Anybody have any good night tactics on big lakes? thinking about the time frame between 9-12pm.

Night time is one of my favorite times to fish.  I like to start out with top water baits usually all black.  I will even blacken the blade on a jitterbug.  If that is not working I will go to the inline spinner mepps agel 3 is my favorite fished just off the bottom slow retrieve just spinning the blades.  Deadly on the smallmouth.

Good Luck

Tom D.

First off, I fish heavy timbered lakes.   So I like easy night access in and out without endangering me or the boat.    I have reflectors nailed to timber to use as navigational aids.   A spot light lights them up nicely for my boat lane.

I like grassy flats that has a quick transitions to deep channels or deep water period.    I like to anchor in about 8ft were I can cast into deeper or shallower water.

I like the black and blue single colorado black blade spinner bait.  Double skirted jigs in black/blue.    10 in power worms.

I fish almost the same, day or night.  The only noticable differences are the colors I use and the amount of grief I catch when I get home.  ...lol  

If you have abundant shad in your lake,the best time to fish at night is when the shad come up shallow to the banks to feed.You'll have to figure out what time they come up and be there ready for 'em.The bass will not be far behind.

Before and after the shad come up,I usually fish a series of points and brushpiles and I keep moving until I catch something from one of those places.I will often go back and check places that I have previously fished thru the night because I personally believe that bass move alot in the dark.

Once the shad move out again,the bass will most likely do the same.This is when it pays to have deep brushpiles or structure to go to.Then you'll want to get out a big worm (Power Bait 10" is my choice) and put it in the brush.Once you feel the brush,slow down,sometimes you really have to soak your worm to get a bite and this is where the Power Bait scented worms pay off.Another thing I do on a brushpile is to throw a carolina rig and work it into the brush until it gets hung or temporarily snagged.......then I will just yo-yo it enough to shake the brush around a little but not so hard to come unsnagged,I want to be able to move it,but have it stay in the same place.The noise and movement will get the attention of the fish in the area and they will at least swim over to see whats going on.

Or if the fish are too sluggish and not real active,try a deep diving crank that will run deep enough to smash into the brush and get you the reaction strike.

If you can locate a mass of shad that has moved up on a flat or a point,you're in business......the bass will most likely be feeding heavily in those areas.On points or flats,I will throw a buzzbait,spinnerbait,crankbait,carolina rig or jig.One of those should get you a bite or two.

Let us know how you do.

If you're going to do much night fishing, I urge you to get a GPS (if you don't already have one). On those nights when the pea-soup fog rolls in, and it's darker than the inside of a cat, it can really bail you out.

i like top water when they will hit it.  my new favorite is the chatterbait, although i havent had a chance to go on a thorough night trip i think it will largely replace the spinner bait for my night fishing.  i like it ok during the day but really like it for a night bait.

matt

Have had a gps for years.....I am just looking for a few ideas if my night tournament plan doesnt work.......Home lake is fishing pretty tough and has been all spring, all ideas help.......thanks

I like to swim a jig at night.I go a 1/2 oz to 3/8 oz.I swim them over weeds,rocks.deep docks,points,outside weed edge. I like to fish black,brown,white,jigs with the same color trailer.But the trailers I use are Sizmic frogs,horny toads,Bat Wing frogs, and it you had a front come in then I will down size my jigs.