3 Best Lights For Kayak Fishing At Night

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Hey there my fellow fishing enthusiasts. Today we are going to take our kayak fishing exploits out of the darkness as we discuss my 3 best lights for kayak fishing at night this year. Fishing at night is a preference for many as bigger fish tend to come into shallower waters under the cover of darkness to chase smaller bait fish meaning we don’t have to cast, or venture as far. This also then transfers to those who like to fish from a kayak too.

As with any other nighttime exploits however, there are some safety (and legal) issues to consider hence the recommended addition of kayak lights to your vessel. So for those of you who are looking to venture out after dark on your ‘yak’, I have had a look around and come up 3 recommendations below. Let’s check them out…

My 3 recommended lights for kayak fishing at night

I will review these in more detail below but if you just want to get moving without all the carry on, my 3 are listed here for your convenience:

 Kayak Fishing LightsPriceGet it
lights for kayak fishing - option 14 Piece LED Kayak Navigation Lights$CURRENT PRICE
lights for kayak fishing - option 2GOODSMANN Kayak Mobile/Marine Signal Stern Light$CURRENT PRICE
lights for kayak fishing - option 3YakAttack VISICarbon Pro 360 Degree LED Kayak Fishing Visibility Flag and Light$$CURRENT PRICE

What do we need to know?

Before we look into what is available – and before you make any purchases – It is imperative that you look into the rules and regulations involved within the waterways where you will be fishing. In fact, in some areas, it is illegal to fish in any vessel at night without certain lights installed.

For example, where I live, any vessel that is on the water at night is required to display the following lights:

  • Starboard light – green light on right-hand side of vessel
  • Port light – red light on left-hand side of vessel
  • White light – all-round white light in centre of vessel

These lights are not only designed to make the vessel visible at night, but also highlight which way it is facing. Smaller vessels such as a kayak however are only legally required in some areas to display a single white light at a minimum. At the end of the day, make sure you are aware of the minimum safety requirements and regulations that govern the waters where you will be fishing.

Note: Light requirements will change dependent upon the vessel so if your kayak will be out in areas where larger boats are also in use, then for safety reasons I would recommend becoming familiar with their light setups as well.

lights for kayak fishing - man in kayak

What should you be looking for?

In general, the lights you select will be largely determined by the regulations discussed above. There are however some other areas to look into as you make your purchase decisions. These include:

Regulations

As above, do you need a simple all round white light or red and green port and starboard side lights as well?

Location

In simple terms, location is all about where you will be planning to use your kayak at night. Will you be on a lake, in an estuary or on the open sea? The bigger the body of water, the more likely it is that you will be required to meet greater safety requirements. At the very least, a larger area will need a light that is visible at longer distance. For smaller areas, if regulations allow then a simple fishing headlamp may also be sufficient.

Mounting space

Another consideration to account for is mounting space for your light. There is only so much space on a kayak meaning that many lights are designed to fit in with current setup such as slotting into rod holders or suction pads to sit on the top. Others simply clip or stick to the side so all you really have to do is just check that you have the space on the kayak to attach the type of light that you choose.

Power

This probably goes without saying, but in most cases a light setup is going to need some sort of battery to power it. Check battery life and charging requirements and also keep in mind that if external batteries are required then you will need to account for storage space and waterproofing as well.

Waterproofing

You are using lights on the water so if you can get a waterproof option (including power sources) then do it.

My three recommendations broken down

So based on the information above, and my own experience, I recommend the following options:

1. 4 Piece LED Kayak Navigation Lights

I have chosen this one based on the fact that, for a kayak they are small but bright enough for most environments with options to meet regulatory requirements as well. They are easily attached and removed and contain internal batteries meaning no extra wiring or installation is required. Specifications as follows:

  • Lights – 2 white, 1 port (red) and 1 Starboard (green)
  • Light Type – LED
  • Battery/s – High-quality CR2032 Lithium Batteries (included)
  • Installation – Clips in side
  • Waterproof – IPX5 Weather Resistance
  • Battery Life range – 38 hours

Other inclusions:

  • 4 Spare batteries. (Long lasting package)
  • 4 Elastic straps (Three @ 7″ length, One of 12.3″ extra-long strap).
  • Magnetic tipped screwdriver (to change batteries).

Why have I chosen it?

This is a great option for a kayak for a good price. It is perfectly suited to many locations such as estuaries and lakes with the ability to cover all waterway regulations as well.


2. GOODSMANN Kayak Mobile/Marine Signal Stern Light

My second light is another good option for those looking to get some good quality on a budget or for the beginner who is planning to do a little more night fishing and wants something that will do the job without a lot of installation. This one is suction cup or magnetic mounted (meaning no screwing) with 5 light modes to make it suitable for many locations. Its specifications include:

  • Lights – 1 white with removable port and starboard sub lights
  • Light Type – LED
  • Battery/s – 3 x AAA batteries (not included)
  • Installation – Suction cap on magnetic bases
  • Waterproof – Yes
  • Battery Life range – Not stated

Other inclusions:

  • 5 x light settings
  • Lightweight – 7 ounces

Why have I chosen it?

I like this one as it is a good, portable and easily installed option for a decent price. It has the ability to function in a good number of waterway types and can be easily mounted to all kayak types. The only concern here is around the suction cap so if unsure, maybe attach a safety rope as well.


3. YakAttack VISICarbon Pro 360 Degree LED Kayak Fishing Visibility Flag and Light

The third unit I have chosen is a little more expensive however this is a good one for those who venture far and wide in their kayak fishing exploits and are looking for a good safety/visibility. It has everything you could possibly need to be visible in both day and nighttime conditions with specs including:

  • Lights – 1 white
  • Light Type – LED
  • Battery/s – 3 x AA batteries (included)
  • Installation – Slide into rod holder or attached to flush mount
  • Waterproof – Yes
  • Battery Life range – 100 hours

Other inclusions:

  • Highly visible in both light and dark
  • Hardware for flush mount installation

Why have I chosen it?

This is a great one for beginners and avid fishermen alike who a looking for a visibility in all conditions – especially if in large waterways. It has good light power with great battery life and It slots into most internal rod holders or can be attached to the flush mounts as well.

Note: This option however does not include port and starboard lights

Conclusion

And there it is – my 3 best lights for kayak fishing at night this year. I hope it has been helpful and as usual, please let me know of your experiences with them.

Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, corrections or would like me to check anything else out for you.

Until next time

Have fun

Paul

best lights kayak fishing - pinterest

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Hi, I'm Paul

I am a passionate fishing, camping and four wheeled driving hobbyist who researches, tests and educates around issues and equipment relevant to them.

I am by no means a professional however my passion is to assist you in making informed decisions about buying and using awesome gear that will give you the best chance of success at whatever you are doing for the best price.

Please get in touch if you have any questions.

Paul