Night Fishing W/ Crankbaits

[CarolinaAngler]

I'm going night fishing in a private pond with moderate to heavy weed coverage, and I was wondering what crankbaits work the best. Also, the pond is moderately clear with some brown taint. I'm looking for details like color, bill, and depth (the pond ranges from a few feet to 12+). I'm assuming that crankbaits are still a realistic lure to use at night, but if not what hard lures (if any) work at night?

[Raul]

Lipless cranks.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

I caught a nice one on a shad coloured squarebill last night.

[Big Fish Rice]

Square bills: XCaliber XCS, Strike King KVD and Storm Arashi Rattling (Baby Bass color) are all great and fairly easy on the wallet.

Topwater baits: River2Sea Rover, Rapala X-Rap Pop and don't forget to add a frog to the mix.

 

Swim Jig: Most swim jigs will work just fine. Grab a 1/2-ounce in black/blue and add your favorite craw trailer ( I really like SK's Rage Tail Craw). Cast it and reel it back slowly. You'll get hammered...

[CarolinaAngler]

Thanks. I think I'll start with a 1.5 sexy shad and then switch to a black and blue swim jig.

[WRB]

Crank baits are a poor choice in a pond with weeds. Crank baits work good on rocky or clay bank areas without weeds, like the dam area.

You are better off using big worms T-rigged and buzz baits in a pond within 10-20 feet of the shoreline as the bass tend to roam around the perimeter of the pond at night.

Tom

[FishTank]

Crank baits are a poor choice in a pond with weeds. Crank baits work good on rocky or clay bank areas without weeds, like the dam area.

You are better off using big worms T-rigged and buzz baits in a pond within 10-20 feet of the shoreline as the bass tend to roam around the perimeter of the pond at night.

Tom

 

T-Rigged worms would be my choice as well, set up to be weedless.  With crankbaits you will catch more weeds than fish.  At night, I like to fish by feel and not site so bait choice are set up as such.  I too think it is better to fish a few feet away from the bank. 

 

I have had good luck with creature baits as well.

[Bluebasser86]

While cranks will catch fish at night, anything with trebles is one of my last choices for night fishing. I have enough close calls with treble hooked fish in the daytime, it's just that much worse in the dark. 

[Catt]

Most anglers are to afraid to throw crank baits at night

If there is sufficient depth between the top of the weeds & the surface for the crank bait to run cleanly I have no problem chunking one.

The hottest technique at night on Toledo Bend right now is throwing deep diving cranks!

[OntarioFishingGuy]

While cranks will catch fish at night, anything with trebles is one of my last choices for night fishing. I have enough close calls with treble hooked fish in the daytime, it's just that much worse in the dark.

Good point. Get it, point...