Trolling/downrigging after sunset

I already asked this question before in another thread but it probably passed unseen by most as i din't get any replies.
Last time on G bay we went back well after sunset but I saw some lights far away from us. Not sure if it was fishing boats... So here the question: does salmon/trout bite after sunset?
I think no, but on Simcoe forum I read some people saying they catch whitfish and trout at night. I've tried it many times with no success (talking about icefishing though..) Ice fishing lake Joseph stops after 2 pm. All guys around go home... I stay till sunset... For nothing, of course.
Is it the same for summer salmon trolling?

Not sure if it helps, but I've tried downrigging before sunrise (which I guess is technically after sunset) and have caught nothing in the dark. I usually get hookups later in the morning. That being said, the time spent fishing in the dark is very short compared to the hours and hours in the daylight.

I Agree with you, in all the times fishing for salmon and trout i have always fished to dark and never had any success within 1/2 hour of complete darkness. (Sun dropping below horizon). Walleye is a different story

Morning afternoon or evening? I have had success throughout the day.”

Perhaps different areas have different results , in Gb I have caught many salmon and countless rainbows during complete darkness..

Many a time just after the sun sets below the trees while rigging in deep water salmon will smash a lure , Same in the am about an hour before any sign of light ..

During total darkness find from 9 pm to 11 to be the best for salmon..

Bows are another story , off river mouths and harbors using the old floating roe bag set up has resulted in countless numbers of fish all through the night , back in the day when I used to fish up river for spawners we caught many drifting a bag through the holes in complete darkness ..

Give it a try ..It works ..

Dave

I always start in the dark and if fishing the evening I will try to finish in the dark. I have caught many many salmon trolling in the dark. At some times of year we will specifically night fish for them. A lot of your lures will have a glow option, use it!

Interesting..... Two first answers - that's what I expected. Two last answers - very surprised.
Have to believe and will try again. Thank you!

May I ask to specify the season please?

Now is the season. It’s not nearly as appealing as when I was 25 years old, but I’ll still sometimes head out in the boat after dark to cast glow spoons just past the pier heads to staging salmon. I most definitely fish stagers under 60fow before the sun comes up and from early evening into the dark. Sometimes they’ll bite all day but you’ll have much better fishing if you go early or stay late when they are in skinny water.

Salmon definitely can be active in total darkness. The use of glow spoons such as the Moonshine can prove very effective. Likewise with a "charged" Lyman plug. Just hold it in front of a powerful flashlight for several seconds before sending it down. Another trick for low-light, no-light use of Lymans is to clip the tail end like a cigar, drill a 5/32" inch hole and insert a tube light. It's perfectly legal and has the advantage of letting you clearly see where your fish is when attempting to net in the darkness whether it be pre-dawn or after sunset. The Owen Sound salmon derby has countless contestants fishing for lengthy periods in the dark with significant success.

You mean like one of those little glow sticks when you say tube light Grandpa Jim?

Yes - glow sticks with just a tiny nub showing at the tail end of the Lyman.

Great tip, if I get the courage to chop off the back of a plug I will give it shot.

Jim, thanks a lot for additional strengthening. That's something I have to take very serious. I do occasionally go for two days fishing trip. And instead to spend the night on the shore I will now spend it for trolling.

Great tip!