water hunting in the dark

[captain ack1]

perhaps my fellow water hunters could could share their thoughts on hunting in the dark...thanks for any input...hh

 

[Sandman]

Not really to be recommended in a lot of places due to dangers from marine life and the low life humans. Carry a pistol or hunt with buddies out of the water. You are OK in fresh water lakes, but not some rivers because Bull Sharks can tolerate fresh water.

 

[digum smacks]

i love it, do it as often as i can,matter of fact .last night i was out there,it was cold and rough though

 

[captain ack1]

gimmee a break ...cold on the west coast of fla. surely your not serious...i lived in port charlotte for 4 years, and went to englewood and venice and bonita springs all the time...year round...oh well...hh

 

[Da Sand Crab]

I hunt alot in the dark because often that is the only time afforded to do so. There are risks and dangers so you have to take them into consideration. I always hope that my car is not broken into or I am not robbed by some lowlife desperate. Also the ocean is un-predictable because of shark and barracuda behavior. They are attracted to a flash or irratic movement. Tiger sharks in Hawaii feed on sea turtles and monk seals which I often encounter in waist deep water. I choose areas that are well lit and carry my cell phone in a waterproof bag.

 

[petersra]

Well if the tide is right I hunt in the dark. I like the fact that there are fewer people asking what I am doing. However, I do most of my dark hunting in the wet sand or up to knee deep in the water. I have seen too many aerial photos of huge sharks just outside of the breakers and it is said that they feed more around dawn and dusk Better to be safe than sorry so I don't go too deep after dark.

 

[Les West Central Fl]

I used to watch fishermen catch huge sharks on the pier of Indian Rocks Beach at night. That is FEEDING time for them and have seen them close to shore. I prefer being able to see what is next to me. I don't want to be the one sounding the dinner bell.

 

[lacey333]

I live in pompano and have seen many large sharks, large enough to take a man down, caught at night right off pompano pier! I wouldn't recommend it! same with big barracuda! the baitfish all come in close to shore at night and the bigger predators follow! Good luck and HH!

Mike

 

[DewGuru]

Being a retired fishing charter captain -- I can tell you first hand about the sharks in and around the tampa area -- Really, anywhere - as all places are the same when it pertains to sharks. The shark trips we ran were from 5pm to 9pm - 4 hour trips - we'd catch an easy dozen and it was all done within 100 foot of shore. Sharks feed the most sun down and sun up. I've caught thousands of them. Tigers, Bulls, Hammers, Black Tips, Reef, Greys, and a number of great whites (although no GWs in our local area) - anywhere from 2 ft deep to 12 foot deep. The last BIG hammer we caught earlier this year was a 10 footer, in 4 foot of water, at or about 9pm est.

Generally, sharks will stray away from humans. During day light.
Hunting at night is just asking for a bite -- and no one is above it.

 

[Montauk3]

perhaps my fellow water hunters could could share their thoughts on hunting in the dark...thanks for any input...hh

Go, go in the water at night and then tell us how comfortable you feel.

When your "things" are bitten off, you'll have an interesting story to tell us.

Then we can all have a good laugh about our being "scaredy cats".

 

[captain ack1]

never did i say you are a scaredycat...water hunters are a breed apart...tough, adventurous and hard workers and full of courage, that think out of the box...we go the extra yard to find goodies...now many that responded are from fla...im in the North East..different place altogether with different rules and weather...but advice well taken ...ill stay knee deep or less...thanks for the input ....HH

 

[erikk]

Haven't seen the diamond, gold or other Bling I would trade a "Bite" for If I hunt at night it is in the wet w/.45 & a buddy

 

[diggummup]

gimmee a break ...cold on the west coast of fla. surely your not serious...i lived in port charlotte for 4 years, and went to englewood and venice and bonita springs all the time...year round...oh well...hh

Come on man.we had a cold front here the past couple of days and
it got down to the low 50's! bbbrrrrr!!!!!

 

[dogpound]

gimmee a break ...cold on the west coast of fla. surely your not serious...i lived in port charlotte for 4 years, and went to englewood and venice and bonita springs all the time...year round...oh well...hh

Come on man.we had a cold front here the past couple of days and
it got down to the low 50's! bbbrrrrr!!!!!

my heart bleeds for ya ....i'm happy when our high's are in the 50's this time of year

 

[seeker41]

on recent trips to daytona, cocoa beach and surrounding fla beaches and at wrightsville beach in north carolina a ventured into the water up to my knees at night. each time after about 5 minnuites i decided it was a bad idea!!!!!! i would get "bumped" or my detector would get "bumped" and i could see stuff chasing other stuff in the less than knee deep water.
i like my "things" as montauk says and i guess you can call me a "scaredy cat" or maybe just wise!!!!

 

[bigscoop]

A few years ago I was at New Smyrna Beach, a low tide night hunt sounded great. I was in about knee deep water and the lighting from one of the condo buildings was offering me just enough light to see the 6 -7 shark cruising around about 15 feet away from me. My first thought was, "wonder what he's looking for?" My second thought was, "Oh sh*t! I think I know the answer to that one!" A few calculated strides later and I was hunting the wet sand.

 

[DewGuru]

A few years ago I was at New Smyrna Beach, a low tide night hunt sounded great. I was in about knee deep water and the lighting from one of the condo buildings was offering me just enough light to see the 6 -7 shark cruising around about 15 feet away from me. My first thought was, "wonder what he's looking for?" My second thought was, "Oh sh*t! I think I know the answer to that one!" A few calculated strides later and I was hunting the wet sand.

NSB is the shark attack capitol of the world if you didnt already know.

 

[dogpound]

A few years ago I was at New Smyrna Beach, a low tide night hunt sounded great. I was in about knee deep water and the lighting from one of the condo buildings was offering me just enough light to see the 6 -7 shark cruising around about 15 feet away from me. My first thought was, "wonder what he's looking for?" My second thought was, "Oh sh*t! I think I know the answer to that one!" A few calculated strides later and I was hunting the wet sand.

i think my third thought would of been "where can i change my shorts"

 

[Bum Luck]

i think my third thought would of been "where can i change my shorts"

Well, not in the water...............

It seems to me that treasure won't migrate in with the tide, so it follows then that the same goodies will be there in the morning.

 

[artyfacts]

I hunt 70% of the time at night when beach hunting in the summer at low tide. After a late August collision with something bigger then me I have elected to stay knee deep at night when in the surf.