Night Light Reccomendation

[bferg]

So I have never fished under lights before but I think my girls would enjoy it so I am thinking of buying a light and trying some night fishing. I have done some searches on here and read a few past topics on what type of area to set up on and the technique. But still feel a little lost and no one seems to mention what light they like to use...

Anyone have a recommendation for a light?

Any other tips for a night/light fishing rookie? Even though I hate using live bait I think my plan is to get some minnows and rig some spit shot about 2 feet above the hook. drop to the bottom and then slowly reel up...

Are there artificials that I should consider? Spoons? Any advice would be appreciated...

[Feathers and Fins]

I just have a couple I bought at Academy white light. They work fine just make sure you have a separate battery to use and not your main battery.

Baits its hard to beat live minnows but spoons and crappie baits work good as well. Its not real hard just find a nice area prior to setting up that is holding bait and is on or near structure and enjoy the evening. I would suggest having thermacell going as well.

[bferg]

Thanks man...I am thinking of starting my search around the islands at PC...but does it get to crowded there at night? Maybe RB is a little better?

[bferg]

Also, how far down do you submerge the light?

[Feathers and Fins]

Lights just below surface is all I do... PC at night would be fine the bridge gets crowded but the islands and coves don't. There really is not that many people doing it as you would think.

[Feathers and Fins]

Oh and I have talked to an old guy that sets up with brooder minnows drifting the dam area on light to no wind that swears by it for getting stripers. I keep swearing im going to do it one of these days but probably use an anchor I just don't like the idea of drifting around.

[JohnF52]

Years ago, when the lake was new, we used a two mantle Coleman lantern hung off the boat on a stick. It attracted bugs, but that made for more minnows. We caught ice chests full of crappie nearly every time.

[npierceuark]

Brinkmann Starfire II is my favorite. There are some nice LED versions out but they are proud of them. I will usually run one pole with a live minnow and the other with a bobby G artificial until I find which they prefer that night. find a spot with bait and fish like F&F said and make sure you anchor securely. I try to run an anchor line off the bow and stern to make sure I'm good and motionless. If you sit for an hour or so and you don't have minnows swimming around your light and haven't caught a fish move to another spot. cliffs and mouths of coves near a channel are my favorite spots to start with. Good luck!

[JohnF52]

Just for information, the lake was a lot clearer back then. In summer 10 to 12 foot visibility at 12 bridge was not uncommon, and 20 feet near the dam. You could see the minnows and larger fish swimming way down below the lantern. I would get bored with catching for a while and just sit and look down. I was almost 14 when the lake first filled to near normal level.

[marknsaw]

Starfire's are nice.. you can get those at Academy. Some of the new LED ones are a bit more expensive, but they do save on the battery a bit. Like FnF said, make sure you have a dedicated battery for your light. The Starfire will take 60-80% of your battery and the LED's will take 40-60% through the night. Double anchoring is your best bet. Either two achors or tie off to a spot/tree and 1 anchor. Find a spot out of the direct wind ( this helps ). Use your electronics to find fish holding on structure first. Then anchor above them, and when the sun is going down put out your light(s). I usually run a submerged light on one side and a lantern on the other The lantern does attract some bait fish, but more importantly it kills the bugs( which makes you and the bait fish happy! )! Live bait will be your best choice, but that doesn't mean you can't use artificial baits. Rig up a couple poles with live bait and a pole with some plastic(s). Lighted slip bobbers can also be used as well. Sunken timber near the channel or mouth always seems to be a good bet. Eden's Bluff, Horseshoe Bend, Joe's creek, Avoca Hollow, Coose Hollow, Ventris, Ford's Creek, both Van hollow and Rambo near point 6, as well as Quarry cove are all good places to start. I don't night fish much past point 6 but I have heard that both Clifty's, Molder, and Fishtrap are all good for night fishing. Just make sure you have a 5 Hour Energy in your bag if it's going good

edit: put your splits about 12-16" up from your hook. If you get active minnows they'll swim around....with 2' they'll make a mess of that length and you'll be undoing minnow knots alot of the time you re-bait. Your electronics will show you what depth to place the bait.... depending on your depth.. just make an easy cast ( about 30' ), let it sink, and then a really slow reel up works well.