What’s night fishing like?

[Darth-Baiter]

I occasionally hit the trees with my lure in the daytime.  At night, it will be problematic.  Are you casting?   Or short range pitching while wearing a powerful headlamp?  
 

 Want to try it with my kayak.  I need to get some running lights first. 
 

 

[scaleface]

I like to night fish on main lake flats and points where casting accuracy isnt that important .

[A-Jay]

Some light reading on Chasing bass at night ~

A-Jay

 

[gim]

Its helpful to have a plan ahead of time if you are going to fish at night.  I have found it greatly worth while to actually get out there about an hour before sunset and mark spots and routes on my GPS so that when darkness settles in, I have something to look at.

 

I've also found that organization of tackle, tools, and other gear is extremely important as is a good head lamp.

[Choporoz]

It is awesome.  With a little scary thrown in, sometimes. 

A few things I do every time I'm out well past sundown or well before sunrise:

-Check all batteries: headlamp, all-around light, fishfinder (GPS and depth monitoring become even more important to me after dark)

-Put away all treble hook lures

-Have bug spray available 

-Tighten cast control knobs at least a couple clicks.  Backlash in the dark is ten times worse than in daylight. 

-I don't leave headlamp on.  It kills night vision and attracts bugs.  I do switch it on momentarily sometimes to check shoreline, laydows and overhanging trees.

The scary part is when I get stuck on a stump or stick up.  It has happened more than once and it is totally unnerving in pitch black night.

[Happybeerbuzz]

Indeed, lure meets rock more often at night, but you figure out how to cast in the dark.  However, in the summer when it is warm at night, I find fishing by moonlight a really serene and peaceful experience.  I would do it more, but my regular schedule has me asleep by 10:30 PM.  

[Chris Catignani]

There is usually pretty good visibility during a full moon.

Use red light in the boat...and people also use black lights to light UV line.

 

I would not want to be in a kayak were there are other power boats running...IMPO.

[Darth-Baiter]

5 minutes ago, Chris Catignani said:

There is usually pretty good visibility during a full moon.

Use red light in the boat...and people also use black lights to light UV line.

 

I would not want to be in a kayak were there are other power boats running...IMPO.

I have a few boatless bodies of water.  But yea.  For sure. I’m not dying under a fast running boat. :)

[Sphynx]

I typically go after catfish on summer nights, so the only bass I catch after dark are by-catch and not intentional. 

[Chris Catignani]

4 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I have a few boatless bodies of water.  But yea.  For sure. I’m not dying under a fast running boat. :)

For sure...those guys are looking at the GPS at times...and may not be looking at whats in front of the boat.

[flyfisher]

no need for any lights unless it is very overcast or a new moon.  let your eyes adjust and you would be surprised at what you can see.  I enjoy fishing at night out of my kayak nad have had some killer nights doing it.  I do have a head lamp with a red light should i need to retie but I usually am throwing big stuff whether it is topwater or jigs etc....gotta appeal to that lateral line.

[Catt]

Some people have poor night vision. While some get disoriented at night.

 

It ain't for everybody!

 

I have no problem seeing at night even on moonless nights. The only time it can be deceptive is near shorelines with shadows. 

 

I carry only two lights, a cap light that clips to the bill of my cap & a q-beam for running.

[Captain Phil]

Your question brought back a bunch of memories for me.  I night fished for years both in salt water and fresh.  Your first concern should be safety.   Are you fit enough to swim in the dark?  Will you be able to get back in your kayak if you fall over?  Don't even think about fishing without a quality life vest.  Better yet, fish with another kayak close by just in case. 

 

Light is not as big of a problem as you may think.  As flyfisher said, your eyes will adjust.  A good place to start night fishing for bass is in a canal.  You won't have boats running over you and you will be very close to the shore.  A full moon is also helpful.  It's best to use weedless lures at night.   Large black Texas Rigged worms and spinnerbaits were my favorite.  Summer is the best time to fish at night.   From my experience, the best night time bass bite is normally after 12 midnight.  At least you won't have to deal with alligators. I fished the everglades alone many a night in a bass boat.  Would I do it in a kayak?  NO WAY!

[WRB]

Lights; you need navigation lights.

Head lamp cap light is handy to see to re tie and locate tackle.

Flood light help to see the shore line for casting distance but also ruin your night vision. Letting your eye adjust to darkness is a more natural method to night fish.

Your depth perception is non existent at night make it difficult to target cast accurately. A good technique is keeping your boat a specific conformable casting  distance off shore to reduce casting onto shore or in trees.

Try to start fishing before dusk during low light and adjust to the upcoming dark environment. As the light changes to darkness the activity level usually slow down as the environment switches to nocturnal predators and critters.

The big advantage of using jigs and worms at night is developing your strike detection skills by feel.

KIS is the night rule “keep it simple”. 

Texas w/sliding 3/16 oz bullet weight with glass bead for sound. Use 15+ lb line at night. 7 1/2” and 10” Power worms

work good. Jigs with craw worm or craw trailer are good.

Treble hook lures work but snag things more often at night

Enjoy the night and go with a partner if possible.

Tom

[Zcoker]

I primarily fish at night in a Kayak deep in the Everglades. Been doing it for a while. My outings usually start around 10pm and end around 8am next day. It's best to have at least a general idea of what you are going to be up against during a nightly session, meaning the landscape layout, general vegetation, cover, things like that. Refined answers are not always going to be available for a any given situation, I can tell ya that, so it's very important to be prepared for ANYTHING at night. Not only casting into trees or logs but also for the totally unexpected. Night fishing requires a good cultivation of the senses, in my opinion, some more than others. Of course, safety is paramount. And allowing the senses to take over and lead the way can sometimes be a safe guide. If, for instance, some little voice says to get the heck otta there, or if you about to do something that doesn't "feel right", then it's most likely a good idea to take heed. Having all the right ingredients is also very important, things like good lighting, appropriate gear, etc. As long as you pack practical common sense and prepare for the outings the best way possible, then all should go without a hitch. 

