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Get a bite after midnight
ODWC
 At 2:00 a.m. most anglers are
only dreaming about catching a big fish,
but a few smart fishermen know that night time can be the right time
for
catching fish.
As the dog days of summer heat up the Oklahoma landscape, fishing at
night can be a great alternative to fishing in the heat of the day.
“Not only is it cooler and more comfortable at night for anglers,
many
popular fish species such as bass, catfish and crappie become more
active
after the sun goes down,” said Barry Bolton, assistant chief of
fisheries
for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
When heading out after dark, underwater structure is the place to be
for
crappie and catfish, and bass often move up into shallow water
looking for
unsuspecting baitfish or crayfish. Whether in a lawn chair or in a
boat,
just about any lake or pond can produce good stringers of fish
between
sunset and sunrise.
According to Bolton, with a few notable exceptions, night fishing
tackle
and techniques are basically the same as those used for fishing
during the
daylight hours. Here are a few tips that may make your night fishing
excursions more enjoyable.
Obviously, no nocturnal angler should leave for a fishing trip
without a
dependable source of light. The cover of darkness can make even
simple
tasks like re-tying a hook into a challenging endeavor. Flashlights
and
lanterns are essential items and headlamps are particularly useful
as they
allow the fishermen to have free use of both hands. Some anglers use
florescent black lights when night fishing to allow them to see
without
spooking fish.
As the winds calm down at night, try using a topwater plug. There’s
nothing much more exciting than catching a big bass on at topwater
lure at
night. When fishing in deeper water try lures with contrasting
colors to
help them stand out in dark water.
Be sure to include a camera with a flash in your fishing gear - you
never
know when you might catch “The Big One.” A plastic freezer bag works
well for keeping your camera and other equipment dry.
Safety is the most important thing to remember when fishing at
night.
When fishing from a boat, wear your life jacket and make sure all
running
lights are in good working order before putting your boat in the
water.
For more information about Oklahoma fishing opportunities, log on to
wildlifedepartment.com or pick up a copy of the “2003 Oklahoma
Fishing
Guide.”
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