This is a PSA for newer surfcasters/kayakers.
Please turn your 10,000watt necklight away from the water. It was not that dark last night. This holds especially when you are spending 30min re-rigging, facing other anglers and the water. You clearly could have turned away from us and the water, keeping us happy and not spooking what few fish might have been out there Also, if you wear the light around your neck, instead of your head, it will light your feet up, but doesn't move around every time you turn your head. This will keep it out of my eyes when you look over at every one of my casts (that whirring sound is a conventional reel). I also recommend your fishing partner turn his light off when he is just standing and fishing, it will save battery power. I do cherish my night vision.

For my sanity and yours.

The more you know.

Sincerely,
Blinded in Narragansett

Dear Blinded in Narragansett.

Thank you for your PSA (correctly spelled I might add!).

It appears that I was fishing in the same place. Definitely seconded. Especially when said Jedi light slinger tromped down to where his 'yak was parked (lighting up the water all along the way) and made sure that his departure was well lit on the water. Which was being fished.

I almost wish that a cast or two had landed on the other side and hooked into the parked 'yak, but that would have probably been bad karma or something......

Yup. My patience won out.
Next time, my 65lb braid and an 80lb leader will be helping me add to my plug collection...
PM sent Jos

It's unfortunate that there is such a lack of common courtesy these days, you have to hope people do these things out of ignorance rather than just being a #^&#^&#^&#^&. To that end, here is another tip for young players, take a red sharpie or other permanent marker and color the lens of your light. Red light will not ruin the nightvision of yourself and those around you and you can see just fine, but turn your back to the water anyways.:kewl:

did they have a white bucket with them

i guess better than a 1 million candle seach light on the water to see where their chunk splashes

Also, if you wear the light around your neck, instead of your head, it will light your feet up, but doesn't move around every time you turn your head. This will keep it out of my eyes when you look over at every one of my casts (that whirring sound is a conventional reel). Blinded in Narragansett

Good points Bryan - Wearing the light around your neck does seem to be a more "old school" thing nowadays. We always called them necklights not head lights. Does seem like us necklight guys are in the minority. Some places look like they have a bunch of coal miners out fishing.

DZ

oh man I hate that! and red lights are the way to go.
I do have to admit that I turn on my white light sometimes when rock hopping from one spot to the next, night vision isn't worth a broken leg to me.
although I do point the light down right at my feet so it doesn't shine on the water or at anybody.

I always loose my headlamps, necklights never seem to get lost.

Lights spook fish= Old wives tale

Maybe so.
But lights killing my night vision is not an old wives tail

the lantern is the worst!!

I find that I can see much more without a light than with one, but I do use a light to tie knots, walk on rocks that are nowheres near flat and sometimes to check and see if it is a bluefish.

Some people are just totally clueless. Last year I had some people come up behind me with a million candlepower spotlight and shine it on me for 5 minutes to see if I was catching any fish. If I wasn't perched way out on a rock that light would have been on its way to Portugal.

Good points Bryan - Wearing the light around your neck does seem to be a more "old school" thing nowadays. We always called them necklights not head lights. Does seem like us necklight guys are in the minority. Some places look like they have a bunch of coal miners out fishing.

DZ

...and I still wear a necklight on the boat...

Who need light??!!!

Maybe so.
But lights killing my night vision is not an old wives tail


That's how I feel as well. I work damn hard to see, just to have some zillion candle-watt light burn my retinas and make me see spots for another 30 minutes.

Me, I'm older than dirt and over the years I think the ones flashing their white lights at us just may not have ever been told.

Me, I'm older than dirt and over the years I think the ones flashing their white lights at us just may not have ever been told.

Welcome to S-B

I have gone from a neck light to a headlamp for a couple reasons but primarily because I think I started bending my teeth from the necklight in my mouth (think reverse braces :wall: ) when I'd use it and secondly I was getting tired of hot nights in July with sweat drawing bug spray onto the light and in my mouth.

These days I'm on the head light, I cup the lense as I switch 3 clicks to red and otherwise keep the red light at a minimum and the white light away from the water almost completely.

These days I'm on the head light, I cup the lense as I switch 3 clicks to red and otherwise keep the red light at a minimum and the white light away from the water almost completely.

John, I don't have a problem with headlights. around my neck works better for me, but as long as people don't go all swivel-headed while it's turned on, I don't think it matters where they wear it.
Just keep it out of my eyes!!!

