Night Fishing Smallies!
 

Ok all, I know it is fall, and I know the Smallies are up shallow
eating. Here is what I am running into! The moment the sun disappeares
behind the horizon, boom, nothing, not a bite, or anything. I switch to
black crankbaits, black topwaters, black spinnerbaits, etc. etc. When
that doesn't fly, I go to natural(shad, crayfish, etc.), white, then
chartreuse , next thing will be glow in the dark.

I have read articles on night fishing, and here is one question I have.
Do smallies stop biting for a certain amount of time as their senses
adjust to the lighting conditions. From 5pm to 6:30pm (sunset about
6:15 or 5 minutes in that general time frame). Then nothing at all, and
I have gone into 1, 2, and 3 hours after dark. Still nothing. I am
still marking balls of baitfishing on my graph, but I have not even had
a bite, and I am probably fishing after dark 2 or 3 days a week.
Reading those articles, I know people catch fish after dark, and I know
people here have mentioned night tournaments. I will say that Winnebago
is not by any means clear. I guess I would take any suggestions you
guys might have. I don't get out of work till almost 5pm, so if I only
fished till dark that would only be about an hour and a half, and that
just isn't acceptable :-).

Thanks all!

Chris

Night Fishing Smallies!
 

"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
. ..
Ok all, I know it is fall, and I know the Smallies are up shallow eating.
Here is what I am running into! The moment the sun disappeares behind the
horizon, boom, nothing, not a bite, or anything. I switch to black
crankbaits, black topwaters, black spinnerbaits, etc. etc. When that
doesn't fly, I go to natural(shad, crayfish, etc.), white, then chartreuse
, next thing will be glow in the dark.

I have read articles on night fishing, and here is one question I have. Do
smallies stop biting for a certain amount of time as their senses adjust
to the lighting conditions. From 5pm to 6:30pm (sunset about 6:15 or 5
minutes in that general time frame). Then nothing at all, and I have gone
into 1, 2, and 3 hours after dark. Still nothing. I am still marking
balls of baitfishing on my graph, but I have not even had a bite, and I am
probably fishing after dark 2 or 3 days a week. Reading those articles, I
know people catch fish after dark, and I know people here have mentioned
night tournaments. I will say that Winnebago is not by any means clear.
I guess I would take any suggestions you guys might have. I don't get out
of work till almost 5pm, so if I only fished till dark that would only be
about an hour and a half, and that just isn't acceptable :-).

Thanks all!

Chris



I have experienced a drop in the shallow water bite shortly after dark here
even in the summer. I usually pack it in, but I have heard that they turn
back on a little later.


--
Bob La Londe

Cheapskate's Ways to Do Fishing Stuff
(The Frugal Fisherman)
Through the Month of October 2005

http://www.YumaBassMan.com

Night Fishing Smallies!
 

I didn't see the word Senko anywhere in your post. That's what I catch them
with and the action really heats up after sundown. Is this a lake or a
river?

Duane
"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
. ..
Ok all, I know it is fall, and I know the Smallies are up shallow eating.
Here is what I am running into! The moment the sun disappeares behind the
horizon, boom, nothing, not a bite, or anything. I switch to black
crankbaits, black topwaters, black spinnerbaits, etc. etc. When that
doesn't fly, I go to natural(shad, crayfish, etc.), white, then chartreuse
, next thing will be glow in the dark.

I have read articles on night fishing, and here is one question I have. Do
smallies stop biting for a certain amount of time as their senses adjust
to the lighting conditions. From 5pm to 6:30pm (sunset about 6:15 or 5
minutes in that general time frame). Then nothing at all, and I have gone
into 1, 2, and 3 hours after dark. Still nothing. I am still marking
balls of baitfishing on my graph, but I have not even had a bite, and I am
probably fishing after dark 2 or 3 days a week. Reading those articles, I
know people catch fish after dark, and I know people here have mentioned
night tournaments. I will say that Winnebago is not by any means clear.
I guess I would take any suggestions you guys might have. I don't get out
of work till almost 5pm, so if I only fished till dark that would only be
about an hour and a half, and that just isn't acceptable :-).

Thanks all!

Chris

Night Fishing Smallies!
 

Bob La Londe wrote:
"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
. ..

Ok all, I know it is fall, and I know the Smallies are up shallow eating.
Here is what I am running into! The moment the sun disappeares behind the
horizon, boom, nothing, not a bite, or anything. I switch to black
crankbaits, black topwaters, black spinnerbaits, etc. etc. When that
doesn't fly, I go to natural(shad, crayfish, etc.), white, then chartreuse
, next thing will be glow in the dark.

