We ventured another trip last night. I have come to the conclusion that the light setup that I am using is not doing the trick. I could only see appx 1’ deep. Do you have any recommendations on lighting? I’d rather not break the bank on this if possible, say $100. Is that possible? Should I look for underwater lights, or top lighting? Do you use Q beams, seems like they are just hard to work and hold a gig. I believe we have good spots, just cant see enough.
Thanks for any advice.
What kind of lights were you using?
nothing special. I used some car flood lights. screwed them to a 2x4 and split the bow with the board. they def werent bright enough, but if I spend any more money, I would like some expert advice.
and ive used a q beam before, just not last night.
19’6" Key West Bayreef
12v fog lights. I’m thinking bright (10x1watt) led flood light w/ batteries might be a good option (but pricey) now too.
I meant fog lights, sorry. they were 55 watt. Not the best by any means. weve got 2 extra batteries at our disposal as well.
19’6" Key West Bayreef
get sum 500 watt halogen lights that you can run off the generator then you be in business
The lights your using will work,thats what i started with a few years ago, they just eat up batterys.You need to just find cleaner water,and keep at it.
Just go get ya a couple of the adjustable clamp on lights with the metal shields. Cut off the electrical plug and add a couple of battery clamps, then get a few 100 watt 12v light bulbs(i always carry a couple of extra). Take a couple of short 1x4 boards and use a C-clamp to clamp them to the side of the boat (ones we use stick up 10-14 inches above the side of the boat) THen clamp the lights to the top of these boards. We usually put one towards the front and another towards the back of the boat. Adjust as needed to illuminate the area to your satisfaction. Get a couple of fully charged Batteries, car batteries will work, deep cycle marine batteries are better. Now you are all set. Beauty of this set up is that you can switch lights from one side of the boat to the other in just minutes And if you are in a bind just take the battery out of the wife’s car and your fishing buddies truck. Been using this set up for over 40 years. Inexpensive and it works.
More batts and a perko. or gen. halogen is awesome if you can.
the water is very dirty now bc of the full moon, try gigging in 8-10 days when the moon isn’t full and the tides come back around
thanks guys. i picked up a couple underwater halogen lights and am going to rig those. i may also pick up a couple of the metal shade lights. thanks for the info.
so, the water is clearer as long as its not a full moon?
19’6" Key West Bayreef
the water is dirty during full moons because we have flood tides during full moons…the tide goes WAY up into the marsh grass and the current flows in and out a lot quicker and stronger…When the water rips out of those unusually high areas in the grass area it tends to be a lot more muddier than on normal tides!!
Good Luck on the gigging…haven’t done it in a long time…Need to get a set up and go myself!!..Be safe!!
livin life one day at a time!!!
2006 Seafox172
05 Mercury90hp(saltwater)
I use 2-55w driving lights on pvc pipe in the trolling motor mount and 3 - 55w dc bulbs in an old kitchen swivel bar light on pvc…usually get 4hrs out of a battery.
“sniff it before you eat it!”
6 400watt metal halides
“When i was young they tried to flush me down the toilet because they already knew is was the ****!”
“Run run run as fast as you can you cant catch me im the prodrive man!”