Thread: question for all you "night stalkers"

I see that some of you guys like the "night stalk". Is there any method to this madness?? LOL
Is there any time of night that seems to be more productive?
Do any of you fish all night like catfishing?
Do you fish the same method that you would day fishing?
Do you fish under lights?


And is there any other info that you guys would like to share with someone wanting to learn more about "night stalking"

Nightstalking is fishing under lights anchored most times in 20'-30' of water. I never set up under bridges but alot of folks do. I prefer scouting out some places looking for steep banks with depths between 20-30' deep in the area. I dont look for brush...instead I look for shad balls on the graph (and fish, hopefully) hoping to find some bait before setting up. Sometimes I may set up right next to a creek channel which could run deeper than 30' but I hardly ever go deeper. I anchor with two anchors, one out the front and the other out the back to hold the boat still while stalking. I usually put out a couple submersible lights and usually fish 8 rod and reels set up in rod holders within easy reach of my seat.You have to get a rod quick when you see that thump, cause most times that's all you will see. Ultralight rods are a MUST to see most bites. I stagger my lines between 12-20' deep until the fish tells me where they prefer the bait to be. Not everywhere you set up to nightstalk will be a good spot that particular time. You have to "learn" the lake and find the fish. During the winter months it seems the shad forms much larger schools which draws more fish into the vacinity. The key is finding where the fish want to hang out. When you find that spot generally it'll stay productive most of the winter months. Most times my night stalks last until about 11PM. I dont want to be on the lake all night but alot do. Once it turns dark sometimes it'll take 20-30 minutes to draw the bait to the lights and sometimes it'll take an hour or so until the fish start biting. Regardless, once you decide where to anchor let that be where you plan to fish that night. Dont start moving around trying different areas. BE PATIENT and see if they'll bite. You'll need some type of lighting inside your boat so you can watch your rods, rebait hooks, re-tie lines, etc. I us a PVC pipe with a light attached to it and that works good for me. Yolu'll need a couple of good marine batteries to nightstalk. I keep mine hooked in parallel. Seems to last longer that way and I leave 'em hooked together always, even when charging. There's a whole lot more that can be added to this...and I'm sure others will chime in to add some things. But this'll get you thinking.

Night stalking in clear water is very relaxing. I love watching clouds of shad swirling around the light. Its also interesting to see the dark shadows of various fish move around the glow. Watching the sonar is also fun; you can see shad and fish blips on the screen. Its like watching digital "fish tv" in sonar code. Its fun!

I pretty much do the same thing Bowman does. From my experience, the moon phase plays alot into your success. A full moon and no clouds will normally result in a slow night.

I would also like to mention that the Q-beam Starfire lights are a cheap and effective way to go when getting into nightstalking.

Bowman has got you started right, just add another 8 rods to the mix :D:D

there is alot of different ways to fish at night you can tye up and fish the deep you can troll you can wind drift you can pitch it up in the pads or by the bank what ever will work during the day will work better at night

There's knowthing that I can add. Other then the fact you don't have to put up with being tossed around by other boats, It's quiet and peacefull.
And the main thing Nightstalking is just plain fun.:D

You live pretty close when this weather passes and the lake settles down more of us will be going out. You'll have to come down to Russell and join us some night.

bowman pretty well covered the basics of settin up. as for myself, i dont waste time looking for any activity on the lowrance on the dropoffs or channels where i wanna set up. your lights will attract the bait to your location, which in turn will attract the crappie and other species to you to feed on the buffet thats materialized under you. after youve fished your lake awhile and learn some good spots to setup, chances are you gonna catch fish there. check your weather forecast and hope the man has it right and go to a spot you will be protected from the wind. the wind decides where ill set up on any particular night on the lake. seeing things on your radar is a morale booster but you dont wanna waste a lot of time looking for it. dont set up directly over a brush pile if you find one. locate off to the side a few yards. you dont wanna be breaking off all night and if theres any fish on it you will draw them to you with the lights.
if you are a newbie at the nightstalking game, the best thing to do would be to hook up with someone whose nightstalking and go with em a time or two and see how they are doing it.. you will learn a lot things what will save you some trial and error and some money in the long run. we have a good many nightstalkers on the site who would be happy to take a newbie on a trip or two. a few years ago i had what i called a newbie night, where id take folks on a nightstalk to show em what i was doing. i dont like to "schedule" anymore cause today i might feel like going, and tomorrow night when ive scheduled someone, i may not and i wont go if i dont feel like it.
good luck and keep us informed on how you are doing.

I can't add a whole lot to the previous except the following. Start under bridges to learn, then journey on. Even though you have minnows for bait, keep a tandumtrebblehook snatch rig hanging a few feet below your light, and frequently snatch up some shad or herring to cut or if small enough, to use whole for bait. I have seentimes where fresh threadfin dead or alive will outcatch minnows 10 to one. Also use a cork with a 4ft. lead and fish the shade line of your light. A lot of times the real hogs 3lbers. will not come directly in or under your light. Also remember crappie mainly don't dive to feed, they will hit best if the bait is above or beside them.
As to time on the water, don't go to sleep. You can fish all night. I have caught em' feb-apr. any time after 9pm through first light. If I had to corner a time slot, it would be from 10 pm- 12 am.
Use 4-6lb line and #6 or #8 gold aberdeen hooks, on a tandum staight line rig with a barrell weight on the bottom, for your deep rigs.
Use a bb splitshot with your cork.