Bow mounted light for night cruising

Does anyone run a bow mounted light? I do allot of night fishing in the summer time and usually cruise back to the dock anywhere from 3 to 6 miles in pitch black dark. The lake I fish it is common to see someone turn on their white light just as you are approaching or going past them. (I think people think they are the only ones on the lake or they don’t like the fish flys crawling all over them.) I know people are supposed to have both front and rear lights on unless anchored, then only the white. I see too often all turned off even if they are trolling.

Do bow mounted lights work for this? Are they powerful enough to see ahead when underway? It would be nice for docking as well, I usually use a powerful hand spot when coming in to the dock/ lift but would be nice to free up a hand.

Just seeing what you guys have to say, let me know.

Golight Gobee stanchion light, very good, would not be without it for traveling across water in the dark

Gobee

Have this mounted on my Jon boat. LED combo Spot/Flood. Waterproof, shock resistant. Mounted on a RAM holder so very adjustable, easy to remove and store. Wired it into the cig lighter plug I have up front.

Lights

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KB56QG7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cord

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CQP6BFV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-J.

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It’s illegal to use those lights while underway in Minnesota. Only navigation lights are legal while moving.

I know the lake are cabin is on the DNR or sheriff will pay you a visit if you are using your “docking lights” when you are not docking.
I run a 20″ light bar on my Jon boat. It works but the led light wash out if they don’t have anything to reflect off. Smaller water or near shore they work great.

Hey Jon, nice jon boat, looks like one I used to own

the red and green still show, but probably washed out a bit, I constantly swing mine, I’ll take a ticket vs being hit or hitting someone else

shefland wrote:

Hey Jon, nice jon boat, looks like one I used to own

Been a great boat, shefland ! Lots of recent updates. 25HP Merc, New Seats, Splash Guards, Custom cover and more. She’s a Keeper!

-J.

luckydave wrote:

It’s illegal to use those lights while underway in Minnesota. Only navigation lights are legal while moving.

Same in Wisconsin, lights in front only work if you have something to reflect back such as trees or close shore. If its just water it won’t help you with travel. Also very dangerous for other boats trying to identify your direction of travel

No other lights including docking lights may be used which could be mistaken for or interfere with the required lighting.

They are for docking not cruising around.When your blinded by someones docking lights it can be pretty tough to see their Nav lights,hence you dont know where they are navigating especially when close.

For me I feel safer (and safer for other potential boats) if I am using a handheld spotlight when needed. I quickly bounce off of shore, channel markers, etc without blinding anyone. The bright blinding lightbars present a risk factor to oncoming traffic. The handheld spotlight seems like a safe compromise that can be used as little or as much as needed while being aimed accordingly. I don’t fish alone at night as much as I used to, but I’d simply switch mine on and lay it facing forward on the deck if I needed both hands at the landing.

Powerful headlamp?

I have ran a spot since 2009.
If you want to run water with the spot on, mount the spot below the bow line.

You can see in this photo, my spot is on the bow, and is below the bow line.
A spot light above the bow line will reduce your night vision. Below, it just lights up the world.

NEVER shine your light at other boats!!!

Mine has a switch on the console to turn on/off.
Keeping it lower, like i show, also helps illuminate things on the waters surface. It also blinds others much less. I slow down and turn off when others approach.

It is illegal in MN. However, if i didn’t run mine, i’d of been found floating MANY years ago. It saves me skirt often. I also run water with a lot of floating debris. I do my best to NOT need to use it, especially during “Busy” times of the year; i just stay out later, or leave before dark.

Mine is mounted on a LONG ram mount. My light can rotate up/down with the bracket or of course left/right with the ram.

Back when i bought this, LED’s were quite expensive, now you can get them quite inexpensive with lots of variety.

Headlight also reduces your night vision, but that is an option…Though i fail to see the legal difference between a bright light on your head and a light mounted to the boat. I’ve yet to be harassed by the sheriff, but again, i do my best to never give them the opportunity.

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GPS, and spot lights for channels is all you need.

It amazes me how many pontoons have those damn blue led lighting on driving across at night.

Thanks for all of the feedback!

The lake I am referring to it is really common for pontoons to have on the funny colored lights all around as well as cruising across the lake with the front headlights on, looks like a car coming across the lake miles away. Figured if they do it all the time, maybe there is an option for a boat to do the same and not hit the random guy just hanging out in the center of the lake with no lights on.

I like the set ups you guys are using. And appreciate the legal feedback.

luckydave wrote:

It’s illegal to use those lights while underway in Minnesota. Only navigation lights are legal while moving.

I know a couple guys driving barges that need to be handed a lot of tickets!