I have read articles on night fishing, and here is one question I have. Do
smallies stop biting for a certain amount of time as their senses adjust
to the lighting conditions. From 5pm to 6:30pm (sunset about 6:15 or 5
minutes in that general time frame). Then nothing at all, and I have gone
into 1, 2, and 3 hours after dark. Still nothing. I am still marking
balls of baitfishing on my graph, but I have not even had a bite, and I am
probably fishing after dark 2 or 3 days a week. Reading those articles, I
know people catch fish after dark, and I know people here have mentioned
night tournaments. I will say that Winnebago is not by any means clear.
I guess I would take any suggestions you guys might have. I don't get out
of work till almost 5pm, so if I only fished till dark that would only be
about an hour and a half, and that just isn't acceptable :-).

Thanks all!

Chris




I have experienced a drop in the shallow water bite shortIly after dark here
even in the summer. I usually pack it in, but I have heard that they turn
back on a little later.


Bob,

I am considering staying out till about mid-night or so one of these
nights just to see what i can dig up, and giving the fish a chance to
settle into the environment..

With that said, why type of lights do you guys recommend for night
fishing. Meaning, a black light, or small flashlight. I remember RichZ
commenting about screwing up your night vision by using a flashlight ,
so would a blacklight do me better. I have had issues with retying, etc.

Thanks again!

Night Fishing Smallies!
 

A blacklight wont help a bit with your vision. It only illuminates
flourescent articles...

Warren

"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
. ..
Bob La Londe wrote:
"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
. ..

Ok all, I know it is fall, and I know the Smallies are up shallow
eating.
Here is what I am running into! The moment the sun disappeares behind
the
horizon, boom, nothing, not a bite, or anything. I switch to black
crankbaits, black topwaters, black spinnerbaits, etc. etc. When that
doesn't fly, I go to natural(shad, crayfish, etc.), white, then
chartreuse
, next thing will be glow in the dark.

I have read articles on night fishing, and here is one question I have.
Do
smallies stop biting for a certain amount of time as their senses adjust
to the lighting conditions. From 5pm to 6:30pm (sunset about 6:15 or 5
minutes in that general time frame). Then nothing at all, and I have
gone
into 1, 2, and 3 hours after dark. Still nothing. I am still marking
balls of baitfishing on my graph, but I have not even had a bite, and I
am
probably fishing after dark 2 or 3 days a week. Reading those articles,
I
know people catch fish after dark, and I know people here have mentioned
night tournaments. I will say that Winnebago is not by any means clear.
I guess I would take any suggestions you guys might have. I don't get
out
of work till almost 5pm, so if I only fished till dark that would only
be
about an hour and a half, and that just isn't acceptable :-).

Thanks all!

Chris




I have experienced a drop in the shallow water bite shortIly after dark
here
even in the summer. I usually pack it in, but I have heard that they
turn
back on a little later.


Bob,

I am considering staying out till about mid-night or so one of these
nights just to see what i can dig up, and giving the fish a chance to
settle into the environment..

With that said, why type of lights do you guys recommend for night
fishing. Meaning, a black light, or small flashlight. I remember RichZ
commenting about screwing up your night vision by using a flashlight ,
so would a blacklight do me better. I have had issues with retying, etc.

Thanks again!

Night Fishing Smallies!
 

Any white light will impair your night vision, not much you can do about
it. You could use red lights, they have little affect on night vision.
But what I do when night fishing is use an indirect light (battery
operated florecsent), so I never look directly into the light...works
pretty good for me.

JK

Night Fishing Smallies!
 

I would throw black and blue craws with rattles in them, and probably dip
them a bit in some garlic, but that's just me. Do yourself a favor, get
yourself a headlamp, Red light or blue, some models have all 3 white, blue
and red lights. Perfect for early morning or night fishing, great if you get
hung up on those pesky shoreline trees, best of all it's hands free.



"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
. ..
DUANE DOSTIE wrote:
I didn't see the word Senko anywhere in your post. That's what I catch
them with and the action really heats up after sundown. Is this a lake
or a river?

Duane
"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
. ..

Ok all, I know it is fall, and I know the Smallies are up shallow
eating. Here is what I am running into! The moment the sun disappeares
behind the horizon, boom, nothing, not a bite, or anything. I switch to
black crankbaits, black topwaters, black spinnerbaits, etc. etc. When
that doesn't fly, I go to natural(shad, crayfish, etc.), white, then
chartreuse , next thing will be glow in the dark.

