Anyone have any tips on what the best light setup is for flounder gigging? Generator? Or, is there a more quiet way to do it? What watt lights should I be using? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!!
I have no experience with gigging lights- however i spent yesterday building a stand and wiring lights I have 3 100 watt 12V bulbs wired up to my 2 trolling motor batteries which can be charged by the engine when it is running. How long will it last? not a clue. Is it bright enough to see in the water?I hope. It was bright enough last night the neighbor came out to ask me what the hell was going. I spent about 40 bucks on the whole deal. If it works tonight I will get a photo bucket account and post a pic of the whole deal. I just didnt want to go all out with the generator and some sodium lights then not enjoy gigging. I figured get in as cheap as I could and see what the deal was.
The only think I know is dont try to hook up a 110V bulp to a battery.
I’m glad I could share this with you while at the same time not answering a single question you asked.
Key West Stealth
150 V-max
A 100W bulb is going to draw about 8.5 amps. Total you have 25+ amps; your engine will not keep up with the charging at anything lower than cruise speed. Having a dual battery setup, you should be able to get 4+ hours before the voltage drops below 10.5 V.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160
Native Manta Ray 14
Thanks guys! I’m trying to figure these things out before I spend any money on a dead end option. Will the noise from a small generator scare the fish away?
A small generator is fine to use.
Some areas around Pawley’s restrict generator use due to noise.
Little honda generators are nice and you can still talk kinda normal.
has anyone been out gigging this year yet?
yes …been several times, only a few of them were good trips due to wind and or muddy water. I use a 1000w Honda generator with 3 300w lights. two on one side and one in the front. For years I used only 12v lights and that worked fine too, what ever you got use it and up grade later…
26’ Twinvee Cat
Twin Suzuki 175’s
www.creeksidemetalworks.com
quote:
Originally posted by Capt Edyes …been several times, only a few of them were good trips due to wind and or muddy water. I use a 1000w Honda generator with 3 300w lights. two on one side and one in the front. For years I used only 12v lights and that worked fine too, what ever you got use it and up grade later…
26’ Twinvee Cat
Twin Suzuki 175’s
www.creeksidemetalworks.com
On a side note Capt. Ed sells some nice flounder gigs!
went out gigging tonight with a 750,000 candle power spot light and a car battery. muddy water but stuck a nice 18 incher!
I’m kind of with you, I just got into gigging, and have tried a few different things with different people, and my conclusion is that its all about finding clear water. you could probably spend alot on a generator and lights and it will make your job easier, but a propane lantern will do the trick as well if the water is clear.
As far as water clarity, i have noticed that the outgoing tide is way more murky, so you have to go around oyster and sandy bottoms then, or areas where there isnt much current like in small creeks. When the tide is coming back in the water seems to clear up as it runs out onto mud flats, so you can gig along bigger channels of water on the incoming.
The easiest set up for beginners is to run to haddrells and buy 2 of their underwater lights and hook them to 12 volt batteries…this is what I do and it was worked well for me. If you really like it and want to get into it more, go with the generator. I am a beginner but these lights have been good for me, and a battery for each light will last all night. I’m not great at it but we got 9 last week and ended up with 7 last night along with 3 reds. Good luck!
A lantern with reflector will work fine. If you decide you like gigging enough, you can upgrade later.
If you’re lucky enough to be fishing, you’re lucky enough.
Be sure to check out the local bowfishing websites…those boys have lighting down to an art. Lots of great ideas that you can easily adapt to gigging…but everyone knows there are no flounder in Charleston waters…you might as well quit gigging now.
…because everything is a conspiracy!!!
