anybody use an underwater fish attracting light?

Bait O' Eggs · 04-27-2004, 07:27 AM

Anybody ever use one of these?? I have tied on glow sticks before, but not a battery operated light when halibut fishing

Here is the sales pitch they give with the picture

They also say it can be sent down a 1000 + feet

Trophy Torches & Glow Torches. These wonderful underwater lights can be used over and over again. Research and experience have proven that light attracts fish and these new, improved underwater lights simply can't be beat. These lights have super long-lasting LED light bulbs and use 3 high-output Alkaline button batteries. The end result is a much brighter, long-lasting underwater fish attracting light source. The Trophy Torch uses a standard light spectrum for ultimate brightness. The Glow Torch uses a special, first of its kind 400 nanometer LED that is an Ultra Violet light source. Fish see UV light because UV penetrates much deeper and farther. The Glow Torch will be best suited when using any glow-in-the-dark lures or any lure that reflects UV. White reflects UV and so does lots of other commercially made lures. You can use a black light to see which lures reflect UV light. We also offer a single AA battery-powered Torch for those of you that want to use AA batteries. With all of these lights they will help to attract more halibut and other game fish more often.

"Trophy torch" in a google search will show where they can be purchased

Thought somebody might have tried them and had an opinion before I spent some money.

skein · 04-27-2004, 05:27 PM

I can tell you from experience the Humboldt squid will just eat 'em up. 'Course you have to stay out all night, but what the heck. Shoot, I may go out with you. I kinda miss those little guys.

Dunno about down here, but seems I remember something in the Canadian regs outlawing their use. Maybe it was just select species, and have no idea if they're okay off Oregon.

Skein

KeyWest · 04-27-2004, 07:34 PM

I tried them last year for Halibut - about 600 to 900', but didn't catch any. Heck, I didn't catch any all year (out of the CR). I'm going to start this year by taking someone out with me who knows how to catch them. Either that or charter at least one trip.

CATCH AND EAT · 04-28-2004, 10:51 AM

Roy those will make your wife and excellent pair of ear rings for Mothers Day. The perfect gift for the woman that has everything.

skein · 04-28-2004, 11:09 AM

...and you'll be able to find her in the theater when you come back after going for popcorn. :grin:

Skein

spinifera · 04-28-2004, 12:07 PM

Nice one Skein

CATCH AND EAT · 04-28-2004, 12:35 PM

JIM!!!!!!

Mr. Fisherman · 04-28-2004, 01:07 PM

I'm not sure what Roy's wife's earings are gonna look like after he fabs them up so he don't have to pay for them, but they will likely have to have a 12 volt battery (that he has to carry) or a reel long extension cord....

Honey, they need more power

, ar ar ararar

Bait O' Eggs · 04-28-2004, 01:24 PM

I try to ask a simple question to see if anybody has used this particular device to help catch fish and so far I have been kicked, pummeled and rabbit punched.

I would expect nothing less

WP · 04-28-2004, 02:12 PM

I ordered some of these lights to try. I have not used them yet (season hasn't started!) I will let everyone know how they work. This is a year to experiment. If we don't try new things, then we don't ever find better techniques and methodes. Ever wonder who first used WD-40? Who thought of sand shrimp and prawns? Who first used sinkers with a hook to catch bottom fish? It wasn't me, but I want to try new stuff too! Just my $.02 worth, Dave

skein · 04-28-2004, 02:15 PM

I answered your question in my very first post, then all these other guys started in and, shoot, I sorta lost control. I try to be good. I really do.

It just doesn't work for me.

Skein

Mark Mc · 04-28-2004, 02:41 PM

Hey Roy, I sent you a pm.

That sales pitch is a little strange.... 400 nanometer is the start of the visible (to humans) spectrum. If they really wanted intense UV they should be looking at shorter wavelengths (i.e. 200 to 300 nM). Funny though... I thought the blue light penetrates the deepest, which would be about 400 to 550 nM...so maybe that light is designed right, but the marketing people screwed up (imagine that).

Chinook chaser · 04-28-2004, 05:30 PM

I tried one of these last yeaar at the CR but we gave up on it as the herring were getting hookups as soon as they hit bottom. Why mess with what works?

bait boy · 04-28-2004, 06:13 PM

Roy,

First hand use as a deck hand while the cap'n used this contraption told me not to buy one. it came apart and lost peices while it was on deck with the first flattie attached.

