Mostly, I go to relax and enjoy some time with friends and family. If we catch a mess of catfish now and then, that's a bonus. If we don't, none of us really cares. What's important is the companionship an after-hours catfishing excursion provides.

BOATING SAFETY AT NIGHT
When night-fishing from a boat, safety should always be foremost on your mind. Many deaths and accidents occur each year when boats collide in the dark or strike unseen obstructions.

For safety's sake, be sure your craft is equipped with proper lighting. Check the lights before launching, and carry a flashlight or spotlight for signaling other boats and watching for obstacles. Always wear a life jacket, and wear a kill-switch to stop the engine if you fall or are thrown overboard.

If you leave your boat, be sure the craft is properly tied or anchored so it won't be carried away by rising water or current.

Be attentive. Your life could depend on it.

GOOD GEAR FOR NIGHT-FISHING
In addition to the usual gear any catfish angler might use, some items are particularly useful when you fish in darkness. Among the special "night gear" you might want to consider are:

• Night bobbers. These special floats have a light on top powered by a cyalume light stick or tiny lithium battery. Super for catfishing after dark.

• Black (ultraviolet) lights. Make fluorescent monofilament glow, allowing easy bite detection. Several models that run off 12-volt systems are available.

• Rods with glow-in-the-dark or fluorescent tips. Very helpful for detecting night bites.

• Rod bells. Clipped on your rod tip, these little metal bells ring when a catfish shakes your pole.

• Electronic bite indicators. Several brands are available, all of which attach to your line and emit an audible electronic signal to let you know when a cat bites after dark.

• Head lamps. Great for hands-free rigging after dark.

• Lanterns. Crucial for fishing the twilight hours.

• Spotlights. Helpful for navigating in a boat after dark.

(Editor's Note: Keith Sutton is the author of several books on catfishing. His latest, just released, is Pro Tactics Catfish from Lyons Press.)