Have heard and also witnessed that when the moon comes out at night the crappie seem to quite biting. Is this something that most people seem to notice also or is it just me? Happened just the other night to us.
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Have heard and also witnessed that when the moon comes out at night the crappie seem to quite biting. Is this something that most people seem to notice also or is it just me? Happened just the other night to us.
I know that this is not true in SW Ohio...During the summer, the only time I fish is at night. The Crappie will feed from dusk til dawn while the air temp and water temps cool alittle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave and Lynn
All along the feeding flats you will see top-water action as they and other night predators drive shad or small baitfish into the shallows.
Crappie have the second best night vision behind Walleye.
Most fish take up to an hour or so to switch from "Day" vision to "Night" vision, they will switch from Rods to cones, or vice versa....Crappie switch from Daytime color vision to Night-time HD Black and White. It takes the same time to switch back in the morning. Maybe this is what you are finding...The Switch-over!
I fished at dark last Friday and just tore up Crappie...and most were larger fish which are now feeding at night. During the day, most people are only catching dinks that are feeding,
How where you fishing? And were you using live bait? Lights?Quote:
Originally Posted by INTIMIDATOR
I too prefer to night fish, and have offered Crappie Tournaments on full moon nights. Most don't get it, however as Intimidator has pointed out, Crappie see better in low light conditions. I prefer full moon nights in the summer for several reasons; It's cooler for me, the fishing is better, and the full moon offers some light for safety considerations while in the boat.
I'm a fair weather fisherman- fairly early in the morning and fairly late in the evening during the spring/fall. During the summer I prefer fishing at night, too dang hot in a full sun to fish during the day. Besides, I have other things I can do in daylight to keep the bride happy. Plus, my bride is NOT a hot weather person.
Fishing under lights is one technique that works well if you're not planning on moving. You create an mini-ecosystem which draws the bait and fish to you. Works well if you are close to the bait/fish already. To start my micro-ecosystem I hang a Coleman white gas lantern about 4' above head height and 3'-4' off the side of the boat. This draws in the bugs, who end up dying and falling into the water, which provide food for shad, and shad provide food for Crappie. If you put in a green light under the boat, it will draw in algae, which has the same effect.
Honestly, I prefer to move from one spot to another at night. I have GPS and marked points on my sonar unit. A map chip with lake depths or a Auto-Chart Pro map I made of the lake and move from spot to spot, as if I was fishing during the day. Safety is a concern at night, so I go slower, about 5mph and stay in one general area.
Safety is the utmost concern, never assume a cloud less night will stay that way. Know the forecast and plan for it. Keep up to date on weather information. I have made a 25 minute run in a torrential downpour using lightening flashes to see shore line. Not the dumbest thing I have ever done, but pretty close.
Day or night Dave, I do better in between the full and new than when dead on. Hope this finds you and Lynn doing well......Tim.
The fuller the moon get's and brighter the crappie will bite but will scatter them out hard to draw them in with the lights.
LittleJohn
This could be why it has been tougher on me. Never thought about them scattering during a full moon.
Good point LittleJohn.Quote:
Originally Posted by LittleJohn
Back when I Bass fish would love the full moon nights the bass would be on the banks gorging their self. The crappie are the same chasing the bait fish throughout the night.
LittleJohn
Have you had any luck fishing at night without lights?
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Attachment 241519
The wife caught big fish during the night tournament. $70 cash.
This is all I managed to catch.
Attachment 241518
am not sure myself why sometimes they are on during a big moon and sometimes not ....but i have seen it happen myself as well ....
Dave I have seen it numerous times. Go night fishing on nights the moon come up at say 1030 or 11 oclock at night, and once its up or been up for about 30 minutes, its all over. I know several others who will tell you the exact same thing. That mean sometimes you cant catch them? Not all all. Just is our experience on our middle TN lake we fish......On nights when the moon is already out when it finally gets dark and its a very bright moon, its tougher fishing than on the less bright moons. Each and every night out is different so sometimes there are many factors. Go fish, enjoy catch them if they bite and regardless of how many you catch or dont, you can not catch them on the couch. :)
The moon has not had an effect on my night fishing. If the fish are not biting in one area I move. Always find more at other spots. I personally think that if the water is clear and shallow then the moon will make a difference. If the water is stained and deep then you have a better chance at catching them.
Light penetration has the same effect night or day. Reduced penetration could be from a variety of things, clouds, little moon light,Quote:
Originally Posted by SlabSlider
stained water, etc. Full sun or full moon also have the same effect. All about light penetration. Crappie are visual feeders and they prefer low light conditions. Crappie look up to eat, looking at anything above you in water tends to make it a silhouette against the surface. Imagine standing in your yard and you must look up to find food. That sun will blind you, so you make accommodations. Go deeper into the woods, hide behind a tree, look a different direction, put on sun glasses, etc. Crappie do the same thing. However they can't put on sunglasses.
:dono
One flash of lightning though and you need to go home. Both for safety and in my experience the bite is done.
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I use swimbaits, most fish are feeding heavy, and chasing forage into the shallows...never found a need for lights...I like to bank fish the shallows and travel light. Invest in a good Red Light headlamp, bugs are not attracted to red light but you can actually see real good...my headlamp has red and normal light LCD's.Quote:
Originally Posted by cevans
I fish moonless nights and full moon nights and see no difference in the bite...during the SUMMER, fish will mainly feed at night. The heat of the day leads to stress and they will suspend and not feed. AT 80 degrees a Hunting Crappie will be under extreme stress and metabolize food faster than it can eat...so they will just suspend, save energy, and feed at night...then start the process over again the next day.
Ishields I caught 1 just the other night dragging jigs on the bottom in 6ft of water away from the lights. Never caught 1 on the bottom that way before.
I think if you keep a log on night fishing crappie, the moonless night or almost moonless will be much better. We was out fishing Wed. night and having no luck, We hung with it, and when the moon went behind the horizon we started catching them. I've talked to some top night crappie fisherman, and they all say the darker nights the better the fishing....:fish
Giving me a lesson on light? :donoQuote:
Originally Posted by Hanr3
I fish more at night than most people get to fish during the day! LOL
Like i said, it has STILL had no effect on my night fishing. Your lake may be different.
No, I was agreeing with your post on light and trying to expound on the subject.Quote:
Originally Posted by SlabSlider
Anybody try trolling at night?
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