Night time crappie fishing???

Anybody done it? I'm considering spider rigging just like we do in the daytime with glow sticks on the ends of my poles or possibly buying an underwater light and dropping anchor in one spot. I can't find any youtube videos of people spider rigging at night.

Never spider rigged, but we use to fish a big marina and had a spotlight wrapped in styrofoam that floated on the surface of the water facing the light down in the water. We would catch a lot on minnows below the light. We would also catch bass and all sorts of other fish too.

Drop light, wait for bait and match the size and color of the bait under the light and vertical jig about 2 foot under the bait.

I have done it with underwater lights in the summer with some success.Usually i would set up on a ledge,drop,creek bend in a area where i have caught them at during the day.Everyone says fish outside the light,but i always had better luck fishing in the light with a double hook rig.When i get over this rona i want to try livescopeing at night.

Richard Gene the Fishing machine had a video recently where he was crappie fishing at night, they caught some big 'uns

I got inspired to do some night fishing under lights when I started editing CrappieNOW.com magazine. I don't do it a whole lot, but sure enjoy it when I do. Here's some "how to" info: https://newschannel9.com/sports/outdoors/leave-the-lights-on-for-crappie

Cardinalskyhawk said:

Richard Gene the Fishing machine had a video recently where he was crappie fishing at night, they caught some big 'uns

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I watched some of his stuff yesterday. He's a hoot.

rsimms said:

I got inspired to do some night fishing under lights when I started editing CrappieNOW.com magazine. I don't do it a whole lot, but sure enjoy it when I do. Here's some "how to" info: https://newschannel9.com/sports/outdoors/leave-the-lights-on-for-crappie

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Thanks!

I do it under a dock for post spawn crappie in late May early June. From my experience the longer the light is on in one spot the better. It's all about attracting the bait.

bluball said:

I have done it with underwater lights in the summer with some success.Usually i would set up on a ledge,drop,creek bend in a area where i have caught them at during the day.Everyone says fish outside the light,but i always had better luck fishing in the light with a double hook rig.When i get over this rona i want to try livescopeing at night.

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LS at night is a whole different ball game the 2 times I have tried it!
I never could clear up my screen as it seemed every critter in the water was out stirring and just trying to get rid of what normally looks like pollen or debris in the water column.

Update: We tried spider rigging Thursday night. Only caught 1 keeper crappie and a catfish after dark. I don't know if they just weren't biting or if it's not going to work. My submersible green lights came in Friday. That's my next test. One of my buddies tried fishing under his green lights Friday night and caught 5 keepers in a couple hours. This might be the ticket.

I used to have the floating headlights with styrofoam but have no idea what happened to them. I ordered me some green lights that will be here this week. I'd forgotten about that kind of fishing. We used to catch a lot fishing that way. Anchor up, or in your case I guess you could use your trolling motor spotlock. It doesn't take long for the action to start.

Crow Terminator said:

I used to have the floating headlights with styrofoam but have no idea what happened to them. I ordered me some green lights that will be here this week. I'd forgotten about that kind of fishing. We used to catch a lot fishing that way. Anchor up, or in your case I guess you could use your trolling motor spotlock. It doesn't take long for the action to start.

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I think I'll use a regular anchor for zero noise. Watching some videos there's so many baitfish they might not even care about a little noise.

Most have no clue of the success you can have fishing under and around lights at night, especially for really big fish of all species. It's all about the bait

After reading this topic, I have ordered a couple lights myself, going to give it a try one night this week

spoonie said:

After reading this topic, I have ordered a couple lights myself, going to give it a try one night this week

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Keep us posted!

cowhunter71 said:

Most have no clue of the success you can have fishing under and around lights at night, especially for really big fish of all species. It's all about the bait

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I'll add that some species prefer ambient lights as opposed to direct. In Florida I'd say 95% of my night fishing was around lights. Add heavy structure and a strong tide and you have a recipe for a great night of fishing.

Indian River Snook , North Hutchinson Island between Jensen Beach & Ft Pierce.

Some fine eatin'

Pilchard said:

I'll add that some species prefer ambient lights as opposed to direct. In Florida I'd say 95% of my night fishing was around lights. Add heavy structure and a strong tide and you have a recipe for a great night of fishing.

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One of the YouTube channels I watch is a guy who targets speckled trout and such. During the summer that's one of his favorite tactics...marina lights. The problem he has where he fishes is the dock owners don't like fishermen and will turn their lights off.

Smo said:

View attachment 83911
Indian River Snook , North Hutchinson Island between Jensen Beach & Ft Pierce.
View attachment 83913
Some fine eatin'

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Nice "slot" fish. Fine eater