I believe this has been discussed before but I couldn’t find the topic. Anyway, I’m thinking about “building” a light rig for night fishing. I’m planning on using a “corn cob” LED bulb. It would sit atop a PVC pipe that will be tethered to the grab rail on my center console. I have my trolling motor batteries mounted inside of my center console so I would use these as my power source. I’m thinking about using the LED bulb and power cord below…
https://www.amazon.com/Daylight-Light-Indoor-Outdoor-Large/dp/B01DZYKYK8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1495561791&sr=8-2&keywords=corn+cob+led
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MDPWL0?psc=1
Does anyone have any suggestions/recommendations for this type of rig? I plan on mounting 8’ feet high or so to make sure it’s above line of sight so it doesn’t blind everyone in the boat.
I’m not as mechanically inclined as I’d like to be so please feel free to suggest any tips or ideas I should know. Thanks.
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
how are you converting the 12v DC power of your batteries to the 110v AC power that light bulb requires?
If I’m posting, its because I’m sitting here at work, dreaming about fishing.
https://www.amazon.com/12V-20V-Outdoor-Emergency-Landscape-Lighting/dp/B009IHSGBG
that bulb there is designed to run on 12v DC
If I’m posting, its because I’m sitting here at work, dreaming about fishing.
See! That’s why I posted. I actually had that bulb “saved” on Amazon but copy and pasted the wrong link.
Thanks!
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
does your center console have a T-Top?
If I’m posting, its because I’m sitting here at work, dreaming about fishing.
Striperskiff put this on his console a few years ago. Used a 12v bulb from Camping world and just mounted it to some pvc framing. Ran the cord down to a outlet on the console and used the pull chain for on/off. You could also try and find a black light or red light as your eyes will take a while to adjust from the white light once you turn it off.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
TM, no sir, no T-top.
Geronimo, This setup would only be used while anchored and actually fishing so we can actually see to tie knots and watch rods and see everyone else in the boat to socialize. We won’t be running spots so the vision adjustment period really isn’t that critical. Plus, given some of the issues on Lake Murray lately, this will also make my boat more visible to others. I’m actually considering running two at a time for additional brightness. As a welcome side effect, the light also draws bait to the boat.
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
Look on the shrimping forum and look back over the ideas and drawings and pictures posted over the years.
Will do! Thanks!
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
quote:
Originally posted by bangstick
TM, no sir, no T-top.
Geronimo, This setup would only be used while anchored and actually fishing so we can actually see to tie knots and watch rods and see everyone else in the boat to socialize. We won’t be running spots so the vision adjustment period really isn’t that critical. Plus, given some of the issues on Lake Murray lately, this will also make my boat more visible to others. I’m actually considering running two at a time for additional brightness. As a welcome side effect, the light also draws bait to the boat.
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
and bugs…LOTS of bugs
If I’m posting, its because I’m sitting here at work, dreaming about fishing.
quote:
Originally posted by TheMechanic
quote:
Originally posted by bangstick
TM, no sir, no T-top.
Geronimo, This setup would only be used while anchored and actually fishing so we can actually see to tie knots and watch rods and see everyone else in the boat to socialize. We won’t be running spots so the vision adjustment period really isn’t that critical. Plus, given some of the issues on Lake Murray lately, this will also make my boat more visible to others. I’m actually considering running two at a time for additional brightness. As a welcome side effect, the light also draws bait to the boat.
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
and bugs…LOTS of bugs
If I’m posting, its because I’m sitting here at work, dreaming about fishing.
My thoughts exactly!!
My boat has the little LED courtesy light down around the floor. That’s all the light I need at night to see. I carry a green LED headlamp that works suprisingly well for tieing knots and other stuff when I need it. I use hydro glow lights under the water to attract bait and they also help you see your lines while fishing.
In my past exerience with bright light at night on Lake Marion or in the Congaree, I stay away from them. You’ll get carried away by all the bugs you will attract with it and it will take quite a while for your eyes to adjust back to the dark when you are ready to move.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Nah, I’ve fished with a buddy that has something similar. Mounting the light up high not only keeps the light out of your line of sight, but it also puts the bugs above you at the light. It definitely attracts some bugs but they’re there for the light, not you. Plus, I never hit the water to night fish without at least two Thermacells. Between the high-mounted light and the Thermacells, I’ve never had any issues with bugs.
As far as the “eye adjustment” issue goes, again, I’m not spot hopping while night fishing so I don’t need my eyes to instantly regain night vision so I can see where I’m going. Plus, since the light is mounted so high, it doesn’t have the same impact on your night vision as if the light was at eye level.
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
Bugs are why I never went this setup either. I use a hydroglow for the bait and it also offers some light so you aren’t sitting in total darkness. Plus boats can see the green glow a mile away. I use an LED headlamp for tasks on the boat, unhooking, rigging, baiting, etc.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
Bangstick, maybe you saw this in the Striped Forum?
http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=162468
Like others have said, it will draw bugs when left on, especially on a still night, but it’s awesome for temporarily turning on for tying knots and unhooking fish.
I since have picked up one in a “soft white” that I sometimes leave on while running, but I still flip the arm so the bulb is behind me.
BTW, these bulbs in a $8 clamp on utility light from Lowe’s are a cheap way to draw bait on the lake.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
Like I said, I’ve fished with a friend that has a similar, but much “rougher” in design, setup and the bugs have never been an issue. Yes, the light draws bugs and they’re 8-9 feet in the air the whole time, around the light itself. Couple that with multiple Thermacells and the bugs are absolutely a non-issue.
I think your suggestions have pointed me in the right direction. I appreciate the help, gents.
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.