Trout fishing is widely known as one of the most entertaining hobbies around. And, of course, everyone knows there’s no shortage of ways to fish. Therefore, if you’re looking to trout fish at night but aren’t sure how to go about it, this guide is for you.
Some essentials for trout night fishing include a headlamp, more sensitive rigs, and the correct clothing. Moreover, never forget the importance of using the best tackle possible.
When you go fishing at night, you need to be better prepared than if you were going during the day. With the right gear and determination, catching fish in darkness is possible. Here are some of the essentials you’ll need to take with you and what you need to remember about fishing in the dark.
What You Need When Trout Fishing at Night
Nighttime is the best time to fish because trout are more likely to bite at this time than during the day. The gear you need for trout fishing at night is a bit different from what you’d need if you were going during the day. After all, it’s totally dark!
You’ll need the usual fishing gear like line, hooks, lure, and rod, but that’s just the beginning. Read through the following sections to learn everything you need to know if you’ve never fished in the dark.
A Flashlight or Headlamp
Fishing at night is difficult enough without trying to do it in the dark, so bring a good flashlight with fresh batteries and make sure that it has some sort of strap or handle on it so that you can hang it from your hat or belt loop for easy access.
Not only will you need to see where you’re going, but you’ll also need to be able to see your lure, change baits if necessary, and adjust your cast, so you know where it is. If you have an old flashlight lying around the house, that will work, but having the correct type of flashlight for night fishing is even better.
Utilizing a headlamp, you can use both hands for baiting up or casting while benefiting from much-needed light that’ll move wherever you look. Consider using Victoper Rechargeable LED Headlamp (available on Amazon.com) to help boost your night fishing experience. It’s powerful, long-lasting, and made of excellent-quality materials.
Trout Fishing at Night With Lights
When fishing at night, particularly for trout, there are a few things to consider when it comes to using lights.
Trout are sensitive to light and naturally very wary fish; if your headlamp or flashlight is on the entire time, you’ll likely spook them. However, you will need your light to complete specific tasks that fishing at night demands.
Therefore it’s best to use your light only when baiting up and travelling from one fishing spot to the next. Once you’re ready to fish, switch off your light and cast.
Heavier and More Sensitive Tackle
You’ll most likely need to use heavier tackle than you’d need during the day.
This poses no disadvantage for trout fishing – trout are active during nighttime feeding hours and will be less wary about line and/or lures in the water.
Additionally, because trout are so active during these periods, you’ll likely encounter bigger trout than you would during the day. It’s essential to be prepared for these big bites; the best way to do that is to have a heavier tackle.
To accommodate the low visibility you’ll encounter, you’ll want to have a more sensitive rig than you would during the day. A sensitive line and rod will help you detect the subtle changes to your line underwater, ultimately making up for the low visibility and lack of visual indicators.
Discreet Clothing
Firstly, you’ll need to be prepared for any weather variations. Make sure to pack a change of warm clothing. This will help you in extreme cases in which you may experience hypothermia.
The clothing you wear should not be bright either. You’ll need to be camouflaged. Using dark colored clothing is the best option. You’ll be able to avoid the attraction of flying insect critters while being less likely to spook the trout.
Emergency First Aid Kit
When fishing at night, you combine sharp and pointy objects, water, and a lack of visibility, which can be dangerous. It’s vital to bring a first aid kit in case there’s an emergency.
You don’t need anything fancy, just something basic that ensures you’ll be able to address the situation if something goes wrong (such as cutting your finger with a fishing knife). If you need a kit, give the WYWL First Aid Kit (available on Amazon.com) a look – it’s compact and portable, making it suitable for outdoor use.
Best Bait for Trout Fishing at Night
If you’re a night fisherman and want to catch a trout but aren’t sure what the best bait is, I’m here to let you know that it’s possible to catch a trout with any bait. To improve your odds of catching, you should know that some types of bait work better than others.
