want to try night boat fishing?????

[mrmacey]

i want to try night boat fishing i know my way around good out in newport can i just fish the deep channel coming in off fort adams thinking of trolling up and down there at night seeing its deep water and not to dangerous what equitment would be wise to have to go night fishing any info would be helpful!!!! thanks

[Saltheart]

I'm not sure its Ok to troll anywhere near the channel. I may be wrong . There is good fishing along the side of fort Adams out past the Coast guard station at castle Hill. In fact is good all the way out to Brenton reef but you may want to avoid there til you get good at it. i've also seen big fish caught just north of Goat Island near that little lighthouse on the end.

You could also drift fish which is easier than setting up for deep trolling.

[Slipknot]

Radar would be helpful.

I never did much night time fishing by boat so I don't have much to add.

If you are having trouble finding fish during the day PM me, maybe I can help.

[JohnR]

No need to be in the channel, certainly at night time. If the fish are around they're more likely to be in tighter to shore anyway...

Best best is to anchor near some structure and drift chunks of the freshest pogie you can find (bunker to you Joieseys ). Weigted and unweighted. AFTER (a big AFTER) you learn the rocks & water & drift/current patterns, you can drift these areas. But you really need to know the area first so you don't punch a hole in the boat.

[capndave]

Besides being largely unproductive in my experience, trolling at night can be fraught with potential problems.
At the very least, any boat crossing your stern will probably have no idea that you are trolling and could result in you being cut off or spooled.

The bigger problem is Lobster pots and the up and down lines.
Now, I suppose you could troll an area where no one ever, ever puts them.
But it only takes one, and balling one up on your prop at night, can be a very hairy experience.

Picture yourself in the dark, dead in the water, now turned stern to those waves that the weatherman said would be one foot, but are more like three and building…

So as far as equipment, have a long handled boat hook or gaff to grab the line that’s not in the prop and a sharp knife to cut it. Now you’re dead in the water and drifting.

Next, throw the anchor that was at your fingertips and not buried all tangled up in a locker under two feet of crap.
Light the boat up like a Christmas tree so you don’t get run over.
If you’re an outboard, put your P.F.D. on, tie a safety line around your waist and cleat it off. Now, you get to crawl out over the transom to the very end of the outboard and start cutting. This is where a second sharp knife could come in handy.

If you’re an inboard/outboard, put your trunks on, because you’re going swimming.
If you are an inboard, get the mask and snorkel and that submersible light you always meant to buy, lose the P.F.D. and trail that safety line behind the boat now, because getting it tangled in the prop, rudder or struts is a real possibility.
And leave the trunks on, because now you’re going diving….at night.

I suppose you could always just call for help if your cell phone and/or V.H.F. are working and certainly you risk this problem anytime the prop is turning at night, but in my experience, the catching while trolling at night vs. the danger, just isn’t worth it.

Dave

[BasicPatrick]

Capt Dave reminds me that Sea Tow, Tow Boat U. S., et al are a pretty good deal at just around $100

[Duke41]

Fsihing at night is wonderful. It is peaceful and productive. Off of Newport you can count on the winds dying down around 8 pm for a quite night 80% of the time. I would agree that in pitch black that trolling is not a good idea. Lobster pots etc. However drifting bait such as eels or poggie is very productive. I like to go out ot Brenton reef, it holds larger fish, however you can drift in Mackeral cove, along the shore in front to Castle Hill or along the shore of Jamestown. Check the tides and moon rise times. It can and will get hairy out there some times. Don't over fish your nav skills or your boat. I have boating around this area for 32 years. I also have a fish/depthfinder and GPS which are critical to keeping out of trouble and radar which critical for foggy nights.
Overall the experince is great with the occasional pain in the a--. Lobster pots or heavy seas or fog. On the other hand there are far less boats out, you really learn how to get the most out of your electronics and the bite is usually good. If you would like more specific info send me a private message.