fenders and pilings are getting crushed.
Fish are often suspended in 4–10 ft of water, close to structure.
🎣 Artificial Lure Report: Night Bites on Plastics & Plugs
🔥 Top Performing Lures
Lure Type Recommended Models Notes
Soft Swim Baits Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ, 3 & 4" JYG Y Tail Match pilchard color: silver/green or pearl
Suspending Twitchbaits MirrOlure MirrOdine XL, Yo-Zuri 3DS Minnow Work slow near light lines
Topwater (Calm Nights) Rapala Skitter Walk, Heddon One Knocker Right at dusk
Jigs 3/8–1/2 oz bucktail with soft plastics Cast near bridge pilings and work slow
🧠 Retrieve Tips
Use a slow, steady retrieve with occasional twitches near shadow lines.
On slick calm nights, long pauses often trigger a strike.
For suspended fish, let twitchbaits sink 3–5 seconds before working them through.
🌕 Moon & Tide Influence
Moon Phase: Full Moon on July 10 — expect increased activity 2 days before and after, especially during outgoing tides.
Best Tides: Outgoing tide from 9 PM to 1 AM has been most productive.
Tarpon are staging at choke points, waiting for bait to flush out under dock and bridge lights.
🎣 Final Thoughts
Fort Lauderdale's summer nights are alive with tarpon activity. Whether you're freelining live pilchards near a bridge light or working a swimbait through a quiet canal, this is the time to hook into a silver king. Just remember: stay quiet, fish smart, and be ready when that drag screams and the fish takes to the air
If you are in the Ft. Lauderdale/ Miami area and are looking for an inshore fishing charter give me a shout! Stay up to date on our local weather forecast HERE
And take a look at our FAQ page at www.flatbottomcharters.com to see what you can do to be most prepared for your next fishing charter!
Captain Dennis Crowley
Flat Bottom Fishing Charters
www.flatbottomcharters.com
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