I'm planning on heading out to Tonka Thursday night (weather permitting) and would like some advice from some seasoned night fisherman.

I'm launching from Spring Park, I have a head lamp, GPS and all of the hook out tools but will be going solo. I know a few spots to hit and will probably go out before dark to do some scouting before the sun is down.

If there is anything else I should be thinking about let me know, I'm a first timer on the night fishing deal!

cowgirls and you should be set!!!

You'd might want to do some trolling with the cowgirls too... 2=4 mph... lure about 50-70 feet behind the boat...

Wear your PFD anytime you run - kill switch is a good idea as well. I know I sound like an old man but I had a close call while duckin' one fall and my brother had to fish a guy out a couple years ago. I'd hate to be in a bad spot in the dark - no one even to yell to for help. I'd disagree with Rebel a bit on the amount of line out after dark for trolling - I keep them a bit closer just so its easier to rip through weeds. The boat aint gonna scare them in the dark.

Yeah Hugo's right... you could go closer when trolling... but to think about it... 50-70 feet is about 20 yards out... thats not too far... What also could work is... One person trolls at 20-40 ft other person trolls at 50-70 feet... that would be an excellent search technique when no fish is being raised...

Big jointed believer on the shallow setting just crawling under the surface!

40-50 ft line for troll will just do fine!!!!!!!

Do you guys troll with the big motor at night?

I troll wth the big motor as far as the line goes I let it out tell I start hitting weeds then crank it up a little tonka the other day I would have been rate around 65 feet at 3mph just crawling rate on top of them "WEEDS" good luck post a report if you could.

I don't know the "right"way, but I got my PB the other night going just under 3 MPH with the bow mount. I like to troll with that when possible cause I'm lazy and like to drive with the Co-Pilot remote. I don't know if the outboard makes too much noise for the fish, but I dig the quiet a bit more. I've also done quite a bit more night fishing the last couple years and after looking back at my notes, all but one have truly been night fish - well after midnight and before 4AM. After spending several nights on metro lakes it appears that most guys hit the water around sunset and leaving around midnight. I think they leave too soon. Again, my sampling is only about 10 fish, but maybe the night eaters really wait til after the boat traffic dies down. I can't speak to MR/MS though for those days as I didn't track it.

As with any lake really, I'd recommend sticking to areas that you're somewhat familiar with while night fishing, 'tonka especially with the structure and the evening "entertainment" traffic. While great tools, the GPS units and chips are only so accurate. Lake levels change too, I had to lose the pants and hop into Mille Lacs last Fall walleye fishing at night to get off a 10" deep rock shelf......the Mrs was impressed to watch that!

Trolling can be good, again it helps to know the contours and structure. I've not really been one to troll bucks much personally, but it does work (Erik)...... I like the cranks, as I can tell by the feel of the rod tip if my lure is working right. Nothing is worse than dragging an ineffective bait.

Good luck!

Just one thing I want to add to CJAC's comment... I learned alot while fishing last year with Muskiedream... one of them was to learn to feel if the cowgirl is working properly... you can tell by constant fast thumping you feel throughout the rod including the handle... if it stops thumping... you're probably dragging weed and a simple hard jerk or two is enough to clear the weeds off... just dont do it TOOOOO hard or otherwise you could end up with 2 ice rods instead of 1 Muskie rod like Luke did... I still FEEL so bad about that even tho it wasnt my fault...

I'd recommend looking at the Shimano trolling rods for this situation. You do not want to be using your high-end DBacks and such for trolling, especially with a rod in a holder.

$30 will get you a decent Shimano TDR rod from Thorne Bros. Sounds like a bit of an antithesis to not use the "good rods" but they're simply not suited for trolling. It's just not worth the "snap" sound..... They'll still get the job done, no question. Save the high-mod, high power graphite blank rods for casting....what they were built for.

What type of reel do you guys reccomend for tossing a DCG?

Myself, along with few others, would recommend Abu Garcia 7000iC3...

Some would recommend either Shimano Trinidad 16N or Calcutta 400TE...

Some are starting to fall in love with Okuma Induron or Red Isis... I still think its too early to judge how good and reliable it is...

Money-wise... 7000's, Induron, and Red Isis can be found for 150 or less... while Calcutta 400TE and Trinidad can be found for over $350... If you really LOOK around hard... can get either for cheaper than $350...