I fish RV a lot at night and I have been for about ten years. I'm still trying to figure out a pattern on why some nights I get 5 and some nights I get 50.
But I know that calm windless nights are always better, especially after a storm. And 2am is usually the best time to be out there. No point in even dropping a line until it’s completely dark.
I'm seeing a lot of baitfish at night this year and that's also a good sign. If I don’t attract the baitfish and there’s nothing on the sonar after ½ hour, I know it’s a bad spot and I move.
Manny says you need to double anchor, but if it's so windy that you need two anchors, I don't like being out there.
Depth is also important. I typically identify where the thermocline ends and double it.
If I'm catching bluegill and rock bass, I know I'm not in the ideal spot so I move deeper. Even if there are trout in with them, they're a nuisance.
I always use #6 or #8 barbless hooks. The trout can't handle being out of the water.
This is a fish from Friday night. My livewell is 20” and this rainbow hit both ends.