Trout is incredibly active at night and are even considered a predator of their waters.
Therefore, you’ll likely have to use a bigger bait if you’re chasing something big. The most popular baits in this scenario would be live bait, crayfish, and nightcrawlers.
On the other hand, if you’re just looking to have some fun and are not worried about size, you can also use the regular baits that you’d use during the day. This includes minnows, worms, and other small insects.
Best Lures for Trout Fishing at Night
Trout cannot see as well during the night. They rely on vibrations of water and other senses like smell to detect food.
Therefore it’s important to use lures that are a bit bigger than the ones you’d utilize during the day. Bigger lures cause vibrations and commotion in the water, ensuring the trout can sense your lure. Not only will this attract bigger trout, but it’ll also cancel out some other smaller bait fish that will likely investigate the lure.
There are many lures perfect for trout night fishing, but the two most commonly used are:
- Jerkbaits. This is a minnow-shaped lure that swims when retrieved in a vibrating action. This movement catches the trout’s attention and entices it to bite. The most popular jerkbait lure to use would be the Rapala.
- Swimbaits. When reeled in, swimbaits replicate that of a live fish swimming. In turn, creating vibrations under the water that will attract trout. The speed at which you retrieve the swimbait is vital – this will determine whether you draw attention from the fish or not.
There are many lures to consider when night fishing. However, no matter what lure you choose, you’ll always have to consider one thing – the color.
Lure Color Matters
The fact is that many people believe in having to have bright and colorful lures to attract fish. However, when night fishing, this will actually cause the lure to look clear or gray in the water, making it challenging for the trout to see it.
By choosing darker colored lures such as black and purple, your lure stands out against the night’s sky by having an outline or silhouette of a smaller fish.
Top Water Lures
Like bottom lures, top water lures are utilized by anglers because they create water vibrations. The only difference is that these lures remain on the water’s surface.
There are several great surface lures to utilize when trout fishing at night. However, the most popular is the popper. This lure will create vibrations along the river’s surface by splashing along as you retrieve the line.
It’s important to note that you should not retrieve any surface lure too quickly, or the trout will not be able to bite. Instead, finding a suitable medium between retrieval and the amount of splash you create is ideal.
Spinning for Trout at Night
If you’ve decided to use spin tackle for your night fishing expedition, this section is for you. Remember that, like with other baits, you’ll be expected to use heavier and bigger spin tackle for night fishing than you would during the day.
Spinning works best when the moonlight is bright in the night sky, making it easier for trout to spot them. Additionally, their rotating silver blades create vibrations in the water, which is vital to the night fisherman.
This lure is excellent for trying to catch trout in deeper water. The color is also essential. Aim to purchase a silver spinner – this will reflect the moonlight, making it even easier for trout to spot.
Trout Fishing at Night With Powerbait
Although it’s possible to catch trout at night with powerbait, it’s not nearly as effective as using lures, spinners, or standard bait like live bait.
The reasoning for this is pretty straightforward. As mentioned, trout rely on their senses (vibration of water) for food at night. This feature is at the forefront of most baits. They create vibrations to attract trout.
However, in the case of powerbait, it does not create any vibrations throughout the water. Therefore it’s difficult for trout to sense when searching the hunting ground.
While this bait might be okay to use during the day with ample light, it’s best to avoid it for your night fishing adventure.
Trout Fishing at Night With Worms
Live worms are an excellent alternative to other baits and lures for catching trout at night.
They release a smell in the water that the trout can sense and create those much-needed vibrations. The perfect time to utilize this bait is when it’s raining or has rained recently.
While artificial worms aren’t as effective as live ones, they still have their place in night fishing for trout. You can still add a smell to these worms, which is a massive bonus if they’re not scented when you buy them.
When using an artificial worm, you should consider its colors. It’s best to go for a natural or darker worm than bright and shiny ones. As explained previously, the darker colors will stand out better in the night sky.
