crank baits at night

[dsqui]

im planning on fishing a super clear lake this weekend in the evening on through the night and really dont have much experience fishing cranks let alone at night time. what are some of your guys thoughts on this any input would be greatly appreciated

[crypt]

stick with the same baits you would use during the day,but start with a darker shade and experiment with different speeds till the fish tell you what they want.

[Catt]

I wouldn't suggest learning crankbaits at night!

[contium]

I've caught tons of fish on Rat-L-Traps at night. Some big ones. Caught plenty on silent crankbatis too.

[scaleface]

My two largest bass last year were caught at night  fishing a crankbait  off a point . There is no secret strategy other than being on a good spot ., just cast and reel.

[crypt]

12 minutes ago, scaleface said:

My two largest bass last year were caught at night  fishing a crankbait  off a point . There is no secret strategy other than being on a good spot ., just cast and reel.

see above……….perfectly said

[Bass Turd]

Look for any places that have lights on all night. I don't know if the river you fish has docks or park lights etc. These draw bait fish night after night which of course draw the bass and other predators. The one difficulty I ran into was knowing where my bait was in relation to my rod tip. In other words without being able to see the bait coming to the boat I ran it into my tip guide more than once. (You didn't say if you were bank or boat fishing). Think top water baits that float the splash so you will know where the bait is. Or Texas rigged soft plastics that can soak in the water as you work them. If there is enough light from a full moon or city lights some or none of this will apply but I'm trying to cover different angles. If you are in a boat and can float with the current you might think of hanging a 12v fish light over the side and into the water. I've done this many times and it really helps me see the bait come to the boat. I've caught many fish doing this and am convinced the light does not "scare" the fish. It's like the bug to the zapper... they just can't help but be drawn to it. It gave a really nice glow under the boat that was actually very calming and relaxing. There are led varieties around for under $30. You'll figure it out. Just bring options. If you are on a boat have your nav lights working with back up bulbs etc and lots of flash lights or cap lights. 

[dsqui]

i guess what really intrigued me about this was should i use louder rattling cranks at night or stick with the more silent cranks like i use there during the day.  the lake is a sandy bottom glacier lake with wicked steep drop offs with a big sand bar thats only about 6-7 feet deep that runs all the way across the middle.  its not a very weedy lake ive had decent success there this year through out the afternoons ive fished it so im planning on starting in these spots (deeper water )and as the evening progresses and the sun goes down and the temp cools i plan on slowly working my way to the shallows

[Catt]

2 hours ago, dsqui said:

I really dont have much experience fishing cranks let alone at night time. what are some of your guys thoughts on this!

Inexperienced!

At night!

A lure with at least 6 hook points!

We have a dodged crankbaits in daylight!

[scaleface]

2 hours ago, dsqui said:

i guess what really intrigued me about this was should i use louder rattling cranks at night or stick with the more silent cranks like i use there during the day.  the lake is a sandy bottom glacier lake with wicked steep drop offs with a big sand bar thats only about 6-7 feet deep that runs all the way across the middle.  its not a very weedy lake ive had decent success there this year through out the afternoons ive fished it so im planning on starting in these spots (deeper water )and as the evening progresses and the sun goes down and the temp cools i plan on slowly working my way to the shallows

I used Rapala crankin raps with rattles . Many years ago I had a good night using  Arbogast Mudbugs without rattles. 

[Avalonjohn44]

A wakebait at night is one of my favorite ways to fish.  I also use traps at night, we used to swear by red colored traps, but they all work...

[papajoe222]

How experienced are you at removing hooks from yourself.  Seriously. Inexperience with them in addition to using them at night is asking for trouble.  Even when using a headlamp or some other lighting in the boat or on shore, any bait can come flying back at you from the water, not to mention handling a fish with one in their mouth. 

[dsqui]

lol im not that inexperienced just with crank baits exclusively ive fished at night quite a bit i might add its about the only time i can get on some of my home waters with out all the pleasure boaters  im just starting to get into crank baits ive always fished jigs buzz baits poppers spooks spinner baits and jerk baits and was just trying to add another trick to my arsenal

[WRB]

I agree with Catt, night isn't  the time to learn how to use a crankbait. Late afternoon to dusk with good light is OK. You have very little depth perception at night and can't estimate how far to cast or where the lure will land. 

Contrasting colors are good choices at night.

Tom

[bigbill]

Try fishing at 4am when the place is calmed down. Quiet is the key to success.

practice cranks in the light, then close your eyes and try it.

spooks maybe better.

[Bluebasser86]

I don't fish treble hooks at night, almost without exception. Even with lots of experience, I don't like unhooking fish at night on trebles and dodging a bait in the dark with treble hooks isn't any fun and it will happen eventually. 

[dsqui]

so if so many of you are not fishing cranks at night what are you fishing

[Bluebasser86]

14 minutes ago, dsqui said:

so if so many of you are not fishing cranks at night what are you fishing

Jigs, bladed jigs, spinnerbaits, big worms.

K.I.S.S.