Accident

[Flysmallie]

We used spotlights to do a night float one time. It was much easier to float without the lights than with them on. Only thing we ran into was a couple getting busy at the takeout. 

[Old dog 417]

14 hours ago, Flysmallie said:

We used spotlights to do a night float one time. It was much easier to float without the lights than with them on. Only thing we ran into was a couple getting busy at the takeout. 

What? No pics? 😉

od

[Flysmallie]

25 minutes ago, Old dog 417 said:

What? No pics? 😉

od

But no there are no pics of the action at the ramp. 

[Codywskeeter1521]

I fish a ton at night this time of year. Just last Saturday night seen a jet ski out in the middle of the channel at shell knob Bridge running around without a running light one or a light period. That's my biggest fear is hitting someone or something. 30mph is the law and running lights. But accidents happen even to those who obay and do every thing right. Common sense and common courtesy is a thing of the past. 

  Glad you and your friend is okay. Praying for the others. 

[Guest]

23 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

Personally I don't have a problem with spotlights and I think every boat should have one if navigating in the dark.  Everybody complains about it  "killing their night vision" .... but apparently their night vision sucks because they keep running into each other out there.    

Myself, I don't care whose night vision I harm, or what alleged "laws" I break.  If I can't clearly see what's in front of me then the spotlight gets plugged in.  

you are only supposed to spot the bank occasionally spot the bank not leave it on.  why do you think boats have never came factory equipped with head lights??  that's right.  it is against the navigation laws.  guess if i come rob you, it would be okay since you seem to think laws are made to be broken.  if you feel that unsafe navigating at night, most likely you should stick to traveling during the day.

bo 

[Codywskeeter1521]

15 minutes ago, merc1997 said:

you are only supposed to spot the bank occasionally spot the bank not leave it on.  why do you think boats have never came factory equipped with head lights??  that's right.  it is against the navigation laws.  guess if i come rob you, it would be okay since you seem to think laws are made to be broken.  if you feel that unsafe navigating at night, most likely you should stick to traveling during the day.

bo 

I agree 100 percent bo. It's more dangerous when I'm getting hit in the eyes with a spot light. At night I find it best to eas around. Growing up on the James River side of the lake I knew every porch light and dock light from cape to aunts creek. Now with GPS on most boats if you just keep a eye on what's I. Front of you and sometimes look down at 25 or 30 mph it's not bad. 

[GNSfishing]

14 minutes ago, Codywskeeter1521 said:

I agree 100 percent bo. It's more dangerous when I'm getting hit in the eyes with a spot light. At night I find it best to eas around. Growing up on the James River side of the lake I knew every porch light and dock light from cape to aunts creek. Now with GPS on most boats if you just keep a eye on what's I. Front of you and sometimes look down at 25 or 30 mph it's not bad. 

I agree with both of you on the use of a spot light at night while running on the lake at night. There are a few bow fishermen run from place to place leaving their bright lights on. When that happens everyone for a 100 yards or more are blinded and there will be an accident happen one of these days and then there will be hell to pay plus the lawyers will earn their keep. It is against all navigation rules and laws to have no more than running lights on only at night and that's is red & green on the bow and a white light on the stern visible above the highest part of your boat. I see so many boats with their rub rail lights on while running which is not to be on while running. One of the reasons for these violations, is low enforcement of these laws by the water patrol due to a low presents on the waters in the state.

[MoCarp]

You can’t be under power with bfer lights on, that’s even 1 mph or 30....the CG regs are clear, it’s rarely enforced, but with some recent high profile drownings with bfers that may be changing

[fishinwrench]

4 hours ago, merc1997 said:

you are only supposed to spot the bank occasionally spot the bank not leave it on.  why do you think boats have never came factory equipped with head lights??  that's right.  it is against the navigation laws.  guess if i come rob you, it would be okay since you seem to think laws are made to be broken.  if you feel that unsafe navigating at night, most likely you should stick to traveling during the day.

bo 

I don't feel unsafe navigating at night BECAUSE I have a spotlight and I'm not ashamed to use it.   I'll be able to see, and be seen, just fine... That's the point.  

And yes, laws that defy common sense will be broken.  Copperheads in my yard either get shot or chopped up too fine for kraut, and I bet they do in your yard too.  I'd welcome a robbery attempt by you. Go for it 😁 

Headlights don't hurt anyones "night vision" on the highway on a dark rainy night. Matter of fact it is against the law NOT to have them there,  so why is that any different ?   Your snide pissy comments, and your perception of "navigation laws" are just ignorant IMO.    The #1 rule of navigation is: Don't run into things, and don't get run over by anyone else.  

I mean, I understand that you don't need a spotlight to putt around the dam area of TR or LO (who does?) but come up here where I fish at night and see how you do crossing these stump filled flats.  

[MoCarp]

29 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

And yes, laws that defy common sense will be broken.  

Yeah bet that works out great for you