You’ve no doubt heard the saying “the early bird gets the worm” and you’ve most certainly heard the old-timers talk about how you’re not really a fisherman if you don’t get up before dawn to catch your fish. But, in reality, is it truly necessary to get up before dawn to catch a fish?
Maybe we should look at this from a Pros vs Cons perspective: Is it best to fish mornings?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Better odds for catching a fish? | Loss of sleep! |
| The lack of activity can be peaceful… | Lack of light when going to your fishing spot. |
| Daytime is most socially acceptable. | People will be surrounding you soon! |
| The water has had the most time to cool down. | The water, air, and everything else will be colder! |
Or maybe we should use the survey factors to choose fishing times:
- If you’re bass fishing they are going to be most active in ruffly 55-65 degree water around sunrise and sunset. So, does this mean you should fish for bass at sunrise?
- Trout are going to feed when the food is prevalent and since their preference is insects, they’re going to be biting when the bugs are out, so figure out your local bug patterns (mosquitoes, gnats, etc.) and you’ll be set. Are the bugs more active at sunrise or sunset?
- Catfish are generally seen to be most active from a couple hours before sunset to a couple hours after sunrise. If they have been swimming around and actively feeding all night are they going to be more likely to bite your bate after they’ve eaten or when they first start moving around?
But I’m thinking a more analytical approach will better help us solve this fishing dilemma.
Morning people will always function better early in the day.
You need to be functioning properly to have a truly successful day. Low light conditions when getting to your waterway will require you to be alert. You’ll have to watch for tripping hazards, animals that could become dangerous to you (bites, trips, or even just spooking you causing you to misstep), and other obstacles that may get in the way. Then there are the issues of digging through your tackle, casting to areas you may or may not have a visual lock on, and keeping track of gear that may drift out of your storage naturally or otherwise. Once the sun is up, you’ll be able to collect your gear and possibly retrieve those stray lures that went haphazardly away from your intended targets…If they’re still there.
The late risers, on the other hand, are going to be at their fishing spots during full light or low light. They’ll be set up and looking for their casting spots before their sight becomes impaired. They’ll have their gear arranged (typically) so they can grab lures, bait, or tools by memory. Most will be in the habit of carrying a light of some sort (lantern, flashlight, headlamp, etc.) which is less likely to be in the arsenal of morning anglers.
Cold temperatures affect the activity levels and the feeding rates of fish.
Most fish will reduce or nearly eliminate their feeding patterns when temperatures are cold. Fall, Winter, and Spring, water temperatures can be significantly colder than what the fish will prefer during those cold mornings. After a full day of sunlight, some waterways may warm up enough to encourage feeding. While this doesn’t mean fish won’t bite in the mornings, you may greatly improve your odds of catching fish if you’re on the water when they are most active. The water will be warmest after being baked by the sun, even during the winter months, which can help warm the fish. While the water may be overheated during the summer months, the shaded areas will cool quickly at sunset and only account for a few months out of the year.
There is a massive amount of information out there about the risks associated with sunlight.
When you fish in the mornings, unless you are a die-hard devotee to sunscreen, you are not likely to remember sunblock before heading out to the water simply because most people don’t think about sunscreen when it’s dark outside. After a few hours of fishing with the sun slowly rising, your skin will likely be cooked. Head out in the afternoon to fish, you’re going to be painfully aware of the sun long before you reach your fishery. That, in itself, should help remind you to pack on that sunscreen before you hit the water.
Boats are a great equalizer among many anglers regardless of day or night fishing.
Say you’re a boat angler (bass boat, kayak, Jon Boat, whatever). Have you noticed how much the recreational boaters disrupt the bite and flat out run your fish off? Recreational boaters, while they are occasionally on the water at night, are far less obtrusive once the sun goes down. Even the basic reduction in quantities will help improve your odds.
Have you heard that “Monsters come out at night?”
Let’s talk size for a moment. Some of the largest fish are prone to feed at night rather than in the mornings. Now some will vigorously debate this concept and, to a certain degree, they may be right. I suggest, however, that you look at the catches reported in your area. There are many species that are most prone to feeding at night. Then there are the older, larger fish of various species that are more mature and experienced. They are used to the anglers being on the water in the mornings. They know the baitfish are more awake and agile in the mornings. Once the sun goes down and they are finished feeding, the baitfish are lethargic and ready to be eaten. If you’re looking for sheer numbers, you are probably right to pursue a morning fishing adventure. When you choose to look for the size over the quantity, you may be surprised to find larger specimens available for the taking once that sun goes down.
There’s something to be said for the solitude of fishing.
Anglers tend to group together. It really doesn’t matter if you’re on the bank, at a dock, or in boats. It never seems to fail: You find a spot, you start working the water, and another line will suddenly appear a few yards away. You can be in a kayak, 5 miles from the nearest drop point and 10 miles from the nearest boat ramp. If you get so much as a nibble, you will discover another boat within 5 yards the next time you look up. Am I being facetious? A bit. But, in reality, you will discover that there is an inevitable correlation between finding fish and finding other anglers during daytime fishing. The odds of this happening at night, are hundreds of times lower. When you are truly interested in the peace and solitude of fishing, you will quickly develop an appreciation for the level of aloneness you can find at night.
Do you have to fish at sunrise to truly call yourself an angler? No.
Are you likely to catch more fish in the mornings? Probably.
Should you skip the adventure that is night fishing so you don’t look like a “fake” or “amateur” fisherman? Most definitely not.
Like we talk about in so many of these articles. You have to be flexible as you’re learning to fish. The more you experiment the more you will learn what works for you. There are hundreds of styles, methods, and techniques you can use when fishing and night fishing just might be one of the ones that work for you.