Maya Ellison
Soft plastics are effective at night for catching fish. Anglers have been using them for years, with some noting that winter months are the best time to chase fish with soft plastics. While black lures are recommended for night fishing, other colours such as white and bright yellow can also be successful. Additionally, the movement and vibrations of the lure are important factors, with ZMan SwimmerZ and FrogZ being popular choices for their strong vibrations. Scented lures can also increase your chances of a catch, as fish often rely on their sense of smell to find prey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Most people agree that black is the best colour for soft plastics at night. However, some people say that white works well, too. |
| Size | It is recommended to use larger sizes at night. |
| Movement and vibrations | When choosing a lure, consider the movement and vibrations it will give off. For example, ZMan SwimmerZ and FrogZ are good options as they give off plenty of movement and vibrations. |
| Scent | Using scents like Pro-Cure Super Gel can make a difference. Generously applying a scent to your plastic will assist in triggering a bite. |
| Location | Fish close to structure. Casting in the dark can be difficult, so consider places where you can just drop the lure down. Piers are perfect for this. |
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What You'll Learn
- Soft plastics work well at night, with black or dark lures being the most effective
- Fish have a different sense of sight, so they perceive colours differently
- Fish can see ultra-violet light, so fluorescent lures appear unique to them
- Scents can make a difference, as fish can sniff out meals
- Using a prawn pattern Twitch it off the pylon
Soft plastics work well at night, with black or dark lures being the most effective
Soft plastics are effective at night, with many anglers catching fish using this method. Black or dark lures are recommended for night fishing as they create the strongest silhouette, which fish can easily spot. However, some anglers have found that any colour works, and that moonlight can help. Using larger lures at night can also be beneficial, as can fishing near structures such as jetties or piers, where you can simply drop the lure and bring it alongside you. When it comes to movement, lures that give off plenty of vibrations, such as those with paddle tails, are ideal. Scents can also make a difference, with bloodworm and mullet flavours being popular choices.
While soft plastics can be successful at night, it's worth noting that some fish, such as tailor, may be more challenging to catch and could result in the destruction of lures. Additionally, the retrieve technique may vary depending on the lighting conditions. In lit areas, anglers might twitch the lure more quickly, while in darker areas, a slower approach could be more effective.
The sense of sight in fish works differently from that of humans, and they perceive colours differently. Fish can see ultraviolet light, so lures with fluorescent colours may appear unique to them. However, a fish's sense of smell and their ability to detect vibrations in the water are often more critical factors in their hunting behaviour. Using lures that create strong vibrations can increase your catch rate.
When fishing with soft plastics at night, it's essential to consider the movement and vibrations of the lure. Lures that provide more action or movement, such as ZMan SwimmerZ and FrogZ, can be excellent choices for night fishing. Additionally, lures with paddle tails or curl tails create vibrations that can attract fish. Anglers should also consider the retrieve speed and technique, adjusting it based on the lighting conditions and the behaviour of the target fish species.
Overall, soft plastics can be highly effective for night fishing, especially when combined with the right techniques and considerations for lure colour, movement, vibrations, and scent. By understanding the senses and behaviour of fish, anglers can increase their chances of success when fishing with soft plastics at night.
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Fish have a different sense of sight, so they perceive colours differently
Soft plastics are effective at night, and fish can indeed perceive colours differently. Fish have a different sense of sight, and their perception of colours is influenced by their ability to see ultra-violet light. This means that lures with fluorescent colours, such as nuclear chicken, appear very differently to fish than they do to humans.
The colour of soft plastics can impact their effectiveness at night. While some anglers suggest that black or dark-coloured lures are the best choice for night fishing, others claim that any colour can work well under moonlight. Fish have a narrow colour spectrum, but within that spectrum, they can distinguish more shades. For example, marlins can only see the colour blue but can perceive a wider variety of blues than humans.
The movement and vibrations of the lure are also important considerations when fishing with soft plastics at night. Lures that create strong vibrations, such as those with paddle tails or curl tails, can be more effective in attracting fish. Additionally, using larger lures at night can increase the chances of a catch. Scented lures can also be advantageous as fish have a strong sense of smell, and scents like bloodworm and mullet can trigger a bite.
When fishing at night, it is beneficial to consider the fishing location and light conditions. Casting towards structures, such as jetties or piers, can be a successful strategy. By hanging back from the light and casting into the darker areas, anglers can increase their chances of attracting fish. The retrieve technique can also vary depending on the lighting conditions; in lit areas, a quicker twitch can mimic a struggling baitfish, while a slower roll may be more effective in darker waters.
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Fish can see ultra-violet light, so fluorescent lures appear unique to them
Soft plastic lures are effective at night, and some colours may work better than others. While black lures are recommended for night fishing, some anglers have found that any colour works well. Fish have a narrow colour spectrum but can see more shades within those colours. For example, marlin can only see blue but can perceive a greater variety of blues than humans can.
