late launches and fishing into the night

Like everyone I want to be OTW as soon as I can.  That means waking up at 3 am to drive from Santa Clara to Monterey and be OTW by 5 because its a 90 min drive to get there and I'm checking and rechecking to make sure i didn't forget anything from the 2 hr precheck from the night before.  Sometimes this doesn't work out so well and I have been guilty of launching after 10,11 even noon.  Does anyone launch in the afternoon?  If so how long have you stayed out and when is it a must that you have to return to land.  I have at the latest returned an hour before sunset but would like to stay out later.  I would be scared staying out there after dark even with LED lights on my Yak.  If you are guilty of late launches, how is the bite for you?  I always assumed it would be bad but fish eat all the time.   Also, if you do stay out what other additions if any have you added to your Yak to improve visibility.  I have caught after doing a late launch but it never seems to be as epic as if I launched early morning.

Most of us when come to ocean fishing launch early since the "fan" (wind) usually turns on in the afternoon.  Not too many of us fish the ocean at night but if you do, make sure you got the proper lighting and check weather/ocean condition.  Also know the fishing regulations as some species are not allowed to be caught at night.

I can't think of any species that can't be caught at night. Which ones?

I can't think of any species that can't be caught at night. Which ones?

Salmon for one 

afaik it's just abalone and clams that you can't take from the ocean at night.

afaik it's just abalone and clams that you can't take from the ocean at night.

You and Ben are right!  I stand corrected.