Beat the heat and catch bass after dark

By By Mike Giles / outdoors writer
July 30, 2004
When it comes to summertime bass fishing, many anglers only fish at dawn and dusk. Still others simply head inside to some cool air conditioning and dream of cooler weather and deer season. However, a few die-hard bass fishermen know how to take advantage of some of the best bass fishing of the year. Chances are good that there's a lake somewhere near just full of fish that are ready, willing and able to bite
Whether it is the local pond, reservoir or river, the action heats up after dark on many local waters. The bass are no different than people in some respects. They can't take the extreme heat, either. Although they will sometimes bite during the day, more often than not they are burrowed deep under some brush or vegetation with a good case of the lockjaw.
Once the sun sets and the moon comes up however, it's a different world out there. As the baitfish become active, the bass become prowlers looking for anything that resembles a meal. These fish will feed and literally gorge themselves all night long at times, on any available bait.
Topwater action is good at night
Many fishermen prefer topwater tactics when looking for bass at night. Once the sky has turned completely dark and night has enveloped everything in almost total darkness, it is time to begin. Topwater baits that make a lot of noise and can be retrieved at a steady pace are probably best when it comes to more hookups. Although any topwater bait may be good, the steady rhythmic retrieve of a bait will allow the bass to home in and make a clean kill. Perhaps two of the best topwater baits of all time for night fishing are the buzz bait and the jitterbug.
Although color does matter a lot of the time, buzz baits and Jitterbugs in white or black colors seem to be equally effective. Many anglers still prefer the black color to all others when fished at night. When fishing the lure at night, there's not a lot of science to the retrieve. Just cast a buzz bait out and retrieve it in a slow steady retrieve. Anglers should retrieve the bait just fast enough to keep it on top, with the blades steadily clacking.
A word of caution is due when it comes to setting the hook on a nighttime bass. Don't set the hook at the sound of the strike. Wait until you feel the bass pulling on the line. If you set the hook at the first sound, more often than not you will jerk it away from the fish. By keeping a steady retrieve, the bass will be able to tune in on the bait and may even strike at it several times before making a clean hit. Many times anglers have had bass smash the lure just as they were going to lift the bait into the boat. The force of a strike that close would almost take the rod from your hands. The key then, is to hold on for dear life and hope the drag is set right!
After dark, shallow water bass that are located in coves and along shorelines leave their sanctuary and move about searching for any available meals. Since this is the case, anglers will not have to be real precise with their casting and lure placement. During the day fishermen may have to hit a certain spot next to a stump or in a brush top, because the bass will not move very far in search of food. However, after dark they are cruising freely with cooler temperatures that make them far more active. Any noise on the surface or even below the surface will be magnified and will attract any bass in the area.
Deep-water bass will also remain close to their deep-water haunts, but they will also move in search of food. Most of the time their movement will be primarily vertical. Instead of cruising the shorelines or shallow coves, the bass will move up onto shallow ledges that may attract baitfish. Many of these shallow ledges are devoid of any shad activity during the day due to a variety of factors. At night however, the baitfish will move on to the shallow shoals and ledges without fear. It is precisely for that reason that you will find the bass there. If they find an easy meal, you can be sure that they will be back for more. During the hot summer months they will be on the nighttime pattern for weeks on end, until the cooling nights of fall change the situation.
Perhaps one of the all time attractants at night are lights located along docks, roadways or boat landings. After several hours of darkness, the lights will attract swarms of baitfish, shad and other creatures. Once the baitfish start gathering in mass, the bass will begin their feeding frenzy. Sometimes they will attack like lone assassins and other times they will attack in schools. The bass literally gorge themselves on easy meals. They have plenty of time to bury up under docks, in cover, or in deep water during the day. At night it's time to feast, and anglers that locate such hotspots, will have a high time indeed.
Tired of fishing the same old waters and not catching anything during hot weather? Then wait until dark and head to the water to try some nighttime bass fishing. Most of the time the weather will be cool and comfortable and you just might find the fish agreeable. I can guarantee the weather will be much more pleasant than in the daytime.