How Bass Fishing at Night Works

by Chris Marlowe

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Introduction to Bass Fishing at Night

You've spent the July afterno­on out on­ the lake fishing for bass, but all you have to show for your efforts is­ sunburn and a headache. It's not you -- every angler you meet says the bass just aren't biting right now, even though this lake is known for its superb bass fishing.

Clearly, it's time for a change. Nighttime bass fishing is the perfect summer fishing experience, although some anglers believe that it works in warm climates in any season. The practice became popular during the 1960s with the introduction of the bass boat.

­In addition to remaining cooler and avoiding sunburn, you'll find other advantages to fishing at night:

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• There's less competition, except perhaps on weekends and holidays. You may not have the entire lake to yourself, but at least you won't be losing your temper from the noise made by pleasure boats, jet skiers or water skiers.
• Although other anglers may be out, at night it's much more peaceful.
• Some experienced anglers believe that they catch larger fish at night.
• During warm days, bass wait until things cool off in the evening to feed, so it's easier to catch them at night.

Now that you're convinced you need to try night fishing, there are other questions to answer. First, when's the best time for night fishing?­

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Night Fishing Etiquette

Just like the dinner table, night fishing requires manners. Before night falls, scout out a space near a parking area to put the boat in and, if you're fishing from shore, locate an ideal place to fish from the banks. (Fishing from the banks allows you to concentrate more on your line and less on boat control.) As much as possible, launch near where you plan to fish, so that you don't disturb campers or homeowners who are trying to sleep. Don't speed away from shore -- idle out to your preferred weedy, shallow spot. Use your spotlight carefully; you don't need to shine it on other boaters or on campers on the shore. [source: Cork, Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Bass Fishing Techniques.]

When to Go Bass Fishing at Night

Summer is the usual season for bass fishing, although in warm climates such as Florid­a or along the Gulf of Mexico, the season doesn't really matter. It's good to know, too, that during hot weather months, bass can be found in both shallow and deep water. If you hesitate to take out a boat at night, you can always fish from the banks.

Some anglers believe that there are three "best" times during the night for catching large bass: dusk, midnight and just prior to dawn. You might want to try each time for a few hours and see if the big bass are biting. [source: Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources]

Nights with a full moon are considered prime bass fishing times. Bass have a tendency to feed more during bright moonlit nights. Another bonus of a full moon -- the moonlight cuts down on your need for flashlights or running lights. However, you may need to adjust your lures for moonlight -- more on that topic soon! [source: Hood]

The boat is loaded, the moon is full -- but what's on the end of your fishing line? Read on for some truly alluring tips.

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Safety When Night Fishing and Bass Boats

Safety is key during night fishing, so follow these suggestions. Make sure a friend or family member knows your plans including where you're going and when you plan to be back. Don't fish alone; having an extra set of ears and eyes is just good sense. Make sure your running lights are functioning -- test them before you go out. Have two working flashlights, a primary and one for backup. Be over-prepared. Wear a life jacket. And remember that it will get cooler after the sun goes down, so dress appropriately. [source: Hood, Cork, Watts]

A bass boat is a fast, two-or three-seater boat. In comparison to other fishing boats, a common analogy is that a bass boat is like a fighter plane and another type of fishing boat is like a commercial plane. Boats designed for tournament fishing are more than 18 feet long, with 150 horsepower. For casual fishing, aluminum bass boats are usually 16 to 18 feet in length, with 25 to 150 horsepower. An electric trolling motor is attached to the front of the boat, or bow. The catch is kept in livewells. [source: We Rate Boats, Discover Boating]

Lures for Bass Fishing at Night

­Although it doesn't seem logical, many anglers have found that dark lures are most effective for night fishing. Remember that bass don't have the same vision as people. [source: Bass Fishing.org] It turns out, the bass can see the dark lures more easily, because they are lit by the sky. Dark colors, like black, purple, deep blue, brown and burgundy, create a silhouette on the water that the bass can see. [sources: Hood, Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Watts]

Another recommendation is to use a black, short-arm spinner bait, with a single large Colorado blade. The blade and short arm together create a thump and vibration that attracts bass even at a distance. Bass are attracted to vibrations as well as to sound and color, so the combination is important. Bass feeding at night rely on feeling rather than seeing their prey. Just as you care about the flash of the lure during the day, you need to be concerned with its thump at night. [source: Cork] If the bass are feeding primarily on bream, use a larger thump than if they are feeding on shad. You may also want to vary the size of the Colorado blade to see what's working best. [source: Cork]

If you're fish­ing in smaller lakes, streams or even farm ponds, don't neglect the classic black jitterbug, which creates a lot of noise. [source: Hood] Another strategy for making some noise is to use rattles on crankbait, spinnerbait or inside a plastic worm. You should be equipped with 7- to 10-inch plastic worms, 4- to 6-inch skirted double-tailed grubs, and large lizards made of soft plastic. [source: Hood, Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources]­

What are some of the special tricks of fishing for bass at night? Cast a line out over to the next section.

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Developments in Catching Bass

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Tips for Bass Fishing at Night

Here are some last-minute tips to remember before heading out:

• Night's inactivity magnifies sound, and bass feeding in shallow water after sundown are easily s­pooked by noises. Try not to drop equipment or slam tackle box lids.

• You might want to take along a small flashlight and hang it around your neck. The concentrated beam of light close to you will make changing and retying baits easier. [sources: Hood, Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Watts]

• Bass don't prefer murky waters. Choose lakes that are clear, not thunderstorm-muddled or algae-stained. [source: Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources]

• Perhaps you're concerned about the effects of lost sleep when you're night fishing. If you anchor the boat, napping is always possible -- sometimes it can be a while between strikes. Another advantage to anchoring is that it allows the fish to get used to your boat sitting in their spot. Once they've adjusted, they're more likely to bite.

• If bugs have you bothered, fear not. Most of the bugs don't bite; they just bother. In any case, they tend to go away about an hour after dark. And there may well be a breeze that will keep most of them away. If you're really worried, take along insect repellent. [source: Bass Fishing.org]