I don’t know if you have tried it but one of the best ways to ”load the boat” is to fish under lights after dark. Nothing beats going out on a nice warm evening, setting up over crappie cover and putting out lights. Lights attach bugs, bugs attract minnows and minnows attract fish. The action can get pretty fast and furious. Not only will you catch crappie but be prepared for catching about anything. It is a great way to catch fish like white bass, walleye, hybrids or stripers.
Take the kids and wife along with lots of snacks and goodies. I always tell my grandsons that the best fishing trips are the ones where you don’t run out of snacks. You can’t beat a pontoon boat for this kind of fishing.
Damon Harmon
Here is a nice letter and pictures from Damon “Duke” Harmon from Manhattan, Ks about night fishing.
“Glad to share the pictures. I have included another one. It is of a nice hybrid. These hybrids will smash a Puddle Jumper at night and strip off some line. I catch them in early June, not so much this time of year. I caught (and released) 6 large hybrids and a walleye in an hour one night. All on PJ’s.
I use white 2 inch PJ’s on 6 lb. test line with a 1/8 oz jig head. A smaller jig will fall slower but we have to fight wind on Kansas lakes. I don’t think jig head color makes a difference.
I figured out a long time ago to pull the knot back towards the hook to get the jig to hang level. This will greatly increase your numbers. I also tie a ball bearing swivel about 24 inches above the jig to reduce line twist. I think a swivel is just as important as hanging level.
I enjoy jigging your Puddle Jumpers at night.”
Duke
Caught on a Puddle Jumper at Night Under Lights
If you are interested in this type fishing click on Tom Payne’s web site at www.fishinglightsetc.com for a lot of good information about night fishing. He also sells the best night lights available. Brighter the light, better the attracting power. He contacted me some time ago and said that Puddle Jumpers were the best lures to use for this technique. Since then I have had a number of people tell me the same thing.