Have you ever thought about fishing at night? And if you are a fan, have you considered which type of night fishing could be the best for you? This article will give you 9 useful tips on what to take with you, the essential items for night fishing, how to prepare bait and nets, which boat to use if we want to use one, and how to get around to have fun in safety.
1. Get Organized While Fishing for Carp
The waters we find during the day are one way and at night they are a completely different way. Having everything we need ready during the day (before the sun goes down) is much better than trying to find things in the dark while fishing. Plan ahead, sit quietly, and watch the water with everything you need around you. This means much less anxiety and more peace of mind to fish with peace of mind.
Fishing at night will certainly be much more profitable if you know how to do it. The fish that are much more cautious during the day and do not come out of their burrows at night are much freer and go in search of food. So it will be easy for you. And with the right bait, have some fun.
2. Take the Rechargeable Light With You
An important thing, which we must always take into consideration is to bring lights with us when fishing at night. If you bring lights with you, you will have no problem finding what you need whether they are baits, rods, or other things that you will have around you.
Rechargeable light is a great idea because they are much more powerful than the bulbs of the past and because they are easily rechargeable. They are excellent for illuminating what we need but also last 10 times longer. Many anglers like to buy OTYTY’s lights that stick on the head and hands free operation.
3. Shelter for Summer Fishing
If you are not happy to experience a wonderful moment of a night of fishing, summer nights are almost always beautiful for this activity. But sometimes, especially if we are far from home, it would be nice to have a tent with you as a shelter to sleep for a few hours.
Just bring this tent for one person with sturdy pegs, which serve as shelter for us from the wind, sudden rain or summer storms won’t ruin your trip. This tent then must be small so that it can fit into the trunk or smaller backpacks. We commonly use ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person tent. It is light and you can easily carry it in your backpack
4. Never Forget to Bring Thermos Coffee
You can always think of bringing a decent meal with you and we know that many aficionados can’t give up a good homemade sandwich, a plate of pasta, or a nice pizza to take on the boat when you are out all night. But more than food, we know that no fisherman would ever leave the house without carrying a thermos full of coffee which is essential to stay alert during night fishing.
If you stay out for a couple of days, do not bring bulky stoves with you, only carry something cook something in a saucepan, and prepare a good coffee that can give you warmth and company during all hours of fishing. Don’t bring those awful canned beers with you but bring good coffee that will keep you awake and not distract you or fall asleep.
5. Things Not to Forget in the Fishing Backpack
Many people focus only on fishing lures and rods to take with them during night fishing (in my opinion wrongly) but they have no idea of many small things that it is always good to carry in your fishing backpack. Beyond the small and large tools, we need to fish at our best, we must think about bringing with us a first aid kit, which is never more.
Why Sunscreen at Night?
While it might seem counterintuitive, sunscreen is a crucial item for night fishing, especially if you plan to extend your trip into the following day. Here’s why:
- Reflective Surfaces: Water acts as a mirror, reflecting the sun’s rays, even at night. This can lead to sunburn, especially on exposed skin.
- Long-Term Exposure: If you’re spending multiple days on the water, even short periods of sun exposure can accumulate and cause sunburn.
6. Fishing Nets for Sea Fishing
I don’t know how you prefer the lake or the river for more intimate, quieter fishing. But many people want immense pleasure in living an out-of-the-ordinary experience: sea fishing. Whether you want to do it on a beautiful day in the Caribbean Ocean or you want to wake up at night to do it on the American coast, we can assure you that it will be an experience that you will not forget and that we did ourselves one night in which we went in search of the fish spade.
If you are near Hawaii, I suggest you organize, with some local fishermen, an unforgettable night to choose nets, drop them, wait, and live a night on a boat with the best professionals in the area. Do not be afraid to ask (even if you are on vacation) to have this unusual experience and also decide what role you can have in a professional fishing trawl. We don’t think it can be described any other way than this: fantastic.
You could also have an extra luxury experience on a yacht with one of those fishing rods that are fixed to the boat and that allow you to fight with the big fish from the American ocean. We have a friend who had this experience and he was amazed. The fight between man and fish, as in a sort of modern reinterpretation of Melville’s Moby Dick, makes everything epic, even just stopping at the stern and waiting for some fish to bite.
