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I was reading the newest edition of Mississippi Game & Fish, and one of the articles mentioned fishing at night as a method of catching crappie. We fish up to 8:00 or so, and we have caught fish up to that time. But after 8 the sun is down far enough that it's dark on the lake. We talked among ourselves about staying out and trying night fishing, but we haven't done it.
Anybody ever fish for crappie at night? Is there any sense to it at all?
fishing around lights can be very productive. Fish the same areas you so during the day. Use a minnow or jig under a float and fish near the outside edge of the light.
Some of the biggest fish I have ever caught was at night around a floating light. Also it just seems a little more fun just being out there at night. Alot more quiet.
I've always wanted to and I plan on night fishing this year. Does the floating light not attract the crap out of the mosquitos? Guess I'll have to make sure the Thermocell is working to a T!
Do you guys just use one floating light? What about lighting within the boat?
All I have ever used is one floating light, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to use more if you like. The lights in the boat is what I have always attract the bugs. That part can be really bad. The Thermocell is one of the best things I have ever bought. Sure made bowhunting fun again.
I use a submirsible(sp) light at each end of the boat. I also took a couple of clamp on reflector lights and put 50 watt 12 volt bulbs (the kind made for r.v's and boats) in them and clamp them to the side of the boat to shine on the water. Just cut the plug off the end and attatch alligator clips instead. Clip them to your trolling battery. I've got a couple of small interior lights for the inside of the boat but only use them to tie a hook or jig.
Lots of guys here in Fl and Ga do it. I never have but I want to try it
Glad you brought the subject up BIGCRAPPIEMAX. I was wondering if anyone has fished at night with a jig pole as one would in the daytime - without lights shining in the water. Not much on setting in one place. With the moon out there is usually enough light to ease a jig beside a piece of cover and it would sure beat the heat of the day in summertime.
we have used lights at night and live bait mostly. Put out as many lights as you can. The only bd thing about the summer is you better get ready when you turn that light on as bugs will be everywhere. Atleast on RB that's the case. The boat would be full of aterbugs by the end of the night.
It does work. I've been dabbling with it for a couple of years. It's a lot different from fishing in the daylight hours. As a general rule you can catch'em at night anywhere you can get'em in the day. Around or over brush, channels, drop-offs, bends, bridges, rip-rap, etc. Whereever they congregate, you can catch'em. Mostly I fish from a boat that's anchored from both ends width two lights submerged in the water. Patience is critical. Don't give up after the first time. One thing I like about it is that it's cooler at night and no boat traffic to fool with.
You might call your warden and let him where you'll be and when. I've been checked a couple times on suspicion of illegal activities. The call can save the warden a trip out to see what's going on.
The article mentioned using glow-in-the-dark beads right on the hook to attract the fish. Would that just as good (or almost as good) as using the floating lights or lights in/outside the boat? It seems like it wouldn't alert as many bugs as to my location, and I could operate a clandestine fishing operation!
Jennifer and I have more time after dark to fish than we do during the daylight hours, so this seemed like a way to put in more hours on the hunt. Also, like Riverjign said, it is just more fun being out on the lake at night. I like the sounds, and I love seeing the stars mirrored on the water. Beautiful. And avoiding all the daytime traffic would be fantastic.
Growing up in South GA, my dad and his father would night fish for crappie on Lake Eufala on the GA/AL border, he said they would go out with a 100 minnows and hang a lantern over the side of the boat and fill the boat with crappie and after they had used all the live minnows, they would pick up the dead ones off the floor of the boat and the crappie would go for those too. Well I guess those were the good ole' days...
I have been wanting to night fish here and was just waiting for school to be over and the weather to warm up. I used to night fish growing up back in FL for catfish at private ponds and I always did quite well. I think it would it fun to find a good crappie hole, anchor up, and cast a couple of catfish poles out and try to get my hands on a big flathead. Hopefully I can get out there sometime soon...let me know if any of you guys try it on Enid/Sardis anytime soon
Max! I know i,m not from miss. but crappie don,t know the difference between state lines:D here is what we do & it works well for us we use the green lights that you hang over the sides of the boat & fish in the shadows with minnows i,ve got 2 60 watt rv bulb lights that we keep inside but they are pointed inside so you can see rods & how to bait up. The green lights don,t cost that much about 30 bucks try them i think you,ll be happy with your investment.:)
I've done some catfishing at night, and we always had good luck with them. I didn't know if crappie would be interested in biting at night. I'm glad to know that they are into having late suppers too!
I don't know exactly when I'm going to give it a shot, but I'm going to do it soon. I definitely have to stop my gas leak before I hang my lantern out. Otherwise, my night fishing might be an extremely shortlived venture.
Cartag Catcher, this may seem like a silly question, but please remember that I'm starting from scratch here. When you say that you hang the lights over the side of the boat do you mean that they hang over the side and shine on the water or that they hang over the sides and then float in the water? What I'm wondering is whether the lights need to just illuminate the water surface or actually sit on the water to shine deeper into the water. Of course, we're not talking about much depth here, but I don't know if it makes any difference.
One more thing. What kind of electrical system are you guys running? Am I going to have to worry about adding batteries are something in order to light up the lake? I've got one 12v deep cycle battery that I use for trolling and starting Jonathon (my name for my Johnson), one small 12v battery that I use for my running lights and hummingbird, and one small 12v battery that runs nothing but the bilge pump. Can I wire the lights into one of them without much worry of draining the batter, or would I be better served to add another battery?
Max put the lights in the water about 6 inches down make sure ya get just the green not the one with the spot light. As far as battires goes on the inside just cut the plugs off & wire on some clips to clamp on the batt,s i,ve got the big maxx batt,s from wally world & can go all night you want even need your depth finder once your on the fish.we only use 1 light inside most of the time i never hook anything to the cranking batt. try 1 large batt to start with nothing but your lights should last several hours.