[Deleted account]

I'm an old surf rat at heart, so fishing in the dark in tough conditions is second nature, to me night time bass fishing is about fishing water you know is good during a prime time, and not doing new things or looking for fish. No bright lights, a flashlight with a red filter is all you need, it's amazing how well your eyes adjust to the dark. It's very doable, but one does need a few skills not normally used during the day. 

[gim]

28 minutes ago, Zcoker said:

My outings usually start around 10pm and end around 8am next day.

Dang.  That is hard core graveyard shift night fishing @Zcoker.

[casts_by_fly]

Night fishing in the summer is my preferred time to be on the water.  I night fished for year growing up in ponds that maybe I wouldn't fish during the day, but that's another story and many years in the past.  Now, I'll take the kayak and either show up an hour before sunset or more likely I'll be launching 2-3 hours before sunrise.  First a first timer, a couple things:

 

1- start with a body of water that you already know.  Night time isn't the time to be exploring a new lake.  I'm talking about a lake that you can just go fish without thinking, without looking at a fish finder, and one that you already know which rocks, logs, and spots you're going to cast at before you hit the water.  

2- going a couple hours before sunset will help.  You can get on the water, get situated, get your casting rhythm and distance sorted before it gets dark.  It will let your eyes acclimate to the lowered light gradually.

3- put a red cap or plastic over your light.  From #2, your eyes take a half hour to fully dilate to true dark conditions.  The tiniest bit of white light sets them back.  Red light helps a ton to keep your night vision.  I only use a light to tie knots and instead navigate by starlight/moonlight.  I have a light with me in case of emergency, but I don't use it.  I also turn off the navigation lights on the boat (I'm always the only one on the water).

4- long sleeves, pants, and a hat are a must.  Bugs are always bad and DEET can only do so much.  Also, any lures you snag and pull loose coom back faster than you think.  At least if you have skin covered you're not getting a hook in the arm.  

 

I love night fishing.  Throwing frogs on grass mats at night is a special thing if they are eating them.  The sound of a bass sucking down a frog in the middle of the night will shoot your heart rate through the roof.  Big single colorado spinnerbaits with the thump will teach you all about feeling for a bite or a blade of grass when all you can do in pay attention to every whirl of the blade.  

 

 

[Catt]

Their food source doesn't morph into a new creature...throw the same colors as you would during day light.

 

I fish the same structure, with the same techniques as I do during the daytime.

[PhishLI]

It's my favorite time to fish by a wide margin. Besides the fact that bass are more willing to move around and chase baits, it's just an electrifying experience.

1 hour ago, Darth-Baiter said:

 Want to try it with my kayak.

Personally, it takes me a bit longer to get my equilibrium at night on the yak. You might feel a touch stoned for a quick minute. I do. Depth perception is off in the dark. Don't worry about throwing a bait into a tree. You might throw it over the tree line. But you'll adjust.

[TOXIC]

Not a fan.  I have done it and had good success but there’s too many negatives for my liking.  I regularly did it on our annual trips to Wisconsin but even dipping myself in deet and using a therm-a-cell, the skeeters would eat me alive and with the required anchor light on the bats were constantly running into my line and sometimes getting tangled in it just to name a couple.?

[thediscochef]

I night fish at a state park boat ramp, it's well lit but not enough to ruin my night vision. Just enough to where I can re-tie and see what I'm doing after about 30 minutes. My two best bass at that lake have been after 10PM, but it's not always guaranteed. I fish there enough that I know where the problem areas are, and can effectively avoid them at night. So to answer your question, it's best if you find a place where you can get comfortable and not be concerned about not seeing anything.

[Functional]

night fishing used to be my favorite with my father in an aluminum boat. Wed go out after dinner around 7 or 8 just before dark and stay out until the bite cooled off after sunrise (usually 7 or 8).

 

The amount of light you have at night is a lot more than you think. Only light we had is a spotlight used to ID our landing area (used to be in the woods, no ramps on the lake we used) and the clip on hat ones. We used to tape over all but 1 LED bulb to keep it as dim as possible, just barely enough to see for tying and getting baits. I agree, dont try new waters at night, stick to areas/lakes you know. We lived in NY at the time and at night in an aluminum boat it could get chilly, we brought a blanket for quick power naps on the bottom of the boat. Also, bring layers even if its not cold the dew will make you feel cold. 

 

Topwater bite at night is crazy, we used to tie on a double jointed black jitterbug with rattle and thats all wed use. Back when we used to catch to eat wed both come back with a stringer full of good sized bass. 

 

Keep your ears up, incredible the type of predators and kills you hear in the dead of night. 

[gim]

56 minutes ago, Catt said:

throw the same colors as you would during day light.

I actually prefer to throw generally darker colors at night.  Not that a white color won't work, the darker silhouette generally stands out a little better in the darkness.

[Catt]

11 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I actually prefer to throw generally darker colors at night.  Not that a white color won't work, the darker silhouette generally stands out a little better in the darkness.

 

If I'm on a productive pattern before dark that includes a Redbug worm you can bet your sweet bippy that I'll be throwing that worm after the sun sets!

 

I don't worry about white lights affecting my night vision, I'm trying a lure on, not flying an F22 Raptor.