7. Choosing the Right Gear for Night Fishing
Experienced night fishermen understand the importance of selecting the right gear to maximize their catch. Key items to consider include:
- Floats: These are essential for setting up your nets effectively. Opt for high-visibility floats that are easy to spot in low-light conditions.
- Lures: The right lure can make all the difference. Choose lures that mimic the appearance and movement of prey fish, and consider using glow-in-the-dark or UV-reactive lures to attract fish in the dark.
8. Use Fishing Watches and Fishing Vests
When you choose night fishing, you must prepare yourself at your best. You must also have comfortable but at the same time very functional accessories. In the last 10 years, the biggest revolution in the world of fishing has been that of fishing watches. These smartwatches are very functional like real laptops and can be found online where fishing equipment is sold.
How many of the old fishermen found themselves in trouble, with some unexpected storm, while they were at sea at night? This can now be absolutely predictable thanks to a fishing watch that gives real-time weather forecasts and can read the state of the tides and moon phases.
This type of information and a good built-in GPS ensures that everyone is much more informed and they are always available in case of difficulty or emergency even if the mobile phone does not take or does not work for example.
Since we have said that a fisherman must always have everything at hand, it will also be very interesting to buy the best fishing vest or jacket, which must be light with many pockets. In this sense, you can be more protected from wind or rain. And you can insert all the small and large tools that we need to fish well.
9. The Toolbox is Always Clean and Organized
When we decide to go fishing we always have to think about bringing with us a toolbox or fishing tackle box that is super organized. We have always thought that it is very simple to make a cassette become a real arsenal, clean and organized precisely (thanks to a series of simple tricks).
Fishing boxes made in rectangles, small and transparent are used to give more comfort while fishing at night. You can put compartments in the box in order to have everything at hand. And if we keep everything, it will be much easier to find what we need even at night. Also thanks to the light to be worn on the forehead, which will make good lighting and will leave us our hands free to do what we are doing.
Conclusion
As you may have guessed, it doesn’t take long to be at your best during a night fishing session, you just need to organize yourself a little more and be well-prepared. However, fish that swim and feed in depths greater than 5 meters are usually insensitive to light. In the movement, they tend to rely on the sensitivity of their lateral line. So make sure to bring a little light that does not affect their behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What types of lures and baits work best at night?
Dark-colored lures with contrasting features often work well at night. Spinnerbaits, jigs, and soft plastics in dark hues like black, blue, or purple are effective. Baits with rattles or scents can also attract fish in low-light conditions.
Are there specific techniques for night fishing?
- Slow down your presentation: Fish are generally less active at night, so a slower retrieval speed can be more effective.
- Focus on structure and cover: Fish often move to shallower areas near structures at night. Target points, drop-offs, and areas with vegetation.
- Pay attention to the moon: Fishing can be affected by the moon phase. Many anglers find that fishing during a full or new moon can be more productive.
What type of lighting should I use on my boat for night fishing?
Use navigation lights as required by law for safety. Consider adding LED lights around the boat for better visibility without spooking fish. Red and green lights can attract baitfish and subsequently larger predators.
How do I adjust my gear for night fishing?
- Use heavier fishing lines to handle the potential for larger fish at night.
- Opt for high-visibility lines or lines with reflective properties.
- Choose reels with smooth drag systems to handle unexpected runs from strong fish.
Can I use live bait for night fishing?
Yes, live bait can be very effective at night. Experiment with live minnows, shiners, or nightcrawlers to see what the fish in your area prefer.
Are there specific times during the night that are more productive for fishing?
While fish can be caught throughout the night, many anglers find that the period around sunset and sunrise can be particularly productive. Additionally, fish may become more active during tidal changes.
What should I do if I get lost or encounter an emergency during night fishing?
Stay calm and use your flashlight to signal for help. If you have a VHF radio or a cellphone with a signal, call for assistance and provide your location. Always have an emergency plan in place before heading out at night, and carry a fully charged cell phone or radio.
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