Hawnjigs
KISS
If your exploits require a boat, then venturing out in the dark is sketchy, eh? I don't blame you, could run into an unseen hazard or unforseen inclement weather, and getting disabled at night assistance would likely be limited at best.
However, fishing from shore at night might present opportunity above and beyond fair weather daylight, certainly did for me. In fact, nearly all of my water time is in the dark, except when night temps are below freezing or Winter trouting.
Typical example why was last night. Got on the water at a low flow reservoir inlet at 3 am, luckily all alone. By the time daylighters showed up at sunrise the bite was done pretty decent for a heavy pressure spot with 12 smaller iwpers and 3 white bass. I knew 2 of the 3 guys so chatted a bit & watched em for awhile. Only saw 2 dink smallies & a sub standard white bass getting dried out between the 3, the quality fish likely sitting deep and inactive or maybe moved from the spot.
Do I share my catch reports and method? Doing so locally would likely diminish my catches to zero. Bait is effective 24-7 so meathead assaults will have the same effect. Luckily, after they fish out a spot they will leave it alone for awhile and eventually in migration will occur, just gotta hit up the replenished opportunity before they do.
Not sure about all species, but from experience I can say that walleye, bass with stripes, & catfish will bite jigs in the dark. My nearby spots don't offer largemouth, but I/ve been told they feed at night also.
Unlike us humans, I think we are wired to be active daytime and rest at night, so it can be a leap of faith to reverse that. Was for me, but success is motivational.
OK, early to bed so I can hit the road tomorrow at 2 am for another 60 mile drive to the spot of the moment.
However, fishing from shore at night might present opportunity above and beyond fair weather daylight, certainly did for me. In fact, nearly all of my water time is in the dark, except when night temps are below freezing or Winter trouting.
Typical example why was last night. Got on the water at a low flow reservoir inlet at 3 am, luckily all alone. By the time daylighters showed up at sunrise the bite was done pretty decent for a heavy pressure spot with 12 smaller iwpers and 3 white bass. I knew 2 of the 3 guys so chatted a bit & watched em for awhile. Only saw 2 dink smallies & a sub standard white bass getting dried out between the 3, the quality fish likely sitting deep and inactive or maybe moved from the spot.
Do I share my catch reports and method? Doing so locally would likely diminish my catches to zero. Bait is effective 24-7 so meathead assaults will have the same effect. Luckily, after they fish out a spot they will leave it alone for awhile and eventually in migration will occur, just gotta hit up the replenished opportunity before they do.
Not sure about all species, but from experience I can say that walleye, bass with stripes, & catfish will bite jigs in the dark. My nearby spots don't offer largemouth, but I/ve been told they feed at night also.
Unlike us humans, I think we are wired to be active daytime and rest at night, so it can be a leap of faith to reverse that. Was for me, but success is motivational.
OK, early to bed so I can hit the road tomorrow at 2 am for another 60 mile drive to the spot of the moment.