What suggestions does everyone have on how to set up a boat for night fishing? I have a Tracker pro team 175 TF. I want to start night fishing but also want to be safe and prepared.
Thanks
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What suggestions does everyone have on how to set up a boat for night fishing? I have a Tracker pro team 175 TF. I want to start night fishing but also want to be safe and prepared.
Thanks
Check your PM box! :highfive
I joined this forum because it was friendly and hope to learn something but when someone ask a question as vage as that and the person is so scared gona give away some secret I wander !
It's not the first time I've seen it
Me n my bud was at wylie 2 years ago first time in 20 years n I posted a ? Can someone give me an area to fish.
And I got called a poacher
I think the Dawgg sent him a pm on this. We have had many nitestalks on Wylie and everytime we invite rookies to come out and see what everyone has. Its hard to tell someone this is what I do or this is what he does. Your boat is different than mine or his. Everything I do wont work for someone else. Dont be afraid to come out one time and look. Nobody gonna be left out in the DARK if they ask questions. We love to help folks get on the right track. Night fishing is a different animal. More ways to get someone hurt. Or lose some good equipment. We dont want that night or day. Im sure someone will pop up and give some hints or ideas on this for him. But my hint is dont be afraid to come out and see in person.
Here's my pm to Serovich! If you wanted to know just ask. I'm an easy guy to ask things of just ask anyone!Quote:
Originally Posted by Carolina pirate
Hey, glad you got an interest in night stalking. We are the only ones that go in group gatherings for the fun of fishing. There may be a few join in to tell you how to set up.
You really need to think about this for a few seconds. There are lots of ways to get set up but it has to be what you are comfortable with. Something easy and affordable. There are submersible lights which is in green or white light and draw very little power from the battery. There are painters lamps that clamp on and you can change the plug in to run your lights with 12 volt current with 12 volt bulbs or leave the connectors as is and run a 12 volt inverter and use curly bulbs of 75 watts. You'll also need to have a source of light for inside the boat for when you got tangles or just to help see the rod tips. Hint! Paint the tips of the rods flat white about 8 to 10 inches from the tip back to the third eye of the rod but not the eyes! Next you would need rod holders and anchors heavy enough to hold in a breezy conditions up to light winds.
As you can see you need a plan. Maybe best to take a trip out with us one night and see how some of the guys are set up and get an idea on what you may want. All of the guys will help with suggestions. I use to use just basic get in the boat and go. Colman lantern, minnows and anchor. I have evolved to bigger boat, rod holders and better lighting system on my pontoon. It works for me. So it's not complicated but just a lot of getting the right set up that works for you. Pm me if you like I got answers to a lot of what you got questions for.
As for safety on you boat you need running lights for night time, PFD floatation devise's, whistle and fire extinguisher. You get the idea
Holler back if you got questions I will be glad to help you best I can. Also looking forward to meeting you out here some night enjoying the dark side.
Ron
Anyone that's interested in night fishing can get an idea from some of the best fishermen in the state of SC, who are 6 time out of 8 winners of the NC / SC clash Championship and not have to pay for it. Just come out and join in one of our get togethers and look at the boats that show up and ask questions. Everyone of the fellows and ladies can get you set up in no time. People have different set ups that suit them and may not be practical to other situations or boats. That's why it's better to go with someone first before you go investing into something not suited for you boat or finding out night fishing in not for you. I didn't want to bore everyone with all the info that they have already heard for the zillionth time. I'm sorry you got the short answer about being a poacher. That may have been when the board didn't have the Dedicated fishing report section to keep things from as you say poachers. If a person gives his fishing report it's his or hers choice to tell how many, where and how caught if they like. GPS cords also if they like but asking where to fish is always going to get you a no or a location in general. Some of our guys are particular about their fishing holes. I hate you felt cheated Carolina pirate, it may be part of your name that got you your short answer or called a poacher. I will always tell you where I caught fish just look at my post I don't hide nothing. But when you give a fishing report don't get mad when you got someone who looks on C.C for where someone is catching fish and sitting there wearing your fish hole out when arrive to fish!. I hope you get over that feeling of being left out and join in the fun we have here on the SC board. You say you thought this was a friendly site, so where have you been to enjoy time with any of us? :scratchhead
I suggest 2 anchors with plenty of line. You need to anchor off the bow and the stern to hold the boat in place. Also paint about 6 or 8 inches of your rod tips white.
