bass after dark

[jj74]

what are the most effective methods and lures for largemouth after the sun goes down? do they stay in the same areas of the water as they are in throughout the day or do they move around at nite?
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Unless there are extreme changes in environment, largemouth bass tend to set up housekeeping in a small defined area and they don't move far from home. That is dependent upon them being able to make a living in that area. There has to be a ready supply of shad, minnows, crawdads or whatever they feed on.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are some other factors that will alter where the bass are holding and when they feed. Early in the spring, when the water is cold, bass will sometimes move into very shallow and/or "stained" water...where the sun's rays add warmth to the water faster. You can sometimes see springtime largies basking right on the surface in shallow water. They sometimes don't hit lures well at that time and are easily spooked.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]When you see them cruising the shallows and looking for either food or a nest site, they are more aggressive and will hit lures better.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]After the spawn, in late spring, is when bass tend to locate next to structure and set up ambush points. Casting to visible structure is a good way to prospect for them. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Night fishing can be effective when the water is warmer and the fish are feeding. Usually you will find bass in the same areas after dark as you will during the day. However, they may be shallower under cover of darkness, especially if they are hunting crawdads that also move shallow to feed after dark.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In lakes where there is a lot of boat traffic, and the water temps get over 80 degrees during the day, look for bass to stay deep during the day and only come into the shallows to feed after dark and after some of the daytime boat activity subsides. Unweighted plastics, shallow running hardbaits and topwaters are all good lures to fish active bass after dark. Sometimes a large bladed spinnerbait can bring some awesome strikes when worked shallow at night.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Depending upon the mood of the fish, you can sometimes take them on a noisy topwater lure with a fast retrieve...or you may have to drag a jig and pig at agonizing slowness. Yes, bottom presentations can be good at night too. However, when the fish are active, nothing beats a blowup on a surface lure after dark. Cardiac arrest time.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There is a lot said about lure colors for night fishing. Some night bassers swear by having everything in black. Others go for whites and bright colors. Many just throw the same stuff they do all day long. I like black lures with a bit of red. Those colors make good silhouettes when the bass can see the lure against a lighter sky. BUT...even a blind bass can make a living in the murkiest water, simply by using its sensitive lateral line to detect prey vibrations in the water and then homing in on the source. SO...using lures with rattles and wiggles can sometimes increase your odds more than what colors you use.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Getting to know your targeted lake is important. Shallower and murkier lakes (Utah Lake) fish differently than deeper and clearer lakes. Every lake has its better areas and specific locations that are "money in the bank". Some spots will produce during early morning or late evening, but not at night. Some spots are great at night, but do not hold fish during the day.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In short (ME????), there are some things about bass that can be expressed in generalities, but after that you have to put in the time and do your "on the water research". Experiment around and make notes. Keep a fishing log and record your observations and results. Those things both make enjoyable reading on cold winter nights and help you to find the patterns in future years.[/#0000ff]
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