I saw 4 boats in the channel tonight headed to and from the Willoughby Ramp running with NO running lights on. I almost hit one SOB. If your going to fish at night get your shit straight so you dont put others in danger. Im sure my 4500lb boat would easlity rip through an aluminum boat but why risk it? Lights are cheap.

Yeh, people need to be more responsible and think about the other people who are on the water. We were leaving out of that inlet where bluewater marina and sunset marina are ( im not sure of the name) and as we got towards the HRBT entrance to the bay we were nearly hit by a 15 foot alluminum boat who appearently yelled he couldnt see us even though we were running our coastguard approved running lights and our spot light to be safe from hitting any debree in the water and rip rap. We were cruising at about 21 knots and he was going about 40 knots not to mention we were in about 3 foot sea's from the wind picking up earlier that night. Were running a 28 foot bayliner trophy walk-around weighing around 6500 pounds that would easily crush him going that speed. Not only was he endangering himself but he was endangering his passengers and us. Unfortunately theres really nothing the coastguard can do to stop ignorant people like that other than doing inspections and catching them in the act. I definately agree with you and would strongly disagree with anyone who thinks running at night without any lights is even slightly acceptable. Im just glad that i dont know anyone that irrespnsible so that way im nowwhere near them when they do something stupid like that.

Ahhhh striper season. All kinds come out of the woodwork fellas. Most don't have a clue about being safe. Long story short, always gotta be on your toes..... Glad you got back safe.

Did you catch any fish? I get off around 1:00 PM today and wanted to head over to the Willoby side of the HRBT.

I haved fished this area for years and last night was the worst. I have never seen it tha dead. Caught 2 10" flounder. No signs of life. Hope that helps.

Yeah, striper season always reminds me of that scene in Jaws where all the boats are trying to head out of the harbor to catch the Shark. Crazy. I have also noticed many of an idiot with no running lights including a guy in a kayak on Wednesday night. What the hell was he thinking?

We also struck out on stripers on Wednesday night. Hope to try again next week.

Wow, sounds like the same thing that happened to me. We were heading back to the Willowby launch from HRBT about 8pm. We were heading down the small boat channel, lights on, spotlight in hand shining around. All of a sudden this jon boat with 3 guys on board and NO lights hits us on the side of my boat. Said they didn't see me or my lights. I suspect they were drunk by the way they were running their mouths. Any way no damage to the boats or crew but a scary situation. Its sad people are so stupid they have to risk their lives as well as others. Now in addition to my lights I tap my horn every few minutes or so. Stay Safe!

Well if someone hits my new boat in a jon boat with no lights there will be some serious consequences! I hope these guys have alot of insurance...How much are light bulbs again??? 5 bucks? Much better than the 45K they will owe me for a hole in my hull!

After reading these posts, I'm going to add extra some lights, especially along the transom and sides. I've got 500,000 candle power up front so I don't think I could get any more visible on the bow.

Be carefull with that. Sometimes a spot light like that can do more damage than good. Nothing worse then being up on plane heading back only to be hit in the eyes with a spot light.

Night vision (and I don't mean goggles) goes to crap quick when that happens.

That's a great point Marrdro. I am careful about not hitting others with the spotlight. In fact, I prefer not to use the spotlight except for close quarters and looking for channel markers. But it is a mighty good warning light too.

You should have seen me running back from the first island (to Ft Monroe) after dark. I was cruising along and wham, hit with one of those big guys.....

I was in the channel and he was a ways off, but for some reason I think he wanted to make sure I new he was there.

WOW.....

Now I see the relevance in the mandatory boat course we all MUST take!

If you add more than coast guard mandated lights I think you will confuse those who know the rules of the road. I think sticking to mandated lights is your best bet. Its tough enough being on the bay at night, but when you see a vessel approaching with a christmas tree set up, its difficult to know which direction he is going.

I don't think any of us are worried about the folks who know and follow "the rules of the road." My lights will not confuse you and they will not compromise your night vision.

Im loooking for a good spotight for the bow,What brand is yours?

Im loooking for a good spotight for the bow,What brand is yours?

I don't recall the brand. It's remotely operated - not hand-held. I got it at West Marine about four years ago.

God help the poor angler that runs at night with a searchlight! I should hope you had fished your expected area often enough in the daytime to be able to find your marks. And as far as radar was concerned, it was used in thick fog only. Your eyes are your best tools at night. And if you have someone on board, station them away from all lights where they can act as a lookout.When using Dr.Wright's boats at night, if I wanted to make sure folks saw me I would flash my cockpit lights.Doesn't ruin yours or the other guy's night vision.

40 knots in a 15 foot john boat in 3 foot seas! Either that is one bad ass boat and operator or a slight exaggeration.

I agree on the fools who take the rules and safety too lightly.