Night fishing can be an absolute blast. Wake baits and crawler style baits are my favorite ways to night fish. There is something special about fishing a big, loud, slow topwater at night. Hearing but not seeing the blowup is a really cool feeling. I've also had success with chatterbaits at night. I also like Hildebrandt's Super Sally and Snagless Sally with a paddle tail for trailer at night, especially when fishing around trees. Those things are unbelievably weedless.
You nailed the night baits, I agree those all work for me especially the black buzz bait, I have never used a wake bait but Im going to give that a try. Thanks Matt and good luck.
I like using my bbz 1 rat, I have replaced the tail with a big ol zoom trick work and it really makes it THUMP! been doing pretty good from twilight to about midnight with that rat in the 40 size. So much fun doing it that way, I love it.
I occasionally go retro from my pier at night using a black jitterbug, crazy crawler or flat fish- all well known in the north country, They will still elicit strikes, especially from pike which can be spectacular. The problem is that they are even greater weed catchers making them impractical as the weeds grow in warmer water,
Hey Mat I finally got around to peeling that outer layer off some swimbaits and the difference is amazing. That video was gold. I never would have thought of that. Thank you sir
When I was younger my great grandfather along with my dad and uncles used to go out at night fishing I was too young to go out with them. They always seem to catch bass. I have never tried it. I am glad you talked about it. I am going to have to try out now. Keep up the great info. Thank you!
Have never tried fishing at night and have thought about doing it. This was a good reminder of other options to get out and fish. Good thought on cutting back on the number of baits and rods to avoid the "Cluster".
Caught my pb on a black spinner bait at night, have recently been mixing it up at night and throwing moonshine glow spoons or just adding their glow blades on spinner baits with good results at night for bass.
Always enjoyed night fishing as a kid the anticipation of waiting to hear and feel the strike, all great baits Matt enjoy your videos keep them coming. 🙏
I've never thought of using a wake bait at night! I'm going to try it as soon as there's some moonlight around here. We've had lots of clouds and rain for the last few weeks...
Cool stuff Matt…..I’ve been using a Mann’s 1- the full-size one for over 20 years!! Killer!! Your other choices are on the money not surprising!! I also have a jitterbug tied on. Actually have down extremely well with the Muskie size version.
something i learned real fast about night time and spinnerbaits is that at the heart of september dont be afraid to fire out a spinnerbait in september i love spinnerbaits so much that when it breaks september i'll only use a spinner bait from septemeber through november then im like i dont know what to do now besides Texas Rigging my entire arsenal and throwing it at the bass.
Great vid so glad to get a night video its a 1/3 of my fishing. Wake bait is one I haven't tried and will add to arsenal. One suggestion is a mid diving either all black or chartreuse and blue mid to deep diving crankbait. Got my Wisconsin PB on one at night 7lber burning and pausing give a try if you haven't. Bandit and original wiggle wart have done some work for me.
Nice video and great advice. Less clutter is definitely better. Wake baits have become one of my favorites day and night. Do you find that bright moon light nights are more productive?
I love to hear you way up north guys talk about a "hot summer day! Lol - (I'm in Ga.) A black Jitterbug with a properly tuned bill (bent with a pair of needle nose to produce a better "gurgle") has caught me hundreds of Bass at night. It's the only lure I'll use. If they ain't bitin my Jitterbug, they ain't bitin!! I use the 5/8 oz. size but have used the Musky size too. I've caught dinks no bigger than the lure sometimes with the big one & whoppers on both! Great vid! By the way... STEALTH is key! I've had blowups literally at my feet. Soft steps. Mouth closed!
@@briankissling7934 Wooden? Now that must go back a few!! Kinda hard to describe what I call "tuning" the bill but... You bend each side of the bill down & in maybe 1\8 or so with needle nose pliers. You're trying to make it more of a scoop or cup shape which gives it a deeper gurgle. I learned this from either Bill Dance or Roland Martin back in the late 70's or early 80's. It's best to do this on water so you can keep testing till you get a better sound. I prolly ruined a few bugs but once I got it, I could duplicate the right shape on other bugs in just a couple of minutes. No night bait ever out fished it! Please, don't experiment on that wooden bug! Lol - I know this was vague but hope it helps!
@@danluther1741 Thx for replying back...I've done the same to a cupl of my bugs. I think it makes it crawl faster & tighter as well... My friend drilled a hole in each side of the lip too to make more bubbles. I just like to hear different ways to change a topwater a little bit...thx 👍
My best nighttime lure is a black Jitterbug (jointed). Black Hula Popper caught the biggest bass but is relatively unproductive. Black spinnerbait can be a killer. Seldom used plastic worms although I am a worm fisherman. Wakebaits? Howzabout the big Minus One!
