Bass Fishing at Night

[Brewtus]

I have never done any bass fishing at night. I was thinking about going on the 18th which is a full moon. I'm looking for advice. Should I be concerned about different color baits or presentation?

[mcdenney]

I'm not sure where you plan to go but if you have a lake in mind that I am familiar with that might be beneficial as well. Overall, some of the better night fishing for bass happens in deep, clear highland type lakes. Typically the clear water, heat, boat traffice, etc cause bass to go deeper during the day. However, at night, bass often move up to feed on crawfish or baitfish. Around the full moon is a great time as the crawfish movement picks up around the full moon. One of the first tips to consider is be aware of obstacles and always wear your life jacket after dark.

Typically, fish at night close to the same places you caught fish before during other times of the year. However, move to the first available deep water/close to a channel and look for points, rock piles, drops, stumps or brush piles, etc. Deep water is a must and becomes more important the heat of summer wears on. Bass tend to move deeper due to warming water and really less oxygen. Therefore during this time of year the fish may move up shallow at night but later on they will be found a little deeper and continue to move deeper as the summer wears on, typically. At some point during the summer a thermocline will form and bass will congregate right above the thermocline which is where the coolest water with the best oxygen exists. When this happens, and the depths will vary by lake, look for structure at that level. ;)

I typically use a black light and some form of fluorescent line which will glow under the use of a black light to help in watching my line. My productive lures are typically "down" type baits suchs as jigs, worms, tubes, etc but really any lure/presentation that works in the day will work at night. Color can be a tricky decision at night especially with the moon as I have seen all of the main colors work at some point. However in general dark colors such as black, purple especially with a contrast prove to work well after dark. For topwaters, black is the best choice in most siituations as it provides the most contrast to a fish looking upward. I hope this helps. I kinda feel like I am rambling. Call me if you need to more info or clarification.

Good luck!

[Brewtus]

Thanks! I'm going to Elk Lake in Owenton. It's only about 675 acres. There is not much cover as they lower it every winter. Most of the cover is boat docks.

[Mepperson]

Don't neglect to try some spinner baits. The vibration in the water really seems to turn them on at times. Try white or chartreuse.

[notimlmit]

Guys don't mean to go against any of you but during the full moon period I had a motto " when at night and the moon is bright throw white " I fished countless tournaments and some nights just for fun using the gray ghost poes 300-400 which is basically white with an orange belly and a white colorado blade spinnerbait -- trust me on this one you don't have to slow your speed down on the cranks and I slow roll the blade -- I was hard to beat with those two baits at night but I would always come back to the weigh in with a worm or something else tied on -- I no longer tour fish so I don't mind telling my secret -- try both these the next full moon period for yourselves you might be plesantly surprised

[Fowlercon]

Black Jitterbug


http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b303/deucedog/100_0643.jpg

[drakeshooter]

Hoppy's 1/2 oz. gold colorado blade spinner in blue/black, doctored with an Add-A-Rattle brand rattle, a pink pork craw and trailer hook. We use 20 Lb. flourescent blue Stren line and with our black light it makes the line look the size of your thumb. Kentucky Lake main lake banks and points with chunky rock bottoms and deep water close by are ideal for huge smalljaws and largemouth. I'm after the bronzies! Some of the better fish me and a buddy have gotten into over the years:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/drakeshooter/Kentucky%20Lake%20fishing%20photos/efa4.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/drakeshooter/Kentucky%20Lake%20fishing%20photos/e50f.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/drakeshooter/Kentucky%20Lake%20fishing%20photos/4688.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/drakeshooter/Kentucky%20Lake%20fishing%20photos/f782.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/drakeshooter/Kentucky%20Lake%20fishing%20photos/fee1-2.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/drakeshooter/Kentucky%20Lake%20fishing%20photos/e4fc-2.jpg

[drakeshooter]

You might even catch a "trash" fish or two:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/drakeshooter/Kentucky%20Lake%20fishing%20photos/36d1-1.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c334/drakeshooter/Kentucky%20Lake%20fishing%20photos/78ea-1.jpg

[str8 shot]

dude...is that a bat?

[drakeshooter]

dude...is that a bat?

Yep. They swoop you all night going after the bugs the black light attracts. He caught it behind his head as soon as he started to sling his cast forward. It backlashed the line so bad he had to cut it out. We released the bat, who had a million needle-like teeth and was biting the hell out of the needle nose pliers while we got him off.

I've had 'em move the hair on your head and they are always running into the line and you set the hook thinking you've got a fish. The guy who caught it actually had one land on his pant leg before.

[longtimegone]

You should do well at Elk Lake at night. Grew up neary by and fished there a bit.

[str8 shot]

yea i have bats all the time hit my line and make me think i have a fish,but never caught one,guna have to try it:D

[potter]

Guys, this is some good info, but do you all have any info for Laurel lake at night...such as locations and baits??

[mcdenney]

yea i have bats all the time hit my line and make me think i have a fish,but never caught one,guna have to try it:D

How about having one hit you square in the center of your forehead!!!:mad: Hurt like heck. My partner (fishing a night tourney) said it sounded like a gun going off. :cool:

[str8 shot]

ive never fished laurel at night,but the daytime is a different story