Night Fishing

[Balshy Fishing]

I see a lot of posts about fishing during the day and early morning hours but how do you guys approach night fishing? 

 

Do you use a lantern, headlamp or do you have cat-like vision(lol)? What lures do you use and do you still target the same areas you would throughout the day? 

 

How do you keep the bugs away and what do you wear if it's especially humid? 

 

 

[Jar11591]

I wear a light that clips to the rim of my hat. Lures I use are jitterbugs, T-rigged craws and worms and lizards. All black everything. And I where long sleeves and pants, but the bugs don't bother me until I turn the headlamp on.

[Bluebasser86]

I wear a headlamp that I use as little as possible and a spotlight for navigating (and occasionally bowfishing). I use 3 baits at night 95% of the time, a dark colored jig, a dark colored big worm, and a dark colored bladed jig. Not a fan of trebles or topwaters at night. Big swimbaits usually account for the other 5% of baits I fish at night. 

[Catt]

Fish the same baits, same locations, and same techniques you would during the day. The only thing different I add to my repertoire at night is a Q-Beam.

Brinkmann Max Million III, 3 million candle power, @ $24.88, best money can buy!

I wear a light that clips to my hat, 5 white LEDs!

Yes I know white affects my night vision but it only last for seconds. If I were flying an F22 Raptor that might a problem, but I'm only waiting to make a cast!

[Bankbeater]

I like to take a little run around the lake during the day just to see what is there, so I don't hit anything in the dark.

[Jig Man]

I fish the same colors and same baits as I do during the day.  I use a light on my cap like the others.  Sometimes I use my black lights and sometimes I don't.

 

I don't use a spot light.  I we have a 30 mph speed limit in MO so I don't need it.  I use a gps for navigation.

 

I have heard that dryer sheets will keep mosquitos away but haven't need to use them yet though I have them in the boat just in case.  I wear light colored clothes as that is supposed to help keep them off.

[Balshy Fishing]

The answers are great. I am trying to get away from topwater at night but it's hard for me to adjust. 

 

I have a bunch of black grubs and larger black worms, would it be smart to T-Rig those?

[eyedabassman]

The answers are great. I am trying to get away from topwater at night but it's hard for me to adjust. 

 

I have a bunch of black grubs and larger black worms, would it be smart to T-Rig those?

Yes, T-rig is a good rig and also the C-rig. Jigs are a great bait this time of year.Use them grubs as a trailer on a jig.

[Raul]

Personally I don´t fish with worms, jigs or such, if I can get away with it I even skip spinnerbaits for night fishing, it´s not going to be the most productive but , nothing beats to hear that gurgling Jitterbug being smashed by a bass.

[MassBass]

Can't beat black spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.

[Balshy Fishing]

Yeah, I know Jitterbugs are good; I have one but haven't gotten any strikes yet. 

[papajoe222]

I rarely use any type of light when fishing at night as it effects my night vision, which I'm thankful to say is still escellent.  There is normally enough light from the moon and the shoreline. When I do use a light, it's a pen light I hold in my mouth and keep directed at whatever I need to see.  The reason I don't like cap lights is because their light is directed straight out from the bill of your hat and not down where your eyes need the light for hooking plastics or un hooking fish.

The majority of spots I fish and lures I use are the same as the ones I fish during the day.  The only change I make is going to darker or contrasting colors. The only exception I make is fishing a big flat at night.  I rarely approach an extended flat during daylight, but will check them out more than once over the course of a night outing.

I keep a hand held spot light handy along with a light with a magnetic base for launching and loading and for warning approaching boats if I feel the need to. That along with always wearing a PFD and keeping clutter to a minimum are my main differences in saftey concerns over day fishing.

[Basseditor]

Most night fishing for me is on lakes with plenty of docks with lights. Only need to use a head lamp occasionally. GPS helps follow channels.

Too many wake boarders during daylight to fish safely so I like night fishing.

[MemphisFF]

Big dark 10-12'inch worms are money Texas rigged or a Carolina rig at night.. Back in the the day when I was a tadpole dad used to take me out night fishing on Sardis and Grenada lake in Miss and all we threw was the big Tom Manns jelly worms with great results, haven't done much night fishing as I got older but it's time to do it again.. It's hot as a murf here in Tennessee

[timsford]

Black spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and jigs. T-rigged 10 inch worms with a rattle inserted and if im going after stripers, walleye or smallies its hard to beat a minnowbait like a long a reeled slowly so it wakes. I use bone or white on moonlit nights and black on dark nights. Jitterbugs work great too. I use a headlamp that has both red and white led lights and try to use only the red ones because it attracts less bugs and scares less fish in the super shallow water i often fish. My favorite tailwater has a spot that is only a foot or two deep where a creek runs in and u can count on all the fish leaving if you shine a light on the water. Its suprising how shallow big fish get at night as ive caught several stripers over 10 pounds in thay spot and there dorsal fins were out of the water