fishing after dark?

[TeeBugg]

Anybody had any luck fishing after dark? First timer here and not sure we are gonna catch anything after the sun goes down. Any tips?

[fishermantim]

You'll never know until you try!

Some fish are just as active at night as they are during the day.
(That's why they sell "glow-in-the-dark" jigs.)

Depending on where you fish (some places prohibit fishing/loitering after dark, you may be asked to leave when they make their rounds.
I'm talking about local police. I used to night fish at Buckmaster Pond in Westwood, but due to the ever present town punks, they close the park/area at sunset.

If you find a suitable body of water, you would want to invest in a submersible light of some type. I use a few small LED flashlights double sealed in zip-lock bags and dropped to desired depth. They light up enough of the area to attract small aquatic plankton/baitfish which will attract predators.

It's worth a try if for nothing else but getting to fish a pond without any crowds!!!

[Swift]

Has become my preferred approach. For a few hours through and after sunset or hit the ice between 4 and 5 AM then fish past dawn. Has seemed to have advantages on heavily fished waters for the bigger fish. Don't over look midday as well. Numerous threads covering it here

[fiesty]

I'm with swift...some of my best fishing throughout New England is in the dark...always try it...

[Skipper]

Being this is posted in the bluegill section, I will assume that is what we are talking about.

Unless the water is VERY clear and there is still light transmission through the ice, OR the gills are under intense pressure, night fishing is usually not very productive in the winter.

Crappies on the other hand, feed much more actively from dusk till dawn.

Fish sunfish by day, and crappies by night....

[TeeBugg]

Gonna give it a go tomorow nite. Hoping the light from the lantern will bring in some big gills and crappie!

[Skipper]

The only way you will know is to try... The only wasted fishing trip is the one that you don't learn anything!

[Swift]

Gonna give it a go tomorow nite. Hoping the light from the lantern will bring in some big gills and crappie!

Try deadsticking something just off the bottom, I'm talking an inch or less off bottom. Some waters I fish the 'gills (sometimes even Perch) are skimming the bottom right under the Crappies. Very fond of horizontal jig and a Glow Tri-Tail, Nuggie, Weedge........ around 1.5"- 2" overall, they'll slurp them in like spaghetti

[big bobber]

all depends on the lake....thats all i can say.

[Van_Cleaver]

I agree with the post above, some lakes have a great gill bite that goes on for awhile  after dark. You might have stumbled onto this while targeting crappie. (at least I did) Usually the fish run bigger than in broad daylight, and they tend to be more aggressive, since not many guys are actually trying for them at that time.

[Townie]

Great vid on night time gills

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqWiagd7E-M

[Van_Cleaver]

Nice video of slob fish, Townie. The story line sounds familiar.........

[Whopper Stopper]

Nice video.

      WS

[panfishman13]

bluegill will bite after dark, but it's not usually a common thing. i'd recommend using a submersible fishing light (if it's legal in your state) to light up the area and draw in plankton, which will draw in the bluegill as well. even a bright lantern in shallow water would help.

clearer water is better because it allows more light penetration and therefore makes it easier for the fish to find your bait.