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09-14-2005, 07:32 PM
The Monster “EYE” BITE, Rocks at Night! by Greg Munck
If you are looking for an exciting and truly memorable fishing adventure that you won’t soon forget, I would suggest that you schedule a fishing trip under the cover of darkness. I can’t even remember how many years ago that I started launching my boat into the still of the night.
All of the top fishing guides and trophy fishermen in the country will certainly agree that night fishing is an important part of the trophy fishing equation. Make sure that you address all the safety issues before launching your boat in the dark. I like to cruise around the lake during the day so I am aware of any possible hazards that I will want to stay away from after dusk.
Night SuccessI have learned many valuable lessons over the years, during my nighttime fishing excursions. If you think that those line twists, baitcasting reel overruns, line wrapping around the tip of your rod, and other fishing mishaps only happen during the daylight hours, then you are sadly mistaken. You can multiply these problems when fishing after dusk. But on the other hand, after you stick that first TOOTHY TOAD, any of these tiny mishaps will seem like a minor inconvenience. Preparation is the key. You will want to bring extra spools of line, extra go-to lures, and remember to take extra rods and reels that are already rigged.
Here are a couple things to remember when choosing a lake for night fishing. The most productive lakes will have clear or lightly stained water. Lakes that experience intense fishing pressure are a good choice to try after dusk.
I often prefer to use the moon phases when targeting trophy walleyes. Sometimes I will fish three days prior to the full or dark moon phases. Other times, I will decide to fish the three days after the full or dark moon. I always keep a close watch on what the weather is doing before and during the moon phases. The recent weather patterns help me make my final decision on which nights I plan to fish. For instance, if a low pressure system is being forecasted to arrive just prior to the dark moon, then that is when you will find me on the water. And if you happen to be dealing with unstable weather leading into a full moon phase, I will fish two or three days before the full moon. If the bite seems to be negative, then I will wait and try again two or three days after the full moon, or simply focus on another body of water.
Let us take a look at the lures that have performed the best during low light conditions for me through the years.
While stalking the elusive walleye, I opt for slender profile lures. The Rebel minnow, Rattlin Rouge, Bomber Long A, Yo-Zuri deep diver, and Rapala’s, husky jerks have worked well for me over the years. Imitation crawdad crankbaits will also drive walleyes crazy on a given night. I also throw swim baits which can be irresistible to walleyes at certain times. The subtle vibration that the tail section creates will entice walleye’s from a distance.
Old marble eyes can drive you insane because of their finicky moods. When I need a subtle approach, I turn to vertical jigging. I often Texas rig small plastic baits like tiny craws, leaches, and four-inch finesse worms. Any color will work, as long as it’s dark or black. One extremely important aspect to remember when night fishing for monster eyes is to add a few glass bead rattles to your lure, which will help these predators zero in on your offering.
Another technique that produces results is a walking sinker. I like to use the lightest sinker possible, but heavy enough so you can stay in contact with the bottom. I prefer six to eight pound test monofilament with spinning tackle. A smooth drag system on your spinning reel is also required. This set up is similar to a carolina rig which bass fishermen use, but all the elements are down scaled. You can use live bait or small plastics with this technique. I use my rod tip to slowly drag the offering along. At times, a steady retrieve can be effective. On various nights a stop and go presentation can be productive. I also like to pop the walking sinker off the bottom to draw a strike. When you feel a bite, quickly open the bail on your spinning reel and pull off a few feet of line so the fish won’t sense any line tension. A huge walleye will often drop the lure if it feels the slightest amount of resistance. I will let the fish run a couple feet before setting the hook.
The fish won’t be positioned in the same location after the sun goes down. Don’t waste time fishing your high percentage day time spots. I like to fish the main lake points, and along shallow rip rap. Shallow weed edges will also produce walleyes. Don’t forget to fish the shallow rock piles and ledges.
I also like to use glow-in-the-dark lure craft tape. The tape has an adhesive backing for an easy application. I will cut small circles that will represent eyes, etc. Then I will apply a couple of thin coats of clear nail polish, because it will help keep the lure craft tape on the bait a lot longer.
While fishing at night for trophy EYES, remember “slow and steady” is a winning approach. Your lure will appear much more natural when it is moving along slowly. I believe that you should keep your boat noise to a minimum. I don’t mean talking to your fishing partner. Try not to drop items on the bottom of the boat. And you don’t want to run the trolling motor into any cover either. Any of these unnatural sounds will signal the fish that you are present. Always return to your prime spots more than once. All the marble eyes in the lake won’t move into the shallow water at the same time. So if you happen to be searching for that WALLEYE of a lifetime, nighttime just might be the right time for you!
Gregg Munck is a nationally recognized multi species trophy fisherman who resides in the Show Low, Arizona area. He has numerous awards under his belt including six In-Fisherman Master Angler awards. Gregg’s “Trophy Fishing Secrets” book is available on his website. http://www.munckstrophyfishing.com Gregg would like to thank the following pro staffs around the country for their support: TTI-Blakemore fishing group, www.tticompanies.com, BearPaws hand poured baits, 845-567-3737 www.bearpawshandpouredbaits.com, Megastrike, 866-4Limits, www.megastrike.com, Catch-N Tackle, 507-645-5695, www.catch-n.com, and Horne Chevrolet pro-team.
http://www.walleyecentral.com/articles/?a=1130
If you are looking for an exciting and truly memorable fishing adventure that you won’t soon forget, I would suggest that you schedule a fishing trip under the cover of darkness. I can’t even remember how many years ago that I started launching my boat into the still of the night.
