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| The Hydroglow pulls in fish from afar. |
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Electric Lights: The Hydroglow
If you’re a night fishermen and you don’t own a Hydroglow, you’re missing out—big time. I’ve been using one for several years and this is, without a doubt, my most important piece of night fishing gear in existence.
I first started using a green 48” hydroglow for night fishing in the Chesapeake, where it sucked in schools of peanut bunker like a vacuum cleaner. Naturally, the stripers, weakfish, and bluefish followed close behind. In bay waters it would illuminate a circle 10’ or 12’ around, which would flock with fish and crabs all night long. But its magnificence really became apparent when I started using one offshore. Squid, dozens of species of fish, and a multitude of crustaceans and unidentifiable critters come into the halo of light from this fluorescent tube. In the clear offshore waters the Hydroglow casts a circle of light 40’ around, with enough ambient light to tie knots by. And yes, tunas and swords will come to hunt along the edge of your lightline.
There are a few competing products, most of which fall short of the Hydroglow mark for several reasons. First, this light comes with a rigid, padded case. Secondly, ballast is built into the bottom of the light, so it always floats just below the surface, upright. These lights are sturdy and two I’ve tested have survived dozens of offshore runs, with zero failures. And finally, the light—with bulbs that are rated to last for 20,000 hours—will run all night on a single 12-volt battery.
Hydroglows are available in both blue and green, but in my experience, green is the way to go. Scientists tell us that the blue light travels farther through the water and this may be true, but when suspending a blue light from one side of the boat and a green from the other on several night fishing trips, I noted literally triple the number of fish and critters in the green zone.
Price: $210 - $250 depending one size and type. (Dock lights are available as well as boat lights)
The Highs: Draws in fish like a magnet!
The Lows: The travel case is a tight fit; it should be a hair larger.
Who Wants It: Night Fishermen… all of them.
Contact: www.hydroglow.com
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