Night Time Is The Right Time


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Night Time Is The Right Time
By Al Denninger © 2006

Every angler wants to be successful when trying his or her luck on the water. Some anglers, usually the same ones, boat more fish by fishing at night.

As the season progresses into mid-summer with water temperatures staying in the in the 80 degree range, even the best fishermen see their success on the water drop faster than a 1 ounce jig head. Fishermen have to contend not only with high water temperatures but must also share the water with pleasure boats, water skiers, and the ever present whining of the jet ski. With all this stacked against the fisherman, night fishing should be considered by all avid anglers.

Many of us have given night fishing a half-hearted try, but only a hand full of those become nocturnal bobber bouncers and plug plunkers.

Creatures Of The Night

One major factor in your fishing success lies with your being on the water when the fish want to feed…This time is often during the night. Most species feed both day and night while Northern Pike and perch confine their feeding from dawn to dusk.

Musky anglers lose a potential customer after dark because the Tiger Musky, a Northern and Musky hybrid, takes on the feeding characteristics of the Northern. Now, I recognize that there are exceptions to every rule, but in general Tigers feed during the day.

Of the many anglers who try night fishing, most lose interest quickly in the isolation of the night. Fishing with a friend at night makes it more enjoyable and helps your to keep from calling it quits too soon.

Plan Your Attack

Good planning is of prime importance to the night time angler. Take a close look at the lake during the day. The use of a lake map can be a big help in familiarizing yourself with the body of water you plan to fish.

Pick three of four spots where you have had success but fish smart! Consider the wind or the lack of it. Wind swept points, bars, reefs, and weed beds that you have had GOOD luck on will probably be a better choice than a spot you have had GREAT luck on if it is a flat-calm the night that you plan to fish.

The biggest problem you will have at night will be to know if you are on the correct spot. Learning a spot during the day and triangulating tree lines with water depth will help keep you in the fish zone.

Method Of Attack

For the Walleye and Crappie fishermen who like to anchor on a spot, live bait used in conjunction with slip-bobbers is the way to go.

Lighted bobbers have been on the market for a few year now, but I prefer to use Cyalume sticks. These glow in the dark and can be attached to the top shaft of your slip-bobber with a simple rubber band.

When drift casting, you’ll be covering a lot of water. Most anglers choose a Rapala in this situation. Try using a #13 or #18…the larger sizes make a better target and will catch more and bigger fish for you than the ever popular smaller sizes.

As for Musky fishing, you should fish your spots at night the same way you fish them during the day…slowly and methodically. Your lure choices, depending upon the chop on the water can be Hawg Wobbler, Topper, Flaptail, Globe, Creeper or Water Thumper. Make sure that your boat in uncluttered to prevent getting tangled in your own tackle during a night time Musky adventure.

Special Equipment

Many anglers prefer to use spin-cast or push button close face reels at night. These reels are almost tangle free due to their design. These reel types when matched with a highly sensitive rod will help insure a successful trouble free night of fishing for Walleye or Crappie.

On clam days when fish are active, you can catch fish using any rod…but if the fish get finicky and/or the wind picks up, a super sensitive rod is worth its weight in gold.

For Musky anglers, the key words are take your time. Don’t over power your casts.

Netting a fish can be tricky during the day, let alone in the pitch black of the night. The use of a headlamp, the style that is self contained using small batteries, and a rubber coated net will help make the task a bit more manageable. Also, attaching a small flashlight to the handle or you net can be a very handy back up light source.

Stow an extra set of bulbs for your running lights. Have a can of bug spray to ward off bugs during the early evening hours. Always wear your life jacket, especially if you are fishing alone.

If you are lucky, you can enjoy the Northern Lights while you conduct your nigh fishing adventure for your favorite fish species.

Good luck and tight lines.