Re: Night fishing Newbie questions
Hi there stunod,<br />I'm a night fisher by habit so feel I have something to offer. Off course I don't live near you but here goes anyhow....<br />1 - Safety - Radio, mobile phone, planning, telling someone where you go & return time.<br />2 - Warmth - It can get bloody cold at night and weather patterns change rapidly out there so go prepared. Like the boy scouts say....<br />3 - Gear. Good quality gear at night always pays off. First theres the radio, GPS, lights, torches, ect;<br />Then there's the trailer, yep a lot of folk forget the trailer at night, theres lights and spars tyres. Changing a tyre at night needs more safety than in the day.<br />4 - fishing itself is more dangerous than in the day, lighting to see what you're doing (we use the anchor light for this).<br />5 - Ramps - I have found some ramps to be right nasty after dark when they're easy in the day. It depends on ones ability to reverse the trailer.<br />6 - Friends - I include this one as people all respond differently to different situations after dark. I've had mates that can take a bit of slappy water well and others who can't stand to even think of a wave they can't see after dark. The response of "Take me back" is not necessary if you know well how each fisherman responds.<br />Good luck<br />Ross
but have nite fished alot. LEARN THE WATER!!! ross has some very good points, i had fished maryland for 20 years before i went out at nite. by day i could tell you every sandbar, channel, buoy, etc and the first time at nite? couldn't find anything at first. safety, safety, safety... lites are important-if you can't see what you're doing, don't do it. the anchor lite trick i use also. if using cut bait, cut it before you go out. waves+knives+dark=??? do you have a cell phone and a vhf? how about an old fashioned cb if needed. i bring a gps, cell phone and vhf AT ALL TIMES. have someone call you a time or 2 at nite just to check in. sorry if i'm lecturing but it can be one of the wildest and funnest trips you'll make, just take the extra steps to make it the safest. if needed, find someone who has done it before and bring them or jump on their boat for a nite trip. and more than likely, you WILL find those sandbars! check marine forecasts and don't forget food and drink for yourself. down here and a few hours north to you, you could lose 30 degrees between day and nite. bug spray-had to quit one nite before they carried me off the boat. in maryland i have also flagged down marine police and dnrec (fish police) along with coast guard boats and asked for their advice. marine law enforcement persons tend to be some of the greatest people when you ask their advice for safety instead of them having bail you out of a jam. they will give you courtesy inspections for what you want to bring and offer both required and recommended items and precautions. sorry if this got long winded but a few stripers over 30" and some big blues and flounder by nite is just FUN. can't wait to do it again this year. good luck!
