In the video titled “How To Find And Catch Bass At Night” by The Fishing Teacher with Randy Blaukat, Randy provides valuable tips and advice for nighttime fishing. During the summer months of June, July, and August, fishing at night proves to be the most productive. The video highlights the benefits of nighttime fishing, such as increased comfort due to cooler temperatures and the opportunity to catch more fish. Randy also mentions the availability of their “Fish the Moment” lake map breakdowns, which can assist anglers in finding fish on their favorite lakes and provide helpful tips and advice for specific spots. With insights gained from his experience fishing with a local bass club, Randy discusses the theory that most fish feed at night, making it a prime time to catch them. He explains that fish tend to move shallower at night and are more catchable due to reduced visibility. Randy concludes by offering specific tips for fishing at night, including targeting main lake points, fishing around boat docks with lights, and focusing on cove entrances. Finally, he suggests using lures like spinnerbaits, Texas rig worms, jigs, and chatterbaits for successful night fishing experiences.
Disclaimer: This transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
Understanding Bass Behavior at Night
Table of Contents
Night fishing can be an incredibly rewarding experience for bass anglers. Understanding the behavior of bass at night is crucial for increasing your chances of a successful catch. In this article, we will explore why bass feed more at night, how darkness increases their mistakes, and the different fish feeding patterns at different times of the day.
Why bass feed more at night
It is widely believed that the majority of fish feeding happens at night, with around 80% of feeding occurring during those hours. This can be attributed to several reasons. Firstly, at night, fish tend to go shallower. Fish that usually stay in deeper waters during the day move to shallower areas once it gets dark. They do this in search of prey such as crawdads and frogs that are more abundant in shallow waters. As a result, fish become more catchable, making it an ideal time for anglers to target them.
Secondly, the lack of light penetration at night makes it harder for fish to rely on their vision. Instead, they have to rely more on their other senses, such as their sense of smell and vibrations in the water. This increased reliance on non-visual cues leads fish to make more mistakes, making them more susceptible to being caught by anglers.
How darkness increases bass mistakes
The darkness of the night limits the visibility of fish and impairs their ability to see potential threats or distinguish between prey and predators. This reduced visibility increases the chances of fish making mistakes while feeding. For example, fish might mistake a well-presented lure for a real prey item due to the limited visibility. Additionally, they may struggle to differentiate between real food and debris, leading to them striking at objects that aren’t actually edible. These mistakes provide anglers with more opportunities to catch bass successfully.
Fish feeding patterns at different times of the day
Fish feeding patterns can vary depending on the time of day. During the early morning and late evening hours, fish are most active and tend to feed near the surface. This is often referred to as the “golden hour” by anglers, as it can offer excellent fishing opportunities. As the day progresses and the sun gets higher in the sky, fish tend to retreat to deeper waters, making them harder to target.
Midday fishing can be challenging, as fish are less active and tend to be more sluggish. However, during hot summer months, when water temperatures rise, fishing becomes even more difficult during the daytime. This is where night fishing comes into play. By fishing at night, anglers can take advantage of the cooler water temperatures and increased fish activity, making it easier to catch bass.
Optimal Night Fishing Months
While night fishing can be done throughout the year, the summer months of June, July, and August are often considered the best time for night bass fishing. Several factors make these months particularly favorable for anglers.
Why summer months are best for bass fishing
During the summer months, bass are more active at night due to the warmer water temperatures. The rising temperatures during the day make it more challenging to catch bass, as they tend to become lethargic and seek cooler and deeper waters. However, as the temperature cools down at night, bass become more active and move to shallower areas, providing anglers with better opportunities to catch them.
Effect of water temperature on bass behavior
Water temperature plays a significant role in the behavior of bass. Bass are cold-blooded creatures, which means their body temperature is determined by the temperature of their surroundings. As the water temperature rises, their metabolism increases, and they become more active. This increased activity levels make them more likely to feed, particularly at night when the temperatures are cooler.
How to make use of night fishing during summer months
To make the most of night fishing during the summer months, it is crucial to focus on the cooler parts of the day. This often means fishing during the twilight hours and into the night. By starting your fishing expedition in the evening as the sun sets, you can take advantage of the increased bass activity during the first few hours of darkness. Additionally, fishing near dawn can also be productive, as bass tend to feed heavily during the early morning hours.