I have read articles on night fishing, and here is one question I have.
Do smallies stop biting for a certain amount of time as their senses
adjust to the lighting conditions. From 5pm to 6:30pm (sunset about
6:15 or 5 minutes in that general time frame). Then nothing at all, and
I have gone into 1, 2, and 3 hours after dark. Still nothing. I am
still marking balls of baitfishing on my graph, but I have not even had
a bite, and I am probably fishing after dark 2 or 3 days a week. Reading
those articles, I know people catch fish after dark, and I know people
here have mentioned night tournaments. I will say that Winnebago is not
by any means clear. I guess I would take any suggestions you guys might
have. I don't get out of work till almost 5pm, so if I only fished till
dark that would only be about an hour and a half, and that just isn't
acceptable :-).

Thanks all!

Chris


I apologize, It is a large drainage area lake. Natural, shallow, and a
majority is rock bottom, with the other large percentage being mud. Weeds
grow down to about 5', rocks bars at all depths are scattered all over the
west side of the lake, where I spend 100% of my time.

Senkos are used frequently, I didn't list everything, but just wnated to
give the impression that I have tried a wide variety of baits.

Thanks for any input!

Chris

Night Fishing Smallies!
 

yea, and make sure theres lots of mosquitos around ;-)

WW

"alwaysfishking" wrote in message
...


I would throw black and blue craws with rattles in them, and probably dip
them a bit in some garlic, but that's just me. Do yourself a favor, get
yourself a headlamp, Red light or blue, some models have all 3 white, blue
and red lights. Perfect for early morning or night fishing, great if you
get
hung up on those pesky shoreline trees, best of all it's hands free.



"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
. ..
DUANE DOSTIE wrote:
I didn't see the word Senko anywhere in your post. That's what I catch
them with and the action really heats up after sundown. Is this a lake
or a river?

Duane
"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
. ..

Ok all, I know it is fall, and I know the Smallies are up shallow
eating. Here is what I am running into! The moment the sun
disappeares
behind the horizon, boom, nothing, not a bite, or anything. I switch
to
black crankbaits, black topwaters, black spinnerbaits, etc. etc. When
that doesn't fly, I go to natural(shad, crayfish, etc.), white, then
chartreuse , next thing will be glow in the dark.

I have read articles on night fishing, and here is one question I
have.
Do smallies stop biting for a certain amount of time as their senses
adjust to the lighting conditions. From 5pm to 6:30pm (sunset about
6:15 or 5 minutes in that general time frame). Then nothing at all,
and
I have gone into 1, 2, and 3 hours after dark. Still nothing. I am
still marking balls of baitfishing on my graph, but I have not even
had
a bite, and I am probably fishing after dark 2 or 3 days a week.
Reading
those articles, I know people catch fish after dark, and I know people
here have mentioned night tournaments. I will say that Winnebago is
not
by any means clear. I guess I would take any suggestions you guys
might
have. I don't get out of work till almost 5pm, so if I only fished
till
dark that would only be about an hour and a half, and that just isn't
acceptable :-).

Thanks all!

Chris


I apologize, It is a large drainage area lake. Natural, shallow, and a
majority is rock bottom, with the other large percentage being mud.
Weeds
grow down to about 5', rocks bars at all depths are scattered all over
the
west side of the lake, where I spend 100% of my time.

Senkos are used frequently, I didn't list everything, but just wnated to
give the impression that I have tried a wide variety of baits.

Thanks for any input!

Chris

Night Fishing Smallies!
 

Not true for all fluorescent lamps, Warren. I've fished more nights than
days over the last twenty years, so I have some experience with them. Black
lights usually put off enough light across the spectrum to illuminate the
bank, the area of boat around them, and certainly the water in front of the
lens. They put out sufficient light to find things on the boat deck, to
retie lures, sort through tackle, etc.

I've used five different brands of black lights over the years. The best was
a homemade job that Bubba Martin, my partner, made in his sign shop in
Memphis. Of commercially-made lamps, I prefer the Zorro models, made by Stan
Sloan. Mine has a second, small incandescent bulb with rheostat. Charles has
one with just the fluorescent bulb. They're both excellent choices.

Joe
"go-bassn" wrote in message
...
A blacklight wont help a bit with your vision. It only illuminates
flourescent articles...

Warren

"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
. ..
Bob La Londe wrote:
"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
. ..

