night fishing for blue backs

[ZONKER]

This coming year I want to get involved in night fishing. I have a 18 foot glass boat that I have to Cannon Uni troll ten's with a electric troller up front on the bow. I would like to know what you would suggest for lighting to get back to the boat dock. Also what kind of lighting to see in the boat while night fishing.101chromefish101101chromefish101

 

[gonefishing]

A couple of suggestions.

A Lorwance chart plotter with the Western Lakes Navionics card. Or something similar.

For good economical lighting, I mounted a Light that I purchased from a local Auto store $145.00 approximately for the light. Its was made for ATVs. Blue light, high powerd hallogen bulb. All composition for rust free maintanence. Stands up to shock really well. I may add a second one of these. The first time I turned it on, after working late into the evening mounting it, the families children from accorss the street all came running to their bedroom windows to see what was happening. What it was, was a really BRIGHT light!laugh hyst When returning to the dock area or slips at night, I have lots of light from this light. Its was more than needed for that purpose

For deck Lighting, I wired in a plug for a spot light for looking around. For turning on and leaving on, I have some single bulb interior RV lights that you can purchase for under $10.00 each. I wired two of them to keep the light on the deck and out of my eyes. Put them under the place where they will not get hit with alot of rain. I never had a single problem with these and their appearance is acceptable. Look at the price of what is called dock lights and deck lights. You'll head to the RV store in a hurry.

These combinations are working for me, really well. If you want to really light up your world, plan on spending big bucks. Water absorbs light, so it takes alot of illumination to over come that from a boat. To light up the objects on the water, or the docks you are returning too, that is an easier task.

I love the chart plotter. I can run in the pitch black dark of the night without my light, (not recomended), and get where I want to go. A lighted compass for a back up is a good idea.

I have left in the dark and returned in the dark. Nothing like a full day of fishing.tongue2

my 2 cents:2cents

 

[twisted lines]

Make sure your nav and anchor lights work and use them for your safety and others. Get a hand held really good spot light, the mounted ones are never where you need them and usually in the way. I drive big heavy fast boats at night, and there is more then one reason the drug runners go dark you can see better! add a bunch of lights and you can see the birds your about to hit, they kind of come at you like the rabbits do. For inside the boat I just have the kind of hidden lights in my hat and am happy with them for now.....TL

 

[gonefishing]

Twisted; So you didnt need to mention those little white boddies and the 300 little sets of eyes the pop up 30 yards in front of you at the last minute. Some eys scurry to the left, some to the right, some just hope its not really happening I guess.laugh hyst

The first time that happend was when if figgured out what you can see with those ultra bright lights in the last minute. HA HA!

Any way, I agree. Don't mount a spot light. Mine is a flood light and shines left right and 30-40 yards out front. Can't see a thing until a boat or bird gets in front of you. Not to mention that the flood light, lights up the stainless steel railing which is heck on the eye balls until you learn to focus past the railing, which is not easy.

 

[SuperD]

The V-Lock is a great way to mount the directional lights. I can stow the light and only plug it in when I need it. Mounting a few brackets around the boat would make for versatile mounting options.

 

[twisted lines]

If you are set on mounting lights, get flat beams and mount them high like on a tower! or cut the bow and recess them either way helps with the glare, I run 5 different fast boats lots of options & still prefer to run dark other then docking or searching and a hand held will point were you tell it to. A V-lock mount would be nice for when you need both hands at the dock.

 

[ZONKER]

Night vision

This is what I enjoyabout this forum . With these ideas I can decide what would be the best way to get my boat ready for spring. Just as a side note, I was reading on the internet and They are finding large Walleye in Ririe Reservior. They are hoping the they behave their selves and eat the suckers and leave the Kokanee alone. 101chromefish101101chromefish101

 

[gonefishing]

I agree with Twisted on the mounting. My light is high becuase I have a tall hard top. My beam is bright yet flatish becuse you can see the left to right line of the main light beam thought the the light. That was not a plan, for me, but a good accident. I really didn't know what I was doing on my first light. I do like the widness of the flat beam.

The running dark does spook me though. In the ocean or a large lake deviod of narrows would be OK, other wise?????

Walleye in Ririe??? I wonder if that was an illegal plant or a game department plan. If they run out of suckers to eat, you can bet they will be after the kokanee bas and trout. I wonder if that is why last year was not as robust of a year with 3 year fish, or just a cyle. I have always wanted to fish Walleye, but not willing to travel to go after them. Also.I know absolutley nothing about how to catch them.

 

[twisted lines]

The running dark does spook me though. In the ocean or a large lake deviod of narrows would be OK, other wise?????

It does me to 101sweatinit101 And I don't run on plane in my personal boat at night. I do it for a living and do what is most comforatable for me, may be why my hair is changing colors laugh hyst

 

[twisted lines]

All you will see in this boat at night are the little red and green light comming !