New bait lights

My neighbor and I just finished making these bait lights last night. It took almost a week to get the ballast but they turned out great. I can’t wait to get out on the water this weekend and try them out.

Nice job! How much $ you figure you got in it?

'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki

$40

Looks good. So did u end up using the clear PVC or bulb protector? Sent u a pm. If u only had 40$ in it i want the plans to build one…lol…

Bulb protectors but they seem a little flimsy.

You can order the clear schedule 40 pvc here, get the 1 1/4" clear regular walled pvd http://www.mcmaster.com/#clear-pvc-pipe/=iz39co it would probably add about $30 to the cost of the light though. It didn’t seem like the bulb protectors would hold up the what my hydroglow has had to endure.

Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude

Tom, after putting everything together, I was surprised at how sturdy it felt. I think I’m going to carry it in a gun case so that it doesn’t break on the boat ride out.

I seen on another forum they were using padded level cases. Probably take up less room

Nice. Bring in bait from miles around.

quote:
Originally posted by Murrymaker

Looks good. If u only had 40$ in it i want the plans to build one…lol…


Even though i’ve never fished at night, I’d like the plans also. If you don’t want to share, I’d understand that too.

Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069

how much weight did you have to add to get it to sink? I finally got the ballast for mine and need to get it together this weekend. Also, is there anywhere to get lead cheaper than buying sinkers?

Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude

Tire stores have lead weights that they pull off tires. Worth a stop to see if you can buy a bag off of them.

INDIGO BAY 170- 90 JOHNSON

When u find out what u need let me know. I have a decent supply in my inventory…do u have a gas burner? Sold mine to help gather $ when i was saving for hds. Def dont want to melt lead inside a house.

We used wheel weights in the end of ours and filled up the 12" PVC on the bottom. I’m not sure of the exact weight but we didn’t melt any of it. If I had to guess, I would say 10 ounces.

You could also tape up the end and put sand in the bottom. We were thinking about going this route but had wheel weights already.

I think I’m going to try and weigh mine down enough to sink. Seems like getting it deeper when the herring are down deep would help. Just have to keep the fish from tangling up in it

Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude

ECUPirate,What size PVC pipe did you use?

Thnaks,

Mike

tom; i have the pot and burner if you want to come over one day we can melt up a mess of lead. i have some soft lead pipe around here somewhere.

It’s 1 1/2" PVC with 1 1/4" tube protector.

Tom, you could always put a swivel on the bottom and attach more weight if need be. I would be worried about breaking it during transportation if you have too much weight inside of it.

Pirate, that did turn out nice, Thx for posting the pics. I was wondering how bright it would be, looks plenty bright enough. I think I’m going to build one myself now.