DNR yelled at me this weekend.........

like I said earlier, while I'm fishing near the shore, about one good cast or less. I only use the black lights, and have never had a problem fishing this way. but the more I read about boaters saying, they almost ran over a guy fishing with only blacklights. makes me think that, I need to rethink the way I fish. if boats are running up on plane, close enough to shore to hit a guy fishing. I'm starting to think, I may just put 2 big tall bright white lights on the back of my boat. one on each side. and with the 2 lights, move on in to about 1/2 a cast or less from shore. so as to be a little safer

You can be as sarcastic as you want, still does not make you right. You are breaking the law. Period.

[QUOTE=the_donger;424106]You can be as sarcastic as you want, still does not make you right. You are breaking the law. Period.[/QUOTE]

I agree, you are 100% right. it's against the law, but look at it with some common sense. a guy running up on plane 75 feet from shore, is a greater danger to everyone, than the guy fishing with only a black light. besides if I'm going up the lake 2 miles, to fish another spot. it's much closer and safer to travel out in the lake, than to follow the shore line.

speeders at night are the most dangerous. but u should make sure you are plenty visible...

It is coast guard law not just KY law. Be careful what you put on it because some lights put out alot of heat and it will melt to it. I usually keeps some tape and tape off the side closest to the back of the boat with a couple inches of the tape and you are still visible anywhere on the lake. This is just enough to keep it out of your eyes and will not make you stand out to get pulled over. I actually had a game warden that was fine with this as long as the whole light was not covered.

Sometimes the only safe place to run on plane is within 30 ft of shore... like whne the creek channel is teh only thing deeper than 10 ft and you dont wanna lose yoru lower unit...

I grew up night fishin with the lights off... if i heard a boat running, i would turn it on for his safety and mine... but lately have gone to fishing with it on and my hat hanging so that it could be seen from the rear and side, but didnt shine in my face...

I think Indiana law says 10 mph after sunset.Unless Ky. is different what are these guys doing running on plane?

[QUOTE=waterdog101;424107]I agree, you are 100% right. it's against the law, but look at it with some common sense. a guy running up on plane 75 feet from shore, is a greater danger to everyone, than the guy fishing with only a black light. besides if I'm going up the lake 2 miles, to fish another spot. it's much closer and safer to travel out in the lake, than to follow the shore line.[/QUOTE]

I have to think a guy running up on plane 75 feet from shore at night is probably lost anyways and has no idea that he is that close to shore in the first place. Who in their right mind that positively knows they are that close to shore are going to run on plane. There is no GPS in the WORLD that is that accurate and anyone that thinks there is one accurate to a few feet is sadly mistaken and itching for a close encounter with the worst kind.

There is a solution. I made a light with a 7 ft pole. I won't shine in your eyes. ro [QUOTE=GeoFisher;424027]Hey......What do you guys do at night to lower the light output of the back light.

We tried to fish with it to our backs, but there were a few times when we simply put a hat over it.

Well around 1:00am Saturday the DNR was up in Sulfer Creek and he was not too happy about the hat deal. I really didn't mouth off or anything, but it was PLENTY bright with the hat covering it.

Also, I could clearly see 3-4 boats with only blacklights, and he didn't bother a single one of these boats.

I know I was CLEARLY wrong and appreciated not getting a ticket but what the hell is with the double standard.

Thanks,

Geo[/QUOTE]

I have a 6ft light at the back of my boat. I use a old sock over it and it can still be seen but it knocks out the glare to anyone in the boat.

when I first got my boat I bought a boat emergincy it had a small first aide kit in it and there several other items I am not going to listen, but there was a bag in it with emergency lights in case your if your wired lights failed. there were three glow sticks one green one red and one just white, as it turns out these sticks meet all of the visibility, and they last at least 12 hours. so if your regular lights are driving you nuts get the white glow stick and attach it to the mast of your boat and the light will give off a weaker glow but still meet the laws

[QUOTE=GeoFisher;424027]Hey......What do you guys do at night to lower the light output of the back light.

We tried to fish with it to our backs, but there were a few times when we simply put a hat over it.

Well around 1:00am Saturday the DNR was up in Sulfer Creek and he was not too happy about the hat deal. I really didn't mouth off or anything, but it was PLENTY bright with the hat covering it.

Also, I could clearly see 3-4 boats with only blacklights, and he didn't bother a single one of these boats.

I know I was CLEARLY wrong and appreciated not getting a ticket but what the hell is with the double standard.

Thanks,

Geo[/QUOTE]

Change out the bulb. Most use a 921 bulb, if yours does, change it out with a 194 bulb. The bulb is smaller so it doesn't sit as tall to shine through the globe and this bulb is not as bright. But, it can be seen very well at night and no over brightness or glare. Been using this bulb for years.

Justin Hires
National Divisional Coordinator
USA Bassin