Fish the Mitt Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 As the sun begins to set, the hustle and bustle of day life begins to wind down. The infrequency of traffic and Amish horse-drawn carriages suggests that most everyone, to include my family, have retreated inside their homes in preparation of bedtime. Bathtime has come and passed and my freshly scrubbed daughter crawls under her blankets as I quickly tidy up her room before grabbing the 'go to' bedtime book - "Curious George's 8 Adventures". Upon finishing, I leave the book with her; to let her read a story herself before bed (our secret), as I stand to close her window. Standing by the window, the illumination of our porch lamp coupled with the grey darkness looming, creates a soft glow on the window sill. The aroma of grilling and freshly cut hay squeaks through the final crack as I shut the pane and lock it - which only adds to the ambiance in the room. Relaxation. Happiness. With a kiss goodnight, and a quick explanation as to why she can't stay awake all night, I'm off to my own room. But not to sleep. After tucking the ol' lady in and going over some safety details, I'm off to fish! The fishing There's been a lot of posting about night fishing recently and after reading @A-Jay's last post, I decided I would give it a go. I spent the evening relining by reels and re-organizing my tackleboxes (to include creating a new 'night box'). I got to the lake around 10:30pm. Sunset was 9:22pm so I didn't quite make it out as quickly as I'd hoped but it was ok. Once I launched my kayak, I decided to stay in that general area as it was close to the deepest part of the lake (and to the launch). My Abu baitcaster just so happened to be in my front rod holder so that's what I started with. Throwing a 3/8oz Z-Man chatterbait (in Dark Green Pumpkin) with a Fishog Shadow swimbait (in Houdini color) as a trailer, it took all of 3 casts to land my first LMB. I knew the night was going to be good because the first bass was not a dink. It wasn't huge but definitely a decent fish. After releasing him and getting my bearings; as I've never done this so it's all new to me, I continued on. Now, trying to think of an easy way to describe my fishing pattern has led me to create my own visual reference. Imagine lake depth as a number, 0-10. With 0 being the shallowest and 10 being the deepest. I was fishing around a 3 so I could cast to a 0 and also reach a 4/5 (small enough lake to do so with litlle movement). Keeping to this pattern, I worked the outside NorthEastern edge and literally kept within a 100yds of the same spot my entire duration out there. After working some pontoons and docks pretty heavily, I back up a bit back to a 3 and began fan casting out in all directions. In the 90-120mins I was out there, I landed 10-12 bass (lost count) and lost 5ish (losing vision does take a toll on hook set and retrieve - there's no line to watch). Most importantly, they were ALL quality bass except one dink. My previous best for this year was a 3.25Lb LM. I landed a 3.5Lb lastnight as well as one just over 4lb. No matter where I turned, or what I threw (also threw a single blade spinnerbait with Big Ol Bait Co paddle ail trailer), I was landing quality fish. The entire thing was exciting. I was legitimately like a small kid in a candy store. As stated, i did have around 5 get off due to getting used to everything and one....one felt like I hooked a horse. I set the hook and it felt like it didn't even move. Overall, it was a fantastic night!! Conclusion I don't know if it was luck, perfect timing, a little skill, or what but I will most definitely be going out again very soon as it almost felt like I couldn't NOT land one every cast. It's an absolute rush and I highly recommend other's try it if you've been thinking about it. Taking something as naturalistic as bass fishing, and removing your most highly relied on sense, amplifies everything you feel when day fishing. However, safety truly is paramount so take the proper precautions if this is something you decide to embark on. Because again, I highly recommend it. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassB8Caster Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 I too have been reading all the night fishing conversations on here lately. I am super excited to try this out. Like you, i fish out of a kayak, so it is great to hear about your night from a kayak. Next time you go out, anything you would do different? Improve upon? Thanks for posting!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish the Mitt Posted June 13, 2016 Author Share Posted June 13, 2016 Just now, BassB8Caster said: I too have been reading all the night fishing conversations on here lately. I am super excited to try this out. Like you, i fish out of a kayak, so it is great to hear about your night from a kayak. Next time you go out, anything you would do different? Improve upon? Thanks for posting!! 1. PFD the entire time 2. Ensure you're aware of where things are at in your kayak before launching - and make sure you'er comfortable with it. The last place you want to adjust things and mess around is on the water. 