Night Tournament Help

[tje0705]

Hey guys im fishing my first night tournament with a guy from our club this coming thursday night. Its been in the 80's here with a ton of rain lately. The water temp is in the high 70's maybe low 80's. The tournament is 6:30 to 9:30 with a three fish limit. I was wondering if you guys could steer me in the right direction of what I should plan on using. I know the guy im fishing with will probably try and stay shallow. Im thinking of throwing spinnerbait, topwater and flipping a big worm most of the night. The last three tournaments won with 15.36, 16.66, and 11.84. Thanks for all the help guys. Ill let everyone know how it went on friday. 

[frogflogger]

sounds like you have the right approach if the guy is staying shallow

[buzzed bait]

i've been catching most of mine on a senko, shallow right around that last hour and a half before dark.  i might also suggest the jig since you're only looking for 3 fish in a short time.  that jig could land the pig you'd need to win it!

[WRB]

9 hours ago, tje0705 said:

Hey guys im fishing my first night tournament with a guy from our club this coming thursday night. Its been in the 80's here with a ton of rain lately. The water temp is in the high 70's maybe low 80's. The tournament is 6:30 to 9:30 with a three fish limit. I was wondering if you guys could steer me in the right direction of what I should plan on using. I know the guy im fishing with will probably try and stay shallow. Im thinking of throwing spinnerbait, topwater and flipping a big worm most of the night. The last three tournaments won with 15.36, 16.66, and 11.84. Thanks for all the help guys. Ill let everyone know how it went on friday. 

6:30P to 9:30P 3 hours! With about 30-45 minutes of darkness, that not a night tournament.

I would be temped to use a crankbait and jig until the bass stopped striking them, then use a rat until 9:30.

With a short time period where your start is critical, good luck.

Tom

[2tall79]

Black jitterbug, black bladed (tandem colorado) spinnerbait.

[A-Jay]

This Single Oklahoma Blade bait w/swimbait trailer is a top night time producer for me. (Colorado blade works too)

Note the teeth marks on the blade

A-Jay

[Big-O]

Might add a bladed swim jig to your arsenal as well as rattles to your standard jigs and soft plastics... they're helpful in low light conditions and or stained water.

[papajoe222]

It sounds like the majority of the fishing time will take place during daylight. 

If that is the case, one of you should target the upper water column while the other works the bottom.  A 4in. tube dragged or hopped along the bottom or a drop-shot would be good choices for the latter.  A buzzbait  is a good choice for better than average fish and with the water temps you mention, a frog (hollow body)  could/should produce.