Head lamps at night???

[Backwoodsboy7]

Does anyone use headlamps at night??? We usually go without them, but occasionally do turn them on, does it scare fish away? I've had one follow at night with a head lamp on and it didn't seem to bother the fish to much, but it didn't hit either? Anyone have any input on this topic?

[rymcneil]

I don't and wouldn't. Why risk spooking the fish?

[mainbutter]

Bullheads spook because of lights.

Carp and gar don't seem to, and are vulnerable to nighttime bowfishing with SUPER bright lights.

Unless I can play with the lights at a Cabelas/Bass Pro size aquarium with some 'skis and do tests, it's kinda hard to find evidence either way, fish+lights spooking spans the whole spectrum of possible reactions.

I wear a headlamp but don't leave it 'on' when I'm casting, I just use it for navigating tackle mostly.

[HugoBox]

I do about 60-70 percent of my fishing in the dark and have had fish eat in the glare of the headlamp and have had some fish stop dead in their tracks next to the boat. If it's a night that I'm confident that we k ow where fish should be I'll leave the light off. If I have no clue, I'll leave the lamp on until I see a fish or two so I can have an idea if I'm doing the right stuff. The purple/black lights are also a good option- it lights up anything chartreuse but doesn't seem to glare as much.

[Tim_Anderson]

I'd leave em off...

[slipperybob]

As long as I'm not spotlight focused beam on them I think they don't care.

[TruthWalleyes]

I might do a little nighttime muskie fishing on mille lacs the thursday night before the 4th, on the south side of the lake. I've never focused on muskies. Can one of you gents give me a pointer or two on night time tactics?

[Castinski]

If you've never focused on muskies, I'm not sure that after dark is a good time to start. Things can turn into a sh-- show in a hurry. Just sayin', at least give it a few hours in the daylight first so you can get familiar with how you are casting and where all of your supplies/tools are in the boat.

Edit: as far as tactics go, anything you do in the daytime will work but typically with a slower retrieve and often several figure 8's on each cast. I prefer baits that don't have an ultra erratic retrieve.

[TruthWalleyes]

Could you suggest two baits that would be a good start.

I'm not worried about the sh#$ show at night, I fish 5 days a week, and spend many nights out on a fast current river fishing for big catfish - So i know my boat/gear like the back of my hand. I just think it would be fun to cast some big baits for a few hours in the middle of the night, and then switch to some walleye tactics...Just want to try something new, I'll be pulling an all nighter i'm sure so that will help pass some time.

[50inchpig]

dark colored cowgirl, light colored cowgirl - only two night baits you really need for nightfishing IMO.

[TruthWalleyes]

Thanks!!

I figure i could buy 2 or 3 baits..Not looking at getting into musky fishing, but what the heck, spend a few hours casting lures and maybe i'll get lucky. Fish of 10,000casts...my luck - probably 20,000 casts.

Sorry to derail your thread Backwoods.