I need some tips for my first night fishing trip

[KU_Bassmaster.]

With temps the last couple weeks in the mid 90's and humidity at 100000000000000% I think I am going to give night fishing a try. I have only stayed out past dark to around 10:30 or been on the lake a hour or so before the sun comes up. So staying out all night is a new to me.

The lake I will be fishing main structure are docks and weeds.

I caught quite a few bass this spring in the 5 to 6 pound range, but since mid June I haven't caught anything over 3. I just haven't been able to find any productive deep water. I think since it's been hotter the big ones have gone waaaaay back under some docks. Some of these docks are huge and there is absolutely no way to get anything under them. I was thinking maybe at night that they would maybe at least come out to the edges and be a little more catchable.

I was just wanting to know if I should hit the same spots I hit during daylight hours or should I be looking for something special?

What kind of baits should I use and what color? Dark or bright colors? Vibration?

I am either going on Wed night/Thurs. morning or Thurs. night/Fri. morning. Which would be better. There is a full moon on Thursday, so which of the two would be better? Also, what are the best times or does it matter?

Any other things I ought to know?

Thank you in advance. I am really looking forward to turning to the dark side. ;D

[bassackwards]

I ain't got many answers to what you wana know.  but I did stay at a holiday express last night.

just kidding.  

I went night fishin, from around 10 - 12p.m.

me and 2 other guys were usin top water, and let me tell you in advance, this was only a small pond.  no lake, etc.

we used a junebug topwater lure, that shakes from side to side.  and I also was usin a frog/buzzbait.

my main problem was getting the fish to hit the lure.  they would go for it, but completely miss the lure.  I had about 6 strikes in that time period, and every one of them missed.

I dont know how this helps.  thought I should share though.  

[gamblerOH]

Make sure to take plenty of bug repellant and maybe a sweatshirt. It will cool off a lot in the early morning hours. Most of our club tourneys are at night this time of year, they are tough to learn to fish. The best advice I can give you is to buy the best black light you can afford and be ready for some carolina riggin. I find spinning gear very hard to use at night (I cant keep it out of the trees ;D ) so I dont even bother trying that anymore. If the carolina rigs dont produce try cranking some of the deeper points,dark colors and lots of vibration. Theres nothing better than a big 'ol bass breaking  the water at 2 am. It usually takes several nights out before it actually becomes fun

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Duh!!!!!!  Who would of thought there would be a bunch of articles on this site about night fishing.  : Anyways I found some basic info and have a gameplan, but any other tips would still be appreciated.  

Now I am even more pumped to go.  Hopefully I will be posting some lunker pics come Friday morning.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Hands free light is a must.  I prefer the miners type headlamp.

[albiechaser]

you will love the dark side, im into it it here in nc.

hot as h.e.l.l. here too. I usually put in at 2am and fish till around 8.  very nice being out there at that time. dark worms are the ticket. tex. rigged.  most fish feed at night. and do come close to shore. so hit the banks, and fish slow. let that bad boy drop,  night crawlers are the best bait at night,  no weight, thats if you don't mind using real bait.  if i bring kids along, its the best bait.  I also will drop a green light down, the kids love to watch the minnows swimming around it.

then a big shadow will come by and it gets em all excited,  alot of lakes that get tons of pressure during the day will be awesome at night. they lay loe during the day and party at night lol

becarefull, and have fun.

ps the lake i fish here is very big, if you get the time scout it out and use a gps to get there,  works great for me. my spots are around 3miles from the ramp.

steve

[Grey Wolf]

fish on the night when the moon is full , you'll be surprised how much light there will be. use either black or white baits in larger sizes with steady retrieves. your best bet would be large short armed sinners , buzz baits , and rattle-traps. hope this helps you out.  

[7Lbass]

Try a 1/2 ounce Jig N Pig with a Big Salty Chunk...Fish in between the docks and if you find rip rap with lights on it hit it also...

Summer time bass become mainly nocturnal....So fish shallow and if there are tourneys on this lake all the time fish the ramp area...SoreMouths weigh in just the same....

Black worms are a good bet also....I would stay away from treble hooked lures after dark and stick with single point lures....

[dodgeguy]

like low budget said,get a headlight.try a black clacker buzzbait or a black jitterbug.no topwater bite then try the jig.black single blade colorado spinnerbaits work great also.

[Phishn_Phool]

First bug spray is a must, also clear everything out of the boat but maybe the 2(no more) rods you are going to use.  Go to a lake you know well andmake sure you have someone with you.  I fished Bull Shoals and Norfork for years at night and only used 2 baits,  the main one was a single spin(homemadew/4 1/2 size blade) and a #11 U Josh pork frog..The other was a jig and pig.  In both cases I used black/yellow or plain black and always the frog colored pork.  Fish the spinnerbait slower than during the day.  I liked to tic the bottom once in awhile.  Good Luck and I know you will catch them.

                                 CPR ;D

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Thanks fror the tips guys. I am going to a lake I know like the back of my hand so hopefully I will be able to navigate my way with no problem in the dark. I should have plenty of lighting. I have a black light latern and two black light head lamps.

My gameplan is to launch around midnight. I am going to take very little tackle. I am going to bring three rods: one with a black and blue jig w/ a rattle, a C-rig rod probably with a 7" Black and Blue dinger, and another rod with a buzz bait or jitterbug, and just the necessary terminal tackle like extra hooks, weights, pocket knife, and pliers.

About Bug spray: I have heard that bass are EXTREMELY turned off by deet which is in most bug sprays. Are there any alternatives?

[Muddpuppy]

I bought a Coleman Mosquito Deleto System to take camping and several extra Inhibitors. I take a couple of the Inhibitors in the boat with me when I go and they seem to help. They are fan powered and run off of 2aa batteries and have something like sentinal in them. They don't repel the mosquitoes but confuse their senses so they don't bite as much. I have had them for a couple of years now and they seem to work pretty good. My wife is a mosquito delicasie and they don't bite her near as bad. Each one covers an area about 10 x10 if the wind isn't blowing. The trap is a joke though.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2950A602&categoryid=21562

[Chris]

I caught them last night flipping a tube shallow. 7 bass 1 flathead. lol Greenpumpkin and 3 other colors they shouldn't hit at night in dirty water.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

KU-  How did you make out?

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Not going until tommorow night.

[Sweetwater]

Around here, the following works very well....

zoom old monster 10 1/2" twirl tail in junebug/red flake rigged on 3/0 gammie EWG. 1/16" ounce splitshot about a foot up the line.

Swim slowly like slow rolling a spinnerbait. Every now and then, allow to die to the bottom.

Be sure to maintain very firm grip on your rod.

[canesbball1324]

Try casting a black jitterbug, or a black 10 inch ribbontail with a blue tail

[utser]

listen for baitfish breakin the surface, drop a crankbait close. best time to fish.