Tips for Trout Fishing at Night
Trout fishing at night is a beautiful experience for those who have never tried it, but it can be intimidating for anglers who are used to fishing during the day. The night’s dark, cold air and quietness can be a fundamental change from the more familiar sounds and settings of the day.
However, you don’t need to be a master angler or hardcore fisherman to succeed at trout fishing at night. Just like any type of fishing, you just need to know your gear and your bait.
If you want to make the most of your experience, it helps to know the ins and outs before you begin. Below are some tips for trout fishing at night:
- Know the land. You’ll greatly benefit from knowing where you’re wading. It’s always best to fish in waters you’ve fished before, particularly in the daytime. Doing this allows you to be aware of potential dangers, access points, and obstructions.
- Use a red light headlamp. Your headlamp should have white and red lights. Red light has also been known not to spook trout as much as white lights have, making them essential for nighttime fishing.
- Cover a lot of ground. By covering a lot of ground, you’ll be able to give yourself the best chance of catching a beautiful trout.
- Use heavier tackle and rod. As stated previously, most of the bigger, more predatory trout will be out hunting and feeding at night. A heavier rod and tackle will assist you with casting, setting the hook, and reeling in, plus you’ll be able to catch a beauty of a trout.
- Water vibrations are critical. Trout rely on their senses of water vibrations through their lateral lines to find their prey at night. Therefore it’s essential to ensure you’re using bait that enhances this effect and has the recommended coloration.
- Safety first. The most critical part of night fishing for trout is safety. You’ll be dealing with sharp objects and sometimes tricky conditions. Be prepared – have a first aid kit and the correct attire. It’s also a great idea to let someone know where you’re going.
FAQs About Night Fishing
Fishing at night can be done and it’s a lot of fun. There are a few things to consider, but as long as you’re careful, you’ll have a great time. Here are the most common questions associated with trout fishing at night.
Can You Catch Trout at Night With Powerbait?
You can catch trout at night with powerbait. However, other baits, such as lures and live bait, are recommended because they create vibrations in the water that trout can sense. Trouts’ eyesight decreases when there’s not enough light, making water vibrations essential.
Is It Legal To Catch Trout at Night?
Whether you can legally fish for trout at night will vary depending on the regulations of where you plan to fish. Some places may restrict the times you’ll be allowed to fish. Once you’re aware of the rules and restrictions, ensure your fishing license is up to date before getting out on the water.
When Is Trout Night Fishing Best?
Trout night fishing is best in the late hours of the night. Trout is considered to begin their feeding once the sun starts setting and the sky turns dark. However, it is not until the early morning hours (from 1 am – 4 am) that trophy trout are believed to come out to the feeding grounds.
Do Trout Bite at Night?
Trout can’t see well at night. Since trout’s eyesight is not as good as it would be during the day, they rely on sensory responses. Their lateral lines alone their body act as sensors that can detect vibrations in the water. Therefore creating vibrations is crucial while fishing.
Do Trout Sleep?
Trout do sleep, but they don’t sleep the same way you’d expect them to. Trout (and fish in general) do not physically close their eyes and fall asleep. Instead, they rest by reducing their movement and slowing their metabolism while still being able to be aware of any lurking dangers.
What Colors Do Trout See Best at Night?
Trout see darker colors like black, dark blue, purple, and red better at night. When the moon is shining, these darker colors allow an outline or silhouette to form, making it easier for trout to see. Brighter colors look gray to trout and are more challenging to distinguish.
Final Thoughts
There are no surefire ways to guarantee an excellent trout nighttime fishing adventure. However, if you understand the basics, use your resources, and keep learning from your experiences, you’ll be able to put yourself in the best position possible to catch one of these fantastic fish.
Each lake or river has its own nuances and regional benefits; each species requires a different approach or tackle; each season can bring its own challenges.
The insights shared here will help you better prepare for your next nighttime fishing trip on a river or lake, whether in summer or winter.