LED fishing boat lights (long post)

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

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??

Thank u for taking for posting pictures!!

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

[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.

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.