Wusses Won't Go There...Night Fishing in Winter, That Is

However, as the late legendary Lake Fork guide Dean Stroman learned, there are some bravehearts...or perhaps nuts? (the answer is anybody's guess)...who will.

Late one January, Stroman had a client who had booked a night trip. The weather was very cold, with a chance for snow.

"That evening, everyone at the boat ramp thought we were crazy," he said, adding, "so did I."

Stroman tried to persuade them to cancel or switch to daytime, but they said they had to fish at night. Seems one or more of them had a skin problem, and they directed him "to bundle up and put them on a big fish."

"I told them we would be lucky if we caught a couple of dinks," he replied. "But around 1:30 a.m., I slid the net under a 13.04-pound bass."

While most people think night fishing is good only during summer, the truth is, as explained by Stroman, "It's good year-round for trophy bass. Even in the spring, when the daylight bite is excellent, the night bite also can be good. For this, I firmly believe that there are two different groups of feeding bass: one that feeds exclusively during day, and the other during the night.

"Most anglers prefer night during summer when days are warmer," he noted. "Pursuing trophy bass after dark definitely can tilt the odds in your favor from June to September. You consistently will catch more of the larger bass during night than you will during the 'dog days' of summer.

"Preparation is very important before you journey out after dark," said Stroman. "Make sure you have a good spotlight, flashlight, and bug repellent (Skin So Soft by Avon is great). Let someone know where you plan to fish and the approximate time of your return. Begin preparation before dark (e.g., get your rods, reels and lures ready).

"Make sure all equipment is working: batteries charged, life preservers and floating devices aboard, and running lights functioning," continued Stroman. "During daylight, scout out and familiarize yourself with the areas you plan to fish. Know the locations of brush lines, breaklines and grassy edges. During daylight, plan to go over your route and mark all hazards. If you have to move from one location to another, don't be in a hurry. If you're not familiar with the lake, fish near your launch site. On lakes with lots of timber, move from one location to another with caution. Also leave your running lights on when you are fishing or under power.

"The number one thing to remember in night fishing is safety. No fish is worth jeopardizing your own health and welfare, that of those around you, or others on the lake."

As laid out by Stroman, the best locations to night fish for trophy bass are basically the same from the end of May through summer.

"Start your night trip fishing shallow, two to six feet, close to deep water, off points, shallow breaklines and grassy edges," he advised. "On dark nights, the fishing may be best near lighted piers, boathouses and marinas. Concentrate on the piers that always are lighted, especially if they are on or near points, breaklines or grass. If shallow does not produce, have a deep pattern for backup. Deep at night is 15 to 20 feet.

"Fish the deeper, sloping main-lake points that extend farther into the lake and have sharp drops along the sides and at the ends," continued Stroman. "The most productive points will have deep grass or wood structure on or near the deeper breaklines.

"The primary lures I use for night fishing are those that consistently produce trophy bass, such as big plastics, jigs, spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits. By big plastics, I mean 10- to 15-inch worms and 8- to 9-inch lizards and Hawg Craws. Colors should be on the dark side, such as red shad, black and blue.

"Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits will produce some trophy fish, especially in May and June," said Stroman. "You need only two colors: black or black/blue. The recommended spinner size is the No. 4 to No. 6 Colorado blade because it is easier to feel the thumping of the blade. For buzzbaits, any large blade will do.

"A 1/2-ounce Penetrator Twin Skin jig in black and blue with a Gene Larew black/blue Hawg Craw is my No. 1 consistent producer of big fish at night on Lake Fork. Experienced night anglers know these baits are all you need to consistently catch trophy bass at night."

Although Stroman always preached that dark colors work best for night fishing, he also had a tip for those times when the bite was slow.

As he explained, "One night a few years ago, during a slow bite, a past client was fishing the same area we were fishing. He was in a one-man bass buggy, throwing a solid white crankbait. He was catching good bass about every other cast. After watching and hearing him catch 10 bass to our one, I started scouring my tacklebox for any crankbait in white. Unfortunately, I didn't have any, so I opted for a white jig and craw, and my clients caught bass the remainder of the night. White crankbaits and white jig-and-craws are now a major part of my night arsenal.

"When the bite is slow, experiment with different colors," he said. "It could pay off. The 13.04-pound bass I mentioned earlier came on a white jig and craw."