Hi Adam,
Fish do most certainly feed at night
especially chub, bream and barbel, small stuff won't pester you half as much either, try and pick your swim,- unless you know the river well - in daylight, also try prebaiting the swim,again in daylight a few hours before fishing, it's best if you get to know the stretch you are fishing pretty well, before night fishing not only from a saftey standpoint, but you'll stand much more of a chance a fish or two, if you are relativley new to fishing, Monks comments are very valid, - a fish isn't worth dying for, and winter night fishing brings its own dangers, if you've been fishing for a while ,and feel nows the time to try it, i'd
personally recomend trying to find someone who regulaly fishes at night, and tag along if poss, you'll learn a lot and it will be safer, that goes for anyone not just the inexperienced, if you're determined to give it a go i'll give you these tips they're pretty obvious to night fishers but not necesarily to newcomers to night fishing
especially as we're moving into winter.
1. watch the weather, get a local forcast
2. wear cold weather gear or at least have it with you, an over suit or suchlike.
3. keep fishing gear to a bare minimum, take only what you absolutly need.
4. take a flask of HOT drink , and a bit of nosh - even a packet of biscuits.
5. whether you have a lamp or not take a good head torch.
6. i don't know if you are but if you're fishing for barbel, choose your swim carefully with a view to being able to recover it comfortabaly , and most importantly - safely from your point of veiw
in other words avoid high banks.
7. If it stops being fun GO HOME!
)