Lights for kayak night fishing

[Andy Taylor]

What kind of lights do you use for fishing at night in your kayak? Is it store bought or DIY? How do you mount it?

 

Thanks.

[Angry John]

I use a head lamp 3aaa powered.  Works great.

[Andy Taylor]

Don't you use a 360 degree light? Isn't that required?

[flyfisher]

I use a headlamp as well but prefer to allow my eyes to adjust to the ambient light.  Yo would be surprised at how much you can see if you let your eyes adjust.  

 

VA boating law states:

Unpowered Vessels

A vessel under oars and sailboats less than 7 meters (23 feet) in length may display those lights prescribed for a sailing vessel, but it they do not, they shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern (Figure 8) shining a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

[Andy Taylor]

Thanks

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

I hope this doesn't contain TMI, but this is a solution I found for rigging a USCG-approved light for my kayak.  

 

First, let me say that as far as I could learn, Massachusetts defers to federal laws regarding lighting on boats. Your state may have different regulations so check them out.

 

At the time I was looking I found only one USCG-approved light and it was the NAVISAFE Navilight 360 2NM light. (Had to order online. YouTube has vids on this light, by the way.) There may be other comparable products now. This light does have several features including a distress mode.

 

The first pic shows how I mount the Navilight to the end cap of a piece of one-inch PVC by drilling a 3/16" hole in the end cap and I using a stainless steel screw through the Navilight base plate to mount it to the end cap. Then I place the end cap on the appropriate length of one-inch PVC to provide the height I need. Note that I did not glue the end cap to the pipe so I could reuse it if I wanted to change the height. With the end cap and mounting plate installed, the Navilight is simply placed on top of the mounting plate and four powerful magnets secure the Navilight to the base plate.

 

The second pic shows the PVC pipe, end cap, and base plate in place on my kayak.  I imagine you can use a rod holder, scupper hole, or some other method of securing the PVC pipe to your craft.

 

One final note:

 

I found a great little PDF file at: uscgboating.org/images/420.pdf that provides a wealth of information on all aspects of boating safety including lighting.

 

Hope this helps!

Art

 

 

[WIGuide]

I don't know what your state laws are, but Attwood XFS Portable LED Navigation lights should cover them whatever they are. You can clamp them on, or use the kayak adhesive mounting pads. Peel and stick and you're good to go.

[Choporoz]

YakAttack visipole.   I'm well aware that there are cheaper options.  But, I'll tell you, this is worth every penny.  The flag alone would be worth it here.  Mounts/unmounts quickly; folds and stows in mesh bag; the light works...every time...year three without ever changing batteries or having it go out on me. 

 

 

[MassYak85]

If I go I bring a headlamp but I also DIYed up a pole over the winter that I can stick in a rod holder, I think it came out pretty well. I got the idea and materials from some article I found. Overall maybe like 15 bucks to make, most of that being the waterproof diving light. It's pretty bright. Here it is more or less (not mine, someone else made this one but similar idea).

 

 

 

 

 

[Andy Taylor]

Thanks guys. Here in Wisconsin I need a 360 degree white light, visible for 2 miles.

[InFishingWeTrust]

On 7/9/2017 at 4:19 PM, Andy Taylor said:

What kind of lights do you use for fishing at night in your kayak? Is it store bought or DIY? How do you mount it?

 

Thanks.

I have light bars on my yak. Work Pretty good

[IgotWood]

There is no night fishing where I live, but back home in Connecticut I almost exclusively fished at night. I use a headlamp with a red filter. I don't want any of my light hitting the water. The red light is dim, just bright enough for me to tie a knot or pull hooks out of a fish, and it hardly penetrates the water. My light is only on when I am doing something; tying a knot, etc. Or to signal to another boat or fisherman where I am.