Also, if you are using a penlight style necklight, wrape a bunch of duct tape around the base, much easier on the teeth!

Me, I'm older than dirt and over the years I think the ones flashing their white lights at us just may not have ever been told.

I agree.This thread is one of the reasons I am on this site.Good stuff here.Unfortunately guy's, I feel as more and more anglers from different cultures are using the water to fish for food this will be a constant issue we will HAVE to contend with.Surfcasters should know better but as I have grown older and my close vision not being what it used to be and having gone from a neck light to a headlight,I still occasionally screw up and leave it on after doing what I have to do while turned away from the water.Its the guy's that rirockhound had to deal with,I hope read this and learn.
On another note.How many of us have been out to SW Point on a real dark night only to have it lit up like a spotlight by some clown who didn't switch down to his parking lights.I'll never believe that doesn't spook fish.Not that I catch any anyway.

Yeah I sport a headlight also.Only using white light for the trip back.I try and get to spot as darkness falls and if I need light to tie knots I use the red option.Saves night vision.If you guys don't have red in your neck or headlights you may want to give it a shot it works good.

Feel your pain Bryan! :(


BUT:

You'd figure anyone driving a 4WD vehicle onto a certain Bar at Montauk at 2AM in November would KNOW to not shine his headlights onto the water & on the casters there assembled :fury: (to "see" what's going on? :rollem: )


... but... NO!!!.... Shine on us they must/ do! :eyes:


These are not illegals/ subsistence Porgy fishermen! :zup:


We have met the enemy/ idiots in this regard... & it is (among) us! :1poke:

:af: i've been on the bass the last 5 mornings right at false dawn/first light- they've been rooting sandeels in skinny water and i've been doing pretty well swinging the fly rod for them. this morning i get in the water at 0330 and the fish are right up on the beach when this kid home from school for the summer comes driving over checks my rig on the street and hits it w/ a 10,000 candle power spotlight walks all the way around it shining the light in it- then he hits me and the water w/ the lamp & starts walking down to me hitting me w/ the light the whole time- when i realized it wasnt a cop i almost unloaded on him. the catch was when he says "i take it your fishing?" what a schmuck...

I agree with SEA Dangles. I always thought and was taught that lights atnight will spook stripers until I went fishing with the On The Water crew one evening one October night. Safe to say that with two camaras rolling there was alot of light shining on the surf right were we were casting. It didn't seem to bother the fish though as we had two big bass and some smaller ones. I couldn't believe it.

I agree with SEA Dangles. I always thought and was taught that lights atnight will spook stripers until I went fishing with the On The Water crew one evening one October night. Safe to say that with two camaras rolling there was alot of light shining on the surf right were we were casting. It didn't seem to bother the fish though as we had two big bass and some smaller ones. I couldn't believe it.

I pretty much agree. If the lights ruin the fishing, its only temporary at worst and the fish usually return shortly.
I agree with the hound to the point that its a distraction/pain in the butt. You feel exposed more than anything else.On the beach it used to piss me off because a lot of guys would light you up with their headlights just to see what was going on.I've caught plenty of large fish in the canal standing right under the lights though.
Which lights exactly I can't rememeber. :angel:

An enlightening topic nonetheless.:hee:

Bright lights will temporarily spook the bass because they do not like bright lights. That's why they go deep during the day and come into the shallows at night. I have come across quite a few fishing with a lantern and will always give them the same comment: "You must be targeting blues, because the stripers don't like the light."
Then I explain that shining a light on the water in short bursts is ok, but to keep the light on constantly will drive the bass elsewhere.

I used to show people, a few years back, when the pogies were in Duxbury by shining a spotlight on the water to show the bait erupting on the surface. I would shut it off quickly and ask them to listen for the bass to come charging in and nailing the bait that had congregated at the surface. They were surprised, and were less likely to keep their lights on after that.

I would suggest that when you encounter someone with "Diogenes Syndrome" you may want to explain the error of their actions before chastising them. If they ignore you, then by all means, rip into them.

Bright lights will temporarily spook the bass because they do not like bright lights. That's why they go deep during the day and come into the shallows at night. I have come across quite a few fishing with a lantern and will always give them the same comment: "You must be targeting blues, because the stripers don't like the light."
Then I explain that shining a light on the water in short bursts is ok, but to keep the light on constantly will drive the bass elsewhere.


i respectfully disagree with most of your points.

