Night Fishing Question 2025
InLikeFinz reply :
Hi guys! Need some help. I want to go out to the lake and fish one night this week. I hear the night time is the right time this time of year. Just have a few questions.
1. How do you guys safely navigate at night? I'm assuming the slower the better using a large spotlight?
2. Is there an inexpensive option to a transom mount light for navigating?
3. What lights do you use when actually fishing and where/how do you use them? We have a 90's model Rick Clunn Nitro with the transom red/green and the back white light.
Any additional info and tips would be greatly appreciated. We'd be going to High Rock lake here in NC one night. We know it pretty well during the day but obviously want to do this safely.
Thanks! 
Jason
ABLE2DISABLE1 reply :
If you now the lake running should not be the issue,and way points should get you to your spot.Wile running my partner would hold a spot light to close the distance.Night light,do the same to your rear lite on your transom so the light is to the rear of the boat out of your eyes.
burleytog reply :
Use a spotlight only for finding the bank or landmarks on the bank. Using it for navigation is a sure way to blind other boaters and tick off quite a few people.
Why would you want to mount a light on the transom for navigation? Are you running the boat in reverse?
Navigation lights are required at night. Read your state's boating regulations.
Shane J reply :
Just use your navigation lights while running (keep it slow and use a spotlight), and use the anchor option (all around white light in the back)on your dash for while you fish. Should be a fun, peaceful time, I do it all the time on familiar ponds... great fishing!
InLikeFinz reply :
Thanks for the tips I really appreciate it. We've never fished at night so I wanted to make sure the lights we had would be sufficient. I'll keep the spotlight use to a minimum as well.
scaledriver reply :
I used to fish in a club all of our tournaments were at night it was a lot of fun. Don't forget a small flashlight for tying lures.
EastMarkME reply :
They make the small clip-on lights that go on your hat bill for tying lures on. You'll find on some nights less is more with lights due to bugs. The bats here come out with the bugs at dusk and tick your line flying by....you'll swear its a hit when it first happens. lol
We used to do alot of night fishing and had spools with fluorescent line and 2 blacklights. It worked great.
Also keep the spotlight near the net while fishing treble hook lures and have your buddy grab them when you get a fish near the boat.
The trebles hurt. 
Mark
InLikeFinz reply :
I was thinking the same thing about the hat lights. Those little things are saweet! I'm thinking we're probably gonna use a net for everything we catch. No sense stopping by the E.R. on the way home! I did get a Tetnus shot a few weeks ago though! ;D
burleytog reply :
A couple of these
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_103809_100011002_100000000_100011000_100-11-2
in combination with one of these
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_103810_100011002_100000000_100011000_100-11-2
and some fluorescent line will make for an easy night.
Bassn Blvd reply :
Just look out for those culvert pipes that extend 6' into the water from the bank in narrow canals. >
InLikeFinz reply :
I tell you if I had the cash that would be the light I would get for sure. I've drooled over that one for several weeks now, haha!
I feel your pain on the pipes for sure. I just spoke with a guy that's had his boat in the shop for the last three weeks because he ran into something....but during daylight. It's gonna be another two weeks until he gets it back. Summer's busy busy for the boat shops! :-/
Catt reply :
First put together a game before you leave, once you determine the areas you want to fish make sure you tell more than one person of your game plan.
Second carry a cell phone even if it's a prepay
Third wear your PFD at all times while the big motors running
Fourth make sure you have a quality Q-beam; we run WOT at night so I use a Brinkmann Max Million III (3 million candle power).
Fifth is a must have and that's a cap light; buy lots of batteries
Sixth run with all lights on; check state laws concerning what light to leave on when stopped.
Seventh keep one eye on the sky 
WRB reply :
Try to have spares of everything. Check your batteries and make sure they are fully charged. If you are using lights with wire hook ups; duck tape them down so you don't trip on them. A simple clip on shop light with yellow 25 watt 12VDC light and 12V cigarette lighter plug in works great for lighting the bank or inside the boat when needed.
The LED cap lights are great, last several nights and easy to use.
Take along a warm jacket, rain gear and anchor.
Try to fish close to where you launch the first trip as most marinas areas are very good for night fishing.
We can only run 15 mph max at night, so check your local laws.
The red/green is on the bow, white light above the big motor on the transom.
Also try to have as few rods out at a time, one is all you can fish with at a time, the others tend to get kicked overboard or stepped on.
I tape a small flash light to my net handle, makes netting bass easy.
WRB
InLikeFinz reply :
These are great tips guys! Thanks again for all the help, I really appreciate it. It's awesome to have a place like this to come and get help!
Jason
RobE reply :
QuoteI tape a small flash light to my net handle, makes netting bass easy.WRB
Wow. Why didn't I ever think of that!? Thx for the idea, WRB! I have a tac light on a shotgun, why not a net?
Jason - my best advice is to make your first trip or two on a moon-lit night. That way, your lake will look somewhat familiar and if you have a mishap, you'll at least have some light.
