Do fish see black light?

[FlyLie]

Still looking and trying to decide on a "blacklight" for night fishing!

For Reference, blacklight has a wavelength of 400 nm or less. By contrast, the quote..quote black light LED fishing lights, UV lights, emit a wavelength of 405 nm, while the quote..quote, blue lights emit a wavelength of 470 nm. So what is the answer?

Quoting:
How are fish adapted to the optical properties of water?
Water not only reduces the amount of light that penetrates a fish's world but also the kind of light. The extinction of sunlight in the water column happens very fast. On average, 90% of the light is gone by 10m depth, and 99% by 40m. Varying wavelengths of light are absorbed at different depths. UV light is eliminated in the first few millimeters of water; infrared in the first few centimeters. Of the wavelengths of visible light, the red wavelengths disappear in the first 5m or so, then the yellows. Eventually, at a depth of around 100m, all that remains is a narrow band of blue-green wavelengths (510nm-540nm).

There is complete darkness below about 200 meters. It makes good sense that fish eyes have maximum sensitivity for blue light (at about 520nm wavelength).

Fish visual pigments, called rhodopsins, are photosensitive protein pigments found in the rod cells of the retina. When light passes into the eye and reaches the retina, rhodopsin protein molecules become photo-excited. Biochemical changes in the structure of the molecule cause electrical impulses to run down the optic nerve sending information to the brain.
Rhodopsins, which are also found in all other vertebrate animals, are a dark reddish color. Like deep growing red algae, the rhodopsin pigment absorb the only wavelengths that penetrate the water column: greens and blues. Therefore, the rhodopsin, like the algae, reflects the light it does not absorb — which is generally the red wavelengths of light, causing its reddish color. Our own human rhodopsins are still red, a heirloom of our aquatic ancestry.

[gilly]

not all led lights are 405nm. some companies use the higher 405nm wavelength because it looks brighter and tricks the consumer into thinking he's getting a powerful uv light. the higher wavelengths are also cheaper to buy. most of the rubrail leds are higher wavelength because the clowns that leave them on all the time want everybody to see them. the better led lights are 390-400nm. anything below 400nm won't hurt the fishing unless you turn it off and on. any light source turned off and on scares the fish. next time you're in a school of minnows, flash your light on and off and watch their reacton.

[FlyLie]

Still looking and trying to decide on a "blacklight" for night fishing!

For Reference, blacklight has a wavelength of 400 nm or less. By contrast, the quote..quote black light LED fishing lights, UV lights, emit a wavelength of 405 nm, while the quote..quote, blue lights emit a wavelength of 470 nm. So what is the answer?

Quoting:
How are fish adapted to the optical properties of water?
Water not only reduces the amount of light that penetrates a fish's world but also the kind of light. The extinction of sunlight in the water column happens very fast. On average, 90% of the light is gone by 10m depth, and 99% by 40m. Varying wavelengths of light are absorbed at different depths. UV light is eliminated in the first few millimeters of water; infrared in the first few centimeters. Of the wavelengths of visible light, the red wavelengths disappear in the first 5m or so, then the yellows. Eventually, at a depth of around 100m, all that remains is a narrow band of blue-green wavelengths (510nm-540nm).

There is complete darkness below about 200 meters. It makes good sense that fish eyes have maximum sensitivity for blue light (at about 520nm wavelength).

Fish visual pigments, called rhodopsins, are photosensitive protein pigments found in the rod cells of the retina. When light passes into the eye and reaches the retina, rhodopsin protein molecules become photo-excited. Biochemical changes in the structure of the molecule cause electrical impulses to run down the optic nerve sending information to the brain.
Rhodopsins, which are also found in all other vertebrate animals, are a dark reddish color. Like deep growing red algae, the rhodopsin pigment absorb the only wavelengths that penetrate the water column: greens and blues. Therefore, the rhodopsin, like the algae, reflects the light it does not absorb — which is generally the red wavelengths of light, causing its reddish color. Our own human rhodopsins are still red, a heirloom of our aquatic ancestry.

I should also have addressed the question of "light brightness" in this thread, so let me do it now. I seems very few of the products on the market specify their brightness, but there is a measurement which if given, takes all the "subjective" out of relative evaluations. Simply stated, it is the "Luminous Flux", ie., mcd units. so, if you have information on product of interest, this would be of interest to me.

Thanks,
Gary

[AndyG]

I replied to the first thread. I think if the fish can specify a subtle difference in color at 20ft on a dark moon
( and I bleive they can)
then they can definately look up at a black sky and see a bright glowing purple light that signifies things are out of the ordinary and bigger fish shut down.

