LED fishing boat lights (long post)

[Jim]

I received a bunch of questions about LED lights on my fishing boat, so I will try to answer them all at once.

This is the boat at Flipper’s the other night.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MSl_vkq3dT4/TxnMEAMP6xI/AAAAAAAAAoA/KxPv9HBXxJU/s800/boat%252520lights%252520%2525202.JPG

Here it is on my driveway with the headlights on.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-db7QRxDa5Ys/TrKbPwjuUiI/AAAAAAAAAm0/IDJi4Y6mg9Q/s800/DSC06329.JPG

I will try to cover LED lights in general, color choices, bugs, light types, where to buy, and prices.

LED lights in general: True color, little heat, and very low amp draw. I can run all my lights for hours and not notice a drop in my trolling motor battery. True color is important as it is not a filter that wastes light and still attracts bugs. All of my lights are hooked to my trolling motor battery and have a 3 amp fuse.

Important: Keep all lights out of your line of sight when fishing or driving. It makes a huge difference in your vision. That means you should not be able to see any bulbs directly from normal seated or fishing positions. Inside the boat you want all reflected light. Outside the boat, keep all lights below the outer edge of the boat. The lights are waterproof so they stay on the boat 24/7/365 and I never worry about them.

Fishability: The right lights at night make fishing easier and safer. They may scare some fish, but I definitely attract some fish also. Many fish hit in the area of the lights so it isn’t a total turn off to the fish. Other boaters can see you better so it is much safer for avoiding collisions also. Plus the drunks coming home from the marina bars can really see you and they give you some room. Plus it is easier to cast, tie knots, and generally manage the boat.

With all the lights on, I can bass fish just the same as in the daytime. I have no trouble pitching a worm, jig, or spinnerbait to shoreline cover with high accuracy even on the darkest of nights.

Color choices:

Amber (yellow): Bright light with minimal bug attraction. These are best to light the boat interior when you need to see well. They are aimed down from under seats and decks to light the floor.

Red: Will not hurt your night vision. Red lights are not very bright, but great to light the boat interior at all times. Helps avoid stepping on things and seeing the floor. They are aimed down from under seats and decks to light the floor (same as amber, but on different switch). Red lights have the least bug attraction.

Blue (called moonlight by some): aimed out to light the banks while fishing. Works well. Makes it look like fishing on a full moon night. Blue lights will attract bugs.

UV (purple): aimed out to light your fishing line while fishing. UV lights work awesome with fluorescent monofilament line. It really glows bright. UV does not make braid or fluorocarbon line glow. UV lights can really attracts bugs.

Green: aimed into the water to attract bait. Really attracts bugs.

White: only for headlights (like a car) and headlamps (hooked to your hat). White lights attract bugs like crazy. It is the best color to see by when you really need to see something.

Bugs: Big concern in summertime night fishing. You need to be very careful about color choice or the inside of the boat will be filled with bugs in a minute. The outside will have a million around it with almost none inside if done right. When you turn a white headlamp on, you have about 10 seconds until you are covered in bugs. Most of the bugs are not mosquitoes so they don’t bite, but it can still be maddening with the huge numbers.

Interesting thing on with the LED lights for bassboats. It seems people are matching the interior color of the lights to the boat’s interior color. Crazy idea as you may end up with a super pretty bug attracting machine. It would be totally unfishable at night with the number of bugs in the boats interior. Style over function for some I guess.

A Thermocell bug repellant is a good addition to any night fishing rig.

Light types:

Waterproof strip lights - These are very handy. Come in most colors and in many lengths. I used mostly 48 and 96 light strips. Some come in narrow and wide beam. Narrow beam is better to light up the bank and wide is better to light up the boat. They can be pressed into ½ inch aluminum channel and it protects them beautifully. I have an aluminum boat so I just riveted the channel in place and then pressed the lights into the channel with some silicone sealer as the glue.

Here is a close up of the lights in the aluminum channel set just under the gunnels on the outside of the boat.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0JGias3P_6Q/Txt95GJ9HII/AAAAAAAAAoQ/V6VPtR7JvNs/s800/lights_close.JPG

I have all the colors in waterproof strip lights available to turn on or off by switch at all times. Headlights are also individually switched and on the same circuit as my handheld spotlight.

