I use to go alot but I havent been in awhile since I dont have a boat(im in the market though) But we went year round just once it got dark we went out to a local island(small about 3 miles long 1/2 wide) but we used floating lights from walmart and a 12' pole with a 4+ prong gig on the end and went around the edges of the island in water 3' and under and stuck them when we saw them and had lots of luck but we seemed to get more when it was colder like around october/november but we caught plenty during summer and all too so it can be done year round just check local game laws to make sure its legal where you are