All of the top fishing guides and trophy fishermen in the country will certainly agree that night fishing is an important part of the trophy fishing equation. Make sure that you address all the safety issues before launching your boat in the dark. I like to cruise around the lake during the day so I am aware of any possible hazards that I will want to stay away from after dusk.
Night SuccessI have learned many valuable lessons over the years, during my nighttime fishing excursions. If you think that those line twists, baitcasting reel overruns, line wrapping around the tip of your rod, and other fishing mishaps only happen during the daylight hours, then you are sadly mistaken. You can multiply these problems when fishing after dusk. But on the other hand, after you stick that first TOOTHY TOAD, any of these tiny mishaps will seem like a minor inconvenience. Preparation is the key. You will want to bring extra spools of line, extra go-to lures, and remember to take extra rods and reels that are already rigged.
Here are a couple things to remember when choosing a lake for night fishing. The most productive lakes will have clear or lightly stained water. Lakes that experience intense fishing pressure are a good choice to try after dusk.
I often prefer to use the moon phases when targeting trophy walleyes. Sometimes I will fish three days prior to the full or dark moon phases. Other times, I will decide to fish the three days after the full or dark moon. I always keep a close watch on what the weather is doing before and during the moon phases. The recent weather patterns help me make my final decision on which nights I plan to fish. For instance, if a low pressure system is being forecasted to arrive just prior to the dark moon, then that is when you will find me on the water. And if you happen to be dealing with unstable weather leading into a full moon phase, I will fish two or three days before the full moon. If the bite seems to be negative, then I will wait and try again two or three days after the full moon, or simply focus on another body of water.
Let us take a look at the lures that have performed the best during low light conditions for me through the years.
While stalking the elusive walleye, I opt for slender profile lures. The Rebel minnow, Rattlin Rouge, Bomber Long A, Yo-Zuri deep diver, and Rapala’s, husky jerks have worked well for me over the years. Imitation crawdad crankbaits will also drive walleyes crazy on a given night. I also throw swim baits which can be irresistible to walleyes at certain times. The subtle vibration that the tail section creates will entice walleye’s from a distance.
Old marble eyes can drive you insane because of their finicky moods. When I need a subtle approach, I turn to vertical jigging. I often Texas rig small plastic baits like tiny craws, leaches, and four-inch finesse worms. Any color will work, as long as it’s dark or black. One extremely important aspect to remember when night fishing for monster eyes is to add a few glass bead rattles to your lure, which will help these predators zero in on your offering.
Another technique that produces results is a walking sinker. I like to use the lightest sinker possible, but heavy enough so you can stay in contact with the bottom. I prefer six to eight pound test monofilament with spinning tackle. A smooth drag system on your spinning reel is also required. This set up is similar to a carolina rig which bass fishermen use, but all the elements are down scaled. You can use live bait or small plastics with this technique. I use my rod tip to slowly drag the offering along. At times, a steady retrieve can be effective. On various nights a stop and go presentation can be productive. I also like to pop the walking sinker off the bottom to draw a strike. When you feel a bite, quickly open the bail on your spinning reel and pull off a few feet of line so the fish won’t sense any line tension. A huge walleye will often drop the lure if it feels the slightest amount of resistance. I will let the fish run a couple feet before setting the hook.
The fish won’t be positioned in the same location after the sun goes down. Don’t waste time fishing your high percentage day time spots. I like to fish the main lake points, and along shallow rip rap. Shallow weed edges will also produce walleyes. Don’t forget to fish the shallow rock piles and ledges.
I also like to use glow-in-the-dark lure craft tape. The tape has an adhesive backing for an easy application. I will cut small circles that will represent eyes, etc. Then I will apply a couple of thin coats of clear nail polish, because it will help keep the lure craft tape on the bait a lot longer.
While fishing at night for trophy EYES, remember “slow and steady” is a winning approach. Your lure will appear much more natural when it is moving along slowly. I believe that you should keep your boat noise to a minimum. I don’t mean talking to your fishing partner. Try not to drop items on the bottom of the boat. And you don’t want to run the trolling motor into any cover either. Any of these unnatural sounds will signal the fish that you are present. Always return to your prime spots more than once. All the marble eyes in the lake won’t move into the shallow water at the same time. So if you happen to be searching for that WALLEYE of a lifetime, nighttime just might be the right time for you!
Gregg Munck is a nationally recognized multi species trophy fisherman who resides in the Show Low, Arizona area. He has numerous awards under his belt including six In-Fisherman Master Angler awards. Gregg’s “Trophy Fishing Secrets” book is available on his website. http://www.munckstrophyfishing.com Gregg would like to thank the following pro staffs around the country for their support: TTI-Blakemore fishing group, www.tticompanies.com, BearPaws hand poured baits, 845-567-3737 www.bearpawshandpouredbaits.com, Megastrike, 866-4Limits, www.megastrike.com, Catch-N Tackle, 507-645-5695, www.catch-n.com, and Horne Chevrolet pro-team.
http://www.walleyecentral.com/articles/?a=1130