As LED Lighting technology as has improved over the years, the popularity of underwater lights for boats has exploded. Previous halogen versions of underwater lights drew a lot of power, generated a lot of heat, and didn’t last very long before burning out. Of course, nobody wants to haul their boat just to change a bulb on an underwater light, so naturally underwater lights didn’t reach widespread popularity on boats until longer-lasting and more durable LED came along.
Today you’ll find the majority of powerboat manufacturers offering them as standard or optional equipment on most of their boats. Let’s take a look at the four benefits of having underwater boat lights for fishing below.
Key Takeaways
- Underwater LED lights attract fish by creating a food chain effect, drawing in plankton, baitfish, and ultimately game fish to your vessel.
- Green and white underwater lights penetrate water most effectively, making them the top color choices for night fishing success.
- Strategic deck lighting with adjustable brightness and proper positioning prevents eye strain while maintaining your night vision.
- Creating distinct lighting zones on your boat balances the competing needs of fish attraction and visibility for safer, more productive night fishing.
Benefits of Underwater Boat Lights For Fishing
1. Brighter Vessel
Having underwater LED lights on your boat not only makes it brighter, but it can help when fishing at night. It helps fishermen spot fish in complete darkness and in murky waters. Aside from fishing, it can also help fishermen navigate through cloudy or muddy waters to avoid damage to their hull.
2. Sustainability
LED lights have a longer life expectancy than traditional marine lights. This makes LED underwater boat lights more efficient and is considered a more cost-effective solution for fishing long hours at night.
3. Versatility
Underwater boat lighting systems can be installed in almost every vessel and include a wide range of preset colors all in one system. Features can include color cycling, color sweeping, and different lighting scenes.
4. Controllability
Another benefit of installing underwater LED boat lights is that most lights can be easily controlled via remote control or a mobile app. They can be connected through wi-fi and can change colors depending on your fishing needs.
Why Do Underwater Boat Lights Work for Fishing?
While underwater lights are typically used for aesthetic reasons to add a little extra flair to your boat at night, many fishing boats have found them to be functional as well. Just like bugs are attracted to the lights on your front porch at night, small sea creatures like zooplankton, squid, and shrimp are also attracted to sources of light. Those smaller animals attract the bait fish that eat them, and the bait fish, in turn, attract bigger game fish.
Given that many game fish do their hunting at night, adding some underwater lights to your boat to attract the bait fish can make your nighttime fishing expeditions a lot more lucrative, save you the trouble of trying to find the fish, and instead bring them directly to you.
How Many Underwater Lights Should My Boat Have for Fishing?
There’s no specific number of lights that net the best results for fishing, but in general, having multiple lights that are spaced out by a few feet each is better than having just one. A greater dispersion of light covering a larger area makes it more likely that the small creatures will see the light, be attracted to it, and bring the predatory fish along with them.
What Color Underwater Boat Lights are Best for Fishing?
1. Green (best overall)
2. White
3. Blue (works well in saltwater)
4. Red
The general consensus within the fishing community is that white and green lights are best for attracting fish, followed by blue. The wavelengths of green and white lights allow the light to spread through water further and deeper, attracting more fish. Colors like red, orange or pink will lose their brightness much quicker than white, green, or blue as the light waves get further from the source. Full spectrum color-changing underwater lights are a great solution to allow fishermen to change up the color of the light in real time to make sure they have the light color that is working best for any given fishing spot.
Choosing the Right Deck Lights for Night Fishing
While underwater lights attract fish, proper deck lighting is equally important for a successful and safe night fishing expedition. Quality deck lighting allows you to prepare bait, tie knots, and handle your catch without straining your eyes or compromising safety.
Key Features to Look for in Fishing Deck Lights
When selecting deck lights for your fishing vessel, consider these important features:
- Adjustable Brightness: Lights with dimming capabilities allow you to customize illumination based on your specific task. Lower settings are ideal when waiting for bites to preserve your night vision, while brighter settings help when rigging lines or handling fish.
- Proper Light Direction: Look for lights that can be positioned to illuminate your work area without shining directly in your eyes or reflecting off the water's surface. Adjustable mounts give you the flexibility to direct light exactly where you need it.
- Weather Resistance: Marine environments are harsh on equipment. Choose deck lights with proper IP ratings (IP65 or higher) to ensure they can withstand water spray, salt air, and the occasional splash.
