I've seen Les try to fish using a torch at night, but I do not remember the episode.

When wading in shallow water through which you can see the bottom, it can be better than at night, after all, you can see. However, night or day should not matter much when the water conditions do not allow you to see the bottom. I've been in the water a lot in my life. On very few occasions did I ever wear anything on my feet, but my ventures are mostly U.S. East Coast.

The danger footwear avoids is if you step on something that can inject you with something. That danger seems slight in the areas I've been. I know stingrays exists, but I've only seen one near Sydney, Austrailia, which swam a few feet under me and my surf board. The danger I remember fearing when I was a kid on the DelMarVa shore was a pinch from a crab claw.