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If someone wants to come out and see the setups and fish one time just ask if anyone has an empty seat. I have taken bunches of folks on my boat. No charge . Just ask ahead of time so we can get setup for you. Don’t wait till an hour before splash cause we always got people ready to go.
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I personally like to use just one anchor. This allows my boat to move with the current as long as it's no moving fast and the wind is light. It let's even find a small brush pile sometimes. And I catch fish this way most of the time. Just my 2 cents.
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Like others have mentioned, it's really your preference as to what equipment you use. And it depends on the size of your boat as to how much gear you want-do you want to step over stuff or enough gear and have room to move comfortably. I have changed my stuff quite a bit over the years and I always think about how quick can I get stuff out if a storm is coming and need to leave immediately. With that said I have made most of my own stuff except for the lights. You have your choice of a submersible(which keeps bugs away) or a floating light. Not only does the light let you see the rods but it helps draw in baitfish which normally draws in crappie. Now days with LED work lights available they are a popular choice. I use LED lights mounted to a piece of aluminum pipe 6 ft long to really help keep bugs away and to see my 10-12 ft long rods. I have homemade pieces of pipe to insert the aluminum pipe and clamp it while I'm fishing. I use the long rods to help gauge depth for my lines plus these rods are telescoping and that makes storing them very easy. I prefer 2 anchors to keep the boat from swinging around and not worry about getting off from my point of interest(brushpile or drop-off) and if one anchor were to not want to hold due to wake I've got another to stay still and not have to reset.
Look up Rango's old posts. A little dated but him and OT used to put fish in the boat like nobody's business.
If I'm going then I want security around my boat so no one will be getting my real secret super duper crappie catching technique. Well I'll make it easy for some of you that won't believe this anyway. I use number one Mustad circle hooks. Fish don't swallow them very often and when perch get in the mist they aren't getting away easy with just my minnow. Laugh all you want to but using gold number 2 and 4 hooks gets you more gut hook ups that my circle hooks. Don't believe me give it a try! Also, I use a split shot that is round and not with ears on it. Round prevent your line from twisting up when reeled in when fished in deeper water. Another thing I do sometimes is I'll mark my line at 15 foot with a marker to have a preset depth to start off with and then adjust when needed to a higher or lower. Sounds dumb but it helps ! :popcorn
One important thing (to me) that hasnt been mentioned is if you dont already have a graph with GPS then start saving for one. It doesnt have to be the biggest and most expensive one either. Just pick out one you can afford. It's like night and day once you have maps and can see where the creek channels are. I think alot of folks (most probably) are setting up along side the creek channels most of the time. Atleast I did when I night fished. It's a GREAT tool for getting back to the ramp safely in the middle of the night too. I'd hate to run the lake at night (or daytime) without one. Also, have more than one battery (your cranking battery) in your boat. I was set up with 4 rod holders per person with one submersible light. Nowadays you can get LED lights so one well charged battery would do for all your lighting IMO. For safety sake you can modify a regular drop cord and run it along the sides of your boat to each set of rod holders so you can "plug in" your submersibles and keeping all the cords off the floor of the boat (tripping hazards). Just use your imagination as you get into night stalking. After a couple trips I'm sure you will wanna change a few things. Good luck.
Check your water level in your batteries. Use distilled water to top off the levels. Check your PFD's for tears. Have a good light in the boat to see or find something. Anchor ropes rot so check them to make sure you don't lose your anchor in the mud or rocks. Don't take thing for granted take a good look at every little thing. :biggrin
Here's a video with some nite fishing tips...
Night Life - Fishing Lights 101 - YouTube
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