Night Fishing...One Googan's Take

[Deamon]

I'd like to preface this by saying...I am by far nowhere near an expert. I have been lucky enough to get some by way of "ground and pound", usually as a weekend warrior. I'll always have those memories and priceless pictures. I no longer have to say "once in a lifetime" unless we're talking about 60# wsb or 40# halibut...those are my current goals. I have a 52# yellow but that was on a boat (in LJ!)...so in my yak world, doesn't count. I want a 50# tail while sitting on top of a piece of plastic. Okay, okay, one of those wsb by way of hook and hand (that I happily grabbed like a little bitch) but I digress, this thread is about night fishing and I NEVER hand off a quality fish so don't ever think about it, lol. If we eliminate sharks, bat ray and sand bass in "open waters", we're talking about the ghost...WSB. Yes, I've seen one tail caught at night and plenty of butts in the gray but rarely...in the dark so let's focus and not muddy the waters...I believe I have gone out often enough to share some of my theories. I'm not looking to get second guessed or poo poo'd. Just close this thread out if you believe I'm a faker...this isn't being written for you. My goal is to set up some night trips...soon...with steady, experienced guys to help crack the wsb code...fishing...err, catching without live squid. I know there's a string of guys just like me as I talk to them and read their BWE wishes often. My belief is if we can get a string of guys, fishing under good conditions, we'll have a better, safer chance at cracking this code. The swordfishing off Florida was basically non-existent (besides by-catch) until some guys figured it out.

And I'm not giving up anyone's secrets shared to me over a beer (or for money) as I have had to take the long hard road of trial and error...old school ways. I have usually...gratefully...hung with good dudes on these night trips...key word is usually, lol. Very, very good fisherman who are well prepared, experienced and steady on the water and have the same strong desire to go on a sleigh ride in the dark. That's usually what it takes...even after MANY multiple zip trips while throwing in some near death experiences to learn from...lol. Oh by the way...zip mean zero...nada...all night. I can look back and laugh about some of the clown chances we took at times but while in the moment, spooky, spooky as shit played out. Whatever problems one has during the day, multiply the intensity at night.

I do know I want to crack the WSB code or even just a piece of it...Let's start with real facts:
WSB are around whether squid show or not...
These fish must eat and they can be very opportunistic/lazy and very willing to take many types of bait, fresh dead or live...on heavy tackle
These fish are called ghosts for a reason. They eat at night.

The weather and beach must offer doable conditions. To me, when the squid are not around, our chances are even less. After a full night on the water, the rest of my weekend is shot trying to recover, lol. The family gets snubbed out by me, the zombie. All factors that have to be considered.

Oh well, it's bed time. If there's any interest in me finishing this thread out...just chime in and start looking at your night schedules and maybe we can give it a go soon...a good friend who now lives on the East Coast used to always say..."if you wait to hear about a bite in order to go fishing, it's usually over by that time. Let's go find our own bite"...Jim

[makobob]

Originally Posted by Deamon

I'd like to preface this by saying...I am by far nowhere near an expert. I have been lucky enough to get some by way of "ground and pound", usually as a weekend warrior. I'll always have those memories and priceless pictures. I no longer have to say "once in a lifetime" unless we're talking about 60# wsb or 40# halibut...those are my current goals. I have a 52# yellow but that was on a boat (in LJ!)...so in my yak world, doesn't count. I want a 50# tail while sitting on top of a piece of plastic. Okay, okay I do have one QUALITY wsb by way of hook and hand (that I happily grabbed like a little bitch) but I digress, this thread is about night fishing and I NEVER hand off a quality fish so don't ever think about it, lol. If we eliminate sharks, bat ray and sand bass in "open waters", we're talking about the ghost...WSB. Yes, I've seen one tail caught at night and plenty of butts in the gray but rarely...in the dark so let's focus and not muddy the waters...I believe I have gone out often enough to share some of my theories. I'm not looking to get second guessed or poo poo'd. Just close this thread out if you believe I'm a faker...this isn't being written for you. My goal is to set up some night trips...soon...with steady, experienced guys to help crack the wsb code...fishing...err, catching without live squid. I know there's a string of guys just like me as I talk to them and read their BWE wishes often. My belief is if we can get a string of guys, fishing under good conditions, we'll have a better, safer chance at cracking this code. The swordfishing off Florida was basically non-existent (besides by-catch) until some guys figured it out.

