I have heard it go just about both ways, but do you guys find it easier or harder to shoot bigheads at night. My crew and I used our winnings from the carlyle classic and bought 9 lights for the boat and biult a platform on it. We are planning on mounting them tonight. I also know shooting bigheads has alot to do with timing during the day. We have never went at night before and are hoping it is just as fun, if not more fun, than shooting them during the day. Any feedback or personal experience would be nice. Thanks

Travis

Bigheads don't like lights and the vibration of a generator.

When we shoot them at night we use a 12 volt spot light or the Hawglites (bow mounted flashlights).

The advantage to shooting them at night is that they tend to come right up to the surface in big groups at night. Also there are generally less boats/people around at night which can be a plus. This is how we do it:
1) keep all lights off ('cept for the required navigation lights)
2) You need the water to be pretty calm and there needs to be a touch of ambient light. (a street light, moon) Ideally, you'll be able to see the ripples as they feed toward you.
3) When you think the fish/school is in range, get ready, draw bows and shine the light on them. Shoot. You'll have just a second or two before they all dive.
4) Reel fish in... Repeat.



Personally, I prefer shooting them during the day.

Thanks for the help! What about gar, buffalo, commons and fish like that? Are the easier to shoot at night? More Fun? I have never been at night but i have been going about 3 times a week during the day for a couple years now and im really looking forward to trying it out

Short answer: Yes!



Buffs can be weird about lights... but generally speaking, we shoot more with lights than we do in the day. When common carp are spawning, you can sometimes do better in the daytime than at night but overall, night time is the right time to shoot commons.

Usually, you can see into the water better with the lights at night than you can see into the water during the day. Carp, buffs and Gar practically glow with the lights on them. Even with the lights and genny going, you can usually get right up on them.

Like all bowfishing, different times of year will have different results. When it's hot out like this, it's hit or miss at day or night. Also, sometimes the fish move into the shallows early (right after dark) and sometimes you don't really start to see them 'til past midnight.

You'll really like the lights.

Be ready for the buggs at night. Not sure what kind they are but just after dark for about an hour or so you will get hammered with these little buggers, fortuantly they do not bite or sting, but get into everything, eyes, nose, ears, hair up you pants. Bout an hour they just disappear for the rest of the night, then again just before dawn they are back. Some times they can be so bad you cannot even see. Best to power up and motor away. until they are gone. Thermocell's do help but with you moving it is hit and miss.

Thanks for the feedback guys and gals. Im not sure if we are going to be able to go out tonight or not...Im almost positive we will tomorow and we will be hitting the spillway in carlyle. Ill post up some pictures and let you know how we do as soon as we go though!

Good luck with new lights. night fishing is my favorite. Generally it's cooler I tend to see more fish...generally. Christine and johnny covered it pretty well. When the air temps drop below the water temp you'll get a lot of mist/fog that can make visibility a challenge. Other than that, just make sure your nav lights are working and on!
And have a blast.

Thanks....and are you still looking for samples of bighead over 40lbs?

That is me looking forthose really large bigheads. And yes.

okay...the next big one we get i will freeze and get the pieces of it that you need to you