Outdoors

Captain's Corner

What's hot: Fishing during sunset, at night and at sunrise can be very productive during summer's warmest days. Water temperatures are cooler and fishing is more comfortable in the low-light hours. Fish feed better when the water is coolest.

By DOUG HEMMER
Published July 9, 2007

What's hot: Fishing during sunset, at night and at sunrise can be very productive during summer's warmest days. Water temperatures are cooler and fishing is more comfortable in the low-light hours. Fish feed better when the water is coolest.

Target dock lights and bridges at these hours. Fish under bridges and piers, keeping your bait close to the pilings.

Equipment: At night, your spotlight is vital. I have run across people in kayaks, johnboats and canoes who did not use navigation lights. The spotlight allows you to see others and it helps people see you. When running down a channel, use your light to see the reflective sign on the channel marker. As other boats approach, use the light just long enough to see the poles. A spotlight left on for an extended amount of time may temporarily blind the oncoming driver. Without a spotlight, I would have hit the following: navigation poles stripped of reflective signage, large pieces of floating dock and boats that were anchored overnight without white lights. The best spotlights have an on-and-off switch on a trigger. For $15 to $20, this piece of equipment may save someone's life - possibly your own.

[Last modified July 8, 2007, 23:17:07]