Best Night Fishing Lures & Baits for Bass – The Dark Secret

Spinnerbaits

The movement that spinnerbaits make in combination with flash, and thump is what makes these lures a top choice for night bass fishing. When using spinnerbaits, you can target the same fishing areas as during day time, including docks, laydowns, and vegetation lines.

A well-light dock is a perfect place for catching fish during the nighttime with these lures. The light creates an illusion, and the bass is easily fooled into thinking that it is still daytime. The best strategy for dock fishing with spinnerbaits is to slowly roll around the dock edges and wait for a tug.

Topwater Poppers

These fishing lures are best reserved for full moon phases. The night sky is at its brightest, and light easily reflects off the bait. Topwater lures also make an ideal choice due to the fact that these lures make a big splash upon hitting the water’s surface.

The popper sounds they make when retrieving is also great use as, during nighttime, the ultimate goal is to be heard, as getting seen by the bass is somewhat harder.

Jigs 

During the night, bass are usually tucked in at the bottom, which means they have a different striking zone location. To get their attention, you can use a big jig bait as these create a lot of noise and will attract their attention as the action is happening just a few feet away.

Buzzbaits

Buzzbbaits make a good choice for any part of the night, but they are specially tailored to strike a chord in the bass ear during the period between dusk and dawn. Not only do they make plenty of noise, but they also create a silhouette.

These lures will create a good amount of commotion across the water’s surface and will very likely grab the bass’s attention.

Selecting the Ideal Lure for Night Fishing

Size Down 

Naturally, bass use the night to lay low and get some rest. This doesn’t mean that they will be totally uninterested in grabbing a bite, but they are also unlikely to track a lure halfway across the pond. Even more, if the lure is bigger.

By sizing down on your lures, you will deceive them into thinking it’s easy prey. You can add to the effect by adding in some red to trick them into thinking they are pursuing an injured baitfish.

Darker Colors

Your night fishing lure should be a darker color, such as black, pumpkin, or blue. The reason is that during this period of the day, fish won’t be able to see the lure, easily mistaking it for prey. Darker colors are especially effective for nights when the moon is dim and there is a heavy cover of clouds.

Make Some Noise 

As you can’t really rely on visibility during the night, you need to use other methods. We recommend you use nighttime bass lures that make a lot of noise, such as buzzbaits, frogs, and chatter baits. Using these lures in combination with light reflection will surely bring you the attention you are seeking and give you plenty of opportunity to catch fish.

Tips for a Successful Night Fishing Expedition

Slow It Down 

One of the most important things to keep in mind when bass fishing during the night is that bass are opportunistic. Your goal here is not getting them to pursue you cause the chances of that happening are slim to none. So tone it down a little and slow down your presentation.

Simply said, bait them. A lure in front of their face that seems like an easy target and requires little effort is a sure way to catch bass.

Don’t Lose Focus

Although slow is the right way to go, this doesn’t mean that you should be sluggish and lazy. As we mentioned earlier, you must create noise to attract attention. Get your head in the game and cast and constantly retrieve to establish a presence and spark bass curiosity.

Prioritize Safety at All Times

Safety should always be among your top priorities, but it is especially important for nighttime bass fishing. Gather your safety gear and make sure you have all the essentials, including:

• A headlamp
• Flashlights
• Life preservers
• A first-aid kit

Pro Tip: Rig everything before getting to the water. Standing on a boat trying to rig two rods while using a flashlight may take you a while.