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
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"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