Best Locations for Catching Bass at Night
When it comes to night fishing for bass, the location you choose can significantly impact your success. Here are some of the best locations to target when fishing at night.
Point ends and sides: prime locations
Main lake points, both the ends and the sides, are excellent areas to target when night fishing for bass. These points act as highways for bass, with fish often using them as routes to move from deeper water to shallower areas. Fishing around the shallow areas of point ends and sides can be highly productive, as bass tend to congregate in these areas at night.
Dock lights: an effective attractor
Boat docks with lights can be a great attractant for bass at night. The lights attract insects, which in turn attract smaller baitfish such as perch. Bass are known to prey on these smaller fish, making dock lights a hotspot for feeding activity. By targeting areas around well-lit docks, anglers increase their chances of catching bass.
Entrances into coves: a hotspot
Entrances into coves can be another hotspot for night fishing. Often, bass will move from main lake points into coves during the night in search of prey. By targeting these areas, anglers increase their chances of encountering actively feeding bass. It is advisable to focus on fishing about a quarter of the way into the coves, as this is where bass often filter down from the points.
Types of Points to Focus On
When targeting points during night fishing, it is essential to pay attention to the specific characteristics of the points you choose to fish. Different types of points can have varying levels of productivity when it comes to catching bass at night.
The advantages of steep points
Steep points offer several advantages when it comes to night fishing. The steep drop-offs provide bass with easy access to deeper waters, allowing them to move up and down the water column at night. Additionally, steep points often have cover, such as rocks or vegetation, which can attract bass. By fishing around steep points, anglers can take advantage of these advantages and increase their chances of catching bass.
Why flat gravel points attract bass
Flat gravel points are also prime locations for catching bass at night. These points often offer a good source of food for bass, with crawdads and other prey items frequently found in the gravel. The relatively flat and open nature of these points makes them ideal for targeting bass, as they provide ample space for the fish to move around and feed.
Points as highways for bass
Regardless of the specific type of point, all points have one thing in common: they act as highways for bass. Points serve as routes for bass to move between deeper water and shallower areas, making them ideal locations to target. Bass often congregate along points at night, presenting anglers with a great opportunity to intercept them.
The Role of Boat Docks in Night Fishing
Boat docks can play a significant role in night fishing for bass. Understanding how boat docks attract fish and choosing the right ones to target can greatly increase your chances of success.
How insects around lighted docks attract fish
Boat docks with lights can attract insects, creating a feeding frenzy for bass. The lights draw in various insects, which in turn attract smaller baitfish like perch. Bass are known to prey on these smaller fish, making lighted docks a prime location for catching bass at night. Fishing around boat docks with lights can yield excellent results.
Choosing docks with lights for better catch
When selecting which boat docks to target, it is essential to choose docks with adequate lighting. Docks with well-lit areas will typically have a higher concentration of insects, attracting more fish. Avoid docks with poorly lit or no lights, as they are less likely to attract the necessary food chain that bass feed on.
Effectiveness of lighted docks on attracting bass
Lighted docks can be highly effective in attracting bass due to the increased presence of prey items. The combination of insects, baitfish, and predatory bass creates a dynamic environment that is conducive to successful night fishing. By identifying and targeting lighted docks, anglers can significantly increase their chances of catching bass.
Covering Specific Areas on Lakes
Fishing specific areas on lakes can be crucial for increasing your chances of catching bass at night. Here are some tips for effectively covering different areas on lakes.
Why narrowing down your focus is crucial
When night fishing on lakes, it is crucial to narrow down your focus and target specific areas. Trying to cover the entire lake at night can be challenging and less productive. Instead, identify prime locations such as points, coves, and docks, and concentrate your efforts on these specific areas. By narrowing down your focus, you can optimize your time and increase your chances of catching bass.
Tips for covering whole ponds effectively
If you are fishing in ponds rather than lakes, the approach can be slightly different. In smaller bodies of water like ponds, you can cover the entire area more effectively. Walking the banks of a pond at night with a spinner bait can be highly productive, enabling you to catch a significant number of fish. The limited space of a pond makes it easier to cover the entire area and increase your chances of encountering bass.
