Over the years I’ve fished quite a bit with a hydoglow, but almost always in the late spring and early summer when the bait and stripers are relatively shallow.
I notice, even in the heat of the summer when the bait and stripers are deeper, that most people still just let it float on or near the surface when fishing and always questioned how much good they are really doing.
Does anyone have any experience weighting one down and adding wire to be able to drop it down maybe 40’ or so?
Sounds like a good idea to me! I’m wondering how to keep a big fish from wrapping up in the wire.
quote:
Originally posted by SpoonmasterSounds like a good idea to me! I’m wondering how to keep a big fish from wrapping up in the wire.
Unfortunately, hooking a “big fish” is the least of my problems these days. 
Actually, I’ve had more issues like that with real small fish wrapping lines when not paying close attention and giving them a chance to swim around before realizing they’re on the line.
I’ll probably just have 4 lines in the water at most, so hopefully shouldn’t be much of an issue if I keep it separated as much as possible.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
Would work well with a downrigger!
quote:
Originally posted by boatpoorWould work well with a downrigger!
Sure would. Never crossed my mind. I could just tie wrap it to the cable just above the weight and wouldn’t have any issue with blow back into any downrods that way as the boat shifts. That was one of my concerns as I have the old 4’ flouresant bulb style.
Thanks! I’ll try it this week.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
I use it for a chum bag all the time! Darn near lost the whole downrigger to a shark a few years ago, it broke the slide on bracket before it broke the wire and took the ball and bait bag
that’s some expensive chum
Proline 201WA
Aloha 24ft pontoon (LooneyToon)
Old Town stern with 7.5 johnson
I bet it isn’t engineered to go to depth. Might push water in through the seals at that depth/pressure.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
I checked out there website and it didn’t give a depth range on the light but they do show a deep water light available, but it ain’t cheap!
Back when hydroglow sponsored our night tournament they tested depth. Keith, company owner, and Jim Goller extended the wire and sent it down 50 or 60 ft with a camera. Pretty cool pics.
Joby
The light works at depth. The original came with weights it the bottom so you can sink it. It stays waterproof. Mike Lundy has done articles about using it behind the boat while pulling baits at night. Putting it under the surface. Down 20’ or so.
Thanks for the info, that makes me feel a little better about trying it.
I’m going to fish this eve. Not staying much past dark, but will at least drop it down and see how it does.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
When I use mine, I always drop it down as far as it will go. Mine has a ring on the bottom that I attatch several bank sinkers to. About 6 oz is all it takes and it stays down about 15’. Never had a problem with water getting in it.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
quote:
Originally posted by ChipmanBack when hydroglow sponsored our night tournament they tested depth. Keith, company owner, and Jim Goller extended the wire and sent it down 50 or 60 ft with a camera. Pretty cool pics.
Joby
Joby, I talked to someone there today that I’m assuming was him and he said he has tested down to 60’, but it was the LED version of the light. I have the old fluorescent bulb version they haven’t made it 10 years and he suggested not attempting to go deep as I was considering and after taking a close look at the seal on mine where the wire runs in, I decided not to take a risk of destroying it.
I did just order a couple of the battery operated deep drop LEDs that slide down the line that guys use sword fishing though. I’ve been wanting to give that a try as well and just have never got around to it.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
You can still bring bait in now with the light on the surface. You can’t see them with your eyes, but you can watch them stack up on your fish finder. Usually down about 15-30 feet.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
The one they tested at our tourney was a two or four ft tube light like you have. I have one as well. It was when they first came out and we could not spell LED. That is unless he had a special one that he decided not to sell for many years after that. Might have been 15 years ago. We were still doing night tourneys out of Jakes.
Joby
Ok then…ill give it a try…Thanks
Trolling this eve but may bring it along just to do a test run.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
If you’re concerned about it leaking, just seal it with some silicon.
Bob Van Gundy
803-727-4069
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
quote:
Originally posted by striperskiffOk then…ill give it a try…Thanks
Trolling this eve but may bring it along just to do a test run.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
Did you ever try this out? I got a really good deal on one and I’ll have it next week …
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
quote:
Originally posted by Lawcrusherquote:
Originally posted by striperskiffOk then…ill give it a try…Thanks
Trolling this eve but may bring it along just to do a test run.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
Did you ever try this out? I got a really good deal on one and I’ll have it next week …
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
If you bought Bryan’s it should work just fine. His was practically brand new, maybe used once and is the LED version…
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
140 Suzuki