Wow, these graveyard EMT shifts have really bit into my fishing hobby! For me, fishing is literally a way of life, and since I began my new job and sleep during the day now, and also have college courses, I haven’t done much of any fishing. Its sad too because I was just getting into the Tiger Muskies at Pineview.
So guys, do you have any advice to help me get into some sweet fishing at night when I’m wide awake? I haven’t ever done much night fishing at all.
Since catfish and walleye are so nocturnal I figure I’d do best concentrating my free nights on pursuing them. Where should I go and what tactics should I use for success?
And, am I limited to catfish and walleye, or could I be successful with catchin other species under the stars?
Of course I have some ideas, but I want to know what ya’ll think.
some of the biggest fish i have cought, i have cought at night.. the only fish here in utah i have not been able to catch at night are pike and perch sunfish… browns,tiger trout,splake,brookie,rainbow cutt’s feed good at night same with all the Bass spices.. [sly]
so read up on some of your favrite places to go.. and give it a try..
BTW i dont know if tiger muskie feed at night or not.. i have not fished them at night but i have fished for muskie at night in minn and they do feed at night..
I would 2nd what fuzzy fisher said about muskie in MN…I know the hardcore guys that come up for 2-4 weeks at a time really focus on the hours of sunset until about 1:30am and then again from about 4:00am until 6:00am - especially when full moon all night. They tend to use a lot of big, black spinnerbaits and topwater to cause noise for the fish to key on the “prey.” Enjoy and I can bet a 40"+ tiger in the dark would be a dang good time…well it is anytime of day but the challenge of the dark will amplify this I would assume.
Really wish Utah would allow the use of live minnows on barbless hooks (this would allow for higher catch rates and still few issues on release).
If anyone has read the recent muskie article (study) about live vs artificial…fish learn very fast what a lure does to them (OUCH!). In 3 days catch rates will drop 70% (from two fish per our to requiring two hours of fishing for one fish) on a small body of water when applying heavy fishing pressue whereas with live minnows catch rates are nearly unchanged.
I have had non-stop fishing at Strawberry fishing overnight from my boat (I have also had a few trips that were less than stellar). It doesn’t seem to make any difference how much moon is showing either.
RC, prior to this summer, i used to make a night trip about every other week for bass or brown trout. Truthfully, the night time is the best way to nail a nice largemouth, brown, splake or whatever during the hot summer months in my opinion. The biggest of fish prefer low light conditions be it an overcast day or moonlight night sky. The only bad thing is that you can’t see as well, so you’re basic skills and instincts have to be razor sharp or it can get ugly out there. As previously mentioned by the others, dark lures are a must if using artificial bait, also a slower retrieve helps. My two cents: full moon is better for warm water night fishing (bass, walleye, etc.), cold water night fishing seems like it’s good as long as there is no wind. I’ve never caught anything wall worthy at night, but i have caught alot of good sized fish doing it.
i’m all for the live bait thing.. and i agree with ya about the catch rates would go up on musky thats for sure.. but i think that the musky around the state right now should not be fished for with bait at all, tell utah get’s a new sorce of tiger musky’s for planting.. [:/] right now there is no new sorce for replanting..
i am how ever in faver of live bait for pike & walleye! in any water’s in the state..