Fishing with Lights OFF!!

[FlyLie]

From another Board, but worth repeating..........

This comes up every year but, a man was killed Friday night on Wilson Lake, near the dam, while fishing with his lights off. He and his were fishing when they were struck by another bass boat. Very sad day.
Leave your lights on!

http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=12676476

[walkeraviator]

At a minimum.. make it a point to turn em on when you hear another boat...

[Shimano4Life]

Fished a tournament this past Saturday night and almost nailed a pontoon while we were on plane. We were coming around a point and had just flipped the spotlight off while looking for logs and trash in the turn. It could have been ugly. Not only were we out dodging floaters and trash, but idiots with their lights off.

If the light really bothers you that much, take some electrical tape and cover the small portion of the light that shines "at" you. Others boaters can still see the stern light -- just don't get carried away with it where boats coming at you can't see it. Hell, make your partner hang his hat on it......

[alycat]

If I might ask why were you on plane at night? I realize it was a tourney. But even if the other boat had it's lights off wouldn't it be safer to idle? I'm just sayin. I've fished alot of night tourneys and even with gps it can't see obstructions in the water and I do turn on my lights when I know another boat is coming in my direction and when I am changing areas. But I wouldn't feel comfortable on plane at night.

[sglass]

I get on plane at night but do not go that fast. My boat has trim tabs that allow me to get on plane at low speeds. If I am 5 miles down lake I am not going to idle back to the dock.

[coombro]

doesn't the law require you to have your lights on at nite moving or not?

[MsgMills]

yes it does..lights on at dusk until the sun comes up or you'll get a fine....

Actually saw a guy unload his boat at Taylorsville Boat Ramp and as he did...CO watching him..he fired up the big motor and backed off his trailor and idled over to the dock and tied off his boat..Co approached him and cited him for not having his lights on while it was dark conditions according to the law.....

[BRS]

doesn't the law require you to have your lights on at nite moving or not?

I have always heared that is the law for TN. I also was told that it is the law for KY to and I did not know that till just the other day.

[BRS]

I agree with just about everyone on the (lights on lights off). If I am up in a creek off the main lake I really do not see any harm in fishing with lights out other then Game Warden catching me. If on the main lake no question about it lights should be on. And then you better hope for the best if someone drunk is out there running up and down the lake. Lights or no lights, best have in the back of mind getting the boat started up or you might still get ran over. Since we are on the light thing I was told the other day that it is against the law to have a seal beam light on the front of boat. True or not? I use a spot light, I sure hope I am not going to get a ticket for that. Man needs something to try and see those canoes and jon boats out there after dark with no lights at all.

[coombro]

Seems to me I have seen boats on cumberland with what appeared to me as headlites built on the boat. Guess it may be agaisnst the law cause you don't see them that often. Wouldn't really put the lite where you need it Would it?

[Duayne]

Many boats have what are called docking lights. They are there to assist while docking. They are legal to have if used for the intended purpose. Many, including me, have used them at times at night to help watch for floaters. The key to using them safely is to make sure to turn them off as soon as you see a boat in front of you. I've passed water patrol once in the no wake zone where they could see I had them on but turned them off as soon as I saw the docks (not even knowing water patrol was waiting) in front of me and they didn't stopped me. On the other hand, I know of a case where someone didn't turn them off, and while water patrol didn't give them a ticket (as they certainly could have) they got stopped and got yelled at.

As for when to keep at least an anchor light on, I don't thing there is a magic distance from the shore that detirmines if its a navigation area or not. If I am anywhere in an area where boats can plane, at least the anchor light is on, and I usually leave them all on if I am moving at all. If its back in a cove I can see turning them off but I usually just leave them on regardless. If leaving the light on costs me some fish, and I seriousy wonder if it ever has, so be it. Its just not that big enough of a deal where its worth risking the safety of me or someone else. There is a reason people get tickets for not having them on.

[BRS]

I get on plane at night but do not go that fast. My boat has trim tabs that allow me to get on plane at low speeds. If I am 5 miles down lake I am not going to idle back to the dock.

Hey Man Brother. Could make for a long night.