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Night Moves for Major League Bass

With planning and persistence, night fishing largemouth can yield the biggest bass of the season.

In some regions, night-fishing has become an almost standard summertime procedure, an escape from the heat of the day as well as heavy boat traffic. Bass, particularly big bass, also find this time inviting, feeding more predictably after dark during much of the year.

Many anglers view night bass fishing solely as a summertime option, but it can start during the prespawn period, when bass first move toward shallow water. Mitch Looper, an avid angler from Barling, Arkansas, notes that fairly clear water is a prerequisite for successful night-fishing.

"If the water is clear and weather tolerable, I start night-fishing in January," he says. Looper is a contrarian and focuses his fishing efforts when few anglers are out, feeling that other anglers put big bass on their guard. "I night-fish until May, when most other anglers start showing up," he states.

"If spring rains muddy your waters, stick to daytime fishing. But if it's reasonably clear, get on the lake at midnight and fish 'til dawn. Don't miss the time when the moon is rising or setting, the minor solunar periods.

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