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Get a bite
after midnight
At 2:00 a.m. most anglers are only dreaming about catching a
big fish, but a few smart fishermen know that night time can
be the right time for catching fish.
As the dog days of summer
heat up the Oklahoma landscape, fishing at night can be a great
alternative to fishing in the heat of the day.
"Not only is it cooler
and more comfortable at night for anglers, many
popular fish species such as bass, catfish and crappie become
more active after the sun goes down, said Barry Bolton, assistant
chief of fisheries for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
When heading out after
dark, underwater structure is the place to be for crappie and
catfish, and bass often move up into shallow water looking for
unsuspecting baitfish or crayfish. Whether in a lawn chair or
in a boat, just about any lake or pond can produce good stringers
of fish between sunset and sunrise.
According to Bolton, with
a few notable exceptions, night fishing tackle and techniques
are basically the same as those used for fishing during the daylight
hours. Here are a few tips that may make your night fishing excursions
more enjoyable.
Obviously, no nocturnal
angler should leave for a fishing trip without a dependable source
of light. The cover of darkness can make even simple tasks like
re-tying a hook into a challenging endeavor. Flashlights and
lanterns are essential items and headlamps are particularly useful
as they allow the fishermen to have free use of both hands. Some
anglers use florescent black lights when night fishing to allow
them to see without spooking fish.
As the winds calm down
at night, try using a topwater plug. There's
nothing much more exciting than catching a big bass on at topwater
lure at night. When fishing in deeper water try lures with contrasting
colors to help them stand out in dark water.
Be sure to include a camera
with a flash in your fishing gear - you never know when you might
catch "The Big One. A plastic freezer bag works well for
keeping your camera and other equipment dry.
Safety is the most important
thing to remember when fishing at night. When fishing from a
boat, wear your life jacket and make sure all running lights
are in good working order before putting your boat in the water.
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