Night Bass Fishing

Try night bass fishing if you can..if you are the squeamish-type kind afraid of things that go bump in the night, then you’re missing out on one of the most exciting ways to catch bass, especially in Florida.

Bass fishing at night is nothing new, it dates back to the early days of artificial lure fishing. Although night bass fishing wasn’t very popular then, and it gained some popularity in the pass years with advancements in gear.

We mainly use topwater frogs, swimbaits, buzzbaits and worms or lizards although a spinnerbait works well. Most anglers will tell you that if you want the ultimate experience in night bass fishing, you must use topwater fishing. Having a bass blow up on your topwater lure is, indeed a thrilling experience at anytime, but it is especially good when it happens at night when you can hear your lure working and hear the explosion of the strike, but can’t see a thing…this is night bass fishing at it’s best!

Some anglers have set ways for night fishing, so much so that many of them have become too set in their ways to try anything different. Actually, the arsenal we use for bass fishing at night is no different than what you use during the day. That’s because bass pray the same waters day or night, and the same lures are used depends upon the type of water you are fishing.

Night Bass Fishing Lures

The Jitterbug is one of the all time favorites for night bass fishing because it causes such a ruckus and can be stopped periodically, an action that often draws a response from even the most timid largemouth. Summertime is by far the most popular time of the year for bass fishing at night. And there are several reasons why. For one, bass can be caught fairly regularly in both deep and shallow water during the hot weather months. Secondly, the temperatures are much cooler at night than they are during the day, and thirdly, it provides a great escape from the daytime crowds.

A full moon isn’t a must for night fishing, but it helps greatly. Bass tend to feed more during a full moon than they do when there is no or little moon. Also, any moonlight at all will help you see to cast.

If you have never tried Night bass fishing but plan to do so, add it to your bucket list.

When to Go

When the bass quit hitting during the daytime and when it becomes uncomfortably hot on the lake are good signals that it’s time to start night fishing. Night fishing is usually practiced when the water is in the mid-60s and warmer.

Places to Fish

Where to fish at night is a question commonly asked by bass anglers. In general, fish at night close to, but not on, the same places you catch fish earlier in the day. Bass don’t move great distances in most situations. If you found good fishing in a cove, creek, canal or pond during the day, fish the same available water.
As the summer wears on, the bass tend to move deeper and won’t come up shallow, even at night, in many lakes. Night fishing is productive when the bass are within the 20-foot zone. Deeper than that, many anglers find it hard to maintain contact with the lure and to hook fish when they strike. Other places to try include:

• Shallow shorelines in lakes, especially close to weed lines.
• Underwater structure.
• Look for gravel or rock banks.
• Lighted boat docks.

Lures and Tackle

In general, you want to use heavy tackle especially at night than would be effective during the daytime in clear-water lakes. It’s easier to “feel” a heavier lure at night than a light one, and it’s easier to hook and land a big fish at night using stouter equipment. Here are some lures to try:

• Rubber jigs and large trailer – 3/8 ounce or heavier
• Spinnerbaits
• Swim 12″ Plastic worms
• Topwater lures, buzz baits, poppers and wobblers.

For subsurface lures, dark colors prove more effective after dark. For topwaters, black is the best choice in most situations as it provides the most contrast to a fish looking upward. A constant retrieve is best for a topwater fished at night as it results in fewer missed strikes has you get to feel the fish versus hearing the bite.

Other Equipment

Many bass anglers use “hat lights” when night fishing. Lures with more “feel” such as spinnerbaits can be fished easily at night with or without a hat light.
To avoid tangles and broken equipment many fishermen take only one or two rods/reels with them at night. Many use only single-hook lures such as spinnerbaits or jigs to prevent from being hooked. Make sure your boat has working running lights. Carry a flashlight or spotlight for navigation.

Additional Information:
Florida Bass Fishing