The effectiveness of UV lures has been debated among fishermen for decades. Some anglers view UV colours as a magical, fish-attracting technology, while others are sceptical. The UV theory suggests that UV-reactive lures take advantage of UV light to produce a muted glow that attracts game fish. However, the importance of UV vision to fish is not a clear-cut issue.
While there is scientific evidence that some fish species can see UV light, the impact of UV lures on strike rates may not be significant. An Australian study of 211 coral reef species found that over 50% had ocular lenses that blocked UV light, preventing stimulation of the optic nerve. Additionally, the belief that UV fluorescence improves lure visibility at depth is based on the misconception that UVA penetrates water deeper than other wavelengths. In reality, UVA does not penetrate as deeply as certain visible wavelengths, such as those associated with blue, green, and purple colours.
Despite the mixed evidence, some fishermen have found success with UV lures, especially when fishing for salmon and trout. The use of UV lures likely began with commercial salmon fishermen in the northern Pacific, and it has since become a trend in the fishing industry. While the science behind UV lures may be inconclusive, the testimonials from fishermen suggest that there is something to the UV theory.
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Scents can make a difference, as fish can sniff out meals
Soft plastics are effective at night, and scents can indeed make a difference in attracting fish. While fish have a narrow colour spectrum, they can perceive colours differently and see ultra-violet light. Their sense of smell and ability to detect vibrations in the water are often the key factors in their hunting behaviour.
Lures work at night, and the colour black or other dark colours are recommended for night fishing as they give off the strongest silhouette. However, one source suggests that white is also effective at night, and another suggests that any colour will work. The movement and vibrations of the lure are important considerations when fishing at night. Lures with a paddle tail or curl tail are recommended, as they create more vibration in the water, which fish can detect. Using a scent on your lure can also be beneficial, as fish are built to sniff out meals. Pro-Cure Super Gel is recommended, with bloodworm and mullet flavours suggested.
When fishing at night, it is important to consider your location. Casting in the dark can be challenging, so fishing near structures like piers or jetties can be advantageous. This allows you to simply drop the lure and bring it alongside the structure you are standing on. Fish at night are often found near the bottom and relating to structures. Dragging and grubbing your lure along the bottom can be an effective technique. Additionally, when fishing in an area with light, twitching the lure quickly can mimic the movement of prey.
Keeping a detailed diary of your fishing trips can also be helpful. Recording times, locations, species, and rig details (including colour, size, weight, and style of lure) can help you identify patterns and make more informed choices in the future.
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Using a prawn pattern? Twitch it off the pylon
Soft plastics work well at night, with many fish still taking the bait after dark. When using a prawn pattern, there are a few techniques you can try to attract a bite. The "'Be the Bait'" system from Prawnstar uses a flickjigging technique to simulate a prawn or shrimp moving in its environment. This involves casting and retrieving the lure with the occasional tail-flicking action or by simply lifting and lowering it in the water column. This creates resistance in the water, allowing you to glide the lure down deep with a natural presentation. The flickjigging action also creates pressure waves in the water that fish recognize as similar to a shrimp's predatory escape response, making it irresistible to most fish species.
When fishing with a prawn pattern, it is important to consider the current and target the areas where fish are likely to be hiding. Fish often use structures such as logs, rocks, bars, reefs, and pylons as ambush points for hunting. By casting and sinking your lure towards the bottom and working it up through the water column, you can effectively target these fish. Move along the pylons to cover as much area as possible while keeping your lure in the target zone. Remember to vary the presentation as fish can also hold mid-water and near the surface.
Additionally, consider using larger plastics and black or dark lures at night, as these provide the strongest silhouette. Fishing close to structures can also be advantageous, especially in unfamiliar waters or when casting in the dark. Piers are a perfect example of this technique, as many fish at night will be relating to the bottom and structure. Dragging and grubbing your lure along the bottom can also be effective, as fish will often pick up a stationary lure between drags.
When using a prawn pattern at night, remember to use a paddle tail instead of a curl tail. The paddle tail creates better vibrations that work well in low-light conditions. With these tips and techniques, you can effectively use a prawn pattern at night and increase your chances of landing a catch.
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Frequently asked questions
Soft plastics are good at night because fish can perceive colours differently and are attracted to fluorescent colours. Fish also have a strong sense of smell and can feel vibrations in the water, so using lures that create movement and vibrations can help your catch rates.
Most people agree that black or other dark colours are the best colours for soft plastics at night as these give the strongest silhouette. However, one source suggests that white is surprisingly effective at night.
When choosing a lure, consider the type of movement and vibrations it will give off when retrieving it. Lures with a paddle tail or curl tail will give off vibrations, and ZMan SwimmerZ and FrogZ are good options for creating plenty of movement and vibrations.
When fishing at night, it is helpful to hang well back from the light and put a long cast towards the structure. Using scents like Pro-Cure Super Gel can also make a difference, as fish are often built to sniff out a quick meal.
