Can you catch striped bass at night? Nighttime fishing for striped bass can be some of the most productive fishing you’ll ever do. In this complete guide, we will take a look at why night fishing for stripers works so well, what tackle and techniques you’ll need to be successful, and some tips to help you catch more fish. Let’s get started!
Does Striped Bass Eat at Night?
The striped bass always takes notice of this increased activity and will do their best to feed during night hours when the water column is cool.
Stripers also have an advantage in hunting at night as prey cannot see them as quickly compared with daytime scenarios, making it easier for these fish predators!
How Do You Fish for Striped Bass at Night?
Fishing for striped bass can be a lot of fun, but it can also be frustrating if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Even experienced anglers can benefit from learning new techniques. Striped bass is a challenging fish to catch, and the best way to improve your chances is to get a tip from expert anglers who knows what they’re doing.
This video teaches you everything you need to know about How Do You Fish for Striped Bass at Night? We cover the basics of nighttime striper fishing and more advanced techniques.
What Fishing Gear Do I Need for Striped Bass at Night? Night Fishing Equipment:
One of the good things about night fishing for striped bass at night is that you only need a few essential fishing tools.
High-quality night fishing reels are the most important piece of equipment, but you won’t need to invest in much more than that.
Striper Fishing Rods and Reels
The first thing you’ll need is a good quality rod and reel. When it comes to fishing for striped bass at night, you’ll need a lot of power and smoothness. We recommend using a 7-9 foot rod with a medium to medium/heavy action.
The second most important piece of equipment is a high-quality reel. While this isn’t going to make or break your fishing experience, it does play an important role.
A good reel will have a smooth drag system, which will allow you to put pressure on the fish without feeling resistance.
You’ll also want to make sure the reel has an excellent casting system that will improve your chances of getting a longer, more accurate cast.
Recommended Striped Bass Fishing Rods Reels
Best Lures for Striped Bass at Night
One of the keys to catching striped bass at night is choosing the right lure. The three most common choices are soft plastics, jigs, and topwater baits.
Are you looking for the best lures to catch striped bass at night? We’ve got you covered! Check out our list below.
- LARGE FISHING: Pencil Popper lure comes in 6 and 7 inch options...
- WEIGHTED TAIL: Weight at the tail end of the fishing lure...
- VERSITILE BAIT: Cordell Pencil Popper original for striped bass...
- TOUGH AND DURABLE: Lure built tough enough to handle stripers,...
- Heddon X9255-Bon Zara Spook
- Topwater Bait, 4 1/2 Inch, 3/4 Oz, Bone
- Product: Floating
- Country Of Origin: China
- The Creek Chub Striper Strike delivers super-long casts –...
- As a slow-sinking lure, the Striper Strike should be retrieved...
- The Striper Strike was engineered to be cast farther than other...
- Subsurface cranking technique with treble saltwater hook. Durable...
- PREMIUM MATERIALS-Topwater fishing lures constructed from premium...
- HIGH-SIMULATION-JOGFFDE saltwater lures are featured with...
- VIVID SWIM ACTIONS-The surf fishing lures saltwater swim like a...
- VERSATILE APPLICATION-Slatwater fishing lures are great for both...
- Bullet like Long Cast designed minnow bait has new weight...
- 3X Strength treble hooks and heavy duty split rings
- Great tight wiggle action
- Lure dives 1-3 feet
What Is the Best Bait for Striped Bass at Night? (Night Fishing Bait)
Now that we’ve gone over the gear you’ll need as well as what lures will catch stripers at night. We’ll cover what bait you should use.
As we said earlier, soft plastics are among the best lures to use when fishing for striped bass at night.
Also, anything that you can find on the bait shop or seashores will entice a giant striped bass to eat.
Smaller fish like shrimp or other crustaceans are perfect for smaller stripers and provide them with rich flavors of freshwater life in their diet!
What Is the Best Time for catching Striped Bass?
When you want to experience the thrill of catching a large fish, it’s best not just any day will do.
You need an ocean current that is strong and moving quickly so your prey can swim through easily, or else they’ll be too tired from swimming back towards land before being caught by their powerful jaws!
Ensure three days prior (or following) these occurrences because there won’t always happen at exactly moon time.
But sometimes we catch them anyway-even if just once in a while, our luck holds out until then if we spend enough time fishing to encourage these powerful fish to take an interest in our offering!
What Depth Do You Fish Striped Bass at? (Fishing Depths)
To find the best depths for catching stripers, you must know what your equipment can handle.
15-20 feet is a good starting point and will provide plenty of room above water while still being near enough so as not to give up any potential fish on their first charge!
Trolling for stripers is a fun and easy way to catch these pesky fish. Tube or worm casting works best in water 3-7 feet deep, though it’s possible to go as far down 20 feet with your line!
Striper Fishing Under Lights (How to Catch Striped Bass)
Striper fishing is a popular sport in the United States, but it’s hard to find information on fishing for stripers at night.
The information that does exist out there is often confusing and contradictory.
It’s not easy to find reliable tips and techniques for catching these fish during this time of day. We have this video series so you can learn from our experience fishing under lights in Alabama lakes.
In this episode, we’ll share what worked for us, what didn’t work for me, and why I made the decisions that I did when planning my trip or setting up equipment before going out on the water at night.
How Does the Moon Affect Striper Bass Fishing
The moon has a significant effect on striped bass fishing, but not in the way you might think. Striper fish like to feed when they can, generally when the sun goes down. Because of this, you’ll find most striper fish feeding during lunar phases.
The full moon phase and new moon both produce better striper fishing, but it’s not just their increased current flow during these times that makes them so effective.
It has everything to do with what kind of water they are in the type. Oscar can cut through some major waves!
Do Soft Plastic Lures Work at Night?
One of the perfect lures to use at night is soft plastic. They are easy for big fish to eat and generally have a good fish to plastic ratio.
No one wants to throw a lure that’s going to be tough for a fish to eat, reduce their appetite, and make them lose interest.
Soft plastics are fantastic because they can be used for almost any type of gamefish. The only bad thing is that they don’t last as long as a traditionally made hard plastic lure.
Can You Fish on the Beach at Night?
Yes, nighttime fishing from beach can be a lot of fun, and it’s easy to do if you follow these simple steps:
- Bring a portable grill, and a few packets of hotdogs-stripers really like hotdogs!
- Use a fresh bunker or menhaden for bait.
- Use a long strip to cast the lures.
Commonly Asked Questions about Night Time Striper Fishing (FAQs)
Conclusion
Nighttime fishing for striped bass can be a productive and fun experience. By understanding some of the basics about how to fish for these fish at night, you can raise your chances of success on the water. Make sure to use gear that is well-suited for night fishing, and experiment with different baits until you find what will work best for you. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be landing stripers after dark like a pro! Enjoy your night time striper fishing trip by reading our guide about “can you catch striped bass at night.”
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