The first article points out several key factors in protecting night vision. Wearing very dark, polarized sun glasses during daylight hours prior to night operations will help protect and enhance your night vision. Wear them even in a room that is artificially illuminated. Make certain you are getting the proper amount of vitamin A.
The debate rages on about which color is best for night vision. Since the military, Army, Navy and Marine Corps in particular, have invested a huge amount of resources and money into this I will go with their decision that red gives you the best balance of vision protection and ability to see details.
You could use a night vision device that is readily available at your big box sporting goods store but beware that these devices are expensive, don’t take well to being dunked or getting soaked and drastically alter your depth perception. It takes lots of practice to retrain the brain to perceive depth while using one of these devices. In other words, it’s hard to tell if that tree is 20 feet away or you are about to bonk your nose off of it! Proper use of unaided night vision is really all you should need.
You are correct about my user name (military call sign), nighthawk. My specialty was night operations. We have a saying for it in Army Aviation, “We own the night”.
Lots of great advice here. I don’t have a lot to add except that if you are in big animal territory, then watch out for bear or moose. I usually dont fish after dark since I am pretty much wiped out from hiking into the lake and then spending all day fishing. In all reality I need to give fishing after dark a bit more of a chance. I might have to give it another go this weekend…once I decide where I am headed
A dim red light, is best to preserve night vision. Once your eyes adapt to the night then a dim one will be fine. A portable black light can also be used. I like to use blue florescent monofilament line for tipets at night as with a small black light it becomes so easy to see that it’s like tying rope. Don’t use a white light for the land light as it will cause glare and effect night vision. Using a reflector or two placed well on the land will usually make finding the entry point/camp site easy, shine your bright light (Carry one but use red unless you really need white) around till you see the reflectors and you found your camp. You can also use a chemical light stick placed where it can be easily seen as they are dim and don’t effect night vision too badly. Fishing by full moon should allow you to fish with out any light but still carry bright light in case needed.
As for full Moon vs. other times. Most big fish are caught near Full moon because people who fish at night like to fish most when they can see best with a full moon. Predators like to hunt most during Full and new moons. Within two days of Full or New is usually best for big fish. Think of fishing during the full moon as a self perpetuating myth. Since most people who fish at night do so during the full moon they find that fishing during the full moon gives them the most success at night. This carries over further due to the illumination of the full moon allowing the person fishing during the full moon to be able to make more accurate casts to cover and fish holding structure because they can see the cover and structure. Add to this stream fishers, able to fish to rising fish because they can see the rises easily and Bass fisherman able to cast accurately to within a short distance of the shore and suddenly a full moon is where you find the most success. Of course, with all these things going for it people get their most consistent big catches during the full moon.
Many people who consistently fish new moon often find they catch just as many quality fish during the new moon. This is only if they are familiar with the waters they are fishing and how to fish them. Without this knowledge they are casting blind resulting in poorer catches.
My recommendation, fish during and around the full moon and during the day to get to know the water you will be fishing well before fishing during a new moon. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking the new moon is not going to be productive. Once you know the waterway well you will want to fish the same waters during new moon and you just might be surprised in a good way.
Also, for patterns: Use patterns that move water to a degree. Looks are important but transferring vibrations to the fish so the fish can find your offering is also very important during low light. If legal where you live then glow patterns can also be very productive.
