best time of day

[armstrong]

ok, so what time of day do bass bite the most? i always hear the best time is early morning... but i also heard later in the day, around sunset is a good time too... is that true?

[Grey Wolf]

The two times you mentioned are excelliant times to fish. I have also caught many fish between the 10 am to 2 pm time slot. There are many variables that you have to consider, like weather , time of year, bait fish movement. I'm sure you will receive many more pointers from other's on the forum. GOOD LUCK!

[Troutfisher]

From what I've heard when fishing, the best time to go is in late evening, and early morning.  However, after trying both, I've found that evenings in general are usually pretty good, not right before dark, and I've also found that during the lunch-time hours are usually pretty good.

This has worked on most fish, however, bluegill, at least in my case, usually stop biting after dark.

[Sam]

Easy question...difficult answer.

In lakes and ponds usually early morning and evening can produce good results but I have caught fish at every hour of the day.

On moving water such as rivers it depends on the tides.

Some say the full moon is the best guage and on those days I know guys who swear that anytime during the day and at night are very good.

So don't worry about the time. Just go out and have a good time.

[Rattlinrogue]

Where I live at this time of year the best time is the earliest part of the morning IMO.Late afternoon and at night are also good times.I'm sure bass can be caught in the middle of the day,but with 99 degree heat and near 100% humidity I'm not sure I could make it throughout the whole day.

[eyedabassman]

They are good times to bass fish. I guide alot at night and have keep logs over the years. The very best times are at night! And all my big bass have come from midnight to sunup.With the best of them times between 1 AM and 5 30 AM.

[BassKing813]

I usually have more luck in the evening, but sometimes more in the morning. It all depends on the time of year and the conditions.

[roadwarrior]

Well, the best days of the week are days ending in "Y". As for times, I suggest A.M. or P.M.

Most of my biggest bass have been caught between 10:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M.

[NiTrO 90210]

At this tim of the year down here in florida the early morning and evening are the best time of the day because the fish are more active and are looking for food and will hit topwater and more fast moving baits, but dont get me wrong plenty of fish can be caught in the afternoon hours you just have to fish more slow because it is so hot. At this time flipping or deadsticking worms is your best bet. Just my 2 cents though.

[Fish Chris]

for the big bass, I'd have to agree with Road Warrior. In fact, I call the hour from 11:30 am until 12:30 PM (noon) the magic hour ! I always try to be on one of my best big fish spots during this time. Also, I make sure I have already eaten my lunch.... lines retied... hooks sharp, etc. Don't want anything interfering with my fishing during this time.

Interestingly, I have agree with most of the other posters about early morning and evening, for more bites from small to medium sized fish.

BTW, I have caught more than 80% of my DD bass between 10 am and 2 pm...... even though I most often start early, and fish late.

Peace,

Fish

[George Welcome]

Put this down because this is really important! Bass do not wear watches!

Hot! The bass love it!

Bright! The Bass love it!

Early AM! 1st cast - big fish of the day!

Late in the day! last cast - big fish of the day!

Midde of the day! big fish of the day!

The best time of the day is when you have your bait in the water!

[Redtail]

We seem to catch most of our fish (at what I thought was the worst time of the day), between 10:00A.M. and 2:00.  We can't figure it out, but that time slot has been the most productive.  (I don't fish after dark though)  I'm probably using the wrong baits early in the morning, but thats the time that works for us!

[J-Salvati]

6:00 t 8:00 and 11:00 to 2:00 Thats when i catch the most fish

[armstrong]

thanks alot for the advice guys!

another question.... are there certain baits that work best for early morning or later evening bass fishin?

[BD]

You can catch bass all day....big girls 12-4pm

[Wildbillb]

the best time of the day to go fishing is whenever you have time.  All day, part of the day, am, pm, mid-day, morning, evening, afternoon, middle of the night....it doest matter just go fishin

[WABass]

the best time of the day to go fishing is whenever you have time.  All day, part of the day, am, pm, mid-day, morning, evening, afternoon, middle of the night....it doest matter just go fishin

I agree, you wont catch any if your not out on the water trying.

[Ben]

The absolute best time is when they are feeding.  This can be anytime during the day or night.  I have this thing that if I'm not on the water at the crack of dawn, I feel like I'm late.  If I quit before dark, I left too soon.  I normally don't fish all day, usually during the middle of the day, I go in, eat lunch take a short nap and go back again three - four hours before dark.  I have my milk runs I make while fishing.  Water temps are in the mid to upper 80's here so bass have pretty much moved to the channels, under water humps and deep side of points. I will hit the ones I know produce fish every hour or so until we find them.   That may be early morning, mid morning, mid day, mid afternoon or midnight.  Sometimes we strike out but most of the time, somewhere during the time we are fishing we get into them.   Fishing gets fast and fun then.   Another fun thing is about a half hour after sunup we have some spots that schooling bass start busting on shad.  Throwing flukes and poping cork rigs on those produce a lot of fun also for about a 1/2 hour.

[Zebco202]

are there certain baits that work best for early morning or later evening bass fishin?

Me and a buddy had a great night of fishing last Saturday.  We fished from 4pm-to-midnight.  We never caught a fish until around 10pm, then it was on.  We probably caught around 15-20 between the two of us.  Nothing of any real size but we sure had a lot of fun.

Here's my favorite Lures for night fishing:

Black Buzz Bait

Black/Blue Jig n Pig

Jitterbug

Headden Torpedo (I think Cotton Cordell makes a knock off of this that's pretty good too)

Black or Black/Blue Spinnerbait

Black/Blue Chatterbait

Early Morning Favorite:

Zara Spook, Super Spook or Super Spook Jr.

Black, White or Chartruse Buzz Bait

Hula Popper

Pop-R

Poppin Image

Spittin' Image

I haven't had much success this year during the early morning.  I've only been out at night twice this year and the first time I didn't catch anything.  As others have stated, I've had more luck this year between 10a-2p.  

[iceintheveins]

The very best times are the twighlight periods and cloudy weather after a period of warm weather. The fish are most aggressive and lure selection then is easy: TOPWATERS!!!!!!!!!!

Bass can be caught all day usually though if you pinpoint some hungry fish. During the day in hot weather, deeper structure with deep cranks and plastics are the key. Deep dredging spinnerbaits is good too, especially in dingier water.

[Valascus]

For me ANYTIME is a good time. I don't care what time it is or what the conditions are...as long as I am fishing. Can't catch anything if ya ain't fishing.