If you’re anything like us, a warm summer night sounds much more appealing than a blistering summer day. On top of that, taking your rod and reel out at night is often an opportunity to catch fish you would never see during the daytime. However, you may need to change a technique or two to adapt to the darkness. Read on to learn four top tips for catching big fish at night.

Wiggle Your Lure

Fish can’t see well in the dark, so they rely on sonar to find food at night. That gives you a great opportunity to draw them in! With your bait (or lure) on the line, jiggle your rod to keep the bait moving. That will interest fish and bring them closer to you. Remember: if you want to head home with a cooler full of fish, jiggle your lure constantly. Otherwise, fish may not even notice it!

Opt for a Sensitive Line

Darkness isn’t only a hindrance to fish; it also makes your job more difficult. In daylight, you can easily see when a bobber sinks below the surface, but it’s far tougher to tell at night. We recommend investing in a sensitive rod with a sensitive fishing line. These tools will help you feel the vibrations when a fish bites so that you don’t need to watch for changes in the water.

Fish on Familiar Waters

Nighttime is not your moment for exploration. Darkness will make even the most familiar waters seem unknown, so truly unfamiliar waters can become a hazard. Scope out your fishing spot in the daylight, and keep an eye out for rocks and other obstacles you might run into.

Take Advantage of Lights

Finally, underwater fishing lights are usually the difference between making a few middling catches and nabbing a massive beast. That’s because these lights are perfect for attracting small fish to your boat. Once you’ve done that, you’re home free. The vibrations of small fish swimming near you will draw the attention of huge lake monsters that you can catch and remember forever.

Now that you know these four top tips for catching big fish at night, grab your tackle box and start casting your line!