Dim the light down with painter tape and point it up on the gunnel not toward the water. That might still bother fish if theyre really innactive but you gotta see your line.

I use cheap black lights and I probably night fish more than anyone on this board or in this state for that matter.

If you have poor vision Im not the person for advice on blacklights.

[slimshad09]

People use floating lights to catch crappie! I really don't think its a big deal. Try it if you like it and catch fish its all good. If you go out and blank, you can blame it all on the light. I use a light at night all the time, we have flipped and pitched close to the bank and caught several really big bass. It is fishing not rocket science. I say if it helps you see or aids in casting, go for it. Plus its cool when you get a bite and you see the line jump about a foot. Wakes you up on those slower nights.

[FlyLie]

People use floating lights to catch crappie! I really don't think its a big deal. Try it if you like it and catch fish its all good. If you go out and blank, you can blame it all on the light. I use a light at night all the time, we have flipped and pitched close to the bank and caught several really big bass. It is fishing not rocket science. I say if it helps you see or aids in casting, go for it. Plus its cool when you get a bite and you see the line jump about a foot. Wakes you up on those slower nights.

Thanks, and I do appreciate your comments...BUT, I'M SURE THERE IS SOME SCIENCE BEHIND IT, AND THAT'S WHAT I'M SEARCHING FOR. Still, there is PLENTY of room for practical experience... All comments are welcomed and appreciated .
Gary

[Big T @ E.C.]

I agree, i use a stan sloan, and a hoppy's and i've caught alot of fish after dark. I think it's more important to watch your noise, afer dark, than a black light. Remember, sound travels faster and farther in water.

[FlyLie]

I agree, i use a stan sloan, and a hoppy's and i've caught alot of fish after dark. I think it's more important to watch your noise, afer dark, than a black light. Remember, sound travels faster and farther in water.

Agree 100% about the noise , just addressing the light issue in this thread, specifically as it relates to smallmouth, which tend to be "light sensitive". Well, that's what I've been told by the SM fisherguys. Tell me more about the Stan Sloan or Hoppy?

Thanks,
Gary

[Embrey]

I replied to the first thread. I think if the fish can specify a subtle difference in color at 20ft on a dark moon
( and I bleive they can)
then they can definately look up at a black sky and see a bright glowing purple light that signifies things are out of the ordinary and bigger fish shut down.

Dim the light down with painter tape and point it up on the gunnel not toward the water. That might still bother fish if theyre really innactive but you gotta see your line.

I use cheap black lights and I probably night fish more than anyone on this board or in this state for that matter.

If you have poor vision Im not the person for advice on blacklights.

that would depend on what you mean by more...i ONLY fish at night this time of year...lol

[Big T @ E.C.]

My stan sloan came with 2 blubs, 1 white, 1 black. I got a replacement black bulb at wally world, and use 2 blacks. It's a lot brighter the the hoppy's. The hoppy's is lower profile, and seems to be built "tougher". I like them both, i got the 'sloan off e-bay, and the hoppy's from b.p.s....tr

[jamwerx]

then they can definately look up at a black sky and see a bright glowing purple light that signifies things are out of the ordinary and bigger fish shut down.

They could just as easily look up and see a big dark shape(aka boat) going across as well, would almost make sense that the bottom of boats would be better painted white for night fishing.

I don't use a black light at night but if I did I would mount in on the inside of the boat so the main glow wouldn't be visible below. I would think that most fish would see them enough though that they should be pretty acclimated to them.

Scientific reasonings or not if you aren't catching fish I would just change your technique(s) since there are people on both side of the fence but the fact is people still catch fish at night with black lights visible to the fish, it just depends on how anal you want to be about the lights or how much you want to use that as an excuse when you don't catch fish

[brlfishing]

i sell and have uv (blacklights) on my boat, the type that go in the rub rail. i have not noticed any diffrence in the fishing. i dont see how it could affect the fish any diffrent that having your nav lights on. which is the law after dark. maybe if you were fishing right up on the fish drop shotting, but most cast several feet from the boat. if looking for a good blacklight, one of the post above is correct, you do NOT want any uv light that is over 405. you also do not want a 5050 led. by having your nav and blacklight in the rub rail, you never have to waste time by putting up the lights when moving and such. they are also cheaper than buying the moonlight and sloan blacklights. those run over 100 each and you only get 3 led lights. you can get a 48 led strip for $20. so for 120 bucks you can get the front,back,and middle of your rub rail on both sides. thus having 48x6 leds. wire it to a toggle switch at the bow and your in buisness. you can use red/green/white in the rub rail and wire to your nav light switch. the new type of lights are just cheaper, more durable, and less hasle by having them in the rail. hope this helps.