Can you fish at night

Really high and really low water temperatures reduce the amount of oxygen in the water, making fish less active and picky about when and what they eat. When it comes to finding the best fishing times, a good starting point is to avoid extreme temperatures. For more accurate analysis of the water to find out when the fish are biting, fish finders and water temperature gauges can give anglers up-to-the-minute feedback on temperature.

Fish generally prefer early morning and evening sun to the bright midday rays. In midday, the surface temperature of the water is also hotter, forcing the fish to move deeper.

Variable weather conditions can be a big factor in determining the best times to fish. Wind can play a large role in because it pushes water and surface food to the far shore. Storms also affect fishing success, increasing feeding during the hours immediately before a cold front but slowing during and after a storm or front hits. The exception is a warm front, which causes surface water temperatures to increase, putting fish into a feeding frenzy. Another good opportunity to fish is on cloudy days since overcast skies cause fish to cruise for food more than on bright days.

Light rain is also one of the best fishing times, especially because it washes insects and bait into the water, creating a feeding binge for fish. For more exact targeting of the best times to fish, you may want to try a fishing calendar. With many fishing calendar apps available, these handy resources allow you to anticipate increased fish activity so you can plan your outing well in advance — or even identify a better location to try.

Local regulars can often provide a wealth of useful information. It makes it easier for them to find the bait. That is partly why anglers say it is bad to fish the day after a full moon.

The fish have been active all night and have had their fill by the time the sun comes up. That, on the other hand, is the perfect reason for night fishermen to hit the water.

Another reason fish become more active at night is because the water temperature begins to cool off. This is especially important in the summer months.

During the heat of the day fish dive down deep to find the cooler waters. That is why most anglers target sunrise and sunset. So few ever choose twilight and yet it is such a great time!

People, for the most part, are not nocturnal. Those that are usually have night jobs so you won't find them out fishing. Aside from the occasional vampire, you will usually have your favorite fishing spot all to yourself at three o'clock in the morning.

This is helpful for a number of reasons. First off, you don't have to spend your entire trip untangling fishing line every time Bubba Joe Billy Bob casts over you because all the beer HHS drank ran down his casting arm and now he is powerless to cast straight forward. So there you have it. Five solid reasons to hit the water in twilight. Aside from the occasional pesky vampire, you're free to experience nature, relax, enjoy yourself, and catch more fish! Let me know what you think about nighttime fishing by answering the poll below and leaving me your comments!

Just remember some cities you have to be careful at night because of the rift raft people. Being out at night in a secluded place with not much people around could be dangerous. I'm from one of those cities and have to keep an eye out for dangerous people.

The species you are targeting will also determine which lure takes advantage of the senses used by the fish to feed.

For summer bass that move to the shallows to hunt when the sun sets, my choice is a spinner bait tipped with an imitation craw trailer. If you want more splash, buzzbaits and poppers can bring big bass crashing to the surface on cool calm nights.

That kind of action will keep you awake more than any amount of caffeine. If you know that bass are feeding heavily on bait fish or crayfish, switch to a jig head rigged with a grub or craw trailer. Work the jig on the bottom with occasional pops to get their attention. During late spring and summer, catfish can be caught around the clock. However, there are a fair number of anglers who argue that the big cats are caught in the dead of night.

That is certainly up for debate. Although, most anglers would agree, the smellier the bait, the better it is, day or night. It is more important to understand where catfish move at night.

Often catfish move to relatively shallow water to feed and fishing humps and points can be productive. Many other species like panfish, walleye and even trout are caught in the cover of darkness with the right lures and bait. Just like fishing during the day, it takes some trial and error to find what works. Shine a light on the water in one spot long enough and you will see that fish seem to be attracted to light. However, it is actually microscopic phototrophs, like algae, that are drawn to the light.

In turn, small insects and bait fish feed on the phototrophs. The increase of bait fish then attracts the attention of the bigger fish you are after. It will take some time to get this food chain feeding frenzy going. A stationary light source from an anchored boat or dock is essential.

Simply waving a flash light around with sudden movements can actually have the opposite affect and scare fish way. All the fishing laws and regulations that are enforced during the day apply for night fishing as well.

A license is required for night fishing. Catch limits and species rules still apply as well. Be aware that not all bodies of water permit night fishing. Go see my fish and wildlife resource page to brush up on night fishing rules in your local area. Fishing from shore or a dock at night is not much different than during the day, but you may need to exercise a bit more caution. Getting around in the dark can be precarious and leaving gear strewn about could lead to tripping hazards. Make sure you have sufficient light to move around safely.

I prefer a heard lamp with multiple brightness settings, including a red light option to preserve your night vision. Fishing Techniques.

Are Fish Active At Night? Finn Sky. August 11, Share on facebook Facebook. Share on twitter Twitter. Share on pinterest Pinterest. Share on linkedin LinkedIn. Finn has been an avid fisherman since learning to fish with his dad in the 90s. He's caught over 50 species of fish and makes a habit of trying out as many new techniques and fisheries as he can.

His specialties are salmon and trout fishing, but he also has experience fishing for tropical and pelagic fish such as marlin and tarpon. Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Your email address will not be published. Social Media. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin. Most Popular.

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