Ok all, I know it is fall, and I know the Smallies are up shallow
eating.
Here is what I am running into! The moment the sun disappeares behind
the
horizon, boom, nothing, not a bite, or anything. I switch to black
crankbaits, black topwaters, black spinnerbaits, etc. etc. When that
doesn't fly, I go to natural(shad, crayfish, etc.), white, then
chartreuse
, next thing will be glow in the dark.

I have read articles on night fishing, and here is one question I have.
Do
smallies stop biting for a certain amount of time as their senses adjust
to the lighting conditions. From 5pm to 6:30pm (sunset about 6:15 or 5
minutes in that general time frame). Then nothing at all, and I have
gone
into 1, 2, and 3 hours after dark. Still nothing. I am still marking
balls of baitfishing on my graph, but I have not even had a bite, and I
am
probably fishing after dark 2 or 3 days a week. Reading those articles,
I
know people catch fish after dark, and I know people here have mentioned
night tournaments. I will say that Winnebago is not by any means clear.
I guess I would take any suggestions you guys might have. I don't get
out
of work till almost 5pm, so if I only fished till dark that would only
be
about an hour and a half, and that just isn't acceptable :-).

Thanks all!

Chris




I have experienced a drop in the shallow water bite shortIly after dark
here
even in the summer. I usually pack it in, but I have heard that they
turn
back on a little later.


Bob,

I am considering staying out till about mid-night or so one of these
nights just to see what i can dig up, and giving the fish a chance to
settle into the environment..

With that said, why type of lights do you guys recommend for night
fishing. Meaning, a black light, or small flashlight. I remember RichZ
commenting about screwing up your night vision by using a flashlight ,
so would a blacklight do me better. I have had issues with retying, etc.

Thanks again!

Night Fishing Smallies!
 

Chris, in my own experience, the bite does drop off after dusk, but it
improves after about 11 PM, and then drops off toward 4 AM. It picks back up
again as the sky begins to brighten in predawn. It stays that way until the
sun rises high enough to shine directly on the water. For that reason, there
are quite a few night anglers in the south that catch a nap in the evening
and then hit the lake just before midnight.

I fished at night year round in Mississippi, and the best night (for
catching big bass, not comfort) was definitely January. Not too many boats
on the water at night that time of year either... very peaceful, and
quiet.... except for the chattering of teeth and creaking of joints.

Joe
-------------------------
"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
. ..
Ok all, I know it is fall, and I know the Smallies are up shallow
eating. Here is what I am running into! The moment the sun disappeares
behind the horizon, boom, nothing, not a bite, or anything. I switch to
black crankbaits, black topwaters, black spinnerbaits, etc. etc. When
that doesn't fly, I go to natural(shad, crayfish, etc.), white, then
chartreuse , next thing will be glow in the dark.

I have read articles on night fishing, and here is one question I have.
Do smallies stop biting for a certain amount of time as their senses
adjust to the lighting conditions. From 5pm to 6:30pm (sunset about
6:15 or 5 minutes in that general time frame). Then nothing at all, and
I have gone into 1, 2, and 3 hours after dark. Still nothing. I am
still marking balls of baitfishing on my graph, but I have not even had
a bite, and I am probably fishing after dark 2 or 3 days a week.
Reading those articles, I know people catch fish after dark, and I know
people here have mentioned night tournaments. I will say that Winnebago
is not by any means clear. I guess I would take any suggestions you
guys might have. I don't get out of work till almost 5pm, so if I only
fished till dark that would only be about an hour and a half, and that
just isn't acceptable :-).

Thanks all!

Chris

Night Fishing Smallies!
 

"go-bassn" wrote in message
...
yea, and make sure theres lots of mosquitos around ;-)

As I type this, it has "warmed up" to 30 degrees. I don't think that
mosquitos are a problem anymore this year.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

Night Fishing Smallies!
 

"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
. ..
Ok all, I know it is fall, and I know the Smallies are up shallow eating.
Here is what I am running into! The moment the sun disappeares behind the
horizon, boom, nothing, not a bite, or anything. I switch to black
crankbaits, black topwaters, black spinnerbaits, etc. etc. When that
doesn't fly, I go to natural(shad, crayfish, etc.), white, then chartreuse
, next thing will be glow in the dark.

