View Full Version : Night Tourneys???
Rippin_Eyes
02-20-2004, 01:20 PM
As I was reading through my Walleye Insider last night I happend to come upon and article on spring night fishing that said "night fishing is for people who can't catch fish during the day" now I would have to not agree with that comment as I have seen lots of people NOT catch fish at night!! Here is a thought to ponder, why are there no night tourneys??? I can think of quite a few sports that are played under the lights why not fishing?? Just wondering what you guys who fish the tournements think about that. Personaly I think it would be a very intresting.
Rippin_Eyes
02-20-2004, 01:20 PM
As I was reading through my Walleye Insider last night I happend to come upon and article on spring night fishing that said "night fishing is for people who can't catch fish during the day" now I would have to not agree with that comment as I have seen lots of people NOT catch fish at night!! Here is a thought to ponder, why are there no night tourneys??? I can think of quite a few sports that are played under the lights why not fishing?? Just wondering what you guys who fish the tournements think about that. Personaly I think it would be a very intresting.
I think night tournaments are interesting and fun. Many associations have them in areas where the DNR allows it. However, you'll never see this happen in bigtime tournaments...It's very dangerous for one thing (some pro tournament boundries are 80+ miles from the staring bay, in lakes with lots of obstructions and hazards). Also, hords of fans tend to not come to midnight, or 6:00 am weigh-ins...Most of all, big tournaments are driven by big sponsors who want there products seen by as many people as possible, and it's hard to see/film the products in the dark, and even harder to get them seen when most people are in bed.
I think night tournaments are interesting and fun. Many associations have them in areas where the DNR allows it. However, you'll never see this happen in bigtime tournaments...It's very dangerous for one thing (some pro tournament boundries are 80+ miles from the staring bay, in lakes with lots of obstructions and hazards). Also, hords of fans tend to not come to midnight, or 6:00 am weigh-ins...Most of all, big tournaments are driven by big sponsors who want there products seen by as many people as possible, and it's hard to see/film the products in the dark, and even harder to get them seen when most people are in bed.
ChadM
02-21-2004, 06:43 PM
Liability!
Do you think an insurance company would allow a guide/professional angler to assume the responsibility of taking an am out at night in a boat that does 60mph?
ChadM
02-21-2004, 06:43 PM
Liability!
Do you think an insurance company would allow a guide/professional angler to assume the responsibility of taking an am out at night in a boat that does 60mph?
cheater
02-22-2004, 07:21 AM
What about cheating... it would be pretty easy to sneak off in the darkness to grab your limit from a buddy.
cheater
02-22-2004, 07:21 AM
What about cheating... it would be pretty easy to sneak off in the darkness to grab your limit from a buddy.
ChadM
02-22-2004, 02:38 PM
99% of professional anglers would never even consider this. Especially when there is a co angler with them that they just meet.
ChadM
02-22-2004, 02:38 PM
99% of professional anglers would never even consider this. Especially when there is a co angler with them that they just meet.
Personnally, I like to fish during the day so I can cook fish (or a steak, if I take an egg) and drink beer at night!!!!
Rickster
Personnally, I like to fish during the day so I can cook fish (or a steak, if I take an egg) and drink beer at night!!!!
Rickster
GR8WTHUNTER
02-24-2004, 08:39 PM
It would work for small local tourneys. On our local 30 mile long lake there are 2 or more "night" Bass tourneys that usually run from 7PM to 3AM and a couple of Striper tourneys that start at Midnight and run 36 hours with 4 weigh in times. I'd jump into a night Eye tourney in a heartbeat. This lake has very heavy pleasure boat trafic and fishing the main chanel is next to impossible while the sun is up.
SUPERTROLLER
02-27-2004, 04:16 PM
Our local tournament series runs 3 over-night tourneys. We start at 6pm Fri. and run until noon on Sat. You can stay out all night or pull out and come back whenever you like in the morning. I like to stay out all night and we have the lake mostly to ourselves. Some guys just sleep in the boat for a couple hours. We anchor or drift unless I get too tired, then we go to a secluded spot and tie off or re-anchor out of the main lake areas for a quick nap. Most times I'm awake all night and trolling without dodging any of the daytime traffic or other fishermen. This lake is fairly easy to navigate on in the nighttime hours due to the numerous shorelights from the houses and cottages. Dark shorelines with no reflections make it tougher to tell where we are so we keep a flashlight or spotlight handy for the driver. They are fun and different from most other tournaments due to the 18 hr. lengths but you get to try about anything to catch fish because you're fishing less crowded hours.
