Monday Night

[Roaring River Veteran]

Jaybird and I took out about 6:30 from the upper end(eagle rock, big M area) got into a nice topwater bite right away. We caught several dinks on top but when we threw swim baits, spoons, and other various lures under the top action we caught several nice fish. We had 4 keepers in the first hour and a couple of more that got off at the boat. We had several that would have been close to keepers that we didn't measure them. The top water bite slowed down about 8pm so we threw some jigs. had a few bites on chunk rock in the 25ft range but never got any to the boat. We only fished 2 1/2 hours but a good trip.

good luck and good fishing

rrv

[Spinnaker]

I saw your post and it reminded me that I have not really tried night fishing, well after the sun has set and I have e few questions if you will humor a relative novice. I especially enjoy fishing for smallies. In the warm water conditions, after dark sets in, how close to shore do you present your lures? What lures would you suggest for after dark ? I have fished the face of some dams in Kansas for smallies with rattling lures and football jigs with slit tail grubs with some success but not after dark. Do you think that the jig and plastic lures are ineffective after dark? Many thanks.

[Whack'emGood]

KC,

Fish jigs and texas rigged soft plastics (black or other dark colors) after dark. Depth varies according to conditions (moonlight, water temp, etc.). Most of the time you should try depths that are relatively more shallow than you are finding fish during daytime fishing. Fish will move up from their deeper summer daytime spots to feed. Fish relatively shallow water that is close to deep water. They feed mostly on crawdads at night, so fish lures that imitate crawdads. Fish these baits slow on the bottom. Some guys use spinnerbaits at night (black/dark colors) and catch'em, but I like the slow moving stuff. Keep all of your lights off while fishing and never shine a light into the water to avoid spooking the fish. Always be ready, however, to flip on your lights in case another boat runs toward/near you (especially a drunk joyrider). We have been catching them lately in depths of 12-25 feet, however, I have caught them anywhere from 2 to 40 feet on TR at night in the past. Also, right before/at dark can be one of your best times of the night.

Good luck!

Whack'em

[Roaring River Veteran]

Whack'em is right on. Use a slow presentation. The bite after dark has been really slow for us lately. The best bite has been the last couple hours of daylight.

Good luck and good fishing.

RRV