Bowfishing light & generator set up

[wislnwings]

I'm finally egtting around to setting up the lights on my boat for bowfishing.  I'd like to see pics of your light and generator set ups.  Also, what size generator are you running?  I'll be mainly chasing redfish in the marsh and gar in the swamp.  Here is a pic of the front deck.  There is a hand operated trolling motor now mounted where the 2 ducks are laying.  I was going to build a removeable elevated deck, but with the cost of aluminum and funds being tight right now I'm going to pass on that.  I have 6 - 500 watt lights to work with that a friend donated to the project.  Also, what kind of rack or mount do you use to hold your bows when not in use?
 

[Steve Chappell]

What kind of 500 Watt lights are the onse you are using?

[wislnwings]

I believe they are halogen.

[LoweBow]

I run 4-400w Metal Halide fixtures on my boat.
I ran halogen's for years, but watt for watt the MH fixtures can't be beat.  They are more expensive, but IMO worth it.
a 500w Halogen emits 10,000 lumns
a 400w MH emmits 43,000 lumens.

I'm in the process of getting rid of my 5500w honda genny and going to go w/ a super quiet 2200w.  My lights draw 1600w after initial ingnition max FLA.


   

   

[ckanous]

You could light up a football field with that boat!!

[doug77]

Dang you guys are serious about that night fishing.

doug77

[owlbait]

I have 3-500w halogens powered by a 2500w generator. Hand controlled trolling motor right about where yours will be. Nothing to set bows in, they are always in our hands! Lowebow, do you ever shoot the GLBC?

[LoweBow]

Originally posted by owlbait:
I have 3-500w halogens powered by a 2500w generator. Hand controlled trolling motor right about where yours will be. Nothing to set bows in, they are always in our hands! Lowebow, do you ever shoot the GLBC?

I never have...I've been invited up a doz times and have never made it.  The wife is from Detroit area so we've tried and tried to schedule a trip up so she could stay w/ the in-laws while we drove on up, but it's never happened.  Will be shooing Sandusky May 21st weekend.  We get together down there about every year.  AWESOME shooting for sure!!!!  Love running to the Bass Islands!

[LoweBow]

Originally posted by ckanous:
You could light up a football field with that boat!!

Bright is an understatement!  LOL~!  
I don't believe in overkill !!!        

[BA]

Dang Lowebow!  I would sure hate to be a little fishie when you boys pull up in that rig.  That is some serious stuff - bet you guys have a blast.  Digging the name on the boat too.

[Steve Chappell]

Lowebow
Holly smokes, looks like people in the next county would know when you are out at night!

Is it necessary to have so many watts (400) to get good lighting when night bow fishing?  If not, what is the minimum watts you would suggest?

Anyone know a good place to look for and buy Metal Halide light setups? I am not looking to light up a football field just whatever in within shooting range of the boat.

Also, what type of boat do you recommend…flat bottom, mid v, etc?

SteveC

[KentuckyTJ]

Steve, Lowbow sent his boy up four poles in the Walmart parking lot to get his. I don't suggest this method though.       :D      

Are they needed? Well if you ever shot over them you would think so. Size does matter.

I hear tell a fellow may be able to just buy this boat, as size matters and Lowebow has always wanted a bigger one.      

[EL Mejor]

COOL SETUP FOR SURE,,,,

[LoweBow]

The most economical setup would be the normal 300w or 500w halogen lights....by far more economical!  The biggest reason behind using the MH lighting is the wattage used compared to light output.  You can also get smaller 150w MH fixtures that have great output.  These were availible from some poles on my farm, so I used them, but many of my friends have gone to these fixtures also.

I used to run 10-500w Halogen fixtures on my old deck.  Thus the need for a 5500w generator.
(10x500=5,000 watts)

With the Metal Halide fixtures I'm downsizing my genny to a 2,400 watt super quiet compact genny.  Eleminating the noise is awesome.
4x400=1,600 watts w/ over twice the light output of the Halogen lights.

They are HEAVY lights and expensive.  they can run from $110 - $250 ea.  Where Halogen are from $10-$25 ea.

There's positives and negatives to each set up.

[LoweBow]

I have a light bar that stands 10' above that deck that is removable that has 6-12 volt flood lights on it that we use when shooting bigheads on the river.  It's attached to a foot switch so I can turn it on and off when fish are present.

[wislnwings]

When running multiple lights, how are you plugging them in to the generator?  Do you have them wired together with a single plug going to the generator?  I'm a bit electrically challeneged here.  My grandfather was the electrician in the family, not me.

[joebuck]

Lowe Bow ..You mount a flood light for bigmouths at 10 feet. Interested as why?  Sounds like I need too!

[LoweBow]

Originally posted by wislnwings:
When running multiple lights, how are you plugging them in to the generator?  Do you have them wired together with a single plug going to the generator?  I'm a bit electrically challeneged here.  My grandfather was the electrician in the family, not me.

I have the lights wired (2 per side) to a junction box under my deck.  Each side is run back to a light switch at the rear of the boat and then thru a GFCI and a 120v male cord cap into the generator (x2)

[LoweBow]

Originally posted by joebuck:
Lowe Bow ..You mount a flood light for bigmouths at 10 feet. Interested as why?  Sounds like I need too!

Most guys around here spotlight bighead carp because of how light and noise shy they tend to be.  I spent way tooooo many nights w/ a spotlight in my hand while trying to help others get a fish on.  I put this light pole on w/ the 6 "tractor" style light at 10' above my deck....when we roll up on movement on the water surface which is usally bigheads, silvers, or paddlefish feeding....I slowly troll to within shooting distance and step on my foot switch which lights a nice 30' circle around the whold nose of the boat...usually offering multiple shot opportunities.  I actually get to shoot instead of standing there like a lump saying "you were really close that time"  LOL!

I tried mounting the lights to my deck railing, but elevating them just covers soooo much more water...

[Warden609]

Mike, Nice RIG!!!