Lantern lights on or off when fishing?

[fishdog]

My freind and I have been argueing when night fishing for cats, He thinks it spooks them. I dont know if it makes a difference(lights= more Bugs = frogs = more fish ???) ANY IDEAS OR INPUT WOULD HELP .We fish from the bank on a small river (Cedar River southern Mn). I try not to cast a shadow on river but dont know if any of it matters.

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[CANOPY SAM]

I'd be willin' to bet it depends a lot on water clarity. If your fishin' on a shallow clear running stream there is almost no doubt that fish will spook when you cast a shadow over them. If your fishing a deeper, muddier river I don't think it'd make much difference.

It also depends a lot on the fish themselves. I've seen stretches of rivers where fish would spook, or shy away from the slightest disturbance. I've also fished shallow, clear, isolated stretches of rivers with a lantern hoisted high in the air and still absolutely haymakered the catfish.

Try it both ways. Spend a couple hours in the dark and see if fishing gets any better. You can effectively fish in the dark with just a good headlamp. Turn it on to land a fish, or tie a knot. Otherwise leave it off. Good luck.

[Steve Foss]

On. Always. I've had them bite in two feet of water on slip floats 10 feet from the lantern. Given that, it's always on, and always safer on than off. No stumbling around in the dark, you know.