Night Fishing ?

[cravertosu]

So this big, bright moon this last week got me thinking. I've never fished at night but I'm really looking forward to giving a shot or 63455233 when I get back.
The question is, does the moon rise make a difference as to when they bite? If it's a full moon and the moon doesn't come up until 1am, is it expected that they won't bite as well until the moons up or does not make a difference at all?
Does it matter on the species? Swords, grouper, tile, snapper, sharks?

Thanks,
Tim

[Capt. Lyndon]

Usually, the b-liners will bite good at night, but the problem is the current with the full moon. If you can find them inshore somewhere (75-90 ft.) the current shouldn't be much of an issue. Make sure your bottom rods are spooled with braid to decrease the amount of blowback, and you may have to use heavier weights than normal. King mackerel also will feed at night with a bright moon. Try light-lining a live cigar minnow while your bottom fishing. If you don't have any livies, dead cigar's should work. As far as the moon, usually the bite will be best when the moon is up, however I have had trips where the bite didn't fire off until after the moon set.

[Questsportfishing]

The biggest thing about the moon Tim is it makes some great tides to fish. as for the swords I was always told the brighter the light the deeper the bite.. I have seen snapper to swords react differently on moons.. the best way to figure it out is to go fishing on the moon before ya run outta moons to fish on...hahaha...

[cravertosu]

Thanks guys! I certainly am looking to just get out there and give it a shot! I guess the point of the question was to try and put a "trip" together. ie. If one type of fish bites no matter where the moon is, I can fish for that early and then switch to a fish that bites a lot more when that big, bright thing is in the sky. Just looking to try and make the most out of trips.

That and I'm just too excited about getting back on the water that I just want to catch it all!!

[Capt. Lyndon]

Tim, let me know when you get back to NC. You've got a free ride anytime I'm going. Thanks for everything you guys do.

[bigfish4me]

I imagine its totally different in N.C than up here in south jersey....but man o man do i love a night out in the canyons,chunking butter fish and whoopin on some yellow fins,mahi on the edges of the lights, swords down deep and the occasional mako.

[cravertosu]

I imagine its totally different in N.C than up here in south jersey....but man o man do i love a night out in the canyons,chunking butter fish and whoopin on some yellow fins,mahi on the edges of the lights, swords down deep and the occasional mako.

I'm definitely looking forward to heading up to the OBX for a night of drifting for swords! A mako would definitely be awesome as well!! I don't know how the chunking is off of Hatteras. I don't think I've really ever read about anyone fishing that way. Might have to give that a try too!!

[seapower]

The ocean on any decent night is one of the most Beautiful places on earth. Ecspecially on a clear moon filled night. I am constantly blown away with folk's that have boat's for years and never once stay out overnight, they are really missing a treat. Tim what I liked to do when I was king mackeral fishing (like Capt.Lyndon), was where ever the kings were biting just before dark, drop your anchor and set it good. Put a couple of deck lights out on the stern 4 foot or so above the water level and sit back for awhile. Usually within a half hour to 45 minutes the "little" bugs and worms will show up, then after a bit the squid will show up, then the bigger guy's will come hang around with all the bait you now have at the stern. I found that the king's would hang out just beyond the light in the shadow's, with on streaking through the squid every now again just to keep it interesting. We've stayed up catching them till we got tired and couldn't go anymore. Caught some big sharks this way too. Man it's awsome, you've got a giant aquarium at the back of you're boat. If you do it once, you'll be hooked! I'm tellin' ya, you don't know what your missing folk's. Another good thing is after the show ,you're right there for the sun-up bite. Frank,SeaPower

[Robja]

Frank is right a night on the ocean is .

I spent New Years eve on a boat and we were anchored about 3 miles from Frying Pan Tower. It was 70 degrees that nite and with the lights aimed at the water you could see all kinds of bait, lots of squids. We bottom fished and I had a blue runner that i had jigged up and had him light lined out into the darkness and something big got him. never saw it but what ever it was it bit through 61lb wire like it was nothing.

[bigfish4me]

Got to love those mystery bites that empty a 50 in minutes, no stopping..let me rephrase that, no slowing them down at all, always come on the sword lines too. Its a wonderfull thing to be out there and just take in your surroundings, free netting squid...we had a school of tinker macs around the boat one time that made the water litterally boil....then a huge hole would open up and bait fish would be jumping trying to escape the tuna....one quick swipe with the net and you would have 1 dozen baits for the livewell....as soon as them little candys made it below the ball they would get destroyed by the tuna......you never know whats going to cruise by the lights.