A) Bass do not fear sunlight. I have personally seen/caught bass in shallow water in the day, especially early & late in the season. I would say that they do not like warm water, which drives them deep in the days of summer (i think).

B) Bass do not fear fixed artificial lights at night. I have personally seen/caught bass under the lights of the newport bridge, jamestown bridge, great island bridge, and several other fixed lights.

c) Sometimes bass fear moving lights (flashlight, car light) but sometimes not. I have been on a dock shining flashlight around the dock to find bass cruising, and then drifting worms to them and shining my light on the worm and watching them suck down the worms. a very cool sight, although cost prohibitive with the cost of worms now.

Anyway, i don't think it is a big deal, except for ruining your night vision.

JMHO.

i respectfully disagree with most of your points.

A) Bass do not fear sunlight. I have personally seen/caught bass in shallow water in the day, especially early & late in the season. I would say that they do not like warm water, which drives them deep in the days of summer (i think).

Bass do not like sunlight, as much as you would like staring at the sun. That being said, they will endure the discomfort in the pursuit of food. That is why you can catch good sized bass during the day in spring and fall, but not much during the summer. During the summer days the practice for big bass is "go deep", where they will wait until dark. Oh, and yes the water temps do play a part, but usually not until we hit the "dog days of summer".


B) Bass do not fear fixed artificial lights at night. I have personally seen/caught bass under the lights of the newport bridge, jamestown bridge, great island bridge, and several other fixed lights.

I agree, but if you flash a bright light on them, they will take off.
It may simply be a matter of them not wanting to lose their night vision as much as we do.


c) Sometimes bass fear moving lights (flashlight, car light) but sometimes not. I have been on a dock shining flashlight around the dock to find bass cruising, and then drifting worms to them and shining my light on the worm and watching them suck down the worms. a very cool sight, although cost prohibitive with the cost of worms now.

They will definitely attack a prey that is lit up, since they are primarily an ambush hunter. You light up the "prey/bait" and you've made it easy fior them to spot the bait. I would be surprised if they stayed in the light after hitting the target.

Anyway, i don't think it is a big deal, except for ruining your night vision.

JMHO.

You made valid points, and I just wanted to clarify what I meant in my original comments.

Maybe so.
But lights killing my night vision is not an old wives tail



white light will most assuredly kill your night vision, and it will take your eyes approximately 45 minutes to recover.

i don't understand folks who are going to the beach with the newer surefire (or similar) high output diode lithium-battery powered flashlights.

these are combat gunfighting lights designed for home defense, law enforcement, and military use. they are OVERKILL for night fishing.

a simple mini-maglite does the job.

and guess what ... if you put a red filter lens on it, you won't kill your night vision.

The fellow with the lantern last night really put a damper on my outing too. I'm contemplating only fishing after midnight after the clowns go to bed.

This is all good info on night fishing. Costco has a headlamp for about 20 bucks that has adjustable brightness white light and a red setting. Keeps the night vision intact and can still get you safely on and off the rocks! I haven't dropped it in the drink yet but it has been splashed and sprayed and is working fine.

Welcome to S-B


These days I'm on the head light, I cup the lense as I switch 3 clicks to red and otherwise keep the red light at a minimum and the white light away from the water almost completely.

Hey John... just wondering what brand you use. I have always used the $15 Rayovac. Still using a 5 year old one that has gotten soaked several times. Carry a second as a back up and have another unopened. As long as a I spray them with WD40 occasionally they have not failed. They have lousy straps, but mostly like them because they have a red led, white led and a white tungsten position... and the red comes on FIRST. Very good feature. I usually don't go past the red position unless I'm walking or doing a knot. What brand has the red last?

I used to have the one that (I think) JR has; cycling through all of the modes each time drove me (even more) nuts.
Walmart has another one that looks almost the same and it has a slide switch - push left and you get the red light, push right and you get the white.
Very light, adjustable head angle and I use the head strap round my neck. It was about $12 if I recall correctly and served me well all last season. Still going strong.

Anyone ever use the light that attaches to the visor of a ball cap?
It has 3 little LED lamps and seems pretty handy

Anyone ever use the light that attaches to the visor of a ball cap?
It has 3 little LED lamps and seems pretty handy


Until that bloody great wave comes along at dark thirty when you are way out on the rocks and sweeps your baseball cap off.........there goes your light.......

