Night Fishing For Large Mouth.

[Muddy]

I do better when there is no full moon and a slight chop on the water.

[thetr20one]

I fished until 10 p.m. last night. It was dark by 8 and we continued to catch good fish on the same lures we were using when the sun was out. Cranks, tubes, spinnerbaits. The bite never died. we would have stayed later but I had to work today and we were 1/2 hour from home. There were quite a few lights from the city and it was an awesome time! Over 20 good fish each! The wind was ferocious but the fish didn't mind.

[Catt]

Fish the same baits, same locations, and same techniques you would during the day!

Seems like you mentioned this before...

I guess after thirty-something years it's still

working for you!

8-)

As mentioned before bass do not morph into a new creature after dark, if you've caught there before dark they'll be there after dark. Bass eat the same bait fish, crawfish, or whatever after dark as they do during daylight hours.

The eyes of a bass go through a night adaptation cycle beginning at twilight and are usually adapted for black, white, and all shades of gray within an hour after darkness. Bass can see color but not at night, color it's self is meaningless at night. Bass cannot see details at night, so don't waste time with meticulously painted or patterned lures. Contrast is more important by far than color at night. If you fish water where shad or minnows are the predominate prey species, then try white spinners with a white grub. The usual night time favorite black is the second choice in shad populated lakes. Black or dark hued lures give maximum contrast at night when run on or near the surface. Under water vision for the bass is reduced at night, so use lures that are a little larger. Slow retrieves work better because it lets the bass locate the lure easier and zero in on it.

I normally prefer fishing during the full moon vs. the new moon even though the gravitational pull is three times greater during the new moon. It is more difficult to fish a new moon because it is harder to keep your boat off of stumps and it is harder for the bass & angler to connect. If I fish a new moon I will usually fish open water and avoid shoreline areas. The light from the full moon illuminates the bait against the surface for more contrast. I usually start night fishing during the April full moon and continue through the October full moon.

[BirdNestBen]

heeeee this is cheating so I hope no one else but you reads this....

One of my most fun outings in a while occured on a summer trip on about a 30 acre private lake.....

I had caught several dozen live perch during the day with my cast net, and we waited for nightfall as this trip was in August during the dog days of summer...

It was real fun as we used those glow bobbers and it was nice and cool with a bright moon provided enough light....

We caught a few big channel cat....... I caught a 3 and 5 lb. bass.... and then my buddy just starting yelling...... he had no telling what on and line was stripping like he had a Godzilla on the line........

He fought it around 10 minutes and unfortunately it went right under the boat and finally broke him off.... guess you would have had to been there but it was no doubt a monster fish....

Now I'm not a proponet of live bait fishing but it was a nice change of pace....... that's all I'm saying......

RW had give me a tip to start using Yozuri ultra soft line as I had a few fish break me off.... so I'd try this line or some heavy duty braid as you'll probably get into some real nice bass....

Another technique that works when the bite turns off is drop shot fishing... there are many lures for this but my particular fav is zoom finesse worm......

Good luck.

[listb]

Thank you for all the good tips!

I tried an all black spinner bait with a big colarado blade on it last night and cast the crap out of it. I tried everything imaginable to get a fish on that d**n thing and only got one bump. I tried to present it the same, thinking that was my indicator on how the fish might want it but no dice. I then started fishing a buzz bait which was a better choice because every three to four cast i was getting blown up on. Funny thing about it was the fish seemed to be playing games with it. The fish would breach and nock the buzz bait clean out of the water and never have it in its mouth. This went on for abpout twenty min before the fish were over it all together. I kinda wish i had someone video taping it because it was annoyingly hilarious! Better luck next time i guess?

[Rich K]

With my black strike king midnight special; I cast it out there - wait until it hits the water - keep stripping line until the lure hits the bottom - start reeling almost as slowly as I can trying to keep contact with the bottom. A Colorado blade gives the bait tons of lift - so I reel VERY slowly - just enough to feel the blade kicking/thumping.

I try to stay consistent with that retrieval, but there are times I have needed to mix it up. We have also used the yo-yo retrieve, but again really slowly.

One variable I have notice with the midnight special is that it has a built on rattle. If you retrieve it too quickly, I think the rattle tone changes and renders the bait ineffective.

I have noticed a bit of a pattern with the wind - When there is wind, the bait with the rattle works - no wind; I use one without a rattle and let the vibration of the big blade do all the work.

Rich

[listb]

The model i am using is a BOOYA (all black w/ a big silver colorado blade w/ a big red eye on the jig head) . I am pretty sure there isn't a rattle.

I know you can buy rattles to attach to pretty much all baits now a day's. I like your idea's Ill have to give them a whirl. Thanks for the tips!

[Bass_Fanatic]

well, I dont think that this has been mentioned yet, but I have found that Bass feel more secure under low light and/or no light, meaning they may roam more an not hold so tight to cover.  My most effective night fishing technique has got to be fishing weed lines with a jitterbug or buzzbait on one rod.  If I happen to get hit and not hook up then I opt for my second rod with a lake fork tackle 5.5 inch swim bait.  This change of pace and the lure being under teh surface tends to pull a second strike from the fish.

