Working On The (Summer) Night Moves

While I can't speak for the rest of the country, here in the Northeast we're being treated to a delightful summer cool-down. The humidity has dropped out, the temps aren't climbing much above 80, and we haven't been plagued by rain. That means the local rivers are looking good, and the lack of heat has kicked on the local smallie action. That's terrific, because one of my favorite things to do this time of year is float the Delaware for bass in the dark. You don't always hammer them, but for whatever reason, I think a topwater smash you only hear is a bit more exciting than one you see at noon.

Night fishing for bass, be it largemouths or smallmouths, is one of those games that everyone seems to know is viable and productive, yet I hear very little about anglers actually putting it into practice. I'm not talking about the "magic hour" in the evening either; I mean true can't-see-your-hand- dark. The bass ponds where I live are so pressured this time of year, I won't even think about hitting any of them during daylight hours. But at midnight, after the wary fish have had time to mellow out, suddenly they get stupid again.

Likewise, I've launched my raft at 10 o'clock before and floated the river into the early morning hours. No competition. No jet skis. Not only can the fishing be excellent, but rowing in the dark adds a sense of adventure to even the most familiar waters. So how many of you get out after "The Late Show" this time of year to hunt bass? If you don't, you should.