- Energy Efficiency: LED lights draw significantly less power than traditional options, allowing you to fish longer without draining your batteries. This is especially important during extended night fishing trips.
Understanding Light Color Temperature for Fishing
The color temperature of your boat's lighting affects both your visibility and your fishing success. Measured in Kelvins (K), different color temperatures serve different purposes on your fishing vessel:
Cool White Light (5000K-6500K)
These lights offer excellent visibility for detailed tasks and navigation. They are perfect for areas where clear visibility is essential, such as bait preparation stations or navigation controls.
Neutral to Warm White Light (3000K-4500K)
These softer lights reduce eye strain during extended fishing trips and create less glare on water surfaces. They're excellent for general deck illumination and areas where you'll be spending extended time.
Red Light
Red lighting preserves your night vision better than any other color. Consider installing red lights in areas where you need some illumination without affecting your ability to see in the darkness.
Many modern marine lighting systems allow you to switch between different color temperatures, giving you the versatility to adapt to different fishing conditions or times of night.
Are Underwater Boat Lights Good for Trolling?
Typically speaking, underwater lights are best for fishing when the boat is stationary or just drifting. Small marine organisms and bait fish are not very intelligent, have poor eyesight, and have very short attention spans, so they’re not likely to be able to track a moving light. Instead, they’ll lose interest before being able to follow the light to your boat.
Are Surface-Mounted or Thru-Hull Underwater Lights Better for Fishing?
To the fish, it makes no difference whether the light is surface-mounted or thru-hull, so this decision should be made based on what is best for the specific installation on your boat. Some lights are available for fishing that are not attached to your boat, but instead dangled over the side. In general, having the light attached to your hull is more effective because it disguises the hull from the fish below, looking to them just like a light source, but a light dangling over the side my illuminate the profile of the hull, scaring the fish off.
Balancing Visibility and Fish Attraction
Creating the optimal lighting setup for night fishing requires balancing two sometimes competing needs: your visibility needs and the goal of attracting fish. Here's how to achieve both:
Zone Your Lighting
Divide your boat into specific lighting zones. Use underwater lights for fish attraction, task-specific lighting for work areas, and ambient lighting for general visibility and safety.
Control Systems
Modern marine lighting systems often feature programmable controls that allow you to create preset lighting scenes. This lets you quickly switch between "fishing mode" (underwater lights on, deck lights dimmed) and "work mode" (deck lights bright, underwater lights off) with the touch of a button.
Light Shields and Directional Fixtures
Use fixtures that precisely direct light where it is needed to minimize light pollution and glare. This approach helps maintain your night vision while still providing necessary illumination.
Timing Considerations
Fish are most active during dawn and dusk periods. Having a lighting system that can adjust to these transition times can significantly improve your catch rate while maintaining visibility.
By thoughtfully planning your boat's lighting configuration, you can create an environment that's comfortable for you and attractive to fish, maximizing both safety and fishing success.
Maintaining Your Fishing Boat Lights
Quality marine lighting is an investment that requires proper maintenance to ensure optimal performance during your night fishing adventures:
Regular Cleaning
Salt spray, water spots, and general debris can significantly reduce light output. Clean both underwater and deck lights regularly with appropriate marine-grade cleaners.
Connection Inspection
Over time, electrical connections can be negatively affected by environmental factors such as vibration and moisture. It’s important to periodically inspect all wiring connections to ensure their integrity.
Lens Care
Scratched or cloudy lenses reduce light efficiency. Apply appropriate protective products to extend lens clarity, especially for underwater fixtures.
Mounting Hardware
Make sure all mounting hardware remains tight and corrosion-free. Replace any rusted screws or brackets with marine-grade alternatives.
Seasonal Check-ups
Before heavy fishing seasons, perform a complete lighting system check to identify any issues before they affect your fishing trips.
Proper maintenance not only extends the life of your lighting system but also ensures you'll have reliable illumination when you need it most during those productive night fishing expeditions.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever asked a fisherman for advice on the best ways to catch fish, you likely know that there is a lot of superstition and folklore surrounding the best practices for fishing, but there is no debating that underwater lights attract more fish than complete darkness. So if you’re often fishing at night, or want to try it out, it’s a good idea to have to some underwater lighting. If you have any questions about underwater lighting, feel free to reach out to our lighting experts here at Imtra, and be sure to check out the lights that Lumishore has to offer.