Morning Coffee and Night Fishing Wisdom
By The Late Great John Mckean RIP
“Morning! How about a cup of hot coffee?” called the friendly old man from the next campsite.
I was surprised to see someone up before me, but I gladly accepted his offer.
Bill had been up since 11 PM the previous night! He explained that fishing in the dark made largemouth bass go wild for his slow-moving topwater plugs. Seeing my surprise, Bill showed me his cooler, filled with fresh green lunkers. Despite his humble demeanor, it was clear Bill was a master angler.
Bill and I fished similarly, though with different techniques. On New York’s St. Lawrence River, I used homemade bucktail jigs for northern pike, while Bill used wooden floaters for bass. Our retrieves were similar—wind the baitcaster, pause, and wait for the strike. This method worked well for both of us, especially during the pauses.
As a dedicated jig fisherman, my crank-and-pause technique works perfectly for using my new BIRD lure after dark. Bill’s advice comes to mind, especially during hot summers when I prefer the coolness of night fishing. He noted that lunker bass roam open water at night, away from their daytime hideouts. Modern BIRD lures, with their snagless design, make night fishing even more enjoyable.
13 Tips for Night Fishing with the BIRD Lure:
Stay Away from Shoreline: The BIRD casts far, so avoid casting into trees.
Focus on Wingspan: The stop-and-go motion creates a natural flapping pulse.
Vary the Pace: Short pops can create noise that attracts bass.
Navigate Obstacles: Use a slow, steady retrieve to climb over weeds and sticks.
Take Breaks: Longer pauses can be effective; enjoy a cup of coffee.
Pause Before Lifting: A brief pause before lifting the lure can surprise you with a catch.
Use a Long Rod: A longer rod helps cover more water.
Power Hookset: Crank down hard and use your body to set the hook.
Quick Battle: Don’t play the fish too long; unseen obstructions can be a hazard.
Return to Hotspots: Revisit areas where you saw activity but didn’t get strikes.
Deep Water Casts: Occasionally cast over deep water to intercept roaming lunkers.
Nighttime Thrills: Night fishing can be even more exciting than daytime; be prepared!
Safety First: Wear a life jacket and be cautious.
How long should you fish? As my pike fishing friend says, “You just have to keep on jigging!” The same goes for night fishing—keep your BIRD lure in the water