Awesome, night fishing is something I've been wanting to try this summer. I live on a naturally formed smallmouth lake with anywhere from 3 to 6ft of visibility and the water is fairly tanic. Is night fishing smallmouth just as productive as largemouth and would you change these baits up any if fishing strictly smallies? Thanks Matt, maxx from Maine.
Smallmouth are just as easily caught on these baits as largemouth and it’s a great time to target them. I’d mix in a walking topwater as well for smallies
Looks like ol’ Roland is aligned with your bait selections - check out his recent What’s Happenin’ video - bonus moment he shows his sportsmanship, releasing a 12 younder in Headwaters. Matt, I’m interested in a smallie guide trip, I hear you mention guiding from time to time. Are You available ?
Ill have to give rolands a watch. I do guide but usually do most my booking for the fall when my tournament season is over and the smallies are chewing.
Ah Hahhhhh..... finally a ant killing vid....lol. Personally I don't night time fish..... have that "Morning Disease" awake everyday at 5am. Good on you for talking about night fishing. Big fan of the K.I.S.S. approach. Thanks for the vid.
coffee. Dr.Pepper , coca cola , pepsi diet pepsi sweet tea and or unsweet tea. enrgy drinks such as nos or red bull or full throttle or even better sleep consistently for 8 and a half hours and boom youre good to go
In theory, getting them to notice something at night and therefore not needing to care about making it look, super realistic, wouldn’t bright colors like a bright orange or bright green be the ticket then? Not that I’ve ever had March success night fishing ha ha that’s why I’m asking. At least not on my home river. I’ve been fishing my whole life on different lakes across the country, but never been river fishing until recently in my hometown. And I’m not having much luck.
I stay away from any baits with treble hooks....a black and blue spinnerbait with a large black colorado blade a 10 inch junebug worm texas rigged and a junebug trick worm on a 1/4 ounce shakeyhead are all you need
Y’all need some of these Texas fire ants. I spend a fortune killing them on my farm. They’ve killed out a lot of our native species like Quail, Horny Toads, Red Harvester ants, and other ground nesting birds. They’re impossible to get rid of because they fly during mating season.
@@MattStefanFishing it’s funny that they do nothing to me except hurt a little. A wasp will tear me up. I swell up real bad. I’m allergic to wasp. Bees don’t swell me up. I’d figure a bee and wasp would be similar. Last year I was mowing the pasture next to my beekeepers 8 beehives and they ran me off the tractor and chased me into my home. She said killer bees had taken over one of the hives. They were all in my face stinging me. Lost my glasses and almost didn’t find them.
Man dude I gave a friend of mine a few night baits he kept asking and he just showed up to my house last night so I gave him some ok monsters some d bombs and a few more baits any how he’s been struggling to catch fish so I thought I’d help him he sends me a pic this morning of hi catches so I’m happy than I noticed they where all dead he killed them so he could eat them 4 bass 3 lber to 1 5 lber from the looks of the pics I’ll never help him again he tried too tell me they all swallowed the worm nothing he could do about it I brought him too the body of water he fishes now I gave him the baits hooks and weight s I killed those bass now I lost a friend of 20 years over 20 years fucking hillbilly
Night fishing can be an absolute blast. Wake baits and crawler style baits are my favorite ways to night fish. There is something special about fishing a big, loud, slow topwater at night. Hearing but not seeing the blowup is a really cool feeling. I've also had success with chatterbaits at night. I also like Hildebrandt's Super Sally and Snagless Sally with a paddle tail for trailer at night, especially when fishing around trees. Those things are unbelievably weedless.
They are super Weedless and a sleeper bait! Thanks for sharing!
You nailed the night baits, I agree those all work for me especially the black buzz bait, I have never used a wake bait but Im going to give that a try. Thanks Matt and good luck.
Definitely! The wake baits are killer at night
I like using my bbz 1 rat, I have replaced the tail with a big ol zoom trick work and it really makes it THUMP! been doing pretty good from twilight to about midnight with that rat in the 40 size. So much fun doing it that way, I love it.
Fishing bug rats is a blast!
I occasionally go retro from my pier at night using a black jitterbug, crazy crawler or flat fish- all well known in the north country, They will still elicit strikes, especially from pike which can be spectacular. The problem is that they are even greater weed catchers making them impractical as the weeds grow in warmer water,
That's why i like a buzzbait so much!
Hey Mat I finally got around to peeling that outer layer off some swimbaits and the difference is amazing. That video was gold. I never would have thought of that. Thank you sir
Awesome!
