Even though we can catch fish at any time of day or night, my favourite time is at first light, in the morning.                There's something special about launching my canoe when the fog hasn't left the water yet. It's too early for the party crowd, and most times you've got much of the lake to yourself.          The bass are often ready to strike, and it seems like the perfect time to go fishing. I'll choose first light as my favourite time.                      Do you like fishing at first light also?

 

Yes but I dont force myself to be there . Most of the time I'm on the road at first light .

Big Fan of first light and have been for a Long time.

While I love the night bite too, most of my biggest fish (including my PB)

have come  before or just at first morning light.

https://youtu.be/frJAlndpO7E

Next several weeks or so there's often a wide open very first light topwater deal at

at least two of my favorite brown bass haunts. 

Doesn't last long but it's so addicting and so worth it.

Deciding which one to get out on is often the hardest part.

Love first light - it's a commitment.

A-Jay

 

I appreciate the stillness from around an hour before the sun comes up, when the sky just starts to light up.  It's about the only time it's possible to see calm water where I live.  And even then, it's a rare treat.  

 

But this time of year, the fishing is usually really slow until after the sun has broken the horizon.  So it doesn't do me much good to be there that early, other than giving me a chance to get to where I want to be when the sun does come up, and be able to use the ramp without anyone waiting on me.  

 

But hey, I don't always fish to catch fish.  Sometimes the best part of fishing is just realizing that you're fishing.  

It takes a lot of will power to get to your favorite spot at first light in the summertime.  If you have to drive or motor a sizable distance to get there, its even tougher to do.  I commend those that are getting up at 3:30 to make it happen.

 

I'm not usually fishing at first light.  I'm usually en route and then fishing within an hour of it though.

Addicted to first light fishing. I will always be on the water before sunrise. My fishing mornings start with a 3:30am drive to the lake.  It’s often ideal conditions for topwater fishing which I love, there is rarely another boat at that hour, and it’s just beautiful. I would say that hour window of 30 minutes before and after sunrise are my most productive out of any hour window of the day. I love sharing the lake with nobody but the loons. 

11 minutes ago, gimruis said:

It takes a lot of will power to get to your favorite spot at first light in the summertime.  If you have to drive or motor a sizable distance to get there, its even tougher to do.  I commend those that are getting up at 3:30 to make it happen.

 

I'm not usually fishing at first light.  I'm usually en route and then fishing within an hour of it though.

No doubt and even earlier if I need gas in the truck or the boat.

As an OG I need to off the water by noonish or I'm nodding off at the wheel on the ride home.

No Bueno  

Hardest part might be climbing in the rack the night / afternoon before,

two or three hours before sunset to get enough sleep. 

A-Jay

I'm a fan. First light has been good to me.

Scenery ain't half bad either.

 

1 minute ago, T-Billy said:

I'm a fan. First light has been good to me.

 

Ok, in all fairness, you were out there during the middle of the night fishing and simply stayed until first light @T-Billy!

Agree on enough sleep. I try to have my canoe ready the night before. Rig up some rods, water, and try to be prepared.

3 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

Ok, in all fairness, you were out there during the middle of the night fishing and simply stayed until first light @T-Billy!

I think that counts for double !

All nighters are a Bear . . . .

A-Jay

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

 

Ok, in all fairness, you were out there during the middle of the night fishing and simply stayed until first light @T-Billy!

? I'm sorry. Is that cheating?  I get up at 2a for work, and somewhere between 10p and 1a for fishing through the summer. Off the water late morning when it starts to get hot. Besides, early morning when it's calm is the best time to find those big floaters. ?

5 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

Off the water late morning when it starts to get hot.

Cheating, definitely not.  Slightly off course from what the OP was emphasizing?  Probably.  Honestly its probably a better approach this time of year when its so freaking hot out.

I love the morning mist on the water and the water is dead calm.

I was used to getting up very early for so many  years, it's not too hard for me. 4 o'clock does come early if you haven't had some rest. Breakfast is usually very quick, maybe some toast. I also set my coffee maker to start at 4 o clock. That way I've got hot coffee ready to go. I'll drink a cup as I'm getting ready. 

SoCal we get up at 0’ dark 30 to get in line waiting for the lakes to open 1/2 hour after 1st light.

Tom

Yup, I love getting out on the water at first light. I appreciate and understand it’s importance of how it can be the beginning of a great day on the water, especially during the summer months. I don’t necessarily want to get outta the rack at 0300, but I do none the less to begin the morning fishing routine. I just hope for a good tide and cooperative fish. And of course there’s nothing like a sunrise over the Sierras and the promise it brings 

My favorite time of the day to fish. The peace, the quiet, and usually the solitude. I find most folks don’t get their motors running until after 11am around here.

Agree 100%.  I don’t love the 2 hours before dawn alarm, but it’s worth it.  One little hidden gem we have is usually great for the first hour or two, then dies right off as they scatter and move deep.  Afternoon naps are a must though. 

Assuming we're talking summer here then yes but I don't get up at 3am. Lol

If I can handle the sun and heat , I do pretty well on shaded Banks mid morning.

 

i am not great at first light.  my depth perception sucks in very low light and i am scared to cast towards weeds.

 

having said that, when i was younger at first light ripping across a smooth lake, with a purple sky overhead was dang near magical.   it is the most beautiful time of day on the water.  

I don't care when I have to get out of bed, or if I have to camp, sleep in my car, or stay on the water all night.  Any time I'm in pursuit of of bass or ducks, I guarantee I will be on the water at sunrise.

i am fishing on a bass boat saturday.  he texted for me to pick him up at 4:30.  it is a two hour drive to his house.  argh!!!  his boat, his timeline. 

I'm out for 1st light when I go too. Originally I went that early as I heard that was the best time for big bass, other then night. Turns out to not be true where I go, or at least how I fish, it usually picks up an hour or so later.

 

 The reasons I still go that early are it's the most peaceful and the least wind. A canoe is a pain in the wind. It usually gives me till 10 or 11.

Did it for nearly 30 years fishing tournies, so I’m over it - lol. My old club would start an hour before sunrise, and I always complained that it was because the guys needed a ‘crutch’ to catch fish - lol.

 

I never hit the water before Noon these days. Mornings are peaceful and pretty and all that, but getting good sleep and waiting for the sun to position the fish works for me, especially since I like fishing offshore so much. If I want pretty and topwater, I just stay through sunset ? ?