Fishing at night from a belly boat, under the summer stars, puts you on the water when the fish are most active and your competition is tucked safely in the sack. But float smart. Stick to waters that are closed to boat traffic, or familiar waters where you know few motorboaters venture after nightfall. Carry at least two headlamps or flashlights—one with a dimmable colored light to preserve your night vision, and one white safety light. And night anglers should always wear a life jacket.
If you think you’ll freak out every time you brush against a weed patch, then wear lightweight breathable waders. Otherwise, pull on a pair of synthetic long pants, strap on float-tubing fins, and resist the temptation to launch right at sunset. Give the fish an hour or two to adjust to the changing light and move into a blackout feeding pattern—then target these three areas on the water.
How to Fish at Night from a Belly Boat: Table of Contents
- Get in the Weeds
- Rock On
- Light It Up
How to Fish at Night from a Belly Boat
1. Get in the Weeds
When fishing at night from a belly boat, float-tubers have a leg up—or maybe down—with their stealthy approach to fallen trees, weedlines, and other natural structures. Once you’re in casting range, let the ripples dissipate to put fish at ease, then cast into the structure. Use swimming buzzbaits or spinnerbaits with a water-gurgling Colorado blade at a slow and steady rate to give fish a chance to strike. Don’t be afraid to go deep. Bigger fish will move off their daytime sanctuaries to prowl sloping bottoms and channels near grass beds and timbered shores.
2. Rock On
Riprap is ideal structure for fishing at night from a belly boat because it is full of prey species that come out after dark. Once the sun sets, minnows and crayfish slip out of their rocky nooks and crannies, and predators such as bass and whopper panfish cruise the riprap for a late-night meal. Start by hanging back from the shoreline and pounding the rocks with crayfish-colored jigs. Then belly-boat all the way up to the riprap to fire crankbaits and spinnerbaits parallel to the structure, giving fish a second chance to make your night.
Read Next: Float Tube Fishing 101
3. Light It Up
Any well-lit dock, bridge, or pier is a night angler’s dream, but you can’t just barrel in to pound the brightest spot. Light travels through the water in the shape of an inverted cone, so be aware of the illuminated water that extends out beyond the lit surface. Position yourself well away from that area to dredge midcolumn depths first, casting large streamers or jerkbaits with erratic movements. Once you’ve picked off the subsurface feeders, it’s time to froth the top with buzzbaits, walking baits, and chuggers.
How to Fish at Night from a Belly Boat: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time for night fishing?
From 8:00 pm to 3:00 am can be good. Avoid fishing right at sunset. You’ll want to wait for a bit, after the sun goes down, for fish to get back on a consistent feeding pattern.
What attracts bass at night?
Bass are ambush predators and they love to lurk in dark structure at night waiting for prey like small fish and insects. Bass prey, like insects, can be attracted to light. Check structure near artificial light coming from things like dock lights.
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