Loon color whopper plopper has caught me alot of night bass.
thats a good one!
When I was younger my great grandfather along with my dad and uncles used to go out at night fishing I was too young to go out with them. They always seem to catch bass. I have never tried it. I am glad you talked about it. I am going to have to try out now. Keep up the great info. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing
Have never tried fishing at night and have thought about doing it. This was a good reminder of other options to get out and fish. Good thought on cutting back on the number of baits and rods to avoid the "Cluster".
Thanks fir watching!
Hands down Black & Blue Jig, Blue Fleck Powerworm is the bomb at night at Pickwick River in the Canal.
thanks for sharing
Caught my pb on a black spinner bait at night, have recently been mixing it up at night and throwing moonshine glow spoons or just adding their glow blades on spinner baits with good results at night for bass.
Good info! Thanks for sharing!
Always enjoyed night fishing as a kid the anticipation of waiting to hear and feel the strike, all great baits Matt enjoy your videos keep them coming. 🙏
Glad you enjoyed
I've never thought of using a wake bait at night! I'm going to try it as soon as there's some moonlight around here. We've had lots of clouds and rain for the last few weeks...
Give it a try!
For Night summer largemouth, Booyah Tux and Tails spinner bait, Copper hammered Colorado blades/ Black skirt....lights out!
Great tip! Thanks for sharing!
On the big worm, would you put a glass bead or a brass clackers between the weight and the bait?
I would try it to see if I helps, but there are times Id not want additional noise
Great video! Don't do much night fishing but when I do I use dark top water lures. Thanks again!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you Matt! Good stuff!
thanks!
All great points...thanks Matt
Thanks!
Cool stuff Matt…..I’ve been using a Mann’s 1- the full-size one for over 20 years!! Killer!! Your other choices are on the money not surprising!! I also have a jitterbug tied on. Actually have down extremely well with the Muskie size version.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
something i learned real fast about night time and spinnerbaits is that at the heart of september dont be afraid to fire out a spinnerbait in september i love spinnerbaits so much that when it breaks september i'll only use a spinner bait from septemeber through november then im like i dont know what to do now besides Texas Rigging my entire arsenal and throwing it at the bass.
spinnerbaits are great night time baits!
@@MattStefanFishing right im going to start using spinnerbaits now more often at night
Great vid so glad to get a night video its a 1/3 of my fishing. Wake bait is one I haven't tried and will add to arsenal. One suggestion is a mid diving either all black or chartreuse and blue mid to deep diving crankbait. Got my Wisconsin PB on one at night 7lber burning and pausing give a try if you haven't. Bandit and original wiggle wart have done some work for me.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
i like throwing a buzzbait at night , good video
Its a killer!
Nice video and great advice. Less clutter is definitely better. Wake baits have become one of my favorites day and night. Do you find that bright moon light nights are more productive?
For me usually a full moon or a new moon provides the best action
I love to hear you way up north guys talk about a "hot summer day! Lol - (I'm in Ga.) A black Jitterbug with a properly tuned bill (bent with a pair of needle nose to produce a better "gurgle") has caught me hundreds of Bass at night. It's the only lure I'll use. If they ain't bitin my Jitterbug, they ain't bitin!! I use the 5/8 oz. size but have used the Musky size too. I've caught dinks no bigger than the lure sometimes with the big one & whoppers on both! Great vid! By the way... STEALTH is key! I've had blowups literally at my feet. Soft steps. Mouth closed!
The jitterbug may be the best all time night bait!
I agree... I use old wooden jitterbugs & crazy crawlers... How do you tune the lip though?
@@briankissling7934 Wooden? Now that must go back a few!! Kinda hard to describe what I call "tuning" the bill but... You bend each side of the bill down & in maybe 1\8 or so with needle nose pliers. You're trying to make it more of a scoop or cup shape which gives it a deeper gurgle. I learned this from either Bill Dance or Roland Martin back in the late 70's or early 80's. It's best to do this on water so you can keep testing till you get a better sound. I prolly ruined a few bugs but once I got it, I could duplicate the right shape on other bugs in just a couple of minutes. No night bait ever out fished it! Please, don't experiment on that wooden bug! Lol - I know this was vague but hope it helps!
@@danluther1741 Thx for replying back...I've done the same to a cupl of my bugs. I think it makes it crawl faster & tighter as well... My friend drilled a hole in each side of the lip too to make more bubbles. I just like to hear different ways to change a topwater a little bit...thx 👍
@@briankissling7934 crap! I never thought about drilling the holes!! Thank YOU!! (BTW, I'll give you 10 bux for that old wood Jitterbug right now! 😂)
My best nighttime lure is a black Jitterbug (jointed). Black Hula Popper caught the biggest bass but is relatively unproductive. Black spinnerbait can be a killer. Seldom used plastic worms although I am a worm fisherman. Wakebaits? Howzabout the big Minus One!
