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Night Fishing Safety

from: Kyle Besser

Night fishing is a little harder than fishing during the day. However, night fishing is common throughout the reservoirs of the south and southeast when the summer months are too hot and uncomfortable to fish during the day. The water will usually be so warm that the fish will go deeper and deeper from the surface to find more oxygen, making them harder to catch.

For those who like night fishing, it is important to take night fishing safety precautions and to be prepared for anything. When you are preparing for your night fishing, you need to take some extra measures that you may not necessarily think about for a day fishing trip.

You should check the weather beforehand. When visibility is limited, you do not want to be caught in rain or deep fog.

You also need to make sure that your fishing boat is in good working order. The last thing that you will want is to break down at night.

Generally, bass fishing is the most common type of night fishing. Since bass are slow moving and they do not migrate long distances, you should be able to locate them at the same locations during many parts of the day. If you have a certain fishing spot, the bass should still be there at night as well. The fish will also find spots near manufactured structures and anywhere that crawfish may be in abundance.

Typically, you will want to use a heavier fishing tackle for night fishing than you would during the day. Since sight is limited, you will have to rely on the feel of the fishing lure to determine whether you have a bite. Some of the fishing lures that have been proven to give results are hair jigs, pork rinds, and rubber jigs.

Light sources are obviously very important to night fishing safety. Many anglers will use "black lights" and some sort of fluorescent fishing line. When the fishing line is under the black light, it will have a neon glow and make subtle movements more visible. At the very least, you should have extra flashlights and a mounted light on your fishing boat. You want to keep yourself safe and visible to other fishing boats that may be night fishing at the same time.

Bass fish do not have great vision, so they will rely on their sense of smell during the night. Your objective is to create a smell of food or wounded prey. A popular method during night fishing is to create a chum line. If you are not comfortable trolling a chum line, you may want to consider live bait. Be prepared that some larger species of fish are going to be looking for a free meal as well.

Another thing you should not forget when you go out for any fishing trip is a first aid kit. If for some reason you cut your finger, you will need to have supplies ready and in reach. You should also wear your life jacket at all times when you are night fishing. Don't forget your insect repellent because mosquitoes are out at night too.