Trick or treat. That, in a nutshell, is what night fishing on or around the Banks can be. It can indeed be scary as there are some denizens that are best left unseen and really best left alone.

To start with, there are the sharks. This should come as no surprise because night fishing has always been the best time for hunting these beasts. In fact, some of these fish can be so abundant at night even over the reef areas that it is a complete mystery as to where they disappear during the day.

Rest assured there are some hefty tiger sharks and numbers of what locals call dusky sharks or “puppies”. There are plenty of other oceanic species too, and since most shark fishing has been outlawed locally there is virtually no direct pursuit of such things; things that literally can go bump in the night when they bang up against a hull.

Seeing a bunch of dorsal fins slowly encircling the boat with only the moonlight to provide any contrast can also be a bit unnerving. And those are the ones that can be seen; what about those that aren’t visible but most assuredly are very close by. Not exactly reassuring.

To look on the bright side, sharks are less numerous today then they were some years ago, probably due to worldwide fishing practices. Still, there will be enough out there to send shivers up the spine.

But if all goes well, then it is time to bait a line and to cast it into the depths, having first made sure that the leader is monofilament as any shark will quickly break itself off and not have to be contended with in the dark. What might take the bait?

Well it probably won’t be a wahoo or tuna as these creatures feed by sight, so darkness isn’t much use to them. Maybe on a bright full moon night but probably not. There are other things though.

Like the oilfish. These can grow quite large but for the most part will be three to four feet long. The current all-tackle record is just shy of 140lb and was caught off New Zealand, probably by some unsuspecting soul. Somewhat like a wahoo in structure, inclusive of a long low dorsal fin, this species is a snake mackerel. That, in and of itself, is enough to put most people off. But wait, it gets worse; way worse.

Oilfish are found throughout the tropical and subtropical seas of the world, usually living at depth but like all monsters, during the hours of darkness they come up towards the surface where they may interact with humans. While catching one might not be a terrible thing, the worst part is the hidden curse.

Like all curses, it will befall anyone who is not familiar with some of the more arcane features. The oilfish will produce a nice white fillet; one that will prove quite tasty with even the most basic preparation. It is its revenge that will ruin most people because it has incredible laxative powers. Incredible as in almost instantaneous and one will have little control over this horror. As warned, one of the creatures of the offshore night that can bring about terror.

And then there is the moaning. Oh yeah, real moaning sounds. Not quite the screams of the banshees, but definitely low, long groans suggestive of some long-suffering victim. Fortunately, like most hauntings this has an explanation. The sounds made by whales will indeed travel for hundreds of miles and a thin fibreglass hull will almost always resonate somewhat. Imagine lying on a bunk minding your own business, calmly hearing the gentle lapping of water against the hull only to have this tranquility interrupted by an ungodly sound. The stuff of nightmares!

And it isn’t just fish that live in the sea. It’s dark and the boat is riding gently at anchor, what could possibly go wrong? Having sent a big bait down deep with a chemical light stick glowing near the rigged hook, the angler is hoping to entice something nice. The rod starts to bend and the line peels off, sending the angler to work, winding and dragging a rather deadweight to the surface. Visions of a big catch are suddenly erased as the leader comes up and, almost instantaneously, several cold, sticky arms envelop the angler and squirt a foul-smelling ink upon all and sundry. There are squid that live down deep, and quite large, that will take a bait and allow themselves to be hauled to the surface whereupon having done their damage, retreat back into the depths.

As for the treats; well, they are few and far between. The most desired one is, of course, a swordfish. A great sporting fish and seriously good eating, they are a genuine treat. They do occur here and while some have been caught, they are not common enough to engender much of a following, plus most local anglers like to sleep in their own beds.

So happy Hallowe’en to all and here’s hoping that there is nothing too frightening at the other end of your Tight Lines!