night fishing at lake wilson from a boat

[Ca_Bass]

I was wondering if fishing lake wilson at night from a boat was legal. I don't mind that I would be stuck there for 12 hours. I would use my navigational lights and use my power inverter for a spot light.

Has anyone on this forum done this? This is something I've wanted to do for awhile and I'm transfering in June so I would like to do it soon.

I've fished a few night tournaments in Ca and they were a blast. It was amazing how many big fish were caught. For the night tournies it was always a 3 fish limit and there were quite a few 20 pound + limits. First one I fished with my partner we had close to 14 pounds and finished only 7th. I caught one that was just under seven and one 2lber and my partner got one that was 6...I was so excited when I landed my 6lber..it was the first big bass I had ever caught and I thought it was at least 10lbs, about every 10 to 15 minutes I would look at it in the livewell with amazement that I actually caught a bass that big I was pretty devistated during weigh in. but we did split 750 bucks which was nice.

Anyone remember their first big bass/tuc? That tournament was about 13 years ago and I was 14 but I remember every moment of it like it was yesterday.

[BASSTRACKER]

the hffa has night tournaments in the summer. man winter sucks on the lake at night! it rains almost every night and its arctic!!! ive done it and never had any luck. summers way different, warmer and much more comfortable as long as you pour on the mosquito spray. never caught anything over 2lbs but have caught a few in the summer.as far as legal, well theres no camping allowed, but i think boats may be ok. just gotta get the permission from the park caretaker to leave your trailer and truck there, by his house for safe keeping. night fishing almost always ends up as catfishing after a few hours anyway hahaha. full moons worked best for me, and dont forget the hat headlamp!! that headlamp will save you sooooooooooooo much grief!

[roadwarriorsvt]

Tracker is correct about vehicles having to be out of the park when it closes.

My last trip to the mainland, a friend took me night fishing. It was about 50* not including the wind chill factor. Night fishing is much easier on those lakes. You just go around to the docks that have the flood lamps right over the water. The small bait fish are attracted to the micro-organisms that the light atrtacts, the bigger fish come in for the bait fish. Pull up perpendicular to the dock, cast over the lit area pulling the jerk/crank bait thru the light. If we didn't get a strike in 5-6 casts, we'd move on top the next dock. Obviously that won't work for Lake Wilson.

Overall night fishing was a very fun experience. Hardly no other boats on the lake, cooler temps, and easy to find the fish!

[roadwarriorsvt]

Here is my biggest Tuc to date. My cheap Walmart scales read 6.5 lbs. so I'm calling it an honest 5#er. This was the first time taking my granddaughter fishing, very first cast after showing her how to bait the hook!

[Ca_Bass]

Frigid seems like a bit of a stretch but I get your point but I have nice gotex jacket with a thick fleece linner that should kept me warm. I have mostly night fished during the summer and a few times in the winter in Arizona but it was like 55 or 60. I have done really well with black or black grape plastic worms. I have been told that the fish see black better at night because it has more contrast in the water especially if the moon is bright. During or around the full moon does seem to make fishing better so when I do this I will do it on a full moon if possible.

I definately won't forget the head lamp that is a must...I have heard black lights are nice because it makes your line visible but I've never tried this. I use to have a REALLY bright spot light but when we moved(I was in florida going to school) it dissapeared.

How do I get permission from the park caretaker..knock on his door and ask? I'm sure that winter isn't the best time but I wanna give it a shot..I do like fishing in bad conditions to challenge myself. I will post my my results.

[BASSTRACKER]

perhaps one of the hffa guys can hook you up with the caretaker guy,i forget his name but hes pretty cool. used to open the gate early for us when he would see us parked out in front some mornings. never had luck with worms , and nosiy topwaters are supposed to be great but never worked for me either. i did have luck with a big colorado bladed spinnerbait along the grasslines. and we used to buy those tiny calum light sticks that they have at sports authority and we would stick em inside a spider or tube jig and fish em glowing, and had a couple that way off points. well fridgid is a state of mind trust me!! wont take but a bit of rain and wind and youll be wishing for gloves and thermal socks! 58 will seem like 28! i wish you luck, its been tuff lately during the day but night im not so sure will be better this time of year. hell summer time i would even think about doin it!

[Ca_Bass]

I have heard black jitterbugs are night bass fishing killer..I wonder if jitter bugs are even made anymore. I bet a chatterbait would be a goot night lure. Some of the worms I have fished at night had a glowing tail. We would just hold it up to the light for about 10 seconds to recharge. I really like the idea of sticking a glow stick in a tube. Maybe even glueing one to a spinnerbait would work to. I will have to mess around with some glow sticks.