Lights for lobster season - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Saba Slayer · 08-11-2014, 07:39 AM

The Coast Guard says that if you are in a self powered kayak all you need is a device to warn nearby approaching boaters..a flashlite, headlamp, etc.
I feel it's important to have your yak lit up so that a beer guzzling power-boating hoop netter on a dark night can see you as he roars back in to the harbor.
An all around white light is important to be seen...using a green/red light says to other boaters that you are also under power and is not advised!
The Visicarbon Pro made by Yakattack and sold by Hobie is a good bright high visibility white light that is on a 48" mast that will put the light above your head.
Scotty makes a mast type light also, although while the Visicarbon fits in a standard pole holder, the Scotty light only attaches to a Scotty mount.
Some DOT reflective tape attached to the bow or sides of the yak can also make you more visible.
A good head lamp is important also...please make sure it fits snugly...every lobster season I watch as someone leans over the side to look into the water and their headlamp slides off their head and slowly sinks into obvlion...a red light on the headlamp can also help keep your night vision.
Anything OEX advises as a hooping light should work, as those guys have spent many nights out on the water "Hoopin' It Up"!
I hope that helps...good luck this season and stay safe.
Jim / Saba Slayer

Deamon · 08-11-2014, 07:58 AM

Here we go...lobster talk already!!! I'm so ready right now. I use OEX's light with a hand held Home depot ever-ready to point at any boat coming my way. Jim

MrM · 08-11-2014, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saba Slayer

Anything OEX advises as a hooping light should work, as those guys have spent many nights out on the water "Hoopin' It Up"!

Jim / Saba Slayer

I see what you did there...

PS- Great read.

I use the visipole. It works good. It will kill your night vision so I don't always leave it on 100% of the time, but Its great for what it is.

Siebler · 08-11-2014, 08:27 AM

Generally we at OEX MB recommend the YakAttack VisiPole or VisiCarbon which run from 50.00-90.00. These lights have multiple mount options or can be slid into a rod holder. They use 3 AA batteries and have 100 hours of burn time on batteries. Bulb Life is something like 10,000 hours. Oh yeah and they are all made in the USA by one of the best companies in this industry.

Hunters Pa · 08-11-2014, 10:33 AM

JK Electronics in Westminster has LED road "flares" for $5 each, 4 for $15. Don't know about being waterproof (doubt it), but they are very low profile and kick out a lot of red light. Going to try one out for operating light.

But I also have one of the Visicarbons. I have kids counting on me coming home.

MissileTM · 08-11-2014, 10:43 AM

VisiCarbon Pro, Head Lamp, small spotlight from Home Depot and a couple small LED flashlights as back up.

I checked at Dana Landing on Saturday and the Report Cards are not available yet in the DFG computer. DFG is probably still calculating how much more to charge for them this year since all the fees go up every year.

08-11-2014, 07:39 AM	#1
Saba Slayer Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palos Verdes Posts: 1,878	lights The Coast Guard says that if you are in a self powered kayak all you need is a device to warn nearby approaching boaters..a flashlite, headlamp, etc. I feel it's important to have your yak lit up so that a beer guzzling power-boating hoop netter on a dark night can see you as he roars back in to the harbor. An all around white light is important to be seen...using a green/red light says to other boaters that you are also under power and is not advised! The Visicarbon Pro made by Yakattack and sold by Hobie is a good bright high visibility white light that is on a 48" mast that will put the light above your head. Scotty makes a mast type light also, although while the Visicarbon fits in a standard pole holder, the Scotty light only attaches to a Scotty mount. Some DOT reflective tape attached to the bow or sides of the yak can also make you more visible. A good head lamp is important also...please make sure it fits snugly...every lobster season I watch as someone leans over the side to look into the water and their headlamp slides off their head and slowly sinks into obvlion...a red light on the headlamp can also help keep your night vision. Anything OEX advises as a hooping light should work, as those guys have spent many nights out on the water "Hoopin' It Up"! I hope that helps...good luck this season and stay safe. Jim / Saba Slayer

08-11-2014, 08:27 AM	#4
Siebler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richland Oregon Posts: 1,547	Generally we at OEX MB recommend the YakAttack VisiPole or VisiCarbon which run from 50.00-90.00. These lights have multiple mount options or can be slid into a rod holder. They use 3 AA batteries and have 100 hours of burn time on batteries. Bulb Life is something like 10,000 hours. Oh yeah and they are all made in the USA by one of the best companies in this industry. __________________ CJ Siebler

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08-11-2014, 07:58 AM	#2
Deamon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,972	Here we go...lobster talk already!!! I'm so ready right now. I use OEX's light with a hand held Home depot ever-ready to point at any boat coming my way. Jim

08-11-2014, 10:33 AM	#5
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,361	JK Electronics in Westminster has LED road "flares" for $5 each, 4 for $15. Don't know about being waterproof (doubt it), but they are very low profile and kick out a lot of red light. Going to try one out for operating light. But I also have one of the Visicarbons. I have kids counting on me coming home.

08-11-2014, 10:43 AM	#6
MissileTM Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 90	VisiCarbon Pro, Head Lamp, small spotlight from Home Depot and a couple small LED flashlights as back up. I checked at Dana Landing on Saturday and the Report Cards are not available yet in the DFG computer. DFG is probably still calculating how much more to charge for them this year since all the fees go up every year.