night fishing

[Graham Nash]

I remember when I used to go beach fishing years ago I used to prefer night trips. I don't remember if this was because the fish came in closer to the beach during the cover of darkness or if it was to get some peace and quiet from her indoors .

 

Years later I have had ponds and fish tanks and my fish have always been fairly inactive at night.

 

My point is; As I have a boat with an enclosed cabin (for heat) I am hoping to do a few evening/night trips in the harbour or around the Poole beaches during the calm winter nights and wondered if anyone thinks i'm wasting my time?

 

I have read some of the old "night fishing" threads and am prepared for the creaks, lights looming upon me from out of the darkness and the slopping of water in my bilges thanks

[duncan]

there are certain fish, and certain areas, that significantly improve at night - this is both light triggered and, it's suggested, reduced boat traffic generally contributes.

 

I can't comment on the harbour itself, but Poole Bay marks and others in the 90ft depth range can become 'very interesting' through the night.

 

Tope, rays and conger.

 

Tight inshore you have the flatties of course, and codling can also appear in the same way as they do for the beach angler.

[great white]

In my experiance inshore the fishing does really come alive after dark. with eels bass and Cod having no problem getting the scent trail to the baits.

 

Some fish really do become pests [Pout] but others go to bed.

 

However for all the improved catches, the fishing is harder work. seeing what is going on generally is hard, tying rigs etc very hard.

Jobs that we take for granted in daylight can be very very hard , like alderney ring anchor recovery when you lose sight of your buoy.

 

You need to be very confident in your ability and the boat. There are not many others out there to help once darkness sets in.

 

It also gets very cold at this time of year on those calm clear nights.

 

All that said I still love it when I can go, we just take plenty of clothing, all sorts of extra lights, plenty of food and make teh most of calmer weather.

 

Charlie

 

 

 

[ChrisE]

If God meant us to fish at night we would have searchlights built into our foreheads!

 

Seriously, I used to spend many nights fishing for carp and latterly cod and in terms of catches it was worth the effort. However, these days I don't believe the additional effort is worth it. The only fish I'm prepared to spend night hours for is seatrout.

 

Best of luck whatever you decide to do.

[JIMBOB]

Had to post on this thread!, as during the summer nearly all my fishing is at night, I feel I can offer you some advice here. I feel fine out there at night on summer nights, after a few trips and your confidence with your equipment and route builds, its not much different to being out in the day, it never really that dark and on some moon lit nights you can see for miles! fishing can be great too! Pots and nets while traveling are my main concern/ hazzard !

 

But in the winter I have found night fishing can be a very different experience! the weather can change much quicker, the temp dropps lower quicker, the sea just seems a little more uneasy and the fog/mist can be a pain mainly near the rivers, channel bouys are gone around christchurch and the rivers is normally belting out the harbour. With branches and trees being swept out to sea! Apart from that it is just more eerie in the winter, I feel on edge out there and only go on the best forcasts. I sure the rewards are there to be had just not worth risking sometimes.

In the solent or poole harbour would be a lot safer in winter and would be your best bet for a maiden trip!

good luck

 

James

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies so far.

 

Jim, my initial idea for a first few trips was to pick a good forecast with a small tide and sit in the harbour or very close to shore off Sandbanks or Bournemouth. Sea sickness is sometimes an issue with me, and it concerns me that the darkness and "eeriness" will make that worse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lofty]

Not much to add other than I phone Portland cg and tell them my plans. It's a great feeling out at night. I'm always spooked as many fish come and have a look. Last trip out I had a bass swirl 2 feet from me and sh1t me right up

I know it's different on a yak but I dress for the water, and have loads of kit on me that should facilitate a rescue, if not a recovery

[Guest]

well if you can do it in a bl00dy yak then surely I can do it in 20ft of reinforced fibreglass!!!