Night Fishing

[Ron Wilson]

Have only been night fishing a couple times and those were in fresh water for crappie. Was looking for some input as to the time of the month to try the flats at night. Thinking obvious answer is on a full moon, but was wondering if folks have gone days before or after full moon (with some good illumination left) and how things worked out.

[wevans]

The three days before a full moon is ALWAYS the best time

[Littoral]

Been planning this one too. I've been out a couple of times early dark and it is a different deal.
Some random thoughts:
First thing for me is to make sure I bend down the barbs on my topwater.
I would think that a head lamp would work for most of the light I need.
Sharks are in the water, especially at night and I am kayaking.
When where why...?
Early am, 3:00 until sunrise. Coolest water is shallow. Topwater, for all the usual reasons.
Tide? A big high at 2:00 falling until 9:00.
Target? Reds & Trout.
Any experienced input on this would be appreciated.

[kikstand454]

sounds like heaven to me. i think maybe if you could get a large led lantern style light, it will attract the baitfish / trout. at least that works on the docks. though that might mess with your night vision. hmmmm.... maybe one of those floating lights they use for crappie?

[tin can]

Never fished saltwater at night. But I have bass fished a lot at night.

My first suggestion would be don't use any light. If you use a light you won't be able to see past the light. On a near full moon night your eyes will adjust and it will be almost like fishing in the daylight.

My second suggestion would be to use noisy baits.

[Littoral]

On a near full moon night your eyes will adjust and it will be almost like fishing in the daylight.

Seems I've heard full moons are slow for fishing because the fish feed at night.
Might have chase after that old wives tail myself.

[Tom Keels]

Try to find red led lights to use for rigging and such. Red will not affect your night vision.

I've been trout fishing at night twice. This is the only fish I have caught...

[FUTCHCAIRO]

I HAVE DONE A LOT OF SALTWATER NIGHT FISHING IN THE PAST. I HAVE CAUGHT BIGGER, MORE AND MANY DIFFERENT VARIETIES FISHING AT NIGHT. I HAVE USED NOISY BATES, PLUGS WITH SPINNERS ON EACH END, BUZZ BATES, POPPER BATES, ANYTHING THAT WILL CHURN UP THE WATER. THE NEAT THING ABOUT NIGHT FISHING WITH LOUD PLUGS IS THAT YOU CAN SEE THE FISH ABOUT 5-6 FT. BEFORE THEY HIT THE PLUG, THEY MAKE A GLOW COMING THROUGH THE WATER TO HIT THE PLUG. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR NAVAGATIONAL LIGHTS ON, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN SOME NUT WILL BE HEADIN IN AT WOT AFTER DARK. WORK THE PLUGS FAST, ALMOST STEADY REELING IN AND POPPING THE PLUG AT THE SAME TIME.
PA THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA

[Ron Wilson]

Thanks Gents.

[RodBow]

Sounds fun.
If you want to see a nice full moon - go out right now - it's a beauty!

[Barhopr]

was having this conversation with Baygator just the other day....Was thinking that a good "Tract" record on a GPS of grass lines, ledges, bars etc......would be a tremendous help. maybe even drop some of those chemical light sticks on a retrievable line to show potholes and attract bait. DOA glow shrimp with a glass rattle in it, Or fly tied with some of the glow silly legs.......

[Reel Cowboy]

was having this conversation with Baygator just the other day....Was thinking that a good "Tract" record on a GPS of grass lines, ledges, bars etc......would be a tremendous help. maybe even drop some of those chemical light sticks on a retrievable line to show potholes and attract bait. DOA glow shrimp with a glass rattle in it, Or fly tied with some of the glow silly legs.......

Not a bad idea.

[striperguy17]

used to fish at night for bass and muskie back home. Use a red LED light it does not spook fish like a traditional white light can do. Make sure you know the water you are fishing extremely well. Back home we have to worry about riffles and rock gardens. Not much different at the coast plenty of debris out there that would love to take off a lower unit. Will be doing some night fishing down in st. marks this weekend.

[reddrum49]

i agree with most all of the suggestions offerd by all you knowledgable gents. Especially the noisy baits. Here were we fish I want to add two things, if BIG GATOR trout you are after we fish the grass lines next to shore in 1 ft. of water, especially near a creek runout, with the big sows feeding two three hrs. before daybreak,after daybreak they are GONE. also if your coast line is like ours with no places built on the water for 30 miles then there are no light landmarks and everything looks the same at night YOU CAN GET LOST, also there are lots of rocks here so if you dont know the territory you will find one