Imagine this: The sun dips below the horizon, painting the water in deep blues and purples. You’re out on your boat, the quiet is perfect for fishing, but you can barely see your own hands! Night fishing is amazing, but it brings a big problem: darkness. You need lights, but which ones? Choosing the right boat lights for night fishing can feel like navigating a foggy maze. You worry about safety, seeing your lines, and following the rules. Buying the wrong lights means wasted money and maybe even an unsafe trip.
Don’t let poor lighting ruin your nighttime adventures! This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what you need to know about boat lights. You will learn about different types, what makes them bright enough, and how to choose the best set for your boat and your fishing style. Ready to light up your night and catch more fish safely? Keep reading to become a night fishing lighting expert!
Top Boat Lights For Night Fishing Recommendations
- UPGRADED 32.8FT BOAT LIGHTS : Full kit for your boats, no other accessories need, our kit included 2 x 5m(16.4ft) Marine LED Strip Lights + 1-2 Splitter cable + 2 x 2M/6.56FT extension cable, 10 pcs 3M tape hooks and 10pcs led strip clips and screws, The boat led strip light is an ideal gift for your friends or family on birthday, Christmas or party, especially for boat lovers
- Super Bright LED Strip : 600 Pcs Super bright 5050 green LEDs are evenly embedded on the 10m(32.8ft) double-layer pure copper FPCB Board and give out beautiful blue light. High-density 60 LEDs/M design makes luminescence more even and bright
- Flexible Design & Easy to Install : The Lights Using flexible copper circuit board, you can gently bend it, Please NEVER rudely bend it to right or acute angle, otherwise the circuit board and silicone coating will crack. The strip lights can be cut between every 3 LEDs along the cutting marks to fit for your project, great for DIY. The light strip comes with strong 3M back adhesive, mounting clips to help keep the boat light strip stay in place
- Safe & Waterproof : This LED strip light is fully covered with water-resistant glue. Waterproof rating is IP65, It can withstand the rainy and snowy weather and protect LED from damage, greatly extend the life of the strip lights to 50,000 hours or more. LED strip with operating voltage of 12V, low heat, no radiation, no flicker
- Wide Application : The lights are widely used for boat interior light, cockpit light, deck light, transom light, step light, cabin light, courtesy light, navigation light, stern light, side light, accent atmosphere light ect
- 【Bright & Safe】With 18pcs 3W powerful high intensity LED light chips. single-row 60° flood beam in reflective cups provide a brighter illumination, attracts fish better than white light, does not disturb the fish, and is more conducive to observing buoy, helpful for your night fishing or other night activities
- 【Excellent Performance】Made of corrosion-resistant casting aluminum alloy, upgraded PC lens over 90% light transmittance. Also, 1.9 inch thicker housing design, 0.25 inch spacing fins to dissipate heat faster
- 【Durable & Waterproof】With solid-build aluminum housing (durable powder coated) and stainless steel mounting bracket and hardware, anti-corrosive, dust-proof, quakeproof, providing great sailing and driving experience. IP67 waterproof, PASS 72-hour laboratory salt spray test, ensures excellent performance even in extreme weather condition like heavy rain, snow, hail, storm, etc
- 【Easy to Install 】Flexible mounting installation, comes with 180° adjustable mounting accessories, universal flush mount design allows this 42W boat deck lights to adjust the installation position and angle to easily change the direction of light beams
- 【Wide Applications】Capable of working at 10-30V with low power consumption. Perfect for night fishing lovers' fishing boat, pontoon boats, yachts, sailboats, house boats, rowboats, paddle boats. Not limited to truck, tractor, off road, pick up, SUV, ATV, UTV, golf cart
- SAMDO Fishing Lights Wide application range: It can be used for rivers and lakes all fishing, night fishing, wild fish.
- SAMDO Underwater Fishing Light can be used for light cover net, sea fishing, cage, small fishing nets.
- SAMDO Led Fishing Lights can be used in a fish pond to lure small fish for feeding big fish.
- SAMDO Fishing Led Lights can be used for whitebait nets, fishermen network modification
- SAMDO Fish Attracting Light also can be used for fish ponds, lakes fishing under the first fish lamp for fish, freshwater fish, most fish, crucian carp, phototaxis: black carp, snakehead, catfish, tilapia, grass carp. Catfish, walleye, crappie, snapper.
- Super bright spot beam: High-quality LED chips emits bright white light; Concentrated spot beam illuminates to further distance and lumen is 1260 LM
- Adjustable mounting bracket: The pod can be adjusted to about 45 degrees, which makes changing direction of light beam easier.
- Better heat dissipation: Special designed die-cast aluminum alloy cooling fins effectively extend the lifespan to over 30,000 hours.
- Waterproof rate: IP67; Waterproof up to 3.3 feet of water for 30 minutes and effectively dustproof.