Spot lights: Can be any color including UV. These are removable and I mount these aimed outward to really light up an area. I use 2 UV spot lights so I can see my line glow at the far end of a cast. I can really see the line better at night than in the daytime. It is kind of crazy to see, but way cool to fish with. To repeat an earlier comment, with the UV spot light in addition to the UV and Blue strip lights, I can bass fish just the same as in the daytime. I have no trouble pitching a worm or casting spinnerbait to shoreline cover with high accuracy even on the darkest of nights.

Headlights: I used driving lights, but you can choose many different kinds of spotlights or headlights. These are made for cars so they are plenty bright, waterproof, and shatterproof. They use the most power by far, but you don’t need them very often.

Headlamp: I found a combo white and UV at Bass Pro. It works great to tie knots with the UV and use the white when you really need to see.

Where to buy:

I bought from multiple places and had no problems.

www.superbrightleds.com – strange website, but lots of stuff. The waterproof light strips are:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Flight_bars-flexible.html

Check out the WFLB96 series 96-LED Waterproof Flexible Light Bar. These are the right type of light strip with more or less lights being longer or shorter strips.

www.Besthongkong.com – best prices, but new website since I ordered that is terrible.

I used a few others that I can’t remember right now. You will probably have to search as the products change all the time and no site seemed to everything I wanted.

www.Bluewaterled.com – I did not use them, but they have really nice stuff and it is all premade and can be installed for you. From what I have seen, it looks like a good company. Because they have tested and designed everything, it is 3 or 4 times or more as expensive as DIY.

As for price: I think all totaled, I spent about $200. I had a lot of leftover parts that I have in a bin for future use. I also tricked out my young son’s Powerwheel Gator with white headlights, green interior and ground effects and red tail lights. It is fun to see him ride it at night.

I will be glad to answer any question as best as I can, but I am no expert. I did the whole project without any real guidance and it was pretty easy. LED lights are simple to work with.

Jim

[Catch & Release]

Hey Jim, I would love to get a close look at your setup, would you mind if I come and take a look at it?
Todd Smith
615 418 6675

[Jim]

Todd,

Replied with PM with information on meeting up to see the lights.

Jim

[Travis C.]

Looks real good Jim.

[agelesssone]

Here's some info we all need to know as I DIDN'T KNOW it until Doug Markham posted it on his FB wall.

life Resources Agency - Region II (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tennessee-Wildlife-Resources-Agency-Region-II/144880158152)


Attached is a short video taken at the Nashville Boat and Sports Show that demonstrates how an inflatable life jacket works. These jackets are legal for anyone 16 or older as long as it is on your body while you are on the water. You can not leave this one in storage or on the boat floor and be considered a legal vest. Allen Herald is the Boating Officer talking to a lucky winner of this jacket a few days ago.

https://s-external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQDkAt8idmiUlIki&url=https%3A%2F%2Fs-hvthumb-ash4.fbcdn.net%2F410113_1762183111781_176216051121 6_60757_1460_t.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1762160511216)Don't want me or anyone else to get a ticket because we didn't know this. It sure was a shock to me as a lot of time in the summer I don't wear my inflatable PFD. I'll certainly wear it from now on or else have regular life jackets in the boat also according to how many people are in the boat.

[agelesssone]

Jim,
Thank you ever so much, great article on the lights, especially about which ones are the bug attractors.

I am going to follow your links and check/get some of those lights. I have plenty of portable lights in the boat now, but I want the ones that shine toward the bank and are so visible at night.

agelesssone:o

[Travis C.]

You can not leave this one in storage or on the boat floor and be considered a legal vest.

You can't leave any in storage. The law reads "readily accessible" for all types of PFD's required. That includes your throwable which is also required for boats 16ft and longer.

That is up to the agent checking you if he determines whether it's accessible enough. Keep that in mind.

Another thing to watch out for is your lights. The time you should have your running lights on your boat is "not" once you see the sun set. It is on prior to what the observed sunset time is for that day.

