Aqua's Jack Stutely Night Fishing Tips

Night Fishing Tips & Advice

Night fishing can mean many different things to many different people. It could be the great outdoors, a night away from the Mrs or just the simple fact that the carp in your lake have a feeding window, in which night fishing puts you in a greater position of catching one.

For me personally it's about getting out and unwinding from my busy day-to-day life of running a small business. However, this also means I have limits to when I can go and more recently, it's been 24 hours or less a week. So, with this in mind, I want to share a few tips with you. Ones I have previously learnt the hard way!!

Night Fishing Tip #1 - Stay Mobile

Staying as mobile as possible is night fishing tip number 1. Now, for most people the idea of moving in the dark worries them. But why? A good set of wrap sticks and a headtorch with a red light will see you angling as normal, as if it's daytime. So, with this in mind, keeping your gear as light as possible is a must! The last thing you want to do is leave anything behind or have to rush around looking for things. I use the Aqua Roving Rucksack which is more than accommodating and I also find the side pockets are great for keeping Nitelife supplies in, like a headtorch and bivvy light, saving you from having to scramble around in the dark for them.

Night Fishing Tip #2 - Avoid White Light

The second night fishing tip is to avoid using mobile phones and white lights. You will be surprised how much more in tune with a show you are when your eyes are adjusted to the darkness. A few seasons on a days-only lake taught me this one and to the untrained eye, some of the many tench occupying this venue could be thought to be carp when showing in the dark but putting the phone to one side and sitting at the front of the swim, in total darkness, taught me loads about my quarry!

Night Fishing Tip #3 - Keep Warm

Night fishing tip number 3 may sound obvious, but it is definitely one to remember. Winter nights can sound very daunting but it's all about having the correct gear to allow you to see well, keep mobile and most importantly, keep warm. With the correct gear you will be just fine and with the right layered, waterproof clothing, a good sleeping bag and maybe a thermal cover, this will ensure that you stay warm.

These days, you hear all too much about being “carpy” and doing, or not doing, certain things and, although a groundsheet adds a little extra weight, on a cold night when damp rises, not having one is certainly going to affect your nights sleep.

Night Fishing Tip #4 - Use a Baiting Pole

For me the biggest edge in my night fishing at this moment is my baiting pole! Predominantly, first light bites and casting and baiting at fish that are potentially on my spot is a no go. I also use this to quietly and accurately disperse bait onto a dinner plate size spot and on a busy club-lake where it is hard to be different. This is a massive advantage and has caught me a few bonus fish lately that I would have normally spooked from casting at them.

So, there you go, a few tips to hopefully encourage you or help you enjoy your night fishing. Oh, and last-but-not-least, night fishing tip number five...

...be lucky!

Jack Stutely - Aqua Team Member