.....I'll keep with something that is hanging 'round my neck!:kewl:

I have to say I use my light more now than every before. Once I hit 50 my night vision went. When younger I would go all night and never even turn it on most nights. However when you get older it is almost impossible. I do my best to keep any stray light out of the water and usually don't leave it on for very long when it is on, but I have to say I turn it on more than I like to. As far as red goes...I have trouble seeing in red light. I use it but when I really want to see something I have to go low power white led.

I have seen guys actually back pick-ups towards the ocean and turn on their rear mounted flood lights mounted on a crossbar and light up half the beach. After a half hour I walked out of the water and asked him to turn off his lights. He wasn't fishing just bs'in behind his truck. He obliged.

I think my original intent was missed...
I'm not draconian about NO lights, but be reasonable about it.
I try to use it as little as possible. Most of the time I can change eels, tie knots and move w/o but I understand we need lights... I dont have super powers, I was just putting a PSA out to:
A. inform people (especially if they were lurking) to keep lights out of others eyes
B. Let people know a light around the neck is a lot easier to control then on the head...
C. let people know night vision is real; less light use at night makes it easier to see the rest of the time!!!

that being said, last night, I saw the double light... partner hooked up, angler and partners headlight on, PLUS handheld flashlight shining on the fish half the fight...
For a 32" bass.....

I think my original intent was missed...
I'm not draconian about NO lights, but be reasonable about it.
I try to use it as little as possible. Most of the time I can change eels, tie knots and move w/o but I understand we need lights... I dont have super powers, I was just putting a PSA out to:
A. inform people (especially if they were lurking) to keep lights out of others eyes
B. Let people know a light around the neck is a lot easier to control then on the head...
C. let people know night vision is real; less light use at night makes it easier to see the rest of the time!!!

that being said, last night, I saw the double light... partner hooked up, angler and partners headlight on, PLUS handheld flashlight shining on the fish half the fight...
For a 32" bass.....
Not draconian?

Your thread is entitled "Turn you freaking lights OFF!"

I'd say the misspelling as well as unecessary use of the CAPS LOCK key clearly indicate this was more than a PSA, it was a hasty rant to vent your own internalized suffering as a fisherman and place blame on the shoulders of those around you.

:gorez:

-spence

OK.
it was a rant worded as a PSA

why dont you finally go fishing spence :D

I did this past week. Would have gone again this last week but I had "flu like" symptoms that kept me indoors...

Why are you so angry?

-spence

[QUOTE=JohnR;593860]Welcome to S-B

Thanks for the 'Welcome', sorry for the slow response but I've been taking advantage of the great fishing

Down here on Long Island my buddies and I use a 4 AA waterproof light with LEDs. The back of the light will accomodate a mouthpiece from a snorkel stretched over it, available at a dive shop, and wired tied. The mouthpiece is easy on the teeth and allows both hands available. The LED light don't burn up batteries as fast and are not blindingly bright. A piece of surgical tubing is taped to the light to hang around your neck.
As far as guys shining their lights on you or the water, those guys don't read this stuff anyway.

This is a PSA for newer surfcasters/kayakers.
Please turn your 10,000watt necklight away from the water. It was not that dark last night. This holds especially when you are spending 30min re-rigging, facing other anglers and the water. You clearly could have turned away from us and the water, keeping us happy and not spooking what few fish might have been out there Also, if you wear the light around your neck, instead of your head, it will light your feet up, but doesn't move around every time you turn your head. This will keep it out of my eyes when you look over at every one of my casts (that whirring sound is a conventional reel). I also recommend your fishing partner turn his light off when he is just standing and fishing, it will save battery power. I do cherish my night vision.

For my sanity and yours.

The more you know.

Sincerely,
Blinded in Narragansett
If this guy was close enough to blind you and hear the "whirring" sound of your reel why didn't you take the opportunity to tell him right there and then?Back in ancient times(before windows 95 and the commodore 64)humans found this to be a very effective means of communication.:huh:

Thanks SS.

I was close a few times, but a few reasons kept me in check.
A. I was trying to be reasonable, look away etc. I'm not an A-hole by nature
B. We were close, but not that close, it would have been a shout
C. I was leaving at somepoint. I didn't need said jerk %$%$%$%$ing it up for the other two people fishing that drift. If he started casting at them etc.. I would feel like an ass...

:kewl: for your consideration for the other fishermen.Hopefully the offender will read this post and show you and others the same consideration the next time he's fishing.