Night Fishing for Largemouth Bass: 5 Best Tips

Bass fishing is one of the many popular ways to fish in the United States. Largemouth bass are easily found in many bodies of water across the country. Bass are aggressive fish and can both weigh up to 22lbs while having a size range of about 15” to 32”. Bass are monstrous fish that put up a hell of a fight. Bass fishing is so popular in the United States that countless fishing tournaments, for both professionals and amateurs, are held all year long, a testament to the sport’s popularity. 

There are many factors to keep in mind when catching largemouth bass. From technique to climate, all of these are very important. Bass can be caught in various methods, with fly fishing being the most common. In terms of location, bass can usually be found swimming in plentiful vegetation and rocky debris, making for great hiding spots. During sunset and sunrise, many bass tend to be active in shallow parts of the water. Many anglers agree that bass are easier to catch during these times because bass are not hiding from the sun’s heat. 

Although sunrise and sunset are the best times for anglers to catch bass, night fishing is also a great alternative. Largemouth bass are just as active during the nighttime, with the only downside being the poor visibility and the late hours. Bass fishing is just as fruitful as doing it in the evening. That being said, here are some tips for catching largemouth bass during the nighttime. 

Top 5 Nighttime Bass Fishing Tips 

1. Focus on Shallow Waters

During the day, many fish, including bass, tend to move deeper in the water. The sun’s heat overheats the water for most fish to handle. Situations like these usually call for bottom fishing on a boat. However, as the water cools down in the night, largemouth bass starts to get active and swim closer to the surface of the water. Despite having lower visibility, largemouth bass will probably be easier caught during these times. Anglers should try fishing along the coast while targeting weedy areas.

 An advantage when targeting shallow waters is the lack of a need to bring a boat. Although it is still case-by-case, fishing from the coast, docks, and piers will also work well. Not having a boat is also much easier on the angler in both logistics and expense. 

2. Fly Fish 

When it comes to fishing in shallow waters, there’s no better technique to use than fly fishing. For fly anglers, it’s all about the right equipment. Largemouth bass can weigh up to 22 lbs depending on the area, so using a 6 to 8-weight rod will help handle their weight. Having a line that can match up to the weight of the fish in the area is also great. When catching bigger fish, other anglers will also use a disk drag to have a more gradual resistance when using a sinking leader. 

3. Use the Right Lure

Though using bright-colored lures may be the preferred method when fishing during the daytime, they might not be as effective at night. Appealing to the bass’ sense of touch during the night is more effective. Weighted lures that make vibrations in the water are great at enticing bass. Swim jigs, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits are great examples of artificial lures most anglers use during the dark. Attaching imitation craw also helps make vibrations in the water while attaching a trailer to a jig, mimicking the movement of a shad. 

Matching lure colors with the moonlight is something many anglers often do. A bright moonlight usually corresponds with more brilliant red, green, orange, and chartreuse colors. In contrast, cloudier or pitch-black nights are best used with darker colored lures like black, brown, or dark blue. 

4. Being Careful in the Dark

Fishing during the nighttime offers its challenges, namely being in the dark. Though most anglers will be fishing in shallow waters at night, the darkness still presents some dangers, especially when falling off.  Having a primary flashlight, and having an emergency flashlight is always a good idea. Alongside having emergency flashlights, extra batteries are also crucial. Lastly, as the night brings in more bugs, trading in the sunscreen for some bug spray is an excellent investment.

One thing that can help anglers when fishing is using black lights on the boat. It helps identify the placement and length of the line, a key aspect when fly fishing. They’re adjustable to dim and brighten depending on the situation. This is especially important on nights where the moon shines bright. 

Another vital thing anglers should note when fishing during the night is to bring only the necessary equipment. It’s easy to lose track of the smaller stuff like lures and bait. It’s already tough to see in the dark; having to be in charge of multiple expensive types of equipment doesn’t help.

5. Patience

Despite fish being more active in cooler water, there can be times where fish won’t bite. Lower visibility will also make finding fish a little bit harder.  Like any situation out in the water, anglers should always be patient. No more how active fish may be, there’s never a sure way to catch fish. It’s always great to move slowly as evening bass are more sensitive to the movements of the water, making them easier to spook. 

Despite having fewer fish to catch, a significant advantage in night fishing for bass is that few anglers do it. Often, fishing at late night will find you by your lonesome or with a buddy, but seldom with different groups of anglers. There’s a lot of fish to go around with less competition. 

Night fishing in itself is an entirely different experience. There’s less reliance on sight, emphasizing the sound lures make when in the water. Though it takes some getting used to bass fishing during this part of the day, every angler should try at least once.