The importance of targeting specific fishing areas
Targeting specific fishing areas is crucial for successful night fishing. By focusing on areas such as point ends and sides, dock lights, and entrances into coves, you increase your chances of encountering actively feeding bass. Spending your time and effort in high-probability areas maximizes your potential for a successful night of fishing.
Selecting the Right Lures for Night Fishing
Selecting the right lures is essential for night fishing success. Certain lure types and colors work particularly well under low-light conditions.
Why black spinner baits are favorites
Black spinner baits are a favorite among night anglers for several reasons. The dark color of the spinner bait contrasts well with the low-light conditions, making it more visible to both angler and bass. Additionally, the blade of a spinner bait creates vibration and flash, attracting bass even in the darkness. A half-ounce size with a single gold blade is a popular combination for night fishing with spinner baits.
Using Texas Rig worms and jigs as secondary baits
While spinner baits are often the go-to lure for night fishing, it can also be beneficial to have Texas rig worms and jigs as secondary baits. These lures work well in low-light conditions and can be presented effectively around structure such as points and docks. Using a dark-colored worm or jig, such as a 9 or 10-inch worm, can increase your chances of enticing bass to bite.
Why deep diving crankbait and chatterbaits have risen in popularity
In recent years, anglers have reported success with deep diving crankbaits and chatterbaits when night fishing for bass. Deep diving crankbaits can be effective for targeting bass in deeper water, especially around points and drop-offs. Chatterbaits, on the other hand, are versatile lures that can be fished similarly to spinner baits, making them a popular choice for night anglers. These lures have gained popularity due to their ability to produce strikes from bass in low-light conditions.
Using the Right Techniques to Fish at Night
Night fishing requires specific techniques to maximize your chances of catching bass. Understanding these techniques and how they vary depending on the time of day can greatly improve your success.
Tips for fishing during the heat of the day
Fishing during the heat of the day can be challenging, particularly in the summer months when bass become less active. During this time, it is best to target deeper waters where bass may retreat to escape the heat. Fishing slower and using bottom bouncing techniques, such as a Carolina rig or drop shot, can be effective in enticing sluggish bass to bite.
Why night fishing can yield a bigger catch
As previously mentioned, the majority of fish feeding occurs at night. This increased feeding activity makes night fishing an excellent opportunity to catch a larger number of bass. The reduced visibility and increased mistakes made by bass in low-light conditions provide anglers with more chances to present their lures effectively and hook bass successfully.
How fishing techniques vary depending on the time of day
Fishing techniques can vary depending on the time of day when night fishing. During the twilight hours, it is beneficial to use lures that create vibrations and flash to attract bass. As the night progresses and darkness sets in, slower, bottom-bouncing techniques become more effective. Techniques such as slow-rolling spinnerbaits, dragging jigs, or working Texas rigs can entice bass to bite.
Ideal Water Clarity for Night Fishing
Water clarity plays a significant role in night fishing success. Understanding how water clarity impacts night fishing and determining the ideal clarity can greatly improve your chances of catching bass.
How water clarity impacts night fishing
Water clarity directly affects how well fish can see and detect lures. In clearer water, fish have better visibility, making them more cautious and less likely to strike. Conversely, in dirty or muddy water, fish rely more on their other senses, making them more likely to strike at lures, even under low-light conditions. Understanding the impact of water clarity can help you adjust your fishing strategies accordingly.
Why a visibility of at least three feet is best
The ideal water clarity for night fishing is typically around three feet of visibility. This level of clarity provides a good balance between fish being able to detect lures and their increased vulnerability due to reduced visibility. In this range, fish are more likely to strike at lures, making it easier for anglers to catch them.
The effect of water clarity on the number of bass caught
Water clarity directly affects the number of bass caught during night fishing. In waters with low visibility, fish can rely less on their vision and more on other senses, leading to a higher number of strikes. Conversely, in clear water, fish may be more hesitant to strike, resulting in a lower catch rate. Understanding the relationship between water clarity and bass behavior can help anglers make informed decisions and adjust their tactics accordingly.
Conclusion
Night fishing for bass can be an incredibly rewarding and productive experience for anglers. By understanding bass behavior at night, targeting prime locations such as point ends, dock lights, and cove entrances, selecting the right lures and techniques, and considering water clarity, anglers can greatly increase their chances of a successful catch. So grab your gear, head out to the water during those optimal summer months, and enjoy the thrill of night fishing for bass.