Bait catching etiquette?

[ajrod88]

Another newbie baiting question here!   Is it OK to stop by random lighted docks and throw a net for bait? Or is this considered unsportsmanlike conduct? Thanks for any input! 

[johnr]

Some folks will say something about it. Kill em with kindness and keep catching.

[choochoo]

Just be very careful around underwater lights. They are expensive and easily damaged.

[smlfishing]

I would agree with Choochoo just be careful as I have gone through 2 light this year. Seems the 500 watt halogen lights ceramic ends break easy when hit which I need to look for an alternative. Like JohnR said just be polite and respectful and most will not mind.

[johnr]

What's the deal with these underwater lights? I don't think I've ever seen one.

[smlfishing]

Just to clarify mine are just the cheap outdoor 500w halogen lights (Cheap probably part of my problem) mounted about 2' above the water.

[BentRod]

Apr 3, 2017 10:18:35 GMT -5 smlfishing said:

Just to clarify mine are just the cheap outdoor 500w halogen lights (Cheap probably part of my problem) mounted about 2' above the water.

I used to go through 2-3 of those a month when I'd run a light - I think if they get sprayed by cooler water (like from a cast net throw), it'll blow them pretty quickly. If you can get them up higher away from the water (like on a dock piling) 5-6ft up, it would probably help.

[ajrod88]

Thanks for responding guys. I'm still interested in hearing more opinions/experiences on the subject. Thanks again! 

[smlfishing]

Apr 3, 2017 10:54:57 GMT -5 BentRod said:

Apr 3, 2017 10:18:35 GMT -5 smlfishing said:

I used to go through 2-3 of those a month when I'd run a light - I think if they get sprayed by cooler water (like from a cast net throw), it'll blow them pretty quickly. If you can get them up higher away from the water (like on a dock piling) 5-6ft up, it would probably help.

I started buying the rough service bulbs and had good success with them.  Knock on wood I never had any issues with water hitting them.  I have two about 4 feet apart on a raised deck 2-3' off the water which just attracts huge clouds of plankton.  What I suspect happens Is I leave them on with a photocell most of the year until the bugs come out.  I think the heat from them just makes everything brittle and when they get hit the ceramic just comes apart on the spring side of the bulb socket.  I would like to find a led alternative with comparable  lumens but have not found anything that bright.  Do you know if different lights attract bait better or worse ( led, halogen, sodium, I saw some florescent model as well) and does intensity play a part in the equation.   

[johnr]

You could easily build an led light to produce more lumens than that halogen bulb.

I'm not sure what the draw is. I've caught bait at several different types of lights, and the only thing they have in common is that sometimes they hold bait and sometimes they don't. My preference is the orange sodium lights.

[robertpaulson]

Well, be careful around my underwater green light. I put giant claw hooks cast upside down into concrete below my light. That way while you guys are catching shad at my dock I am catching a bunch of nice cast nets. And again thanks. JK

[ajrod88]

Please expound a bit. Are you saying I am not welcome at your dock? 

[coheasion]

I believe the above post was in jest...I took a double-take at it as well but then saw the JK at the end and assumed he was just kidding.

[robertpaulson]

Yes it was a joke. Thus the JK at the end. While my green light is only on when I am up at the lake and fishing the next AM I don't really care and I think if you don't mess things up no issue. When the fish are at the light, it does not take long before more show up even after a big catch. There are plenty to go around. Just don't seal my light.

[mwardncsu]

Apr 19, 2017 15:43:08 GMT -5 robertpaulson said:

Yes it was a joke. Thus the JK at the end. While my green light is only on when I am up at the lake and fishing the next AM I don't really care and I think if you don't mess things up no issue. When the fish are at the light, it does not take long before more show up even after a big catch. There are plenty to go around. Just don't seal my light.

The light will produce better quality bait if left on for a regular timed interval daily vs just an occasional cycle on for an odd night here and there.