Quote:
Originally Posted by PapermouthLegend
I night fish a local lake once the water temps reach into the upper 75+. The best way I have found to night fish is to:
1. Go to a spot where you normally catch fish. Move the boat from the shoreline to the first significant drop off of 4-6'. Watch your depth finder close. The first drop-off in depth seems to be key for me.
2. Get a submersible light (take an extra 12V battery with you) drop it in the water about dusk. It will usually take 30-45 minutes before bait shows up in the water.
3. Fish very very light. I don't use any weight at all. I fish a #4 hook under a bobber about 2-3' below where I have set the light (usually 4-6') Get some small minnows and hook them just under the dorsal fin. Hook the minnow very light so he swims around.
It's just a matter of time before the fish show up. This is an almost fool-prrof method at my local lake. I can't promise you'll have the same luck, but it's definately worth a try. It's nothing to catch 40+ fish an hour once they start hitting.
It's usually just a matter of time before the fish appear.
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It's good to read different ways to nightstalk. I'll be sure to freeline a couple minnows under floats next time I go. Thanks for the ideas. On a typical nightstalk here on my lake I start off by easing along in a suspectable spot looking for bait balls and/or fish. Usually I'll see "something" closeby worthwhile to set up for but even if I dont I'll still anchor down in that area since it was my plan to start with for that particular night. I try targeting 25'-35' of water looking at creek channel ledges or deep drops along banks out of the wind. I fish two sets of 4 rod holder racks across the back of the boat and usually hang just one submersible light off the motor. If I fish the front of the boat I use 2 sets of 4 rod racks located off each side of the front of the boat and usually hang two submersibles out. I tightline my minnows with one splitshot per line starting the depth of my hooks around 12' ranging down to 17' or so. As you have stated, it sometimes takes a bit to get the baitfish started around the lights then the fish come in. Depending on where the most steady bite comes from I'll re-adjust the rest of my lines within a foot or so either way of the depth they seem to be biting best at. If it gets real busy quite naturally I wont be able to keep all 8 rods out but I do what I can.
Oh, and most always I try to keep atleast one float fished about 3' deep out along the edge of the light drift fishing it too. Have caught some nice ones off the float at times.
BTW, I NEVER fish bridges either.