- Package include: 2PCS 18W LED light bars and mounting brackets
- GIFT IDEA FOR MEN OR WOMEN: These boat navigation lights are designed to enhance safety for boat owners and make the boat look nicer at night. Therefore, they will be great gifts for the boat owners who have everything.
- SO MUCH BRIGHTER THAN FACTORY NAVIGATION LIGHTS: Compare twith the original marine navigation lights, the brightness is enhanced at least tree times, significantly increasing the safety factor of your navigation.
- APPILICATION: Best idea for boat lights, navigation lights, boat bow lights, red and green bow lights, boating lights on Pontoon Boat, Bass Boat, Jon Boat, Dinghy, Kayak and so on.
- SIGNIFICANT UPGRADE FOR YOUR BOAT: In contrast to the mundane design of the original factory navigation lights, this new navigation lights no only boosts safety but also renders your boat more beautiful and alluring
- EASY TO INSTALL: The strong Double-sided adhesive on the back of the strip light enables you to put it in any where you want. We advise that if you want keep it on place in a long time, please use the marine grade silicone adhesive to fix it.
- 【Bright & Safe】With 20pcs 3W powerful high intensity LED light chips. 60° flood beam and 30° spot beam combo in reflective cups provide a brighter illumination, 6000K bright white light and broader view, increasing safe for your night fishing, night hunting, night ride or any other night activities
- 【Excellent Performance】Made of corrosion-resistant casting aluminum alloy, upgraded PC lens over 90% light transmittance. Also, 9pcs cooling fins to dissipate heat faster
- 【Durable & Waterproof】With solid-build aluminum housing (durable powder coated) and stainless steel mounting bracket and hardware, anti-corrosive, dust-proof, quakeproof, providing great sailing and driving experience. IP67 waterproof, PASS 72-hour laboratory salt spray test, ensures excellent performance even in extreme weather condition like heavy rain, snow, hail, storm, etc
- 【Easy to Install 】Flexible mounting installation, comes with 360° adjustable mounting accessories, universal flush mount design allows the lights to adjust the installation position and angle to easily change the direction of light beams
- 【Wide Applications】Capable of working at 10-30V with low power consumption. Perfect for night fishing lovers' fishing boat, pontoon boats, yachts, sailboats, house boats, rowboats, paddle boats. Not limited to truck, tractor, off road, jeep, pick up, SUV, ATV, UTV, golf cart. Also widely used in both indoor and outdoors like backup/ reverse light, off road lighting, marine boat lighting, construction equipment lighting, emergency & rescue lighting and more
- 【Bright & Safe】With 6pcs 3W powerful high intensity LED light chips. single-row 60° flood beam in reflective cups provide a brighter illumination of 1,800LM, 5800K bright white light & broader view, increasing safety for your night fishing, night hunting, night ride or any other night activities
- 【Excellent Performance】Made of corrosion-resistant casting aluminum alloy, upgraded PC lens over 90% light transmittance. Also, 0.25" spacing fins to dissipate heat faster
- 【Durable & Waterproof】This light bar with heavy die casting aluminum housing is anti-corrosive, dust-proof, quakeproof, providing great sailing and driving experience. IP67 waterproof, PASS 72-hour laboratory salt spray test, ensures excellent performance even in extreme weather condition like heavy rain, snow, hail, storm, etc
- 【Easy to Install 】Flexible mounting installation, comes with 180° adjustable mounting accessories, universal flush mount design allows this 18W boat deck lights to adjust the installation position and angle to easily change the direction of light beams
- 【Wide Applications】Capable of working at 10-30V with low power consumption. Perfect for night fishing lovers' fishing boat, pontoon boats, yachts, sailboats, house boats, rowboats, paddle boats. Not limited to truck, tractor, off road, jeep, pick up, SUV, ATV, UTV, golf cart. Also widely used in both indoor and outdoors like household lighting, backup/ reverse light, off road lighting, marine boat lighting, construction equipment lighting, emergency & rescue lighting and more
- High Waterproof Performance： This triple row led light bars feature IP67 waterproof rate dust-proof quake-proof anti-explosion Durable to withstand any harsh condition life span over 50 000 hours
- Adjustable mounting bracket the bracket can be adjusted and slid offering convenience to adjust position flexibly when needed
- Combo Beam Combined with spotlight and floodlight combo beam in a light bar for optimal light spread With triple row and nest reflector cup design in the middle for extreme light efficiency Broad reflective plate on both sides allows multi-angle refraction ideal for ambient illumination
- Better Heat Dissipation Special designed 6063 Aluminum profile with Thermal grease can improve the heat dissipation ability Energy efficient and low power consumption Come with adjustable mounting bracket easy to install
- Package Includes 1 x 12 Inch 300W led light bar and 2 x 4 inch 60W triple row flood spot led light 1 x Wiring Harness Kit - 3 Leads
Choosing the Best Boat Lights for Night Fishing: Your Essential Buying Guide
Night fishing is exciting, but safety and legality come first. You need the right lights on your boat. This guide helps you pick the perfect illumination for your nighttime adventures on the water.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for boat lights, certain features make a big difference in performance and safety. Focus on these areas:
Visibility and Range
- Beam Angle: Look for lights that spread light wide enough to see your immediate surroundings (like the deck).
