fishing light

Best Color of Under Water Lights for Night Fishing

When fishing at night, did you know that a light source could help you to attract even more fish?  Did you know that different colors of fishing lights can attract different amounts of fish? So, a light source can really help your to reel in a big one at night.

But, before we talk about the different light colors you can use to attract fish, let’s just talk about what fishing lights actually are a few of the different types that you can find them in.

What are Fishing Lights?

A fishing light is an attractor that you can use in the aid to attract fish to a certain area.  The way that they work is very interesting.  

Whether you use an underwater or a floating fishing light, the light emits out through the water and attracts tiny, microscopic animals which are known as plankton.  This starts the natural food chain reaction.

Bait fish such as shad and minnows are drawn to the light so that they can feed on the plankton.  This then causes larger game fish move in so to feed on the bait fish.

There are actually 3 main, different types of lights for night fishing.

Floating Lights

Floating fishing lights are just as they sound, they just float in the water’s surface.

There are a few advantages to using floating fishing lights like having lower voltage and them being more portable.  You can retrieve them super quickly because they float on top of the surface of the water and go to your next fishing spot and easily throw them back out to continue fishing.

Floating fishing lights also have their cons like they tend to float and move around a lot due to the waves pushing and pulling them.  If it’s in the way of another boat, it could be considered a danger.

You also want to make sure that you are only using them at night because exposure from the sun can cause them to degrade quickly.

crappie

Underwater Lights

Underwater fishing lights are fully submersible lights that you can use to attract bigger fish.  These are a great option and one of the most common types of water fishing lights that you will find.

Due to the fact of them being in deeper waters, they will attract larger fish because they swim deeper below the surface of the water.

They are safer due to the fact that they aren’t a hazard and can be ran over by other boats or water crafts.

There is one downside to using underwater fishing lights as they can be prone to barnacle growth. This is due to when the light doesn’t get as warm as it should.  It then cause light to no emit as much light as it can because of the growth over it.

Find out more about underwater fishing lights in this post: Uncover the Best Secret Underwater Fishing Lights

Above Water Lights

Above water lights are completely different than the other 2 types of lights as they typically attached to the side of the boat or fishing docks.  They can attract the fish closer to the surface of the water thus making them easier to catch.

One of the biggest downsides to using above water lights for nighttime fishing is that with them being above and over the surface of the water is that the bright lights reflect off of the water’s surface making it harder to see what under the water.

It can also take a greater power source to use these lights as they sometimes require a higher power to function.

Tips for Choosing the Best Fishing Lights

Here are some helpful things to keep in mind when buying night fishing lights to help to achieve the best results possible.

#1: Select the Best Color Light

Out of all the many colors that are available for fishing lights, green is the best with white being the second best.  

LED lights are typically the best lights for night fishing as they require less maintenance and are more efficient than sodium or halogen lights.

#2: Choose the Right Type of Light for You

You want to make sure that you pick the best light that will work for you.  Whether you are looking for an underwater fishing light, floating fishing light or an above water fishing light.

Each one has it’s pros and cons, which you can read about above.

#3: Make Sure That it Has Protection

Whether you are using an underwater fishing light or a floating light, you will want to make sure that housing is properly protected as it will take on some wear and tear.

A good quality fishing light that can stand up to some use and abuse is crucial if you don’t want to have to replace it often.

man on boat at night

Night Fishing Light Q & A’s

What’s the best color of light to use for night fishing? The best color of light for night fishing is green, because it can penetrate up to 75ft of water.  

Is green or blue light better for night fishing? Green is the best option for night fishing because it will attract fish from a greater distance than a blue light will.  

Is blue light good for night fishing? Blue is a good option to use in saltwater fishing, but in fresh water it does not usually attract baitfish. 

What should I use for night fishing? The best thing to use for night time fishing is a green fishing light because it will attract fish so you can try to catch them. 

What LED light Color is best for fish? In a freshwater lake the best LED light color is green and white. 

What color light doesn’t scare fish? Most colors of light do not scare fish unless you suddenly shine your flash light into the water.   


Is White good for night fishing? Yes white lights are good for fishing and will attract a lot of fish, but they will also attract a lot of bugs like mosquitoes.  

Do fish like blue LED light?Yes, blue lights are a good option in saltwater environments. 

Do fish dislike LED lights? No, in-fact fish are usually attracted to LED light.  

Are fish attracted to red light? Yes, red lights will attract fish, but green and white will attract fish from a greater distance. 

What colors are good for dark water fishing? White is one of the best colors for dark, dirty water.

What is the Best Color of Light for Night Fishing?

Fishing lights come in a variety of colors.  The different colors can be green light, blue, light, white light or even red light.  All in all, does the color of the light actually make a difference?  It most certainly can!

Certain colors have the ability to attract more fish, which can result in you catching even more fish than you thought that you could.

The common consensus is that green fishing lights tend to attract the most fish, with white being the second best.  Also, a submersible fishing light, which is also know as a underwater fishing light is the best type of fishing light that you can use for night fishing.

It’s a good idea to pair these two things together (a green, underwater fishing light) to get the most out of your next fishing trip!