Darters in the dark

[JoshL]

This is kind of off topic, but I finally know when to fish a darter, in a strong current I've tried fishing them many times on open beach and could never feel or see what the damn thing was doing. Yesterday while fishing a breachway I decided to throw it and after a few sweeps of the rod, I could feel it working it's magic. Now if only I could see what it's doing.

[Monkmon]

If I understand it correctly stripe bass are usually down close to the bottom of the water column during the day where they may feel safer and therefore feed close to the bottom. Then at night when boats and bathers go to bed and under the cover of darkness they feel safe in the upper water column where bait fish are being carried by the current or closer to shore where the bait fish are hiding.

 

The above is IN GENERAL it is not written in stone as I understand it. Therefor you will increase your odds of catching by making your presentation lower in the water column during the day and higher in the water column during the night. As some say, "Lure's catch fishermen, presentation catch fish.

 

So before you pick a lure to throw, think about where are the fish in the water column, how you plan to cast out to them and present your lure in a delicious fashion in their face. This way your odds of catching and not just fishing are much higher until you learn all the ins and outs of that specific location. Then you can throw what you know.

[johnnycakes]

If I understand it correctly stripe bass are usually down close to the bottom of the water column during the day where they may feel safer and therefore feed close to the bottom. Then at night when boats and bathers go to bed and under the cover of darkness they feel safe in the upper water column where bait fish are being carried by the current or closer to shore where the bait fish are hiding.

 

The above is IN GENERAL it is not written in stone as I understand it. Therefor you will increase your odds of catching by making your presentation lower in the water column during the day and higher in the water column during the night. As some say, "Lure's catch fishermen, presentation catch fish.

 

So before you pick a lure to throw, think about where are the fish in the water column, how you plan to cast out to them and present your lure in a delicious fashion in their face. This way your odds of catching and not just fishing are much higher until you learn all the ins and outs of that specific location. Then you can throw what you know

 

 

Great response but surface swimmers are commonly used during the day and in reality darters and bottles are merely subsurface swimmers that cast a little better. They work lower in the water column than poppers and swimmers(metal lips) that are preferred during the day.

[BassAddict]

White darters work for me under moon lit or moonless skies at night. After first light, I can't catch a weed on them - and I've tried.

 

I have seen first hand big fish caught on them well after sunrise. However, I can not replicate this feat.

[johnnycakes]

still wonderin

[beret]

Johnnycakes I love throwing the darters and bottles....not really sure why the nite bite is generally better......I know they cast great.......my question is color......I have the SS Bottle in blue and in yellow.....never really sure which one to throw.....if hierring are in I generally throw the blue....if hickory shad maybe the yellow.....never really sure..what is your strategy

[WoodyCT]

Darters- With their eratic action they may provoke a reaction strike in the dark, but they don't fool the bass during the day when the bass can watch them closely.

 

Bottles- I have done well with them by day when the water is big. Also good for delivering droppers.

 

As for colors, try them all and see what the fish want.

[johnnycakes]

Johnnycakes I love throwing the darters and bottles....not really sure why the nite bite is generally better......I know they cast great.......my question is color......I have the SS Bottle in blue and in yellow.....never really sure which one to throw.....if hierring are in I generally throw the blue....if hickory shad maybe the yellow.....never really sure..what is your strategy

 

 

 

That would be contingent on Current bait patters,water clarity.Depth,available light to name a few

[fishinthedark]

I agree with woody aboutthe reaction strikes.

 

I think there are a couple things that factor in on its effectivenees at night.

Bass as we all know come in closer to shore at night so that is the first piece of the Puzzle. As we all know this closeness to shore/shallow water heightens their sensory mood both in the sense that they are predator waiting to pounce on prey but also in their sense they themselves are potential prey in a spot with limited escape routes.

Along comes the errant action of a darter or a bottle plug again bass here are hunting by scent and then sensory. Big old momma picks up along her lateral line the vibrations and the chaos of this type of plug and bamm triggers a strike.

 

The night time factors setup a couple of pieces of the puzzle that make the best use the physical characteristics of these types of plug.

 

Very important note without any sort of white water or a very good rip the Darter/ bottle plug day or night doesn't leave the bag.

 

again just my .02 on the matter

[emgred]

 

Very important note without any sort of white water or a very good rip the Darter/ bottle plug day or night doesn't leave the bag.

 

again just my .02 on the matter

 

You might want to rethink this. Although I prefer throwing darters when I have a good rip and/or white water, I have had WAY too much success in calm conditions at night to ever leave them in the bag. Throw in a good rod twitch every couple of cranks to get a good dig & dart; you may be surprised at the results.

[RussSommers]

Daters and bottle plugs are a must when night fishing but are rarely used during daylight. Why is that?

 

 

Who fishes during the day? Silly!

[Surf Caster]

You might want to rethink this. Although I prefer throwing darters when I have a good rip and/or white water, I have had WAY too much success in calm conditions at night to ever leave them in the bag. Throw in a good rod twitch every couple of cranks to get a good dig & dart; you may be surprised at the results.

 

Yep, I've had some success too when the current hasn't been ripping - I'm pretty sure its directly correlated with my confidence in darters.

[calfarmli]

I'm with Shaky on this one Little story here...Years ago fishing False Bar at night with some super Montauk fisherman all throwing Darters and no one catching a thing Well a guy a bit to my right is KILLING LARGE Bass one after another.I couldn't see what he was using,when the frustration became unbearable I went over to ask him what he was using, he showed me a black Super Strike 2 3/8 Little Neck Popper and he was not swiming it he was popping it .Go figure ?????Fish whatever works and you never know what works till you fish it.Cal

[BassBlitz]

Daters and bottle plugs are a must when night fishing but are rarely used during daylight. Why is that?

 

You should try a SS bottle plug in the day light...Just my .02

 

 

Eddie

[Tman1]

Throw out most of the rules of thumb. I select pugs based on conditions and other factors such as bait present. As others have said here darters and bottles work in the daytime and also in calm water. Pencils work with a slow,straight retrieve. Needles work as well as thin profile pencil poppers. Tins work at night. Who would ever use a black tin? Try to experiment and see what works for you.