Valo, aamu- ja iltahämärä

Ask ten anglers about the best hours of the day, and most will say dawn and dusk. There are good reasons for that.

Why then?

• The light changes quickly. Many predators have eyes that cope with dim light better than their prey's. At dusk they have the advantage and hunt more.
• Baitfish move. Small fish and insects move between deep and shallow water as the light changes, and predators follow them.
• Calmer water. The wind often drops in the morning and evening, and there are fewer boats.

The middle of the day

On a clear summer day fish often hold deeper or in shade, under jetties, in reeds or along drop-offs. You can still catch fish, but they are harder to find. Overcast weather makes the middle of the day better, since the light is dimmed as at dawn.

Night

A few species are night creatures. Zander like to hunt in the dark, and eel and burbot bite best at night. For most other species the night is quiet.

The season and the light

In Sweden the light differs enormously between the seasons. In midsummer it hardly gets dark in the north, and dusk can last for hours, so the best fishing may come late in the evening or very early in the morning. In autumn the days are short, dawn and dusk lie closer together and often at convenient times. Check sunrise and sunset for your place when you plan.

Light and lures

• In dim light a dark silhouette stands out clearly against the surface. Black and dark lures, or lures with a lot of vibration, often work well.
• In bright light and clear water natural colours and slightly thinner lines are often better. Fish see more and are pickier.
• In murky water strong contrasts and bright colours help fish find the lure.