[Reel Tune]

Jim,

Thanks for all the information, I'm thinking about some work lights for seeing around the cockpit, and looking into LEDS. I'm also looking into Black Lights for outside the boat illumination, but need to be careful with current draw that's why I think LEDS will be the better option for me.

No life jacket works if your not wearing it.

Also if you are anchored be aware if you are displaying any red or green lights, and when anchored you must have a white light displayed to show that on coming boaters must go around you.

[Travis C.]

You can't leave any in storage. The law reads "readily accessible" for all types of PFD's required. That includes your throwable which is also required for boats 16ft and longer.

That is up to the agent checking you if he determines whether it's accessible enough. Keep that in mind.

Another thing to watch out for is your lights. The time you should have your running lights on your boat is "not" once you see the sun set. It is on prior to what the observed sunset time is for that day.

Hope I did not come off as sounding bossy agelessone as it was not mean that way. Just trying to give you and everyone a heads up on a couple things that get people ticketed every year.

The TWRA has said they intend on having a bigger presence on the water this year. So plan on seeing the guys in green more.

Just an FYI guys.

Sorry, for the brief change in topic Jim.

[wvbass]

Appreciate light infot. Unfortunately, found ur site after I ordered from bluewater...$$$$ nice people though. QUESTION to JIM.... In reference to superbrghtled.com you suggested flexible light 'bar', have u seen or tried the flexible light 'strips' shown on the same website? We fish tourneys up 'dark hollers' in waters that r heavily fished. Bass r very wary, thought the 'strips' looked smaller, ie. less light, and maybe more bites???

[wvbass]

In your picture, (in reference to the purple uv lights only) is that the flex bars from superbrightled.com?

[Jim]

wvbass,

The light output from the bar and strip are similar. The strip lights are a little stronger, but there are fewer of them per foot. You can check the specs on them for more information. The big difference is the angle of the light output. The bars are 80 or 100 degrees while the strips are 140 degrees (much wider angle), therefore, you will get less light further away from the boat with the strip lights, but more light up close.

Neither is really better, just what you want it for. If you want to light the bank or your fishing line out at the end of a cast the narrow beam lights will work better. If you want a good glow of UV light around the boat with no dead spots the wide angle lights work better.

The lights in the picture are the UV light bar lights from superbrightleds.com

As for the lights frightening fish and getting less bites, get a bunch of switches and independently wire the lights. You can turn on or off which ever light strip you want so that you can have very little light or max light in different situations.

For me, the advantages of being able to see well outweigh the disadvantages. On Old Hickory Lake in TN we can have a lot of boat traffic at night and there are bars on the water that people boat home from after drinking. I like to make sure everyone can see me. If I was way up lake in a secluded area, I would probably shut down a bunch of the lights and enjoy the night.

Do you like your bluewater leds?

Jim

[wvbass]

Thanks so much 4 reviewing the angle & illumination info.... will b getting lights today or 2morrow.. I willnlet u know... had alrdy intended to use a dimmer switch. I think the bluewater light comes w it... everything on the boat is self installed/repaired/maintenanced including motor....self-taught... bass trckr alum w 90hp merc x 12yrs w 10,000+ hrs on motor, finally gave out..avalanche now... install of lights little tricky.. but have it figured now..........one last mention...when I replaced livewell on tracker, found can bug spray, coke bottle, & few other debris in boat cavity....boat was new when bought...guess it was the 'factory trash can'...I would've nvr known if hadn't replaced livewell!!

[MPD816]

Here are a few pics of my boat with LED's.

[Jim]

Here are a few pics of my boat with LED's.

Nice!

Do you notice if the light scares a lot of fish? Or do you feel that you catch more with the lights?

I like the extra lights, but want to see what other think.

Jim

[robhal11]

Fished on friend's boat last night and he has the strips(blacklight type). They were, I think, angled up some and it was tough to see line at end of cast and also was a little blinding(make sure pointed down). I really liked his red lights inside the boat(did not step any rods or fall around in the boat at all). I too am looking into these, the LED's seem to be great, less battery usage and heat, didn't seem to attract many bugs either.