Also, while fishing, I like to keep all lights off unless another boat is approaching. Then, I turn on the white transom lamp until I'm sure they are aware of me.
Next - practice tying knots while perusing the bassresource forums. DON'T LOOK! Get to where you can do it by feel. Once you use a light of any kind, even Red, your night-vision is greatly reduced.
Last - know your boat. If you can wake up at 2 am and get to the bathroom with no lights, you know your house. Boats are the same. Except for house-boats. ;D
burleytog reply :
QuoteAlso, while fishing, I like to keep all lights off unless another boat is approaching. Then, I turn on the white transom lamp until I'm sure they are aware of me.
That's a great way to get a ticket and possibly get someone killed. :
Lund Explorer reply :
You've got some really good tips to get you started.
Now just remember that if you're throwing topwaters, to wait until you feel the fish before you set the hook. Nothing more fun than jerking the rod and not feeling a thing. You just know that lure is flying right back at you in the dark.
When (not if) that happens, turn your back to it! And make sure your partner understands how to warn you when it happens to him/her.
Lund Explorer reply :
QuoteQuoteAlso, while fishing, I like to keep all lights off unless another boat is approaching. Then, I turn on the white transom lamp until I'm sure they are aware of me.
That's a great way to get a ticket and possibly get someone killed. :
x2!
InLikeFinz reply :
HaHa! Yeah, nothing like pulling a bullet weight out of your leg to cap off a good night of fishing! Looks like we're gonna get rained out this weekend. The only time to fish will probably be Sat. during the day and early afternoon. That will give me time to stock up on some things. (to my wifes dismay!)
RobE reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteAlso, while fishing, I like to keep all lights off unless another boat is approaching. Then, I turn on the white transom lamp until I'm sure they are aware of me.
That's a great way to get a ticket and possibly get someone killed. :
x2!
Pardon me, Sirs. I wasn't aware that the tactics employed on my lake would endanger the lives of those on bodies of water infested with Water Lice (jet skis) at midnight. my mistake.
No. I take that back.
burleytog reply :
QuotePardon me, Sirs. I wasn't aware that the tactics employed on my lake would endanger the lives of those on bodies of water infested with Water Lice (jet skis) at midnight. my mistake.
No. I take that back.
I don't know of any state that allows a jet ski to operate after dark.
And what does the presence of a jet ski have to do with someone getting killed when some jackass doesn't have their lights on and they get hit?
Over half the on-the-water accidents we see on area lakes are because a jackass decided he didn't need to have his navigation lights on.
There is absolutely NO REASON to turn your lights off.
DINK WHISPERER reply :
QuotePardon me, Sirs. I wasn't aware that the tactics employed on my lake would endanger the lives of those on bodies of water infested with Water Lice (jet skis) at midnight. my mistake.
No. I take that back.
Now imagine if another person decides that they are going to display the same amount of ignorance and keep their lights off after dark too........................................................Now neither sees each other coming!!!! Good luck with that guy!!!!
Catt reply :
RobE please check your local laws I use to do the same thing but now it is illegal
whitwolf reply :
Jason, where are y'all fishing?
InLikeFinz reply :
Hi basspack. We were originally going to fish one night at High Rock. Right now, it looks like we will be fishing tomorrow night at a Watershed closer to where we live. It's a smaller body of water and generally has less people. I figure it's a good place to get acclimated to night fishing. If we make mistakes hopefully it will affect a smaller number of people. We also fish Belews Lake, Thomalex, and recently at Tillery. Our goal is High Rock since there's always a shot at getting a double digit bass. Thanks to all the awesome folks here I've got a notebook full of info and tips!
looking4structure reply :
dont forget a flashlight.leds are the best as the battery will last for ever.have fun
still learning reply :
My friend and I started fishing nights a couple of years ago and I have a few suggestions. I went to the dollar store and bought about 5 push button lights. They have 3 led's that give off plenty of light. I put a small piece of Velcro on the back and that allowed me to stick these anywhere on the boat that has carpet.
Bugs are a pain and I am now going to temporarily mount some underneath my seat so that the light shines down.
Also there are numerous hand held lights out there that have a spotlight feature that can help you spot check shore.
The Dollar store also has clip on visor lights for your hat. Good luck and be safe.
bilgerat reply :
Speaking of flashlights and such......... a few weeks back my buddy and I were night fishing a large sand quarry. We were about 50 yards from the launch when someone started shining a powerful flashlight at us. My buddy yells "Hey jackass, whaddya doing ?" to which said jackass replied "Winslow Twp. police. Bring the boat to the ramp" Uh Oh.
Everything turned out ok, a few laughs had by us and the cops and we were back fishing within a few minutes ;D
InLikeFinz reply :
Glad you guys didn't get locked up! HaHa! 
bilgerat reply :
Technically the area has a curfew, but they aren't really concerned with fishermen as much as people having out of control bonfires or drinking excessively. As long as they don't see beer cans laying all over the boat and everything else is in order they pretty much leave you be.
A lot of cops around here are fishermen and hunters themselves so you end up talking about that with them for a while before they go.
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