Night Fishing Walleye/Smallies

Tar Heel · 07-31-2007, 07:17 AM

Question For the Walleye folks. If you were going to fish at night, would you be better off with A strong moon, or no moon light? Looks like the winds are finally projected to slow a bit, and thinking of giving it a try. Seems like a little moon light would help the boater, if not the fish!Thanks for any responses.

Flat Lander · 07-31-2007, 08:56 AM

Ahhhh the moon chart. Some people swear by it. I always look at it but it doesn't stop me from going. Here is a link to one
http://www.lake-link.com/anglers/moontimes/

I hear the walleye come in to shallower water at night for easier feeding. I heard this from a friend on the east coast. It makes sense since they are a predator fish. I know its not uncommon for the big browns in Central Oregon to be in a foot of water in late evening or early morning. Good luck.

Hunt'nFish · 07-31-2007, 10:07 AM

Tar-heel, running shallow water at night is tricky business. Best run with the electric....props are cheaper and they don't scare shallow fish as easy. Night fishing is when bankys do their best so no boat required, but certainly you can cover more water.

Big moon best in my opinion.

I've always wondered about slip bobbers and jigs to do this. This is a shallow water affair & I'm not sure I want my boat in amongst the rocks. I'd focus on shore to 10ft at night. reefs and shallow channels next to islands. Cranks seem to rule the night fishing game but I wouldn't be afraid to think outside the box. Also I hit the current seams next to shore. Should be some shad smolts coming on now, so a minnow rap or some other long minnow like stick bait would be my goto.

Bobbers and jigs??? I wouldn't be afraid to try glow'in dark jig heads with stinger hooks and worm.
Hope this give ya some ideas.
Good luck and be safe. If you run by boat map your course on the GPS and monitor depth when you prescout it in daylight.
Hunt'nFish

Tar Heel · 07-31-2007, 11:36 AM

Thanks, H&F. I will cover water I am really familair with from smallie fishing, and w/ the moon, there should be pretty good vis. Have some pretty likely spots picked out in the B pool, and might even try it tonight, if the wind subsides to less than 10mph. Fun to try new stuff!

Tar Heel · 07-31-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flat Lander

Ahhhh the moon chart. Some people swear by it. I always look at it but it doesn't stop me from going. Here is a link to one
http://www.lake-link.com/anglers/moontimes/

I hear the walleye come in to shallower water at night for easier feeding. I heard this from a friend on the east coast. It makes sense since they are a predator fish. I know its not uncommon for the big browns in Central Oregon to be in a foot of water in late evening or early morning. Good luck.

Thanks, FL'r. Nice link. I care more about moon phase for summer day fishing, as it sems from experince that I do better on smallies on less moon in the summer, presumably cuz they feed on crawdads at night when they are able, and there is less wind generated turbidity. We'll drag soome rapallas and luhr jensen plugs around tonight or thursday and let you know how I do.