- Lumen Output (Brightness): Higher lumens mean brighter light. For general navigation and deck work, you need moderate brightness. Too bright can blind other boaters.
- Visibility Distance: Navigation lights must be visible from specific distances as required by law (e.g., 1 to 2 nautical miles).
Power and Efficiency
- LED Technology: Always choose LED lights. They use much less battery power than old incandescent bulbs. This keeps your trolling motor or fish finder running longer.
- Voltage Compatibility: Ensure the lights work with your boat’s standard 12V DC system.
Durability and Design
- Waterproofing Rating (IP Rating): This is crucial. Look for an IP65 or higher rating. This means the light resists water jets and dust.
- Mounting Style: Decide if you need flush-mount, surface-mount, or clamp-on lights. Choose one that fits your boat structure easily.
Important Materials for Longevity
Boat lights face harsh conditions: sun, spray, and constant vibration. The materials used determine how long they last.
Housing and Casing
The outer shell needs to be tough. Marine-grade Stainless Steel (316 Grade) resists rust very well. High-quality UV-resistant ABS Plastic is also common. This plastic will not turn yellow or crack when exposed to strong sunlight.
Lenses
The clear part covering the LED should be strong. Polycarbonate lenses are preferred. They resist impact better than glass and do not shatter easily if something bumps them.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all boat lights are created equal. A few simple checks can reveal quality differences.
Quality Indicators (Improve Quality)
- Heat Sinks: Good LED lights include metal heat sinks. These draw heat away from the LEDs, making them last much longer.
- Quality Wiring: Look for heavy-gauge, tinned copper wiring. This prevents corrosion inside the wires, which causes flickering or failure over time.
- Certifications: Lights approved by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) meet strict standards for navigation safety.
Quality Reducers (Reduce Quality)
- Cheap Adhesives: If the lens is glued on poorly, water will seep in quickly, causing internal corrosion.
- No Heat Management: Lights that get extremely hot to the touch likely have poor internal design. Their lifespan will be cut short.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about *how* you fish at night. Different activities need different lights.
Navigation Lights (Mandatory)
These are the red and green sidelights, plus the white stern/masthead light. They show other boats where you are and which way you are moving. These must meet USCG standards for visibility.
Deck and Cockpit Lights
These lights illuminate your workspace. You need soft, white or even slightly amber (yellowish) light here. Bright blue or harsh white light reflects off the water, making it hard to see fish or bait. Low-profile, waterproof strip lights work perfectly here.
Spotlights and Floodlights
If you need to anchor in a dark cove or tie up lines, a powerful, focused spotlight is useful. Ensure you can easily aim these lights without blinding yourself or others.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Night Fishing Lights
Q: What lights are legally required on my boat at night?
A: You must have proper navigation lights: a red light on the port (left) side, a green light on the starboard (right) side, and a white stern light visible from the back. These lights show other vessels your position and direction.
Q: Can I use regular household LED bulbs on my boat?
A: No, you should not. Household bulbs are not built to handle the moisture, vibration, and voltage fluctuations common on a boat. Marine-grade lights are specially sealed and designed for 12V DC systems.
Q: How bright (lumens) should my deck lights be?
A: For deck lighting, aim for 300 to 500 lumens per fixture. This is bright enough to see your gear without causing glare off the water surface, which helps you spot fish activity.
Q: What does “IP67” mean for a boat light?
A: The IP rating tells you how protected the light is. IP67 means the light is completely dust-tight and can be submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes without damage. That is excellent protection for boating.
Q: Do I need a separate switch for all my lights?
A: Yes, you should. Navigation lights should be on one switch, and deck/accessory lights should be on another. This allows you to turn off your bright deck lights while keeping your required navigation lights on.
Q: Why do my cheap LED lights flicker?
A: Flickering often happens because the light is not getting a steady power supply. This can be due to poor wiring connections, low battery voltage, or the light itself lacking a proper internal driver (voltage regulator).
Q: Are red or blue lights better for seeing fish?
A: Red light is usually best for your eyes in the dark because it preserves your night vision the longest. Blue lights are sometimes used near the waterline to attract certain organisms, which in turn attract baitfish.
Q: How do I clean saltwater residue off my boat lights?
A: Use a soft cloth and mild, non-abrasive soap mixed with fresh water. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water afterward. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, as they can damage the plastic lenses and rubber seals.
Q: Should I install lights above or below the waterline?
A: Navigation and deck lights must be installed above the waterline. Underwater lights (sometimes used for attracting bait) have different requirements and specific installation procedures to prevent hull leaks.
Q: How long should good quality LED boat lights last?
A: High-quality, properly installed marine LED lights are rated for 30,000 to 50,000 operating hours. If you use your boat only occasionally, these lights can easily last ten years or more.