[MPD816]

Jim,
I am running roughly 192 led's down each side of the boat. I have installed mine directly into the rub rail on my g3 so mine pretty much shoots directly outward to about 30 to 40 ft from boat. I can walk around the whole boat and still see the line. I am using senshi line so it really looks like a laser to the water. I personally have not had problems with the lights scaring fish but others will disagree. I believe it's all preference and other factors. I get alot of comments on the water about how well I can be seen coming down the lake. That is really important to me as I like to night fish alot. The uv lights have cut down on the bugs tremendously. They stay below the gunnel and don't bother you as much. If you would like to see before you try it, I can be at JPP in about 20 mins.

[MPD816]

Jim,

Can you cut your lights down in size? I mean, the ones I bought were the strips so I could put them in the rub rail a little easier and you can cut them into 3" strips if needed. Found out the hard way when installing them. I made the mistake of taking the rub rail off and installing them then when I went to put back on I had to stretch the rail and they snapped. I had to solder them back together. Do the ones you have do the same thing? I really like the blue you have on the boat. I may have to get some to light the bank up a little better.

[Alphahawk]

Jim,
I am running roughly 192 led's down each side of the boat. I have installed mine directly into the rub rail on my g3 so mine pretty much shoots directly outward to about 30 to 40 ft from boat. I can walk around the whole boat and still see the line. I am using senshi line so it really looks like a laser to the water. I personally have not had problems with the lights scaring fish but others will disagree. I believe it's all preference and other factors. I get alot of comments on the water about how well I can be seen coming down the lake. That is really important to me as I like to night fish alot. The uv lights have cut down on the bugs tremendously. They stay below the gunnel and don't bother you as much. If you would like to see before you try it, I can be at JPP in about 20 mins.

IMHO and experience the only lights you have on there that might scare some fish are the white ones...and I am not even sure they will. But a lot of people believe that white light scares fish. Nice setup!


Regards

[wvbass]

REALLY, really appreciate the addtn'l posts....nothing beats experience...got the low impact leds from bluewater... two 40" strips, wire, rocker switch, wire connectors for 90$...love the way they're made, ext durable construction, great compny & svc.... unfortunately, just did not seem to light blue fluorescent line quite enough for what I needed... don't get me wrong they were bright for low impact lights (less light output then high impact)... centerd them on each side of boat (althgh bluewtr recmmnds both low imp plced on same side)....tried above rubrail w slight dwnward angle, below rubrail with 1.5" siding undrnth 2 reduce downward glare into water, etc... but b/c bluwtr had such excllnt svc & product, I'm holding on to these lights, & ordering bar lights from superbright....I'll c what then.... if I'd just stuck w standard light output & use dimmer switch!!! May also use Jim's idea of cutting flex bar & wiring 2 different switches... BUT, didn't know bout senshi line...peaks my interest...... All things considered, I've caught winning bags & lunker using strong black lights... but, if noise, movement & the cast of light r kept to minimum, it may (or not) make difference b/w 2-3oz winning bag??

[wvbass]

Thank u for taking for posting pictures!!

[wvbass]

Also, to MPD816...thanks 4 sharing the 'snapped rubrail' experience....LOL...as I said, experience is most valuable above all else... Also to mention, long ago i mounted 2 round 120w lights at front of boat while on the move to next spot... see so well & avoided lots of logs&debris...they're turned-off when arrive at fishing spot... do have avalanche now... & led blk light mounting will b tricky... but n tourneys or otherwise, u cant beat the flip of a switch vs. fumbling in box, and extra time & noise

[wvbass]

[QUOTE=MPD816;23271]Jim,
I am running roughly 192 led's down each side of the boat. I have installed mine directly into the rub rail on my g3 so mine pretty much shoots directly outward to about 30 to 40 ft from boat. I can walk around the whole boat and still see the line. I am using senshi line so it really looks like a laser to the water /QUOTE]....


Senshi line, would u mind to go over that a bit... i'm unfamiliar with it & where did u get ur leds? And in ref to question on Jim's lights (superbrightled.com), in an older post, he said the bar lights can b cut into segments w as few as 3lights...also mentioned on website....Not only being able to cut them, but the 'angle' of light on the bar lights is what I like as well...80-100 degree ....narrower for illuminating farther & less downward

[thehick176]

I am looking into getting these rubrail blacklights installed over the winter on my Triton. Is there anyone around Nashville or close by that installs them?
There is a guy that runs around Shutes Branch with the rubrail lights and it looks real good!

