My light is a small docking light. I never said I couldnt see at night. I said I felt safer with it on because I can see things floating that I cant see in total darkness. I have been fishing at night since 1981 and have been blessed to have never had an accident either. I understand about the reflection off the water that is why I turn the light off when I see another boat. I only use it when I am running the boat on plane. Unless you are running without any lights and you are approaching me, I have more than enough power to get out of your way if needed. Pretty Smartazzed to tell someone if you cant see without a light stay off the water. One could say if a light at night bothers you dont fish at night. But that isnt going to happen just like I am not going to stop night fishing. I dont carry a hand held light that I am whipping around all over the place. It is a simple light with a ON/OFF switch that I use. I have a lot more trouble with the big spot lights that people use than I do with people that have a headlight. I have passed many other boats with headlights and have never had a issue of them blinding me. Most people use common sense and turn them off when approaching other boats. They are just like car headlights in one respect. If you stare straight in to either one you are going to have trouble seeing. When I meet a car at night I dont stare at their on coming lights. The whole light issue is a matter of preference. I do know over the years the light has helped me avoid hitting several things that were floating in the river. I was fishing years ago with a partner, he had his light off. It was a dark night and I thought saw something ahead of us. I yelled, he hit his light. It was a medium size cruiser that had came untied from a dock and was floating in the river channel. I have no doubt without the light we would not have been able to completely miss the boat. I hope everyone has a great time night fishing and I hope to SEE you on the water.
Boat Headlight
- Thread starter TNTall
- Start date
Help Support Chattanooga Fishing Forum:
It's like one those stupid laws you hear about like NO EATING ICE CREAM ON SUNDAYS WITH YOUR LEFT HAND and WALKING YOUR YOUR PIG ON THE SIDEWALK ON MONDAYS ...............I say B.S. to the no lights law I use the the light and no one is going to stop me
EricM
Well-known member
Here is the rule being talked about from the Dept of Homeland Security/Coast Guart Site. It seems to be open to a lot of interpretation as to being mistaken for required lighting (spotlights mistaken for navigation lights???) or interfering with seeing the required nav lights (likely ONLY when pointed directly at the observer in my experience). At least we can "throw some light" now on each side of the argument. emoBigsmile emoBigsmile
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rick09_99
Well-known member
Call your regional TWRA office. A friend of mine did and there is nothing in writing Carl that says that headlights are illegal. if it is, why are they not writing real tickets? because they know that they wont't stand up in court. If headlights are a problem with seeing the red and green lights on the front of a boat, who really needs to stay home? If u can see that red and green light better than a headlight, then you're in trouble! I had a game warden tell me himself that a man that doesn't run headlights at night is a DEAD man!
rick09_99
Well-known member
I dont know where you've been fishing Carl. But if you've been running boats at night for 40 years and have never had a problem with obstacles or buoys, you've either been very lucky or just get out about once every 20 yrs. maybe you like putting lower units on engines or transoms in boats or maybe even going for a swim in the moonlight while taking a break from fishing. But not me! I'll run my headlights at night and pay a ticket if it's illegal. Cheaper than the alternative. Who knows? some night I might be the man that drags you out of the water after you've hit a 50 foot oak bobbing just under the water.
rick09_99
Well-known member
It just burns me up for some jerk to tell somebody to stay off the water! Carl knows everything about everything! He is the resisdent wise old owl. And apparently, he can see like one too! This hits a little close to home for me because I had a couple friends nearly killed on Center Hill a few years ago when they ran onto a bluff. and I dont care what Carl says, he can't see at night well enough to avoid trees and debris in the water on a cloudy night during the new moon!
rick09_99
Well-known member
Oh, and the same goes for you Catch 1.
Carl Guffey
Well-known member
emoLaugh <font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">Well you asked. Over the last 20 years I have averaged 200 days a year on the water. Most of the time was at night. I have and do fish Ft. Loudoun, Douglas, Fontana, Chilhowee, Caulderwood, Cherokee, Watts Bar,and a host of others all at night. I should also include the intercostal waterway from Key Biscayne all the way down to Key West, at night without a light and under sail.</font></p>
<font face="Georgia" size="2">I never put myself in the position to be anywhere at a specific time. If I can't see what I am doing or where I am goingI slow down until I can and I don't endanger others with my behavior on the water.</font></p>
<font face="Georgia" size="2">I never put myself in the position to be anywhere at a specific time. If I can't see what I am doing or where I am goingI slow down until I can and I don't endanger others with my behavior on the water.</font></p>
