How to Master Night Fishing for Inshore Reds, Trout and Flounder

Night fishing during the Florida summer is becoming less of an option and more of a necessity during the recent trend of incredibly hot summers. If you love fresh trout, flounder and reds as much as I do, and the daytime temps are unbearable, then you need to start loading gear in the boat about the same time you would usually be desperately trying to rehydrate after a long day in the sun.

Now, I have lived on the banks of the St. Johns River for almost 50 years. The funny thing is, I think I have more questions about night fishing now than I did when I first started. For example, just about all the inshore saltwater fish feed at night, but why are they so much harder to catch in the darkness? I’ve caught some reds, trout and a few flounder in total darkness before, but without a light shining on the water, it’s never been easy to get saltwater predators to bite.

Speaking of flounder, I’ve gigged my share of flatties in shallow water at night. I have NEVER, not even once, gotten a flounder to bite in a foot of water at night. If most of the flounder I gig spit baits all over the boat, why can’t we hook and line them?

Dock Lights for Night Fishing

With all nightime’s issues, there’s nothing that attracts bait and predators like the right dock light on a dark night. Now I really don’t care whether a dock light attracts bait or predators, but the right dock light can easily provide some excellent action, and keep you in fresh fillets until the cool fall breezes return.

Unfortunately, catching reds, trout and flounder at night is not as simple as finding a light with water under it. The first clue I look for in a good light is its proximity to structure. I’ve always had lights on my dock, but the one that’s over a big rockpile is always the busiest. The second asset a good dock light needs is moving water. Incoming or falling tide doesn’t seem to matter, as long as it’s moving.

The next thing a light needs is proximity to the water. Generally speaking, the closer to the water, the better, but higher lights can draw fish to a bigger area, if they’re bright enough. Watching the water under the light from a distance will generally give away the presence of action in the lights.

The bad news is, you will not be the first boat to visit the lights you go to. Fish have adapted to night fishermen, just like they adjust to every tactic we try. So approach dock lights cautiously.

The biggest fish under any light will usually be either under the smaller fish or on the outskirts of the light ring. You’ll want to stay as far away as possible for you to cast up current, and let your bait sweep unencumbered under the light.

The Mystery of Colored Dock Lights

If I had one weapon to go after fish in the lights it would be an 8-weight fly rod and a rubber “gummy minnow” type fly. For whatever reason the smaller the bait the better, seems to be the rule for picking baits for a night assault. A ¼-ounce jig with a light colored tail is as big a lure as I would employ. Tiny MirrOdine-type suspending lures will also draw attention in the lights.

I can remember when every dock light on the river was white. Now a waterfront neighborhood looks more like a Christmas tree with every color being tried to attract fish. Lately the rage has been green. I’ve always been a big fan of amber. Somebody came up with the great idea of anchoring a green light to the bottom of the river. That sounds like the best idea of all. It illuminates every baitfish, and every gamefish for a big circumference. Don’t ask me why, but what it won’t do is get you strikes. I’ve seen a pile of beautiful trout and snook swimming around the lights anchored to the bottom. What I haven’t done is caught a fish. I guess it’s just one more riddle I’ll never solve about night fishing.

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• This article was featured in the August issue of.-Sept. Issue of Florida Sportsman magazine. Click to subscribe.

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