[MPD816]

Senshi is a new monofilament from Seaguar. Really nice line and casts great. You can buy it at academy sports if you have one near you.

Hick176,

You might want to check out nightfishion.com for your triton. It's where I got the idea, but I couldn't afford the big bucks they want for them. Clark marine in Franklin will install them for you but their proud of them. I went with the superbrightled's flexible strips. My brother actually bought them for me. (gotta love a brother that loves to fish!) When he ordered them, they were out of the 39" sections so they sent me the long sections instead for the same price. Customer service is like no other. If you would like to check them out, give me a holler.

[robhal11]

I have a friend of mine that got his lights and had them installed. The guy is in Goodlettsville his name is Terry Hobbs and makes baits also. If anyone is interested he has a facebook page and I can give you his number. Did a good job on my buddies boat.

[wvbass]

Changed mind bout bluewater lights... used them 2 nights (taped on in case didn't like), and they worked just fine. The light output was sufficient even w/ less bright version....but I dim-down running light....so between dim light, land structure and little to no boat trafft, i fish in very dark conditions for night fishing...no matter how far the line is cast (TR & CR or dropsht mostly at night) that line will always meet the water 15-20ft from boat...so one 40" light on each side centered below rubrail worked for my needs (bluewater light came w adhesive backing...made only 1 small hole either side for wire feed)

Will check out senshi line to better define line movement...thanks

[rbmurray210]

PM Sent i do installations

[thehick176]

PM sent RB. I'm interested in just the blacklights. Are they pretty durable? and how does cold weather effect them as far as shrinking and expanding? I fish year round and dont want them to crack or anything during the coldest of months

[rbmurray210]

they are truely worth the money...cold weather i have not tried yet i just installed them this year... but i have had a similar version of the light on my motorhome awning for 3 years and have had no problems with them in the cold weather....

and with the lifetime warranty you get from bluewater there shouldnt be no worry about getting something replaced if you have problems. they are a great company to do business with.

[Jim]

I have had no problems with LED lights in the cold, hot, rain or what ever. They are on my boat 24/7/365 and always work when I turn them on. They are way better than the old style lights and seem to get cheaper every day.

They were sweet this past winter when striper fishing at the steam plant in the cold of winter. I did not feel unsafe staying after dark to fish.

If I had to do it again, I would probably put the long UV strips like MPD816 did and then use the narrow beam shorter bars for blue lights to light the shore up. I also like the idea of using dimmers. I never thought of that.

I think most everyone will have LED's on their boats in the next few years as they are that much better than any lights I have used in the past.

Jim

Plus they look cool :)

[Alphahawk]

There is nothing about LED's to give you problems in cold weather. It amazes me how far they have come since my first encounter with them in the military in 1973. All of us who worked with them in the missile systems would have called someone a liar had anyone told us just how much light they would eventually be able to put out....LOL. The thing is each year they make them brighter and brighter by leaps and bounds over the previous years.

Regards

[MPD816]

Does anyone know if any company has put out a set of LED bow lights that are coast guard approved yet? I have heard that the green are usually too bright. Can anyone clarify this? I have heard conflicting stories and would like some for the boat if possible. Thanks.

[Jim]

MPD816,

I saw this thread on BBC recently. I don't know anything about the company or if their claims are true.


http://www.bbcboards.net/boat-trailer-bling/165474-new-approved-rubrail-navigation-lights.html

More companies should be doing this soon.

Jim

[MPD816]

Much Thanks Jim. I believe those are the same ones that nightfishion is offering also. Aweful pricey though.

[rbmurray210]

Hey MPD

here is mine...


i do not believe you will have a problem with water patrol using led running lights.... after all you can go buy a "C" cell flaslight from wally world and get by....

they save so much battery juice.... keep in mind the green does attract bugs alot.

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i467/rbmurray210/photo4.jpg

[MPD816]

Very nice Rbmurray. I like how you put yours in the rub rail also. How long of strips did you use if I might ask?

[rbmurray210]

they are 12LED strips about 9" long.