How To Catch Garfish At Night

Night fishing for garfish offers a unique and exciting challenge for anglers who enjoy targeting fast, surface-dwelling fish. These slender, needle-nosed fish are known for their quick strikes, schooling behavior, and habit of feeding near the surface under low-light conditions. Catching garfish at night requires the right setup, bait, and techniques to make the most of their active nocturnal feeding patterns. Whether you’re fishing from a pier, jetty, or shoreline, knowing how to target garfish after dark can lead to a productive and enjoyable fishing session.

Understanding Garfish Behavior at Night

Garfish are surface-feeding fish that often come closer to the shore during the night. They are attracted to lights that draw in plankton and small baitfish, which are their primary food sources. Unlike many other fish, garfish rely heavily on sight to feed, which means lighting and bait presentation play a crucial role when targeting them at night.

Nocturnal Activity

• Garfish become more active during the night, especially under moonlight or artificial lighting
• They often patrol the surface, looking for small prey
• They are more likely to school tightly around light sources

Recognizing these behaviors is key to positioning yourself in the right place at the right time for a successful garfish catch.

Choosing the Right Location

Location is a critical factor in night fishing for garfish. These fish prefer calm, sheltered waters where they can easily feed on small insects and plankton near the surface. Artificial lighting, such as pier or dock lights, can also attract garfish by drawing in bait.

Ideal Night Fishing Spots

• Jetties and piers with lights
• Harbor entrances and breakwaters
• Calm bays with minimal boat traffic
• Beaches with gentle wave action and shallow drop-offs

If you’re fishing from shore or a dock, positioning yourself near a light source or using your own portable fishing light can increase your chances of attracting garfish.

Gear and Tackle for Catching Garfish at Night

Garfish are not large or heavy, so light tackle is more than sufficient. The key is to use sensitive equipment that can detect their often subtle strikes and allow for smooth casting and retrieval.

Recommended Gear Setup

• Rod: Light spinning rod, 6 to 7 feet in length
• Reel: Small spinning reel with smooth drag
• Line: 4-8 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon line for low visibility
• Float: Small pencil or bubble float to suspend bait near the surface
• Hook: Size 10 to 14 long shank hooks

Long shank hooks help prevent garfish from swallowing the bait too deeply and make unhooking easier, especially in low-light conditions.

Best Bait for Night Garfish Fishing

Garfish are opportunistic feeders and will readily take small, smelly baits at night. Choosing the right bait is essential to attract them and keep them interested in your fishing area.

Effective Bait Options

• Prawns or shrimp: Fresh or slightly cooked prawns cut into small pieces are highly effective
• Squid strips: Thin strips of squid are tough and stay on the hook well
• Fish slivers: Small pieces of oily fish like sardines or pilchards work well to release scent
• Bread paste: A traditional bait, especially in calm waters with little current

Gar prefer small, manageable baits, so be sure to cut your bait into tiny chunks that can easily be inhaled by their small mouths.

Techniques for Catching Garfish at Night

Night fishing for garfish involves patience, steady bait presentation, and being alert to subtle bites. These fish often nibble lightly before taking the bait fully, so timing your hookset is critical.

Using a Float Rig

A float rig is the most popular and effective method for catching garfish. It keeps the bait near the surface where garfish feed and provides visual indication of a bite.

• Set your float so the bait is suspended 20-50 cm below the surface
• Use a small split shot to keep the bait just below the float
• Watch for the float to twitch or slowly dip under this usually means a bite

Slow Retrieval Method

In areas with light current or no movement, casting and slowly retrieving your bait can mimic small prey swimming near the surface. This can trigger garfish to chase and strike.

Light Attraction Technique

Set up a portable fishing light aimed at the water to attract plankton and baitfish. Garfish will often gather around this light within minutes, creating an active fishing zone for you to target.

Time and Conditions That Affect Night Garfish Fishing

While garfish can be caught throughout the night, certain conditions can significantly impact your success rate.

Best Times to Fish

• One hour after sunset and during the early night hours
• Periods around the full moon when fish are more active
• Incoming tide when baitfish are drawn closer to shore

Weather Conditions

• Clear nights: Better visibility helps garfish spot bait
• Calm waters: Ideal for float fishing and surface feeding
• Stable temperature: Prevents fish from moving deeper or becoming sluggish

Pay attention to tides, moon phase, and water clarity when planning your night garfish fishing session.

Tips for a Successful Night Garfish Catch

Maximize your results and enjoy the night fishing experience with these practical tips:

• Bring a headlamp or small flashlight for hands-free rigging
• Use glow sticks or LED floats for easy visibility in the dark
• Stay quiet and avoid shining lights directly onto the water
• Check your bait regularly and replace if it’s been nibbled away
• Fish with a friend for safety and shared success

Handling and Storing Garfish

Garfish are delicate and best handled carefully to maintain their quality. Use a soft landing net to avoid injuring them when bringing them in, and store them on ice or in a cooler if you plan to eat them later. Garfish make excellent table fare and are often grilled or fried whole.

Learning how to catch garfish at night opens up a new dimension of fishing for both beginners and seasoned anglers. With their habit of feeding under lights and schooling in shallow water, garfish can be targeted effectively using light tackle, float rigs, and well-prepared bait. Choose the right location, pay attention to tides and conditions, and use subtle, steady techniques to entice these active fish. Once you master the basics of night fishing for garfish, you’ll enjoy the thrill of seeing your float disappear under the moonlit surface and feel the quick tug of a successful hookset.