Fishing after the sun has set is a unique experience not only because of limited visibility but the migration of fish. Take it from me I have fished in the exact location during the daylight compared to nighttime, and the results are remarkably different. Here are 4 easy tips that work for me when night fishing for trout.

Night Fishing For Trout My Experience

I have the opportunity to fish for trout without a boat frequently during the winter months. The winter trout fishery in Georgia is excellent, as I, without a doubt, have no trouble filling the cooler. Here is what you need to know about my most recent experience fishing for trout at night. 

Where And When 

I have the opportunity to fish in coastal Georgia in a consistent basis because I am a resident of Skidaway Island outside of Savannah, Georgia. 

Without a doubt, Skidaway Island inside of The Landings community offers some of the best shore based fishing opportunities. Furthermore, Skidaway Island is home to a combination of 150 freshwater ponds and saltwater lagoons. 

In addition to the ponds and lagoons, The Landings has two marinas. On the south end is Delegal Creek Marina, and on the North is Landings Harbor Marina. 

On this particular trip I fished inside of the Landings Harbor Marina on the banks of the Willmington River. The marina is protected by a sea wall and L shaped pier which is available to anglers. 

Unquestionably, I decided to fish during the evening hours after the marina closed to fish in a restricted area. The restricted area is within the sea wall as the trout congregate in this specific area during the winter. 

Fortunately, the sun sets early during the winter, so I did not need to wait until 8 or 9 PM to cast a line. In February, when I fished, the sunset hovered at 6 PM. 

On this particular night in February, the temperatures were well above average. For this reason, it made fishing comfortable as it’s not uncommon for stiff winds and cold weather.  

Fishing Equipment

Preparation is incredibly important I highly recommend preparing before leaving the house. No sense in tying lures in the dark as compared to a well lit home. 

Every night I fish for speckled trout, I use the Offshore Angler XPS Saltwater swirl tail grub. The grub has a white body and pink tail. The grub is fished on a ⅛ ounce Offshore Angler round jighead. 

When it comes to rods and reels, I fish 25 pound braid combined with a 20 pound fluorocarbon leader on a Penn Battle II 4000 series reel. The rod is 7 foot medium Penn Battle II. I find this to be the perfect combination for two reasons. First, it lets me quickly pull fish away from boats and pilings. Secondly, despite the light weight of the lure, it is highly accurate when casting. Casting accuracy is critical in tight spaces such as a marina. 

Technique

The process of catching speckled trout during the night is straightforward. Furthermore, you do not need to keep an eye on a float that is challenging to see in the dark. 

When it comes to technique, always incorporate fan casting. Fan casting is a way to cover all of the water to locate schools of fish. Start on one side, and with every cast, shift the landing point of the lure by two to five feet. Once you have a strike, continue to work the area. 

Importantly after each cast, allow the lure to sink for three to five seconds. This allows the bait to sink close to the bottom. During the retrieval, the lure rises; therefore, you cover all depths. 

Lastly, reel the lure slowly. A swirl tail grub requires minimal speed to keep the tail in motion when a fish strikes, reel while pulling the tip of the rod away from the direction of the fish. 

Icing The Fish

As a result of the warm weather, it was essential to pack a cooler full of ice. I keep the fish ice cold to preserve freshness. 

That said, each time you add a fish to the cooler while fishing for trout, ensure they are entirely covered. 

It is important to note that the trout must remain in ice until they are filleted. After filleting, bag the fish and return back to the ice until they can be refrigerated. 

When I returned home, I breaded the trout fillets in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. The fish was the next day’s meal. 

Head Out Night Fishing For Trout

Often overlooked is the fact that night fishing keeps you free from roasting in the daytime sun, especially during the summer months. I have loaded up on sea trout for not only myself but friends and family when the fish migrate in from the river to feed. Apply the same techniques in a marina in your area.