Smallmouths at night?

[mrklean]

I was thinking last night in the past 6 years i have fished the river i have never caught a smallie at night, do they bite after dark very often?

[snoozebutton]

I've caught some of the biggest smallies at night fishing for walleyes. Not in the river though.

[EBass]

They sure do and yup even on da sippi. The hard part is not casting into trees and what not since you can't see. I posted some pics of night time smallie action a few yrs ago. Night time is good a time if you can deal with not being able to see. Having good moonlight helps.

[Stick in Mud]

I'm interested to see what others say on this one...I've never really caught many after dark, but the more I think about it, I don't know how much I've ever tried.

[goblueM]

i've found they don't bite very well in the crepuscular time periods, but that I'll catch a few large ones walleye or musky fishing after dark.

My theory is that since they're primarily sight feeders, they need some time to adjust to changing light

[photocycle]

They do bite at night.

here's a 4 pounder in pitch black. Caught while drop shotting a 3inch gulp leech on 8lb line. What a fight!

Released...

[Craigums]

cool release photo

[goblueM]

well if we're posting nighttime smallies i guess I better get in on the action... my sister 2 years ago, fishin walleyes at night

[RK]

They definitely bite at night, and goblueM made a very astute observation about there being an adjustment period of some kind at twilight. I don't fish bass after dark much (rather get up early than stay up late) but I've had some good nights, especially when there's a bug hatch. Only night smallie fishing I've done is on clear lakes, so can't speak to the river fishing...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[bassfshin24]

I've done really well on a BWCA lake at night using topwater! It's a pretty sweet feeling when you cant even see your lure and all you hear is an explosion! Good stuff!

[Meat-Run]

yup they sure do bite at night, my largest smallie has come at night but I've had catfish smoke my popper and thought I had new state record smallie on until I got it in the boat, what a rush, it's like muskie fishing at night, pure adrenaline rush!

mr

[RK]

Never caught a cat on a topwater after dark, but have caught more than one walleye on buzzbaits night fishing for largemouths. Definite "What the...??" moment when you first get the light on it.

[RumRiverRat]

1/2 oz Black Spinnerbait with a Single #4 or #5 Black Colorado Blade at night on the Rum River below the dam in Anoka equals Big Brown Footballs and the occasional 30" plus Pike.

[Meat-Run]

RK,

Yeah, I wouldn't of believed it if someone told me they caught a catfish on top water but catfish are aggressive and skilled predators.

mr

[slipperybob]

I've caught smallmouths at night too.

[RK]

RK,

Yeah, I wouldn't of believed it if someone told me they caught a catfish on top water but catfish are aggressive and skilled predators.

mr

Actually catching one on a topwater doesn't surprise me too much, especially if it's channel cats. Watched them pick a lot of grasshoppers off the surface as a kid. Know a guy who catches them all the time on crankbaits on the Red.

[BassNut33]

When I was a kid my Dad and I did most of our fishing at Night and caught some monster smallies. On a metro lake!