And I'm not giving up anyone's secrets shared to me over a beer (or for money) as I have had to take the long hard road of trial and error...old school ways. I have usually...gratefully...hung with good dudes on these night trips...key word is usually, lol. Very, very good fisherman who are well prepared, experienced and steady on the water and have the same strong desire to go on a sleigh ride in the dark. That's usually what it takes...even after MANY multiple zip trips while throwing in some near death experiences to learn from...lol. Oh by the way...zip mean zero...nada...all night. I can look back and laugh about some of the clown chances we took at times but while in the moment, spooky, spooky as shit played out. Whatever problems one has during the day, multiply the intensity at night.

I do know I want to crack the WSB code or even just a piece of it...Let's start with real facts:
WSB are around whether squid show or not...
These fish must eat and they can be very opportunistic/lazy and very willing to take many types of bait, fresh dead or live...on heavy tackle
These fish are called ghosts for a reason. They eat at night...

The sad fact of my reality is I'm just a weekend warrior which make my chances even less. I'm left with a Friday or Saturday night. The weather and beach must offer doable conditions. To me, when the squid are not around, our chances are even less. After a full night on the water, the rest of my weekend is shot trying to recover, lol. The family gets snubbed out by the me, the zombie. All factors that have to be considered.

Oh well, it's bed time. If there's any interest in me finishing this thread out...just chime in and start looking at your Friday night schedules and maybe we can give it a go soon...a good friend who now lives on the East Coast used to always say..."if you wait to hear about a bite in order to go fishing, it's usually over by that time. Let's go find our own bite"...Jim

Jim you will be in the bite next week, Gonzaga at night, well let's ask Sven. He will be there. They might be BIGGER in the night.

[kayakfisherman]

I'll join your dumb butt for some night time fun.

[momo fish]

Jim and now Yanni, count me in as well..

Been doing enough zip trips learning the ropes and trying different methods.. Night fishing in LJ looks a lot more fun and less scary given the lights of the shore than Malibu..

[easyday]

I'm in, I work until 10 or so on Fridays and work early sat mornings. I will switch shifts and do what I can to be out there.

[Chuck D]

Your building and army, I will join you on your quest. As long as it is during the summer. Baja, 3 days and counting...

[Aquahunter]

Count me in, new experience!

[blitzburgh]

Originally Posted by Deamon

The sad fact of my reality is I'm just a weekend warrior which make my chances even less. I'm left with a Friday or Saturday night. The weather and beach must offer doable conditions. To me, when the squid are not around, our chances are even less. After a full night on the water, the rest of my weekend is shot trying to recover, lol. The family gets snubbed out by me, the zombie. All factors that have to be considered.

Preach it brother, same here. I'm in as well

[addicted2sp33d]

Weekend Warrior here too... I'm in for a Friday Night or Saturday Night if I get enough lead-time.

[socal.beach.bum]

Well if you insist.... I'm in

[Iceman]

Fishing at night drives me crazy! sensory overload and under load at the same time!............com on grey light!

[Dannowar]

Jim, you realize the more people that go with you, the less chance your trophy lands on YOUR lap.......





Oh and I've seen seabass feed during the day. About an hour after sunrise, on a certain tide, with a certain current....

[Cbad Mike]

Jim,
you know I'm in!

For everyone who hasn't done it before,
Fishing at night is a lot different. As Andy said, "sensory overload" . I don't take dramamine during the day but ALWAYS at night. There have been more than a couple of nights that I was asking myself what in the hell was I thinking and if I was stupid. I've been out by myself and have actually screamed like a bitch a few times. I had a seal jump the nose of my kayak in the pitch black that almost caused me to poop my waders. Birds can even give you a scare and it seems like whales like to come a little closer in the dark. Bait for me has always been non existent except when there are squid. I've caught a few things at night but nothing to brag about. I always find myself thinking the same thing Andy said, "cmon grey light" .
I'm not trying to scare anyone away from fishing at night for the first time. Just be prepared. It is just something totally different. You might not catch anything but you can always brag that you did it.


I'm ready to go whenever!

[DanaPT]

I've wanted to do this at San O. but LJ works too with planning. I'd be into this for sure.

To ease pressure in any one spot may be a good idea to have a "crack the code" tour. Coming to a launch near you!

PMs about when and where would be much appreciated.

[Cadillyak]

Consider me in. I for one would love the opportunity. I have prepared for this, my kayak is glow in the dark.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ad.php?t=21626

[Hunters Pa]

I'm in, not that I can contribute much. Can we get Yanni to cook breakfast for us on the water, Mad Scientist style??