Don't let the summer-time heat ruin your fishing. By June or July it starts to really heat up, making most people want to call it quits early in the day. I think this is unfortunate, because some of the best fishing around is available, if you just go a little bit later. At night everything cools down to make for a much more comfortable and exciting experience. This is one of my favorite insider secrets, and I'm here to tell you how to do.
Rule #1 - Do NOT go fishing at night alone! There are too many bad things that can happen at night that are out of your control. Follow these tips to stay safe:
* Make sure you or your fishing partner are very familiar with the area and that all of your night time navigational equipment is fully functional.
* Always wear your life jacket while motoring the boat.
* Leave a float plan (where you are going) with a buddy.
* Plan out your trip, including your first several fishing spots.
HOW: When you get to the first fishing spot, anchor up and turn the boat light on. This can keep other watercraft from running into it, as well as giving you a sense of direction while walking around in the dark. Next, you need a LED headlamp to wear. These are a must-have piece of fishing equipment, and are available pretty cheaply in most sporting goods stores.
Also, grab a chem-stick (glow stick), they activate and emit light when the internal ampule is broken and then shaken. Take a piece of monofilament leader material and tie it to the chem stick and hang it around your neck, behind you! What this does is allows your fishing buddy to see you when your back is turned to him, top-waters can be ugly at night. This also makes a great back up if you should lose your battery power and they will last long enough (6 to 8hrs) to get you back to the boat. Don't stray too far from each other, stay within talking or yelling distance! You will need have have some top-waters that will silhouette themselves (dark colors). I like throwing Mirrolure's she pup and she dog in black with a chartreuse head.
WHEN: I prefer to fish in the time before, during and after a full moon because of the extra light it provides. If you are using a dark topwater lure it will stand out that much better to those predator fish. The key is to use what I call the "Donk's Tangler". What you do is tie about a foot of line to the front ring on a top water lure, and then attach a dark-colored soft plastic lure on the back end with a very light fishing hook.
It's a bit unusual, but it works surprisingly well. The action you need to work the rig is the same as any other topwater lure, but now you have the added benefit of fish striking the extra plastic lure. For me, braided line works the best in this situation because you can feel every bump and nibble on that second lure.
Also, check your So-lunar tables. I use what I call the 5 hr. window as a guide; 2 hrs before a major feeding time, the hour of major feeding and the 2 hrs after a major feeding period. Lunar tables are never a for-sure thing, but they have more than often worked for me.
WHERE: White Bluff, Black Bluff, East Kleberg Point, Alazan bay and the Tide Gauge Bar have produced numerous, night time wall hangers. This method has been very effective for me, as I am sure it will be for you. Remember keep just what you will eat! Until next time, SEE YOU ON THE WATER!
Rule #1 - Do NOT go fishing at night alone! There are too many bad things that can happen at night that are out of your control. Follow these tips to stay safe:
* Make sure you or your fishing partner are very familiar with the area and that all of your night time navigational equipment is fully functional.
* Always wear your life jacket while motoring the boat.
* Leave a float plan (where you are going) with a buddy.
* Plan out your trip, including your first several fishing spots.
HOW: When you get to the first fishing spot, anchor up and turn the boat light on. This can keep other watercraft from running into it, as well as giving you a sense of direction while walking around in the dark. Next, you need a LED headlamp to wear. These are a must-have piece of fishing equipment, and are available pretty cheaply in most sporting goods stores.
Also, grab a chem-stick (glow stick), they activate and emit light when the internal ampule is broken and then shaken. Take a piece of monofilament leader material and tie it to the chem stick and hang it around your neck, behind you! What this does is allows your fishing buddy to see you when your back is turned to him, top-waters can be ugly at night. This also makes a great back up if you should lose your battery power and they will last long enough (6 to 8hrs) to get you back to the boat. Don't stray too far from each other, stay within talking or yelling distance! You will need have have some top-waters that will silhouette themselves (dark colors). I like throwing Mirrolure's she pup and she dog in black with a chartreuse head.
WHEN: I prefer to fish in the time before, during and after a full moon because of the extra light it provides. If you are using a dark topwater lure it will stand out that much better to those predator fish. The key is to use what I call the "Donk's Tangler". What you do is tie about a foot of line to the front ring on a top water lure, and then attach a dark-colored soft plastic lure on the back end with a very light fishing hook.
It's a bit unusual, but it works surprisingly well. The action you need to work the rig is the same as any other topwater lure, but now you have the added benefit of fish striking the extra plastic lure. For me, braided line works the best in this situation because you can feel every bump and nibble on that second lure.
Also, check your So-lunar tables. I use what I call the 5 hr. window as a guide; 2 hrs before a major feeding time, the hour of major feeding and the 2 hrs after a major feeding period. Lunar tables are never a for-sure thing, but they have more than often worked for me.
WHERE: White Bluff, Black Bluff, East Kleberg Point, Alazan bay and the Tide Gauge Bar have produced numerous, night time wall hangers. This method has been very effective for me, as I am sure it will be for you. Remember keep just what you will eat! Until next time, SEE YOU ON THE WATER!
About the Author:
Captain Jim Onderdonk is a professional fishing guide who specializes in wadefishing for big speckled trout and redfish in Texas, and uses Brown Lures' salt water fishing lures. "Donk" suggests you try out some from Brown Lures for your next fishing trip.
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