Catfish Running Lights

I’m looking for the best way to go for a running spotlight on my boat.

I’m thinking of a fixed but remote controlled light.

Maybe I should be asking in a pleasure craft forum? LOL!

When running mine is fixed into my right hand and remotely controlled by my wrist. Works really well – no real remote system can be nearly as responsive.

I can see that for a tiller Matt. With a wheel boat, I need one extra hand.

BK look at golight(www.golight.com/).I have one of their models on my work truck and they are unbelievable it like it is daylight, only problem if the truck is not running it will drain battery in 45 to 60 min.

I replaced my pole bow light with permanently mounted navigation lights, and mounted a tractor flood light to the top of the pole light. Had to drill a couple holes in the metal housing of the pole light and wired it so I just plug it in like a removable navigation light. I’ve rigged up two more to mount on the bow that will give me a little more distance with the lights I bought. Haven’t wired the base units yet though.
This is a very jimmy rigged way to do it. It is not without it’s flaws but has served me well when I actually can get out catfishing once or twice a year The advantage of using the navigation pole is the light gets above my stowed trolling motor.

Joel

How does that work when your boat goes up on plane? Does it settle back into a viewable position?

Removable is good.

That’s one of the drawbacks, but a minor one. You have to find the best position through a little bit of trial and error. I don’t think I have adjusted mine since I set it.

Thanks Joel.

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I can see that for a tiller Matt. With a wheel boat, I need one extra hand.

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Solution: Always have a second guy in the boat to hold the spotlight I may volunteer my services from time to time..

Either this one Shorter Link<< or the stantion mounted one.

I’ve got a pair of amber spot lights for fog that are permantly mounted on the deck of my Jon boat. Thier adjustable so if they get moved I can redirect them. I also have a million power hand held spot light that I can use anytime I want. Both lights, the hand held and the bow mounted lights, are on thier own switches and work independently. The only drawback of the amber lights is when your in snags you have to be careful not to knock them out of place by the limbs of trees. Any light set up depends on how much you use them, the more candle power the better. I’ve got 2 900 amp batteries in my boat connected via jumper cables with battery ends on them and I can use the lights plus the bilge etc. for about a week then I put the charger on them. Another word of advice I’ve found is a handheld light is better then a permantly mounted light when it comes to dense bug hatches, moveable is better. Maybe mount the handheld light on a pole so you remove it when its needed, next to the steering.

Doug, you’re on call! LOL

451, Do you know anyone that’s had one for any amount of time?

That’s a good chunk of change, but doable if it lasts longer then 5 years.

What about a ‘cop light’ like this:

cop light

360 degree movement around, and 120 degree movement up and down.

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I can see that for a tiller Matt. With a wheel boat, I need one extra hand.

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Um… so which hand is using the remote?

I’m looking for the best way to go for a running spotlight

First off, make sure it has legs…..

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Um… so which hand is using the remote?

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Once it’s adjusted for the load of the trip, it doesn’t need to be adjusted until the next outing when the boat may have more or less gear, gas ect.

It’s tough holding a light, steering and keeping a ready hand on the throttle at the same time!

They’re in use by the branch services and many local law enforcement and civilian security patrol companies.

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Doug, you’re on call! LOL

451, Do you know anyone that’s had one for any amount of time?

That’s a good chunk of change, but doable if it lasts longer then 5 years.

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Um… so which hand is using the remote?

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Once it’s adjusted for the load of the trip, it doesn’t need to be adjusted until the next outing when the boat may have more or less gear, gas ect.

It’s tough holding a light, steering and keeping a ready hand on the throttle at the same time!

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Okay – you’re talking about headlights, not a spotlight.

I prefer to run with no lights at all.

We know…so you can stay one step away from the warden.

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We know…so you can stay one step away from the warden.

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Go for the full spectrum LED’s.That way you can get good background pictures of the hot spots and the spot stealer will have an easier time catching fish.

Why doesn’t anyone get mad when I post pictures of me and the background?

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Why doesn’t anyone get mad when I post pictures of me and the background?

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Its because your so Gol darn handsome and rarely catch fish that we just never notice the background!

BK,

I love these that are on my boat now…..but they sure irritate the shore guys when I come down river….

9 inch 35 watt ProComp HID’s

I’ve heard the shore guys talking to each other when your coming down stream…the say Don’t go towards the light!

I’ve seen setups like that on the Minnesota at night. You can see those lights coming from two river bends away!

They’re probably a bit of an overkill for P2, P3, etc. But on the Minnesota, there’s a lot more lumber, rock, etc. that I don’t want sneakin up on me at 45 mph at 2 AM.

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They’re probably a bit of an overkill for P2, P3, etc. But on the Minnesota, there’s a lot more lumber, rock, etc. that I don’t want sneakin up on me at 45 mph at 2 AM.

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Maybe it is your boat we see out there? We usually launch out of Judson or 7 Mile Creek and have seen a boat pretty similar to yours cruise by the campsite late at night. Details are usually a bit fuzzy by then though

I don’t get down to Judson very often. Typically I am around shakopee, jordan, savage, belle plaine.

I bet I know who it is though. He runs an outboard jet though not an inboard.