Don't let the summer-time heat ruin your fishing. By June or July it starts to really heat up, making most people want to call it quits early in the day. I think this is unfortunate, because some of the best fishing around is available, if you just go a little bit later. At night everything cools down to make for a much more comfortable and exciting experience. This is one of my favorite insider secrets, and I'm here to tell you how to do.
First of all, NEVER go out alone! Many things can happen while navigating waterways after dark and or while wade fishing! Here are a few safety tips:
* Your fishing partner should be aware of the aware of the area you are fishing in and your surrounds.
* While navigating, wear your P.D.F.'s.
* Leave a float plan (where you are going) with a buddy.
* Plan your wade, where you want to start your first wade, to your second or third, you may not ever have to leave your first spot!
HOW: Once you are settled in at the first point, lighting is your next thing to focus on. Your boat should have an anchor light, which you need to turn on now. This alerts other boaters in the area, and acts as a guide for you in the dark. You will also want to pick up some LED headlamps from your local sporting goods store (don't forget batteries!) to give you hands free light while wade fishing.
In addition to the headlamps, get some glow sticks as well. These are the type that activate and light up when you bend/crack/shake them. What you do is tie the glow stick to some string and hang it like a necklace, draping down over your back. This will also help to prevent boaters from coming too close, and keep your fishing partner from hitting you with a lure. Worst case scenario, it can also be a good emergency backup light to get to the boat. While wading, don't get too far apart.
WHEN: Full moon seems to be the best time for me. The extra light from the moon can really help to illuminate your fishing lure so that those big speckled trout can see them better. One trick I like to do is to tie a 10-12 inch piece of monofilament to the 1st ring and trail a soft plastic lure behind your topwater lure. At the end of the mono you tie on a light jighead (preferably 1/16th oz TruLoc) and then some soft plastic lure. I call this the "Donk Tangler".
Yes, it sounds crazy, but I promise it works. You work this rig just like you would any other topwater, but will get way more strikes on the trailing lure! If you are using braided fishing line with this setup you will have even more sensitivity for when the fish strike.
Solunar tables can be another useful tool. What I try to do is fish two hours before through 2 hours after what the tables call a "major feeding period". This tends to have the best results for me, but isn't a guarantee by any means.
WHERE: White Bluff, Black Bluff, East Kleberg Point, Alazan bay and the Tide Gauge Bar have produced numerous, night time wall hangers. This method has been very effective for me, as I am sure it will be for you. Remember keep just what you will eat! Until next time, SEE YOU ON THE WATER!
First of all, NEVER go out alone! Many things can happen while navigating waterways after dark and or while wade fishing! Here are a few safety tips:
* Your fishing partner should be aware of the aware of the area you are fishing in and your surrounds.
* While navigating, wear your P.D.F.'s.
* Leave a float plan (where you are going) with a buddy.
* Plan your wade, where you want to start your first wade, to your second or third, you may not ever have to leave your first spot!
HOW: Once you are settled in at the first point, lighting is your next thing to focus on. Your boat should have an anchor light, which you need to turn on now. This alerts other boaters in the area, and acts as a guide for you in the dark. You will also want to pick up some LED headlamps from your local sporting goods store (don't forget batteries!) to give you hands free light while wade fishing.
In addition to the headlamps, get some glow sticks as well. These are the type that activate and light up when you bend/crack/shake them. What you do is tie the glow stick to some string and hang it like a necklace, draping down over your back. This will also help to prevent boaters from coming too close, and keep your fishing partner from hitting you with a lure. Worst case scenario, it can also be a good emergency backup light to get to the boat. While wading, don't get too far apart.
WHEN: Full moon seems to be the best time for me. The extra light from the moon can really help to illuminate your fishing lure so that those big speckled trout can see them better. One trick I like to do is to tie a 10-12 inch piece of monofilament to the 1st ring and trail a soft plastic lure behind your topwater lure. At the end of the mono you tie on a light jighead (preferably 1/16th oz TruLoc) and then some soft plastic lure. I call this the "Donk Tangler".
Yes, it sounds crazy, but I promise it works. You work this rig just like you would any other topwater, but will get way more strikes on the trailing lure! If you are using braided fishing line with this setup you will have even more sensitivity for when the fish strike.
Solunar tables can be another useful tool. What I try to do is fish two hours before through 2 hours after what the tables call a "major feeding period". This tends to have the best results for me, but isn't a guarantee by any means.
WHERE: White Bluff, Black Bluff, East Kleberg Point, Alazan bay and the Tide Gauge Bar have produced numerous, night time wall hangers. This method has been very effective for me, as I am sure it will be for you. Remember keep just what you will eat! Until next time, SEE YOU ON THE WATER!
About the Author:
Captain Jim Onderdonk is a professional fishing guide who specializes in wadefishing for big speckled trout and redfish in Texas, and uses Brown Lures' salt water fishing lures. "Donk" suggests you try out some from Brown Lures for your next fishing trip.
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