Just my two cents...

[listb]

Your two cents seem to hold some ground. What type of action are you giving your swim bait? Are you working it slow off the bottom or just a straight retrieve? I heard something like that before regarding a miss strike on the top water lure. I was told to follow up with a plastic in the general area of the 1st attempt by the fish. It has worked for me in the past but with a slow moving texas rigged worm.

[VOL-FISHER]

My number 1 bog bass bait at night is a black rattlehead buzzbait.  

[listb]

What is everyone's go to buzz bait? Make/ Size/ Color's ?

I know all baits are not created equal so some insight would be great, before i start dropping coin on some useless tacklebox filler.

Thanks Again

[Big-O]

Thank you for all the good tips!

I tried an all black spinner bait with a big colarado blade on it last night and cast the crap out of it. I tried everything imaginable to get a fish on that d**n thing and only got one bump. I tried to present it the same, thinking that was my indicator on how the fish might want it but no dice. I then started fishing a buzz bait which was a better choice because every three to four cast i was getting blown up on. Funny thing about it was the fish seemed to be playing games with it. The fish would breach and nock the buzz bait clean out of the water and never have it in its mouth. This went on for abpout twenty min before the fish were over it all together. I kinda wish i had someone video taping it because it was annoyingly hilarious! Better luck next time i guess?

If the fish are missing the bait or short striking at night, might change to a Rage Shad. It gives you the noise and ruckus of a bigger buzzbait in a weedless 3" soft plastic. With it you have the opportunity to pause at the strike and drop the bait to them. When they mouth the soft plastic they are much more likely to hold on so that you get a good hook set.

Big O

[listb]

Thats a great idea! Ive never seen anything like that before. I definately will try to find some or resort to ordering a few packs. Thank you to turning me onto them.

[Big Tom]

I cannot wait to be included in this club.  I bet I have to leave Kentucky to do it.  I don't mind that too much though.  I have already experience the best smallmouth bass fishery in the world and if I have it my way I will return there annually.  I cannot wait to experience Texas and Mexico largemouth bass fishing.

[Bass_Akwards]

Haven't been here in a month.  just came to make a post about "what exactly can a bass see at night?"  

I wonder if they can see as good as us at dusk or better or worse.  And what is it they see.  I think profile and vibration is very important at night.  I've caught them on lots of stuff, but nothing touches the Rapala #10 husky Jerk 3/8oz firetiger seen here.  

http://www.bluelaketackle.com/rapala-husky-jerk-434-38oz-firetiger-pi-8555.html?type=jpg

The thing slays it for me at night AFTER dusk.  Great night lure, especially in a lake or pond with perch in it.  Give it a try bro, you'll love it.

Todd

[BirdNestBen]

I've had a few trips where we've done real well at night....... it is much better at night with a full moon or close to it.....

The lures that will really work are Senkos-dark color   Dark plastic worms- such as a black powerworm   and best of all are spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits....... all in black...... black is definitely the best color at night..........

I've had huge blow ups on the Rage Tail Shad- and I guess any kind of topwater is good to try at night.......

[listb]

Rage Tails Look Awesome! I cant wait to find a store near me that carries them. I have spent way too much money on d**n gimmicks but this looks ideal. Anyone do fairly well on the rage tail, Which conditions?

[Big-O]

listb, you can ck out the search bar at top right of page for rage shad, rage craw, rage chunk, rage toad or (rage tail)

Also www.ragetail.com is the website for more info on uses, hooking instructions etc. on all of the different baits.

BTW, on many store shelves now the Rage Tails are packaged in hardshell clams to hold perfect shape while inside the bag.

Big O

[GRIZZ]

Big fan of hair jigs...

Here's a couple that I use often,

Jigs are a very good night bait.

I'd throw bigger/heaver jigs then what's in the photos for night fishing largemouth...

The rabbit hair jigs in the photo's are a must for me, more so during the early morrings... Just my .02

[listb]

Any of you guys ever fish Lake Mission Viejo in CA?

[listb]

Rabbit hair jigs are pretty rare around where i live. I think i've seen one in a bargain bin before, other than that they are pretty ilusive.

I am sure the pulse and flicker real nice under the water. Do you fish them slow or do you have multiple presentations? I am interested in fishing with regular jigs as well.

[GRIZZ]

Rabbit hair jigs are pretty rare around where i live. I think i've seen one in a bargain bin before, other than that they are pretty ilusive.

I am sure the pulse and flicker real nice under the water. Do you fish them slow or do you have multiple presentations? I am interested in fishing with regular jigs as well.

2 Presentations... for smallies

Slow swimming the jig is a good choice, at times, deadly.

Slow draging, and stopping the jig once in awhile on the bottom is a must.

Here are  some fly's  that I drag on the bottom during the night "Bunny leech"

Adding weight to these fly's, like a small splitshot is key at times.

[baboosicbass08]

Jitterbug does the trick for me next would have to be a hula popper

[listb]

When working your Jitterbug, is it a slow straight retrieve or do you stop and go?

[kayl.]

I'll cast it out, let it sit for 15-20 seconds and then bring it back slow & steady.