Spot Lights - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

bassballer · 09-20-2012, 12:31 PM

What are you guys using for spot light while running at night? I havent been using one at all. The other night I couldnt see S*@t. Dodging lobster pots last minute. Looking for something that will last but not crazy expensive.

Raider Ronnie · 09-20-2012, 12:56 PM

I use my radar tuned to pick them up.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

bassballer · 09-20-2012, 01:06 PM

I have a garmin GPS and fishfinder without those capabilities.

Van · 09-20-2012, 01:42 PM

The blue dot handhelds are supposed to be pretty good.
Less glare and focused beam.

I have an older handheld and it does glare off the bow. Hold high over my head and turn it on/off all the time.

Best would be one right at the bow so it won't glare.

PRBuzz · 09-20-2012, 02:04 PM

I use one of those rechargable, >1 million foot candles handheld units you can buy for $20, so far going on 5 yrs.

At speed it difficult to see anything even with a spot!

buckman · 09-20-2012, 02:51 PM

I find they destroy any night vision you have. A little moon light and you should be ok. I never use mine. Running at speed in an outboard I have never wrapped a line. Maybe just lucky.

thefishingfreak · 09-20-2012, 07:06 PM

It's pretty hard to wrap a pot at speed. I proved this to RiffRaff Jon recently. I tried to run over every single pot from ptown to Boston and every single one just pushed of to the side. It's the ones you drift over or slowly run into that'll get you.
As far as spotlights I have a remote one on the pulpit I use sometimes. But most of the time it the 20.00 rechargeable from home depot.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

thefishingfreak · 09-20-2012, 07:09 PM

And one way to really piss of the guy in the other boat is to shine the spotlight on them!
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

PRBuzz · 09-20-2012, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefishingfreak

And one way to really piss of the guy in the other boat is to shine the spotlight on them!
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Got to see where your're going or at least going to hit!

Night Shift · 09-20-2012, 07:29 PM

Night fishing isn't for everyone and if you need to wave a spot light around looking for objects in the dark, then you probably shouldn't be out there. The key to fishing and boating at night is to let your eyes get accustomed to the dark and SLOW DOWN. Way down! Once your eyes adjust, you will be surprised at what you can see, even on the darkest of nights when the moon is hiding. Any form of light will compromise this, whether it's from a dashboard compass, sonar screen, GPS, house lights, head lamps, and the list goes on and on.
When you fire up a spotlight, your vision is reduced to the narrow cone that the spotlight is illuminating and you will see absolutely nothing outside that cone, with the added bonus of destroying all of your night vision (and that of the boaters around you!). Now, without the aid of your little cone of light, you will see nothing.

If new to running at night, here are a few tips:

*Take things slowly. Start by getting comfortable by running around in low light conditions of dawn or dusk
*Slow down--most objects won't become visible until they are extremely close. In the beginning, this part is very unnerving. Proper speed is imperative so you will have time to react to the things unfolding in around you.
*Preserve and enhance your night vision by eliminating all unnecessary light (shut off or cover up), and dim all necessary lighting to the lowest possible setting that you can see/use
*Minimize distractions. You need to be focused on night time navigation (searching for and avoiding potential hazards) This is not the time for star gazeing, heated discussions, or goofing off.
*if you are boating with another person, have that person stand in front of the console where there is no/less light pollution so they can be a spotter. That person will be able to see objects sooner and can point and call them out to the person driving (for example "lobster pot at one o'clock").

Night Shift · 09-20-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefishingfreak

And one way to really piss of the guy in the other boat is to shine the spotlight on them!
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...ot-lights.html

bassballer · 09-20-2012, 07:47 PM

i fish at night a good amount of the time. When bass fishing its usually at night. The reason i was thinking of the spotlight was because I wrapped a pot last week. my eyes on a pitch black night cant seem to adjust. On a moonlite night im fine.

big jay · 09-20-2012, 09:29 PM

We just went the nutty route.

20" rigid spot/flood led lightbar for the front - I believe it's 12,000 lumens and a pair of Rigid dually D2 diffused LEDs, 2640 lumens each for the cockpit.

Installing tomorrow, should shine like a lighthouse.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

SweetD · 09-21-2012, 12:05 PM

I've had no luck with rechargeables.

I finally dropped some extra $$ on a good one a few years back.

LightForce is the company. The model is the Marine Light 240 Blitz.

Corded, lightweight, tough, impact resistant, super bright. Was about $125 when I bought it if memory serves.

Lightforce - Products

I agree that it's usually better to run without a bright light at night. But of course there are times when you need one.

Dave

MakoMike · 09-21-2012, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckman

I find they destroy any night vision you have.

what he said. IMHO you're better off without it.

bassballer · 09-21-2012, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big jay

We just went the nutty route.

20" rigid spot/flood led lightbar for the front - I believe it's 12,000 lumens and a pair of Rigid dually D2 diffused LEDs, 2640 lumens each for the cockpit.

Installing tomorrow, should shine like a lighthouse.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Wow going to be a floating sports field