Saltwater Fishing with Underwater Lights

Aside from the need to see what you’re doing and where you’re going on open waters when saltwater fishing at night, fishing lights were designed and developed to do three things

• attract plankton and baitfish
• illuminate your immediate surroundings and the water below you
• produce good fishing results

Today’s advancements lighting industry technologies has resulted in the evolvement of lights that attract plankton, baitfish, and game fish.  Furthermore, they are available for boaters in two versions, namely the in-hull and portable varieties.

How Boat-mounted Fishing Lights work

In reference to the above three factors, night saltwater fishing lights attract the members of the food chain by illuminating the water below your vessel.  Additionally, they are capable of lighting a larger area up to and including around the entire boat.  This creates a focal point or a shadow line for the angler where the light fades into darkness.  This becomes the prime ambush point for the larger predator fish.  Not only does it help the angler to see where he or she places their bait, they can react quickly when spotting a fish.

In a sense, fishing lights are a source of entertainment because they attract everything from tiny creatures (plankton) to large game fish.  While you’re impatiently waiting for the water to explode as a larger game fish comes into feed, you can keep busy dipping your net or jigging for baitfish and squid.  Although fishing lights will help you increase your catch numbers and put more fish in your boat, it helps to have good angling skills as well as a knowledge of what’s in the water.

In-Hull and Portable Fishing Lights

No matter what type of fish you’re after or where you are fishing for them, you should consider purchasing in-hull and portable lights for your trip.  The portable light is going to serve you well when it comes to seeing in the water and jigging for live bait.  The illuminated area on and below the surface of the water will make it much easier for you to not only jig for baitfish and squid, but to see and react to incoming game fish.  Also, it makes baiting your hook and tying your line easier as well.

Thanks to LED technology, the in-hull fishing lights that are available on the market today are ultra-durable, low amperage products that can stand up to the abuse and pounding of rough waters.  Furthermore, LED lights cannot be damaged when left on the boat and do not emit excessive heat unlike halogen and xenon/HID lighting.  Plus, you have a choice of in-hull or surface-mounted lights.  Because the in-hull version requires drilling a large hole for the light below the waterline, the surface mounted variety has become increasingly more popular.