SilverFox Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 I've been looking online for a while now trying to find the laws about running lights at night on the water. I can't find anything that states the law about it. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong place. What I want to know is what's legal and what's not as far as having a spot light up front running while going down the lake. I've heard different opinions on it just nothing I can find that is written. I see guys running them the entire time... from time to time and I even seen guys running lights that look to be flood lights all the time... I'm guessing they are bow fishing. Thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone fishing Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 they are legal here in ky go to cumberland lake at night it looks like cars coming at u lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronzebackhuntr Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 I've always been told that it is illegal to run with them on at night, but I don't know of anyone who has ever recd a ticket for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishman Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 I got a warning ticket last year on Watauga for having my big light on that is mounted at the bow of my boat an was only using it ever now an again because they was a lot of logs floteing but got pulled over by the TWRA an got the warning ticket told the officer that i was only using it to see a clear patch through the trees an logs that were floteing all over the lake an i ask him to show me the law that says i caint do that an i am still wateing for that officer or some one in the TWRA to show me it aint happened yet. BP...............FISHMAN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainman Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 RULES I dont know of laws AGAINST using a spotlight. Usually, the more lights an officer sees, the better. BUT, that would also be up to the warden's interpretation. Id say this: If you feel like you need it to safely navigate, use it. If you get cited for using it, take it to court & show the judge the rule book and tell him/her that it was the only way you could safely navigate the waterway. I guarantee you it will be tossed out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverFox Posted June 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 Thanks but that still doesn't answer the question unless I'm missing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainman Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 Thanks but that still doesn't answer the question unless I'm missing it. I dont know of laws AGAINST using a spotlight. Usually, the more lights an officer sees, the better. BUT, that would also be up to the warden's interpretation. Id say this: If you feel like you need it to safely navigate, use it. If you get cited for using it, take it to court & show the judge the rule book and tell him/her that it was the only way you could safely navigate the waterway. I guarantee you it will be tossed out. Im saying there is nothing written on the use of spotlight for navigational purposes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverFox Posted June 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 So you can have lights mounted to your boat like driving lights and use them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainman Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 I dont know of any law against it. period. You read TWRA's guidlines for lighting. Nothing in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverFox Posted June 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 As long as I have your permission, I'm good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidcaldwell21 Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 TWRA book says: All spotlights used on the lake must have a sticker that clearly reads "Mountainman Approved" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainman Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 It dont make a flyin crap to me either way. If I feel like I need to use mine to safely navigate, TWRA be dammed, Im using it!! They can cite me if they want to, i will fight it in courrt cause there is no published law against it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pccustomtackle Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 When you see TWRA comming, just shine the spotlight in their eyes and they won't see which way you went !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hung up Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 rules say that your running light have to be seen thats the red % green ones if you run a white bright light all the time boats that come up on you can not see those lights and that is were you get the ticket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whopper Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 Hung up is correct, others have to be able to see your bow lights (red & green) and your stern light so they know which direction you are going. You can still supplement with other lighting but if your moving the bow lights still have to be visible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJK Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 TWRA stays out after dark? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishman Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 TWRA stays out after dark? Only on Watauga when i am up there. BP................FISHMAN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverFox Posted June 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 I've seen several... 2 or 3 at least the last couple of nights I've fished Douglas. Most of the time they had the blue lights going and where giving someone an autograph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiseguy909 Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 I helped Eugene mount a Bull Dozer Head light to the front of his Stratos. I really hope he don't put a dozer blade on it to try to get through the Douglas shortcut at Cowboys this fall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 Only on Watauga when i am up there. BP................FISHMAN maybe they know an outlaw is on the water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackertxw175 Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 I helped Eugene mount a Bull Dozer Head light to the front of his Stratos. I really hope he don't put a dozer blade on it to try to get through the Douglas shortcut at Cowboys this fall i always heard bigger blades catch bigger fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SF Big Dog Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 Good morning Gang ... Speaking of boat lights .... I bought these in Jan 2010 ... and never did mount them. So they have been just sitting here. Bought them from Softy's boat dealership. $75.00 + shipping SF Big Dog / Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 softy have a Boat Dealership Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softbaitmaker Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 Good morning Gang ... Speaking of boat lights .... I bought these in Jan 2010 ... and never did mount them. So they have been just sitting here. Bought them from Softy's boat dealership. $75.00 + shipping SF Big Dog / Rich If you still have them I'll take them Rich. Just let me know how much to send you including shipping. Softy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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