In years past, I have typically stopped night fishing by mid September. By that time, water temperatures have dropped into the low 70s or high 60s and the nighttime air temps can dip into the low 50s.
With the air temps getting that cold, it can get a little uncomfortable to be out there very late. Unless, of course, you bundle up in Gortex and fingerless gloves.
This year I kept fishing until late September. September 29 was my last trip. On that night the air temps stayed pretty warm well into the evening. I actually ended up fishing in jeans and a t-shirt until close to 10 PM, and then added a long-sleeved shirt to keep the chill off.
Water temps that night were hovering right around 70 degrees.
I didn't get a ton of bites. I had 3, to be exact. Well, 4 if you count pickerel
So the action wasn't fast, but the 3 bass that bit were all great quality fish. I had a 2 1/2 lber. A 3 lber. And my last fish of the night hit 6 lbs. even on the digital scale.
So the lack of abundance in bites was made up for by the quality of the fish. And that fact has gotten me to thinking about whether it might be worth pursuing bass at night even when the water temperatures dip into the 50s.
Gortex can neutralize the cool night temperatures. So I wonder if it might be worth getting out there another time or two to see if I can nail a few more slob bass before the water temps drop into the 40s here in New England.
Anyone else have any experience night fishing in the fall season?