Night Fishing Techniques

Night fishing is a hobby that I enjoy tremendously as a resulting of being brought on fishing trips by my dad when young. It is so much fun even when the lights are down because you can mix both excitement during the process and catch as well as spending some time deep in contemplative meditation. There are many different ways you can do night fishing and it also depends on what you are looking for. Be it bass or crappie fishing, there will be specific techniques and preparations that one has to be mindful of in order to have a great session, whether you end up with a catch or otherwise.

Most of the time you want to do night fishing when such a situation allows you to catch more fish. This can vary from one to the other since there are various types of fish one might be looking to get their hands, or lures on. The general rule appears to be on the type of weather your favourite fishing spot is experiencing - if it is cooler in the day, you might not get any better results fishing at night. However, if temperatures are higher and you find yourself perspiring a lot more when the sun is up, then it might be a perfect time for you to get out of bed when dusk falls (or later) and hit the rivers and lakes instead. My personal experience is that once you have grown accustomed to this nocturnal activity, be prepared to get so used to it that you will want to do it more often. It has been decades since I first started and still going strong.

When it comes to the best places to do night fishing, I always stick to the same old spots from which I have encountered good catches in the past. It is not a special technique that has to be trained. It is purely from experience. This may be the nearby lake which have frequently seen decent harvests, or traveling to further locations for the same purpose. One may have to note the types of fish that are commonly found in the different spots. Some are just not suitable to fish at night since they will never ever come close to the surface enough for you to lure them. One of the more common favourites are bass fishing and this can be something that brings good results when the sun has set. Where you can find bass, you can probably find them at a time when everyone is asleep as well. The only question would be how active they are during that point in time. Again, I have tried the temperature thing and sometimes you actually find more bass at night during warmer seasons. When I was younger and physically stronger, I would venture out to spots which would require a bit more agility such as rock piles or deeper shorelines and banks. Now, I stick to safer areas and not somewhere which is too desolate. This also affects the type of lures and tackles used and I have had all sorts of different results. The general rule seems to be in the favour of heavier lures and tackles but I have enjoyed good results too going the opposite way.

There are other types of equipment for night fishing which you have to bring along. My top priority at my age is not actually the size of catch or success, but having a safe trip home. When the lights are out you can hardly see at my age and things can quickly go crazy. I bring along the lights needed despite many friends telling me that these could spook the fish and I risk not getting any. Again, that is not my main concern when fishing at night so while the little ones might decide to be antisocial if I bring along some lights, I can always come back again another time. There are alternatives to these such as using lures that are responsive and without lights you can still get some indication of a catch. Also, as mentioned, I tend to avoid deeper waters nowadays, although they can also be the most productive of spots.

In the end, night fishing is not much different from the same activity in the day. Most of the techniques and what to observe are relatively the same, in my opinion. The main difference is the environment in which the activity will be carried out. Because of the lack of clear vision, there is always an increase in risk and danger. If you are young and capable, and bring along a few friends, then it should be relatively safe even without good equipment like black lights. Spinnerbaits can also be used to add to the experience in the latter's absence. But if you are much older, definitely round up a few more friends for the trip unless you are very familiar with the fishing spot. Even then, do not sacrifice your own safety for a stickler to the rules. Check to make sure all your fishing equipment are in order and prepare in advance of your trip, especially the night lights. With everything in place, your mind can be at greater ease and make the whole night fishing experience so much more enjoyable.