I just finished reading the thread about smallie fishing at night. Had no idea smallies were such active night feeders(this is why I love this website). Curious, what type of topwaters are you guys throwing to catch smallies at night? Thanks

P.S. Starting a smallies forum-EXCELLENT IDEA

I fish and guide at night alot. And I have found that one of my better top water baits is a BIG black jitterbug. I use the muskie jitterbug, And fish it at a slower pace and it will get your hart pumping. I take the hooks off that come on the jitterbug and I put on VMC 5/0 hooks on,they are razor sharp.I hook alot of SM that just slap at it. I also fish a big floating tube with a 4/0 EWG hook. Gene Larew and Carlson bait co. make some real good floaters. Pop-R's work real good too,just don't pop them too hard, I like to just give them little pops.

My preference is fishing jerkbaits, especially Rapala Husky Jerk and Lucky Craft Pointer 100.

For topwater I would HIGHLY recommend the full size Zara Spook and LC Sammy.

The jitterbug is one of the classic lures of fishing. That unmistakeable noise when it is coming through the water is awesome at night....especially when it abruptly stops with a huge splash at the other end!!!!

Count me in the jitterbug craze..........I thought I was the only one who threw this bait. (I think I am in Colorado)  ;D.   I also favor a buzzbait with a black skirt and blade as well for nighttime smallie action.........

Thanks for the info. I know what I'll be doing on them warm summer nights.

Another question about night fishing:  You hear alot about night fishing in the summer and fall but I don't think I have ever heard anyone mention night fishing in the spring. Is night fishing in the spring a waste of time? Or is spring fishing better during the day?

Depending on where you live, spring night fishing may be effective. The only real reason I would go night fishing is if it was extremely hot and humid during the day.

Sping evenings tend to be a little chilly here in PA, so i dont have any experience with it.

Wayne

Another vote for the jitterbug here. Largemouth, smallies, and even stripers will tear up a big black jitterbug. I also like the black Sammy 100, a black buzzbait with a bright green blade, and another old school bait the Bagley Bang-O spintail.  

Black jitterbug reeled very slow One thing to be careful of is owls and other birds that hunt at night. I missed a hookset on a owl 2 years ago that picked up my jitterbug.

Allen