Night Fishing
Pattern technique
Night fishing targets bass and stripers after dark in the summer, when the water is cooler, the boat traffic is gone, and big fish feed. On busy Central Texas lakes like Travis, Austin and Buchanan, night trips off the lighted docks and points are some of the most productive and pleasant of the year.
Why: Beat the heat and the traffic.
Evidence: Verified knowledge from Bryan Cotter, 26+ years guiding all 16 Central Texas lakes.
Related: Football Jig · Spinnerbait · All bass techniques
Verified Answered by Bryan Cotter, Texas Hawgs guide · Updated Jul 12, 2026
A summer pattern of fishing dark hours with dark, thumping baits and lighted-dock/point setups for bass and stripers.
Night Fishing at a glance
- Category
- Pattern
- Skill level
- ●●●○○
- Bryan's confidence
- ●●●●○
- Target depth
- 2-20 ft
Best for: Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, White Bass
Gear
- Rod
- 7' MH (fast)
- Reel
- Baitcast
- Line
- fluoro — 15-20 lb
How to fish the Night Fishing
- Start near dark on main-lake points, bluffs and lighted docks.
- Use dark baits with a big profile and thump so fish find them.
- Fish slowly and thoroughly — fish move up and feed after dark.
- For stripers, work bait under and around the dock lights.
- Keep noise and lights on the boat to a minimum.
Retrieve: Slow and steady with high-vibration baits; work lighted-dock edges for stripers and bass alike.
Where it shines
Cover: rock, docks, open; structure: points, bluffs, lighted docks, main lake; clarity: clear, stained.
When to use it
Best seasons: Summer
Best conditions: Summer Heat / Dog Days, Full Moon, Calm / Slick Conditions
When Bryan reaches for it: The hotter months on busy lakes — Travis and Austin at night are cooler, quiet, and the striper bite off the lights can be outstanding.
Lures to throw
Football Jig, Spinnerbait, Walking Topwater (Spook), Swimbait.
Common mistakes
- Baits with too little thump for fish to find in the dark
- Too much light and noise on the boat
- Not slowing down
Pro tips
- Dark colors give the best silhouette against the night sky
- Lighted docks concentrate bait and predators
From Bryan's logbook
Based on Bryan Cotter's on-the-water observations.
In the summer the recreational traffic is heavy, so I run night trips - quiet, cool, and the big bass are on the prowl away from the daytime crowds.
Keep exploring
All bass fishing techniques · Offshore / Ledge Fishing · Football Jig · All bass lures · Central Texas bass fishing guide
Want to learn the Night Fishing on the water? I'll put it in your hands on a guided trip. See rates and book or call 512-762-0190.