Bassin After Sunset

Bass fishing at night has become a favorite summer technique not only to escape the heat and recreational boat traffic; it is also the time for catching big bass. Being on the water before sunset will naturally enhance your night vision as your eyes adjust to the gradually dimming light at sunset. One secret that night anglers try to keep quiet is to fish at the time when the moon is rising and setting for an excellent chance to catch a big bass. Safety is extremely important at night and should be your first consideration. Keeping your navigation lights on when moving, and the white stern-light on when anchored will ensure other vessels see you. Be sure to keep a lookout for other boats, docks and debris at night. Keep in mind when using a spotlight, artificial light will limit your side vision and distort your night vision.

With water temps in the 80 plus degree range in much of the country, the bass have slowed down and have become less active. They will still feed, however their feeding period has changed to a nocturnal activity. After the sun sets the water temperature slightly cools the bass will become more active and more aggressive making the night the best time for a late summer bite. Locating the bass at night is no different than finding them in the day, with your Humminbird look for bass on deep water structure or cover during the afternoon in summer. You will find them in deep water in relation to nearby shallow areas where they will move up when they get ready to feed. A Lakemaster digital GPS chip can save hours eliminating unproductive water by utilizing the depth highlight feature to find shallow area's on or near the main lake located close to deeper water drop offs or ledges. Bass will hold on deep water structure off the sides or end of a point during the day, moving up on top of the point to feed at night. A point with a creek or river channel close by can be a good spot for summer night fishing.

Boat positioning is the key for the night bite, and using two anchors can be the best way to hold on a spot. The days of wet ropes and muddy anchors are now over. The 12' Talon shallow water anchors from Minn Kota give an advantage to night time anglers. By setting two anchors the boat is set precisely so that you have the best casting angles. For instance, by locking down on a main lake point extending out into the reservoir with deep water on one side or the other, the Talons will hold on top of a high spot of the point in 10 to 12 feet of water. The shallow water anchors allow anglers to cast parallel to the outside edge along the point where nocturnal anglers can be productive. Big bass search along the edges looking for dinner, offering baits like the sinko stix in midnight blue by Warpath Lures or thumping spinnerbaits in this scenario will do well. Often bass are spooked by noise when you arrive and anchor give a it a few minutes the resume feeding after things calm down. The Talons allow the sport to return quickly to a natural feeding environment. By turning off the Humminbird and all lights, the bass will settle down quickly. Give a spot that holds fish at least thirty minutes before moving to the next one.

Black and dark colored topwater lures have accounted for many big bass over the years. The sound of a surface explosion is amplified after dark, making this the most exciting form of bass fishing to many anglers. The baits that produce best have a steady cadence that bass can zero in on with their lateral line also making slow retrieves good for the same reason. Buzzbaits work well when big bass move to and from thick shallow weed beds that can be too thick for a jig. During the late summer bass relate heavily to grass. As the big bass move in and feed along edges this pattern will work to catch big bass. These are big fish are the real trophies in most lakes.

Many anglers believe that only noisy baits work at night, this is a technique that works sometimes but may not always produce a bite. Buzzbaits, jitterbugs, rattles and poppers are best on less pressured lakes when a top water bite is on. If you’re not getting a reaction change your tactics to a quieter presentation. Bass have a keen sense perception and can hear and feel the most subtle of movements in the dark this includes silent lures without rattles. A quiet presentation will often work better than loud unnatural noises; this is particularly true when fishing on pressured lakes.

Spinnerbaits for instance produce a distinct vibration when fished at night this attracts bass through the sensory reception of the lateral line. The thump of a big Colorado blade also allows the angler to stay in contact with the bait. An abrupt interruption of the thump, known as "losing the bait" whether coming in contact with cover or getting attention from a bass it is immediately detected. A spinnerbaits will come through cover easily when casts parallel to a grass line are where they can be the most effective. If you find the bass are short striking the bait add a trailer hook to increase your chances of a solid hook set.

Nocturnal fishing is not for everyone, but to those anglers that enjoy it know that this is the best way to catch big bass. Some of the southern anglers fish year round after dark. Safety at night should be the first priority never fish at night on a lake that you are unfamiliar with. It is best to always let someone know where you are going and when you should be back, or even better always fish with a partner at night. Being safe and living to fish another day is more important that how many fish you will catch.
Happy Fishing!