Bass Fishing at Night

Many people who are just starting out in the sport of bass fishing sometimes find it difficult to determine when the best time to catch bass really is.  Or - even if these rookies know the best times to fish - it can be tough to decide which method to use to actually catch the bass once they've started fishing.  The good news is that bass fishing has become such a prolific sport that there's no shortage of advice to help get you through those troubling start-up times.

Bass, like most creatures, will usually stop biting during the hottest times of the day.  So during the summer months when the sun's especially brutal, your best bet is to wait and enjoy the relative calm and cool of night fishing.  Bass fishing at night is best when you're sure that the water won't drop below sixty degrees.  Night fishing is a pretty much a sure bet if you're fishing during the months of July and August.  If you're fishing in the southern states, you could potentially fish at night for the majority of the year as temperatures may only be below eighty degrees for three or four months during the hardest portion of the winter.

If you're going to fish at night, you shouldn't have to change your habits too much.  Simply go out to deep water and look for the large rock formations and crevices on the bottom that provide shelter for the bass to hide out in.  This will increase your chances of catching a good-sized bass.  Of course, you'll need to remember that in the dog days of summer when temperatures are in the 100o+ plus range, it'll be difficult to catch bass at any depth above twenty feet, even at night. 

Another technique to use when you're night fishing is to use a heavier type of bait or lure.  There are several reasons to do this.  One is that you'll probably need to get as deep into the water as possible to attract the best fish and a heavier tackle will allow you to do this.  The other is to use a heavy tackle on the line to help you feel when you're close to snagging a fish since it will be far more difficult for you to see anything at night.  This sensation of feeling your catch and using that as a means of guiding you through your night-time fishing expedition is a great way to get even more in touch with your overall fishing experience. 

Since you'll be going out at night, it's best to take as little equipment as possible so that you don't clog up your boat with unnecessary clutter that will only get tangled up in the end.  However, don't skimp out on the safety equipment you'll need at night.  Some people who fish at night use black lights to help them see the nylon line - which glows under the black light - and to keep their equipment in check.  If you plan to fish at night alone, you'll also want to have basic first aid equipment and a cell phone in case of emergencies.