Why I Put Off Night Fishing for So Long (Spoiler: It’s All My Fault)
Lately, I’ve been scrolling through so many fishing buddies’ night fishing posts, and man, do they look like they’re having the time of their lives! They’re out there under the stars, reeling in fish, looking all cool and relaxed, and I’ve been sitting at home green with envy. I kept telling myself, “I gotta try night fishing too,” but every time I tried to commit, something held me back.
Let’s be real — if you call yourself a fishing fan but haven’t done proper night fishing, do you even fish? That’s the thought that kept nagging at me. And honestly, night fishing shouldn’t have been that hard for me. I already had most of the gear: a headlamp, electronic float, everything except a dedicated night fishing light. Plus, there’s a city ring water system super close to my house — safe, clean, and only a short walk away. The fish haven’t been biting great there lately, but those perks should’ve been enough to get me out the door.
But here’s the thing: I’m lazy. Like, really lazy. And I love my evening drinks too much. I need enough time to sit back, sip a cold one, and get in the right mood before I even think about heading out. On top of that, I’m a total early bird — I’m usually in bed by 10 PM sharp. So between the laziness, the drink habit, and my strict bedtime, night fishing just never made it onto my to-do list… until now.
Finally Took the Plunge (No Drinks = Small Miracles)
Today, I finally mustered up all my courage. I skipped my evening drink, put on my fishing gear, and told myself: “Tonight’s the night. No excuses.”
Why I Stuck Close to Home (Safety First, Y’all)
I considered heading to a more remote spot where the fish might be better, but let’s be honest — there are barely any local anglers doing night fishing these days, and going out to the wilderness alone after dark is just asking for trouble. I’ve never done a full night of fishing, so I wasn’t sure if I’d even last an hour before I wanted to head home. So I decided to play it safe and fish from the small wooden bridge at the city ring water system, just a 5-minute walk from my house.
I haven’t fished here in a while. Earlier this spring, the water quality was terrible — murky, smelly, just gross. But they’ve been refilling it with fresh water, and now it looks way better. That said, my last three trips here ended in total skunks. Zilch. Nada. Not even a nibble. So I wasn’t exactly holding out hope, but hey, baby steps, right?
Dusting Off the Old Gear (And Crossing My Fingers It Still Works)
I had to dig through my gear to get ready, and let’s just say some of it was collecting dust. My electronic float had been sitting in a drawer for months, but luckily I’d taken the battery out last time I used it — trust me, leaving a battery in an electronic float for too long is a surefire way to ruin it (I learned that the hard way after losing two floats to dead, corroded batteries).
I tested the floats, and only one worked — good enough for me. Earlier that afternoon, I’d prepped a rod setup too: 2.0 main line, 1.0 leader line, size 3 sleeve hook, adjusted to float at 1 eye and fish at 2 eyes, with both hooks resting on the bottom.
For the rod, I grabbed my old faithful “Moon Shadow” — a 4.5-meter short-section rod that’s been with me for over 10 years. I spent $150 on it back in the day, which was the first time I’d ever spent over $100 on a rod. I stopped using it because short-section rods tend to get stuck after years of wear and tear, but I could never bring myself to throw it away (sentimental fool, I know). I was too lazy to go get my nicer rods from the car trunk, so this old guy got to come out of retirement for the night.
The Big Moment: My First Night Fishing Catch!
When I got to the wooden bridge, there were a few other anglers gearing up nearby, but the bridge itself was empty. Perfect — no crowds to deal with. I usually set up multiple bait nests, but tonight I kept it simple: just one nest. Like I said, baby steps. I wasn’t even hoping for a big carp or crucian carp — I just wanted to see any sign of fish, even a tiny nibble.
I cast my line, sat back, and waited. The sky got darker, the headlamp lit up my float, and I listened to the crickets chirp. I almost thought I was gonna skunk again, just like my last three trips here. Then, around 8 PM, I saw it — my electronic float started jiggling like crazy!
I jumped up, grabbed the rod, and set the hook. I could feel a tug on the line — it was a fish! I reeled it in, and there it was: a shiny topmouth culter! I couldn’t believe it. My first night fishing trip of the year, and I already had a catch!
What I Learned (And Why I’m Already Planning the Next Trip)
After taking a million photos (can you blame me?), I released the fish back into the water. I sat there for a little while longer, but no more bites came. But honestly, I didn’t care — I’d already hit my goal.
Looking back, I can’t believe I waited so long to try night fishing. Yeah, I had to skip my drink and push past my bedtime, but that feeling of reeling in a fish under the stars? It’s totally worth it. And even though the fish wasn’t huge, it’s the biggest win I’ve had fishing in months.
I already know I’m gonna do this again. Next time, I might bring a proper night fishing light, maybe set up a couple more bait nests, and try to stay out a little later. But for now, I’m just riding this high. If you’ve been putting off night fishing like I was, do yourself a favor: grab your gear, pick a safe spot, and just go. You won’t regret it.