Great in thoery but very overkill!!!

just tie on some fresh yaq. bay herring wait for the tug and reel...

STGRule · 04-28-2004, 06:29 PM

Aah, Roy, they love you or they wouldn't kid you! (At least I'm pretty sure....)

KeyWest · 04-28-2004, 07:27 PM

Chinook chaser:

OK - I'll cry "Uncle". I fished out of the CR for butts last year for nada. Tell me the secret, or at least the coordinates. MORE than willing to trade for a tuna trip or more.

Dean

Big Dave · 04-29-2004, 01:34 PM

I have seen them up at the lodge before, don't know if they work any better then my invention though. Try this simple to make jig. Get your self some 3/4" copper tube and cut it about 8" ~ 10" long sodder a cap on one end and fill the tube up approx. 1/2 way with lead. After things cool down a bit get out your drill and a 3/8" bit and drill a bunch of holes in the thing. Now I don't put any hooks on the very bottom as it will just snag up, so put a hook or two on the sides. Now you should have a copper tube half full of lead with hooks hanging off the sides and about 4" of hollow space above the lead. Now go to fishermans and get a box of the little glow sticks they are about 3" long, break one to mix up the chemicals, stuff in the hole and attach to your line and lower away ! You can put some squid on one of the hooks if you want or a big rubber worm to add a little wiggle.
Anyway the bottom line is you have a pipe jig that shines light through all the holes you have drilled in the jig.
I have caught Lings and Halibut and large yellow eye using this cheap jig !
Good luck......Big Dave. :grin:

Mark Mc · 04-29-2004, 03:54 PM

Hey Big Dave, I think your light-stick-in-the-tube concept gets the "most interesting idea of the day" award. Thanks for sharing

Big Dave · 04-29-2004, 05:17 PM

No problem , glad to help and if your like me what is cool you can make them out of junk laying around the garage and if you hang one up it is no big deal since they are cheap. I have found that the halibut seem to like them better if I paint them white and the lings seem to like them green, don't ask me why just what I have learned by trial and error !
The biggest mistake you can do is put a hook on the very bottom of the jig, if you do you might as well pitch it over the side, it will hang up for sure !
I just get a lot of enjoyment making my own gear up.
Big Dave.

Orca · 04-29-2004, 06:43 PM

Great idea Dave. Thanks.

Do you know how much they weigh? And how are you attaching the hooks?

Big Dave · 04-30-2004, 06:27 AM

Thats the beauty of these jigs you make that to suit your needs ! More lead or less lead make them to fish different water conditions.
I attach the hooks with a cotter pin that I insert before filling with lead. Just drill a smaller hole insert the cotter pin and fold back the ends so it will stay in place until you fill with lead.
If you make the hollow part a little longer along with the light stick you can stick in some salmon hearts for some good stink or take a chunk of sponge and soak it down with your favorite stink, it will leach out the holes and draw that monster Halibut right to your $1 jig !
Remember big fish BIG BAIT !
Now that I told everyone all this remember to release the ones over 100 pounds they are the ones keeping us in supply of our future fish :smile: My personal way of judging is if it won't fit in my salmon net let it go ! Sure I got a big net :grin:
Enjoy......Big Dave.

Puffin · 05-02-2004, 01:15 AM

KW sounds like you need to fish out of newport. Best halibut fishing on the coast is close at hand. We had three on the boat between 90 and 120 last season and lost bigger. Come down and join in the carnage.

Birdnest · 05-03-2004, 08:28 AM

Big Dave,

Thanks for the tips, sounds very very fishy to me. I have a dumb question for you...how do you cap it? Cut threads? Any pics?

Thanks,

Joe

Big Dave · 05-03-2004, 11:14 AM

There are many ways to cap it. I like to keep it simple...Stick a wine cork in the top or a chunk of foil with a rubber band. I just try and keep the cost down so when I hang one up I'm not losing a $10 bill !
Good luck.........Dave.

Mr. Fisherman · 05-03-2004, 12:09 PM

Roy, buddy, pal... I have a little something for you.
It is not 12 volt powered or approved for depths below 500' but it is yours to try.
IF I can make it to the beach you should stop by the boat and pick it up.
I did not intend to hurt yer feelers, take this token gift and go fishing

.

I have been wanting to try these and was hoping you were going to unveil some new hand crafted better than store bought gizmo that you are so famous for doing.

I still think I owe you a fishing trip.... :blush: