The biggest thing is plan what your going to do, and do it in the day before you try it at night. Make sure you know exactly what the swells and winds are going to do through the trip. Getting off track at night and a wave pushing over lump that you don't see coming could be disaster!

I am a novice to night fishing as well, but as Vinesh said I always go to the spots at day first and the weather forecast needs to be stable. And even if it is looks like a good idea at the time to change plans and go somewhere else I to stick to the plan. To ensure I know exactly where I am and what surrounds me.

Good Luck

+1 for headin to familiar ground, moonlight and coastal lighting are great for visibility, as is setting the sounder/plotter to a low backlight setting.

Dimming the sounder has to be done, anything to let your eyes stay adjusted. Good idea staying at the same spot too. I like to head out before it gets dark and make sure the anchor holds so I know I won't drift into some nasties. Actually I take my Makita battery radio at night too so I use less power. Oh and make sure your mates don't get legless as much as they try too, its hard enough to concentrate as it isand if something goes wrong you couldn't rely on them

of the area is good. Dont completely rely on your gps. On commercial vessels there will be a radar on board and always someone on watch. For rec boats ensure your nav lights are working, check the weather so that its calm seas and a low swell. Be on watch all the time (all crew)  even if its pitch black and travel at a speed which allows you to stop or manoeuvre depending on your visability. Always assume there may be unlit obsticles ahead. Ie kayaks, boats, stray nav bouys, craypots ect.

One example is where ive picked up cray floats. The crew who we looking behind spotted the floats chasing up towards the outboard and yelled out before the floats hit the leg which possibly prevented entanglement and damage.

Invest in a pair of clear safety glasses - provides much improved vision as you are not squinting from the wind and cold.

Cheers Pete

 I always log inin with sea rescue every hour 

know how to get back to portvia land marks and compass take battery tourch 

if in  doubt stop no point panicking and reefing your boat 

I night fish almost weekly in Dampier because of work and Wind/weather.

Plus 1 for the glasses. I use a pair of shooter's glasses and it makes the world off difference with tears in your eyes from wind and cold.

As above only go to known ground. At least you have an idea where obstacles may be.

This should be obvious, but know the Nav markers backwards, especially cardinal's flashing sequense. Otherwise have a "sticker" so you can refer to it when in doubt. Its no good going the wrong way around a cardinal so if in doubt stop and work it out.

Lights- obviously need them when fishing, but as soon as you stop turn all light off apart from obvious Nav light, dim all screens and I wait about 5minutes for "night vision" to set in. I have a spotty to "check" things out, but close one eye when you do that to maintain night vision in at least one.

Even when it is calm, look for white in the direction you are going, at night floats often have a little break around them which is visible if you are observant.

Dont trust anything - if you think there is something, there usually is, so be cautious.

Dont rely on your sounder/plotter - have a plan to get home without visual aids should the "sh#t hit the fan". I often come home without using the plotter to practice, but fortunately in dampier we have heaps of Nav markers, and you cant miss the Burrup with the lights. Fortunately no craypots, and the cyclone moorings are in pre-designated areas, which I skirt well away from at night.

Contrary to what I would have thought, I find the darker the night the easier it is to see "White" indicating objects. Dead calm might be good for comfort, but makes it harder to see object, and if she blows the same (but I wouldnt want to be out there anyway).

Sound travels further at night (probably because there is less other noise about) and hearing also plays an important role.

IMO night fishing has its pluses, I enjoy the peace, but I wouldnt do it unless I was familiar with the territory I was fishing in.

If camping or anchoring overnight, set the alarm on your GPS to 50 metres.  This means if your anchor gives way, and you drift more than 50 metres an alarm will sound.

Also set the shallow alarm on your sounder to 2 metres, that way if you drift close to a reef, you may get enough warning to take evasive action.

This enables me to roll out the swag and have a bit more confidence that I wont end up on the rocks.