Are Bass Active At Night?

Bass are definitely said to be most active at nighttime. In the months of July and August they will often seek deep water in order to find relief from the intense heat from the sun, skiers, boaters, and swimmers. A bass; eyes take much longer to adjust to the change of lighting and it is for this reason that fishing for bass can usually be quite slow for the first few hours of darkness. However, as night falls the bass will hug the bottom of the water to better silhouette prey against the night sky. Contrast is the key in lure selection here which could explain why black lures often seem to work best at night. For bass, nighttime is when they are extremely active in feeding.

To fish for bass at night requires a heavier tackle but limits the choices of lures. Using a longer rod with a heavier frame is better as it will allow for longer casts and provide more leverage for a strong hook set on big largemouth bass. When fishing for bass at night it is also important not to use a stop and go method. This is because bass have difficulty locating the source unless they happen to be located directly underneath the lure. They also will not usually follow a sound that they are unable to locate. So this is definitely something to keep in mind when trying your chances to fish at night.

Bright lights often attract bass when it is dark outside. These types of light sources are common around boat docks and swimming areas and can often be found swimming full of bass. When fishing for bass at night it is crucial to keep track of where your rod, etc. are. Tripping over items is easier since it is harder to see. This makes fishing at night a bit more dangerous. Keeping a small flashlight on hand can help when needing to locate something or tie a lure. Becoming familiar with the area you are fishing in is also key to safety and efficiency. In the light of day it is easy to cast cover and know where it is, however at night this becomes more difficult. Familiarize yourself with the water during the day and learn where obtrusions such as rocks, etc. may be. A life jacket should always be worn at night incase you fall overboard. Its harder to swim ashore when you have no idea where that shore is located in the dark. A compass can also come in handy.