Fishing the night shift
I spent a great evening this week fishing for striped bass in the Northumberland Strait. While the daytime temperature had been close to 30 degrees Celsius, by the time I got on the water around 9 p.m., it had cooled off and was very pleasant.
The current season for striped bass is catch and release only and allows you to fish for two hours after sunset, so we stayed on the water until almost 11 p.m. The retention season for stripers will reopen at the end of the month.
Night fishing has been a popular pastime in parts of North America for many years, but it is only in the past several years that anglers in Nova Scotia have had the opportunity to sample this aspect of the sport. In addition to fishing for striped bass, local anglers can night fish for brown trout on River John, in the section from West Branch Bridge to the Welsford Bridge up until Aug. 31. As well, most areas of the province allow you to fish for two hours after sunset. This will allow you to be on the water until almost 11 p.m. during the summer.
If you have never tried fishing at night, the current striped bass season is a great time to try it. Fishing at night adds another dimension to the sport.
While you are at a disadvantage in terms of seeing where you are fishing, you have the benefit of being on the water during the time fish are on the prowl. They become active at night when they can move into shallow water after food. Although it is dark, you still have to move carefully to avoid spooking these fish.
There is no question night fishing can be dangerous, and you should never fish water you have not fished in daylight and know very well. It is too easy to fall into a hole or trip over a log if you attempt to wade in unfamiliar water at night. You should also never fish at night by yourself – always take a partner.
Gear for night fishing is not that much different from daytime fishing. If you are fishing with bait, you might want to include a spinner that makes some noise in the water. Fly fishing calls for fairly big flies that will move some water and make a commotion.
Many anglers swear by mouse imitations for night fishing brown trout, and there is no question that mice and shrews make up a big part of their diet. For my striper trip I used a big streamer, a Clouser Minnow, tied with white and yellow bucktail.
If you fish safely and in familiar waters, night fishing can give you a chance to try for some big fish in their natural element, and there is also a good chance you will have the water to yourself.
How was the fishing on my trip?
Well, it was pretty good. I released enough stripers to make sure I will be back again to enjoy some great fishing.