Fishing at night and lights - School me please.

General Boats and Motors
1

As we move into warmer weather I’m thinking it might be cool to do some night fishing.What should I expect, any big differences (apart from the fact its gonna be dark of course).
What about lighting, I have a couple of spreader lights that I’m upgrading to LED’s- would red be a good color, should both spreaders be red or have one regular ‘white’ light.

thanks a lot

2

Be very careful with Red, Green and even sometimes White. You don’t want to get in any nav light “discussions”

“Ships and Sailors Rot in Port”- Admiral Nelson

3
quote:
Originally posted by Tico Tiger Be very careful with Red, Green and even sometimes White. You don't want to get in any nav light "discussions" "Ships and Sailors Rot in Port"- Admiral Nelson

Specially with coast guard in nav. traffic waters , they won’t be smiling during the discussion…:face_with_head_bandage:

4

I fish a few night tournaments each year for largemouth. We don’t use any bright lights while fishing in those tournaments, only running lights. Largemouth spook easily at night. I’ve caught crappie at night using bright lights off of docks and have friends that catch stripers at night. Some of them will probably have better suggestions than I do.

5

Depends were your fishing or what you want the light for. But in general the brighter the spectrum of light the more immediate blindness you will experience when looking away from the light. A dull bright green has little effect while a bright blue or white daylight spectrum will leave you seeing black about a ft passed your gunnel. Typically light below or above your line of sight is better. Get a strong beam light for running. Night fishing less people a lot less noise calmer water random sea fog heavy dew/condensation a different bite a lot of species hide from predators while others rise to the surface to feed. Its really not as big as a deal as people think if you operate cautiously. It just gets a bad rep from people using poor judgement, drinking, speeding, etc.

6

I use to use a generator, but it is heavy, loud and hot! I now use a 12V battery and an inverter and 110 V led bulbs. Cant beat the clip on work lights at Lowes, Cheap and good big bright globe and can be pinched on any where. I rigged a switch close to my seat to cut them off and on. A good charge will last all night!

7

Green lights have been proven to attract fish…

I only use my nav lights and the white LED courtesy lights at the floor. That’s all you will need.
Please try not to crash.

At night we seem to catch more fish around the dock lights and shell banks than anywhere else. The fish don’t seem to be very active at night.

8

Thanks a lot guys, appreciate it.

cheers