Is Nighttime Fishing Worthwhile?

When people imagine fishing, most think about someone waking early in the morning before the break of dawn to hit the water as the sun rises over the horizon. Seeing the day break through the darkness while on your boat is beautiful and awe-inspiring. Most people and anglers are unaware that fantastic fishing can also be done before the sun rises.

Night fishing is any fishing that involves casting a line when the sun has set. What sets nighttime fishing apart from daytime angling is that you can target specific or rare fish species that like to feed freely in low-light conditions. This means you can find a ton of activity beneath the water at night. The angling action is top-notch because you’re after a ton of hungry fish during their preferred feeding period. 

Here are a couple of fishing tips and things you should know to understand why a night fishing trip is worth it:

Basics of Night Fishing

1. Going Night Fishing

Night fishing provides many advantages, but you shouldn’t do it every day if you’re not doing it professionally. Nighttime fishing also varies from state to state. You should check if your locality permits night fishing or if it’s legal to do in your area.

2. Night Fishing Seasons

Winter is the worst time for night fishing because it's the most unsafe and uncomfortable. But if you’re experienced enough or familiar with a certain fishing spot, you can enjoy ice fishing during the night with other anglers. Fall is the best time when you’re panfish, walleye, catfish, and bass fishing at night. Summer is one of the best seasons for fishing at night because the absence of the sun’s heat provides a reprieve for fish who like shade and cooler temperatures. Spring is arguably the best time for nighttime fishing because the night is less cold, and the environment is friendly. You can also catch plenty of fish species without taking any additional steps in the spring.

3. Fish Species in the Nighttime

Some of the most active fish you can catch at night include bass, walleye, salmon, snapper, yellowtail, and crappie. There are plenty of other species you can target at night, whether in saltwater or freshwater fishing. Saltwater species you can chase in the dark include snook, of which trophy fish can be caught on a night fishing Florida trip. If you’re in Texas, there’s a tradition of gigging for flounder at night. Aside from the other freshwater fish mentioned, trout and pike are excellent nighttime targets. Carp is a favorite internationally. They’re the best targets when you’re on a bowfishing night trip.

Why Night Fishing is Worth It

1. Lets You Have a Different Perspective on Nature

There are things you’ll only see when night fishing that you don’t have the chance to experience in the day. One example is the opportunity to see bioluminescent dino-flagellates. The algae-like creatures will leave you breathless when they show you their brilliant neon glow when agitated. 

2. You Avoid the Heat and Getting Sunburnt

Being out in the sun offers the risk of being sunburnt and even increases the chances of skin cancer. Fishing under the moonlight eliminates the risk of both. And depending on the season, fishing at night lets you avoid the discomfort of brutal heat that could elevate during the day.

3. Fish are More Active

Though the tides and moon phases play a big part in how active fish is at night, you can still argue that they’re particularly dynamic in the dark hours. During the full moon, the light emanating aids predator fish to see bait fish. Days following a full moon are unproductive because the fish are already cluttered when the sun comes up. In the warmer months, fish are more prone to go into deeper water to cool off. It also makes them active at night because it’s when water temperatures get cooler.

4. Less Competition and Crowds

You won’t find a lot of people fishing at night, so there’s a good chance you’ll have your favorite fishing spot all to yourself.

Finding Night Fishing Areas

Night fishing opportunities can be found all around the country. Book a fishing charter or guide to have a safer and more educational experience angling during the night, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. You can find plenty of overnight fishing charters in Orange Beach because the Gulf Shores see plenty of active fish in the twilight hours. Overnight tuna trips in Venice, LA, are very popular in the summer. If you search for ‘Venice, LA overnight fishing charters,’ you’ll find plenty of excellent guides. Night fishing Daytona Beach trips are some of the best in Florida, one of the top night fishing states. Guide services such as Nock Em Dead Bowfishing Charters, Ipock's Fishing Charters, Legend Fishing Charters, and Tuna Wahoo Charters all offer unique and excellent night fishing excursions all over the country.