I have read articles on night fishing, and here is one question I have. Do
smallies stop biting for a certain amount of time as their senses adjust
to the lighting conditions. From 5pm to 6:30pm (sunset about 6:15 or 5
minutes in that general time frame). Then nothing at all, and I have gone
into 1, 2, and 3 hours after dark. Still nothing. I am still marking
balls of baitfishing on my graph, but I have not even had a bite, and I am
probably fishing after dark 2 or 3 days a week. Reading those articles, I
know people catch fish after dark, and I know people here have mentioned
night tournaments. I will say that Winnebago is not by any means clear.
I guess I would take any suggestions you guys might have. I don't get out
of work till almost 5pm, so if I only fished till dark that would only be
about an hour and a half, and that just isn't acceptable :-).

My best smallie fishing at night has been late night. I've never done well
at dusk and the several hours after for smallies, muskies, walleyes and
largemouth, but for whatever reason, not smallies.

The best night I had catching smallies was one night muskie fishing. It was
back in my days of "If it's not a muskie, it's not a fish" mind-set and I
was throwing a large, jointed muskie surface lure. I had two smallies slam
the lure within a 30 minute period, both were carbon copy fish. I measured
them both on my board and they measured an even 25 inches! Both were fat,
healthy and obviously hungry. Looking back now, I realize that I probably
turned loose fish that might have been state records! They were caught at
2:00 and 2:30 a.m......

I don't night fish a lot anymore, but what little I have done pretty much
mirrors that experience. Late night and large, steady moving surface lures.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

Night Fishing Smallies!
 

On Wed, 19 Oct 2005 09:49:12 -0500, Chris Rennert
wrote:

Ok all, I know it is fall, and I know the Smallies are up shallow
eating. Here is what I am running into! The moment the sun disappeares
behind the horizon, boom, nothing, not a bite, or anything. I switch to
black crankbaits, black topwaters, black spinnerbaits, etc. etc. When
that doesn't fly, I go to natural(shad, crayfish, etc.), white, then
chartreuse , next thing will be glow in the dark.

I have read articles on night fishing, and here is one question I have.
Do smallies stop biting for a certain amount of time as their senses
adjust to the lighting conditions. From 5pm to 6:30pm (sunset about
6:15 or 5 minutes in that general time frame). Then nothing at all, and
I have gone into 1, 2, and 3 hours after dark. Still nothing. I am
still marking balls of baitfishing on my graph, but I have not even had
a bite, and I am probably fishing after dark 2 or 3 days a week.
Reading those articles, I know people catch fish after dark, and I know
people here have mentioned night tournaments. I will say that Winnebago
is not by any means clear. I guess I would take any suggestions you
guys might have. I don't get out of work till almost 5pm, so if I only
fished till dark that would only be about an hour and a half, and that
just isn't acceptable :-).

Thanks all!

Chris


For some reason, there are some bodies of water where smallmouth
(and sometimes largemouth) completely shut down when it gets dark.
I've seen this phenomenom particularly on river systems where
sewage/chemical runoff was a problem. But I've also seen this in many
creeks too...especially ones that had a tendency to muddy up quickly
after a rain/snow or where runoff was often a problem. Likewise, I've
seen some fish on some river systems shut off whenever it started to
rain. It's bizarre...because it goes against what you would normally
expect. (ie. rain usually produces better fishing on majority of
waters). The only connection I made was that the fish didn't want to
eat for some reason when they couldn't see what they were eating.
Maybe it was because they learned (somehow) not to feed bc some fish
ate things they didn't want to? I don't know. All I know is that
sometimes nighttime is like turning off a switch to
bass...particularly smallmouth on some waters.

What has blown me away is that...some of these waters will
reverse itself (after a long period of time) and become productive at
night (or during rainy periods). Maybe it's mother nature's way of
fixing a man-made problem after a period of time?

If you look at many smallmouth waters...nighttime is one of the
better times to fish. For example, down on the Tennessee river, many
people just fish at night for smallmouth and have great success. Dark
jigs, big spinnerbaits and topwater baits catch many a 6 pound
smallmouth at night down there...particularly on the main river
system. I've also found that on many natural lakes, the best time to
fish for smallies is at night too. When the sun goes down, many
smallies start roaming like crazy and its the best time to be on the
water for em'..and buzzing a spinnerbait over weeds n' rocks can
produce fish after fish.

Based on what you told me...I'd be curious to see if your body of
water had problems with runoff/sewage?

--
Dwayne E. Cooper, Atty at Law
Indianapolis, IN
Email:
Web Page: http://www.cooperlegalservices.com
Personal Fishing Web Page: http://www.hoosierwebsites.com/OnTheWater
Dog Fishing: http://www.hoosierwebsites.com/onthe...fishing040.htm
1st Annual ROFB Classic Winner

If you find a good place where the fish are really playing in the daytime, you can go to the same place that night and get better results!