3. Headlamp - Helps a ton 4. Start on a small body of water to get your feet wet (pun not intended) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassB8Caster Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 My plan was to fish at a fairly large lake (for my area anyway) around 900 acres. I usually fish smaller ponds, but usually access is more challenging. I have fished this lake before, and have caught a few. It has both smallies and largemouth. The reason i pick this lake is because it has a great boat launch providing easy access at night. My thought was (to get my feet wet) that first night and go along the shoreline, fishing both shallow and deeper (as you did). Usually when i fish smaller ponds, i have a more detailed game plan and sometimes paddle a bit before fishing. Being my first time night fishing, i was going to keep it simple and see how that first night went. There are some islands about a mile from the launch, but im not going to make that trek at night (first few times out atleast). I always wear a pfd so got that covered. I would def go the headlamp route (perhaps with a colored light to keep bugs down) along with a couple other flashlights and batteries. From what i read, everyone seemed to agree on the same few lures (chatterbait, a topwater or 2, soft plastics and crankbait. No need for all the lures we normally carry with us taking up more room for night fishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish the Mitt Posted June 13, 2016 Author Share Posted June 13, 2016 As for the intricacies, I am still learning but the most important thing is information and safety. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnspain Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 1 hour ago, BassB8Caster said: I too have been reading all the night fishing conversations on here lately. I am super excited to try this out. Like you, i fish out of a kayak, so it is great to hear about your night from a kayak. Next time you go out, anything you would do different? Improve upon? Thanks for posting!! I'll be trying out the night bite soon but not from kayak, got a 2 man and a 16' bass boat, I'll try the boat route first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User buzzed bait Posted June 13, 2016 Super User Share Posted June 13, 2016 3 hours ago, SemperBass said: 1. PFD the entire time 2. Ensure you're aware of where things are at in your kayak before launching - and make sure you'er comfortable with it. The last place you want to adjust things and mess around is on the water. 3. Headlamp - Helps a ton 4. Start on a small body of water to get your feet wet (pun not intended) nice going man and you hit it on the head with 1-4. i'd also add #5 #5 i like to scout the places out in the daytime before night fishing them just so i'm aware and comfortable of the surroundings 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish the Mitt Posted June 13, 2016 Author Share Posted June 13, 2016 27 minutes ago, buzzed bait said: nice going man and you hit it on the head with 1-4. i'd also add #5 #5 i like to scout the places out in the daytime before night fishing them just so i'm aware and comfortable of the surroundings Very true. I was super familiar with the lake I chose so perhaps I chose it subconsciously knowing that fact. Eitherway, that's a good #5! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted June 13, 2016 Super User Share Posted June 13, 2016 Very happy for you. Stay the course my friend ~ there's a lot more where that came from. Congrats A-Jay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish the Mitt Posted June 14, 2016 Author Share Posted June 14, 2016 4 hours ago, A-Jay said: Very happy for you. Stay the course my friend ~ there's a lot more where that came from. Congrats A-Jay ...and I'm most certainly looking forward to it. It's an absolute thrill. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted June 14, 2016 Super User Share Posted June 14, 2016 Just now, SemperBass said: ...and I'm most certainly looking forward to it. It's an absolute thrill. And as hard as it may be to believe - It get's Better . . . One just has to have the Stones to go out in the scary darkness. A-Jay 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffbrown763 Posted June 15, 2016 Share Posted June 15, 2016 Night fishing is my favorite, especially during the summer. Not as hot and not that many people on the lake 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Ratherbfishing Posted June 16, 2016 Super User Share Posted June 16, 2016 My last nighttime adventure was comprised largely of a rubber chicken and a jar of Vaseline. Glad yours was better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish the Mitt Posted June 16, 2016 Author Share Posted June 16, 2016 3 hours ago, Ratherbfishing said: My last nighttime adventure was comprised largely of a rubber chicken and a jar of Vaseline. Glad yours was better. ........ sounds painful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Ratherbfishing Posted June 16, 2016 Super User Share Posted June 16, 2016 5 minutes ago, SemperBass said: ........ sounds painful. THAT'S where the Vaseline came in. ; ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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