With the pace of life speeding up with every passing year, more anglers are finding the only time they have to fish is after the sun goes down. Stuck in the office? Weekends chock full of chores? Night fishing may be the answer you’re looking for. Picture this: An empty bay so quiet the only sound you hear is the lapping of the water on the prow… there’s a tug on your line and suddenly you’re reeling in your catch in near total darkness.

If it sounds exciting, that’s because it is. Night fishing offers a real thrill, whether you’re fishing off a boat or on shore. If you’re new to this awesome angling experience, read on. We’ve compiled a list of night fishing tips (mainly for boaters) that will help make your after hours fishing trips enjoyable and rewarding.

• Don’t count on the company of the moon. Night fishing when the moon is full can give you a whole new appreciation for the beauty of the aquatic environment, but even if you’re expecting lunar illumination, clouds can make your outing inky dark.
• Some fishing areas allow the use of artificial lights to lure fish, but most places prohibit the use of artificial light for night fishing. Check before you head out, or risk a fine.
• Night fishing is best from April to October, with the warm summer months considered prime time. This might be because it’s only at night that the water is free of pleasure cruisers and water skiers, but could be that the fishing is just better.
• The dark of night is not the best time to find yourself stranded in the middle of a lake or bay, so be sure to give your craft a once over during daylight hours. Check your running lights – which are often required by law – and your fuses, your battery terminal, and your engine’s performance before night fishing.
• Pack multiple flashlights and backup batteries. One flashlight is doomed to fail, but carrying two almost always means the first one will never die.
• Make sure you know where to find everything in your boat and that your tackle is accessible. Night fishing accidents and mishaps are often caused by anglers who are looking for or can’t find a particular piece of equipment in the dark or the dim.
• Pre-tie your leaders and terminal rigs so you’re not wasting time fumbling with lines and losing out on fish in the process.

There will never be more hours in the day, but night fishing is one way you can find more hours to devote to fishing. Do it right, and it’s almost like you never got caught up in the rat race at all!