Minus 1 is a good one too!
Thanks, Matt!
You bet!
Great tips as always matt!!!!
Thanks!
Awesome, night fishing is something I've been wanting to try this summer. I live on a naturally formed smallmouth lake with anywhere from 3 to 6ft of visibility and the water is fairly tanic. Is night fishing smallmouth just as productive as largemouth and would you change these baits up any if fishing strictly smallies? Thanks Matt, maxx from Maine.
Smallmouth are just as easily caught on these baits as largemouth and it’s a great time to target them. I’d mix in a walking topwater as well for smallies
@@MattStefanFishing thanks Matt.
Yup. Been sticking them lately:)
Nice!
thank you for the tip i want to try night fishing
Anytime!
Thanks Matt, great tips!!
No problem!
Do you ever use those submersible fishing lights to attract the baitfish around your boat?
i do not
Awesome thanks Matt ..
No problem!
Looks like ol’ Roland is aligned with your bait selections - check out his recent What’s Happenin’ video - bonus moment he shows his sportsmanship, releasing a 12 younder in Headwaters.
Matt, I’m interested in a smallie guide trip, I hear you mention guiding from time to time. Are You available ?
Ill have to give rolands a watch. I do guide but usually do most my booking for the fall when my tournament season is over and the smallies are chewing.
what size is that wake bait?
get them while you can www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Surge_Shad_Wakebait/descpage-SPSG.html?from=MSFG
Ah Hahhhhh..... finally a ant killing vid....lol. Personally I don't night time fish..... have that "Morning Disease" awake everyday at 5am.
Good on you for talking about night fishing. Big fan of the K.I.S.S. approach. Thanks for the vid.
Haha! The bugs have been interrupting me a lot lately…wisconsin summers i guess
Thanks,
you bet!
Thank you for the tip. Every time I go fishing at night, I fall asleep. You have a tip for that. LOL
Coffee!
@@MattStefanFishing I don't like coffee. You have another tip for me. LOL
@@notsogood6249 nope
coffee. Dr.Pepper , coca cola , pepsi diet pepsi sweet tea and or unsweet tea. enrgy drinks such as nos or red bull or full throttle or even better sleep consistently for 8 and a half hours and boom youre good to go
In theory, getting them to notice something at night and therefore not needing to care about making it look, super realistic, wouldn’t bright colors like a bright orange or bright green be the ticket then? Not that I’ve ever had March success night fishing ha ha that’s why I’m asking. At least not on my home river. I’ve been fishing my whole life on different lakes across the country, but never been river fishing until recently in my hometown. And I’m not having much luck.
Thanks
I love night fishing with a choppo
Yep thats a killer bait!
Any color i go with black choppo at night
@@DJloudpack3208 yup
I stay away from any baits with treble hooks....a black and blue spinnerbait with a large black colorado blade a 10 inch junebug worm texas rigged and a junebug trick worm on a 1/4 ounce shakeyhead are all you need
trebles can be a pain
Keep the secret agent music intro.
Haha
Y’all need some of these Texas fire ants. I spend a fortune killing them on my farm. They’ve killed out a lot of our native species like Quail, Horny Toads, Red Harvester ants, and other ground nesting birds. They’re impossible to get rid of because they fly during mating season.
I hate those things….I’ve had a few run ins with them. A few bites and my whole leg swells up.
@@MattStefanFishing it’s funny that they do nothing to me except hurt a little. A wasp will tear me up. I swell up real bad. I’m allergic to wasp. Bees don’t swell me up. I’d figure a bee and wasp would be similar. Last year I was mowing the pasture next to my beekeepers 8 beehives and they ran me off the tractor and chased me into my home. She said killer bees had taken over one of the hives. They were all in my face stinging me. Lost my glasses and almost didn’t find them.
@@jamesbarron1202 dang that sounds terrible
Man dude I gave a friend of mine a few night baits he kept asking and he just showed
up to my house last night so I gave him some ok monsters some d bombs and a few more baits any how he’s been struggling to catch fish so I thought I’d help him he sends me a pic this morning of hi catches so I’m happy than I noticed they where all dead he killed them so he could eat them 4 bass 3 lber to 1 5 lber from the looks of the pics I’ll never help him again he tried too tell me they all swallowed the worm nothing he could do about it I brought him too the body of water he fishes now I gave him the baits hooks and weight s I killed those bass now I lost a friend of 20 years over 20 years fucking hillbilly