SUPERTROLLER
02-27-2004, 04:16 PM
Our local tournament series runs 3 over-night tourneys. We start at 6pm Fri. and run until noon on Sat. You can stay out all night or pull out and come back whenever you like in the morning. I like to stay out all night and we have the lake mostly to ourselves. Some guys just sleep in the boat for a couple hours. We anchor or drift unless I get too tired, then we go to a secluded spot and tie off or re-anchor out of the main lake areas for a quick nap. Most times I'm awake all night and trolling without dodging any of the daytime traffic or other fishermen. This lake is fairly easy to navigate on in the nighttime hours due to the numerous shorelights from the houses and cottages. Dark shorelines with no reflections make it tougher to tell where we are so we keep a flashlight or spotlight handy for the driver. They are fun and different from most other tournaments due to the 18 hr. lengths but you get to try about anything to catch fish because you're fishing less crowded hours.
BobB(MI)
02-27-2004, 08:03 PM
We too have a night event the first weekend in June. It is a 2-night fishing tournament called the "Nite Eyes Challenge" - 2004 will be the 7th consecutive year we have held this event.
The fishing can be decent - last year was average as the fish averaged 6lbs and we had around 100 weighed in. Many stayed out and didn't weigh in as the fishing was good and they weren't in the running for the top 5 payouts. If the weather cooperates it can be great.
If anyone wants to venture up to Alpena and fish Lake Huron at night - shoot me an e-mail. We have not set the costs for this year, but will probably be similar to last year which was $30/person. It runs on Fri and Sat nights from 6pm to 2am.
Fishing at night can be fun - other than that sleep deprivation thing.
Bob
BobB(MI)
02-27-2004, 08:03 PM
We too have a night event the first weekend in June. It is a 2-night fishing tournament called the "Nite Eyes Challenge" - 2004 will be the 7th consecutive year we have held this event.
The fishing can be decent - last year was average as the fish averaged 6lbs and we had around 100 weighed in. Many stayed out and didn't weigh in as the fishing was good and they weren't in the running for the top 5 payouts. If the weather cooperates it can be great.
If anyone wants to venture up to Alpena and fish Lake Huron at night - shoot me an e-mail. We have not set the costs for this year, but will probably be similar to last year which was $30/person. It runs on Fri and Sat nights from 6pm to 2am.
Fishing at night can be fun - other than that sleep deprivation thing.
Bob
ALUMACRAFTMAN
02-28-2004, 05:27 AM
Bob, sounds like a fun tourney. I have never fished that area before. What programs do you guys run at night that time of year on Lake Huron? Might have to try and fish it this year.
ALUMACRAFTMAN
02-28-2004, 05:27 AM
Bob, sounds like a fun tourney. I have never fished that area before. What programs do you guys run at night that time of year on Lake Huron? Might have to try and fish it this year.
BobB(MI)
02-29-2004, 01:37 PM
Most everyone pulls minnow baits (Rapalas, Huskys, Rogues, Bombers, etc) off of boards or longline. Seems the fish relate more to the structure the later it gets - fishing in 3-20 fow.
The trick is to find the fish - profound thought there, huh? - the fish typically really go in a few places and those who picked the right spots and are there at the right time really can clean up.
It is a fun event - laid back and informal. If the weather is good we may get 40 boats. If the weather is bad, maybe only 10.
Unfortunately, the timing this year looks like it will conflict with the RCL League on Houghton Lake. As most in our area don't fish those events, it probably will only affect a few boats.
Bob
BobB(MI)
02-29-2004, 01:37 PM
Most everyone pulls minnow baits (Rapalas, Huskys, Rogues, Bombers, etc) off of boards or longline. Seems the fish relate more to the structure the later it gets - fishing in 3-20 fow.
The trick is to find the fish - profound thought there, huh? - the fish typically really go in a few places and those who picked the right spots and are there at the right time really can clean up.
It is a fun event - laid back and informal. If the weather is good we may get 40 boats. If the weather is bad, maybe only 10.
Unfortunately, the timing this year looks like it will conflict with the RCL League on Houghton Lake. As most in our area don't fish those events, it probably will only affect a few boats.
Bob
Geographyman
03-02-2004, 02:22 PM
This would be a good plan on Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada. About June 21st.