Summertime Night Fishing for Bass

Moon Phase and Weather Pattern When Night Fishing

Moon Phase

When focusing on catching Bass at night, knowing what the bass will be doing related to the weather and moon phase is key. When fishing for Largemouth Bass in a full moon phase, using the extra light from the moon can be incredibly beneficial.  

The full moon is good for a couple of reasons, first, the Bass are able to see a little bit better with the extra light, which makes it easier for them to feed on baitfish or other forage in the respective body of water.

Secondly, in full moon conditions, the bait fish will usually gravitate to the shallow water to feed on macroinvertebrates, worms, and small insects and in turn, the bass will follow. When the bass pull into the shallower water, they are usually more aggressive!

Weather Pattern

The weather pattern is also a key factor when fishing for bass at night. It’s always good to catch a storm or some kind of weather disturbance right before it hits. Prefrontal conditions usually get the fish into a hyperactive feeding frenzy! I like to try to hit the water about an hour before a front passes through.

When a storm is generating around where you’re fishing, the barometric pressure drops and the bass feel that barometric pressure change and begin their feeding frenzy!

Tracking your moon phase and weather patterns will definitely make your hunt for giant bass at night much easier!

Baits to Throw When Night Fishing for Bass

Bass rely on two major aspects when searching for food in the darkness of night. Scent and vibration.

Scent

Scent is a key factor when trying to catch bass at night because the bass rely more on their sense of smell when the light begins to fade. I recommend either Craw Cane or Liquid Mayhem which are great scent additives to apply to your bait which should lead fish to key in on your bait leading to some extra bites.

That being said, there are many different ways that you can apply scent. Another great additive to your baits is a bait dye. I prefer Spike-it or JJ’s Magic, both have great scent and color to the dye, and both will give you the upper hand.

Vibration

The other major aspect that bass rely on when searching for food at night is vibration. They can feel the vibration of a spinnerbait or bladed jig through their lateral line which makes throwing baits with even slight vibration a key factor.

When I go out at night for bass, I am always throwing spinnerbaits with single colorado blades, crankbaits with heavy rattles, and vibrating jigs along grass lines.

Using Your Senses to Land Big Bass at Night

When fishing at night, you will learn more about how your rod, reel, line, and bait feels than you ever thought possible. When fishing at night, you can barely see where you’re throwing most of the time. This makes you rely on feel more than sight.

After some time doing this, you can determine what kind of structure you’re pulling your bait through and you can also feel bites more thoroughly. This will help you become a better fisherman in the daytime as well.

Practice Makes Perfect!

Before you partake on your night fishing adventure, go outside and cast your jig or Texas rigged plastic in your backyard at night. Close your eyes and pay close attention to what you feel.

Sometimes, you can even set some sticks and small rocks to drag your bait through the cover and get used to how different cover feels. Taking the time to learn what your line and bait feels like at night will give you a better understanding of what you’re fishing in once you venture out on the lake.

By learning the difference between a rock, a log, or a bite, you will be able to methodically fish an area and keep your bait in the strike zone for longer periods of time… leading to some bigger fish getting tricked!

Safety on the Water When Night Fishing for Bass

Fishing at night can be dangerous due to not knowing what’s in front of you, around you, and underneath the surface. It can be a bit daunting to say the least. The first step when planning your night fishing trip is to always let someone know where you’re going to be. Don’t just give them a location, but try to give a general timeline of your trip as well. You can never be too safe.

Secondly, ALWAYS check the weather before you start your night fishing trip. You do not want to get caught in a storm while you’re on the water, especially at night. Whether your on the shoreline or fishing from a boat, being caught in a storm while fishing at night makes for a wet ride home.

Lastly, you always need to bring a spotlight while running down the lake. This will allow you to avoid floating logs or even the shoreline on nights when the moon is nonexistent. It’s always a good to bring someone with you as a spotter if that option is available.

Hopefully by using these strategies and tactics, you are able to effectively plan and execute your next night fishing trip without any setbacks and lead you to land some giant bass!