Night fishing - Kimberling

[dtrs5kprs]

Fished from 630 to just after midnight. Water temps jumped from 79 to 86 in a day. Water was muddied back up from all the boat traffic.

Really needed to be out on the main lake on a bluff, bluff end, or runout, but with an 11 year old on his first full blown night trip we stayed close. Fished a little shallower than we needed to be, I think.

Caught a boatload of short fish on old reliable. Also lost a heavy fish on it, pretty obviously brown, while fighting a wake. Had one decent keeper brownie  tear a spinnerbait to pieces. Also had several that seemed to be nipping the blade as it was falling. Never hooked those up.

Good luck. It's hot, and the cheaper gas this year has the lake full of boats and floating chainsaws.

[bobby b.]

Do you use Blacklights and if so what make and model?

Bobby

[merc1997 Bo]

fishing that area, i have learned that this time of year, you really do not need to think about putting the boat in until around 11 pm.  most of the time the lake traffic has dissipated to a more tolerable level.  just have to get a good afternoon nap in to fish the later hours.  i sure remember my early night time outings.  of course way back then, we did not have all the recreational boats churning the water, and it was safe to be out at a much earlier hour.

bo

[176champion]

I tend to stay off the water during weekend's.....Was out Thursday afternoon, mainly working some bug's out of my boat and the tubers and skiers where out. When we left Shell knob boat ramp at 6 pm 4 more of them recreational boats where coming in to launch...did manage a couple of dinks, they hit the lure right after lure hit the water. 

[Champ188]

Being here on vacation with his family, Dave doesn't have a lot of flexibility in the hours/days he fishes. Sounds like a pretty good trip given the circumstances and one the boy is sure to remember. Keep at em, Super Dave.

[Quillback]

Come on November...

[dtrs5kprs]

1 hour ago, merc1997 said:

fishing that area, i have learned that this time of year, you really do not need to think about putting the boat in until around 11 pm.  most of the time the lake traffic has dissipated to a more tolerable level.  just have to get a good afternoon nap in to fish the later hours.  i sure remember my early night time outings.  of course way back then, we did not have all the recreational boats churning the water, and it was safe to be out at a much earlier hour.

bo

This is 100% solid. Could have gone out at 830pm or so too. That's about when it settled down. Didn't get into the cool part of the night until 1130-midnight either. 

[dtrs5kprs]

3 hours ago, bobby b. said:

Do you use Blacklights and if so what make and model?

Bobby

Ok... this will bring some smiles.

I intended to pick up a black light at BPS on the way down, not a high dollar one. Of course they were out. Fin and Feather has the nice local model, but wasn't sure we would even use it, so I passed. 

When it heated up we decided to give the night deal a go. Of course BPS in Branson doesn't stock them. At all. Obviously. What a waste of space that place is. We were going there with the ladies so it was no loss.

Stopped in at Wally in Branson West, and they had a 3 way white/red/ UV deal that clamps on and takes AA batteries. It's really inadequate, but the white and red are nice if you need a quick look at a bank. 

Couple days earlier my daughter wanted to hit the little flea market in Kimberling. Saw an old BPS black light, 80s-90s style for $10. Didn't buy it, figured I could find one. Stopped back yesterday, bought it. It runs like a champ. Bulb is a little dim, but it will work for now. Will look at other options later. 

Only bummer with it is the cups are too wide to stick on my rounded Ranger gunnel. Had to just prop it on the deck with the tube angled upwards. Helped with reties for sure, and it upped the cool factor for The Dude.

[96 CHAMP]

1 hour ago, Quillback said:

Come on November...

That's funny Quiiback, Oh how we waited for the Spring months & now we can't wait for fall, A fisherman has to have his priorities you know!! Yes sir, I bet your son Dave, had quite a time. I'm sure he is hooked for life!!

[dtrs5kprs]

1 hour ago, 96 CHAMP said:

That's funny Quiiback, Oh how we waited for the Spring months & now we can't wait for fall, A fisherman has to have his priorities you know!! Yes sir, I bet your son Dave, had quite a time. I'm sure he is hooked for life!!

It's one of those memorable firsts in life, getting past the animal terror of being out in nature in the dark. Once you conquer it, then the sheer awe of your surroundings sets in.