Night Diving set up

  • I'm trying to put together a night diving set up for diving for lobster in Grenada. I've found that night is when the lobsters come out of their hiding holes, and become a lot more accessible.


    I'm a little uncomfortable diving at night, so I was wondering if any of you Cali guys who I see lobstering at night would be so kind as to describe how many lights that you guys use and where they're situated.


    Thanks!

  • I use a light strapped to my mask and a dive light that is not attached to me that I use with my had. That way I can lay it down and use both hands.

    BOBBERRYFISHCARVINGS.COM

  • Hahahaha steven you are hilarious.


    Ben be careful. I would look into two small lights. One on each side of your mask. And a big hand held one. I would not use the two together, but rather would need a back up because I would freak out in the dark. Hahaha.


    I would seriously add flood lights on my float and have other divers w lights. Hahaha



    Seriously though it is probably only terrifying the first few times.


    Keep us posted and make sure your estate is in order.

    i like to spear fish

  • I have an Energizer brand LED headlamp I use in the garage/attic and when working on cars at night. It is super bright but I don't know if it is waterproof. It may be worth it to look into LED headlamps.


    FYI it is creepy as shit diving at night. I've done it once from the beach and haven't grown the cojones to try it again. From a boat might be different, but again still lacking the cojones to try it.

  • I have an Energizer brand LED headlamp I use in the garage/attic and when working on cars at night. It is super bright but I don't know if it is waterproof. It may be worth it to look into LED headlamps.


    FYI it is creepy as shit diving at night. I've done it once from the beach and haven't grown the cojones to try it again. From a boat might be different, but again still lacking the cojones to try it.


    lol Mike, what happened? I also always wanted to try night free diving. Would be good info if you could describe your experience.

  • lol Mike, what happened? I also always wanted to try night free diving. Would be good info if you could describe your experience.


    Went out with a friend at about 5 one evening, it was fall so it got dark around 6-630. We couldn't find any fish but on our way in we found a big rock with lots of bugs under it. We had brought one small underwater flashlight to aid in finding bugs, but it was nearly useless once it was pitch black. We stayed on the rock longer than we wanted and longer than we should have rounding up all of the legal bugs. BW hunting is eerie, if you've never done it I can't explain it but something about jumping in the water and looking around and seeing blue water with no perspective of space/distance as far as the eye can see is creepy. I still have a hard time relaxing and calming down out in open water. Night diving with nearly no light is similar except now no matter what direction you look you can't see at all. We were at a max depth of 20' and the bottom wasn't visible and we couldn't see each other. All that was visible was the little beam from the flashlight. As soon as the light was gone it was like being in a deep cave with the lights off. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face, and when underwater you couldn't tell which way was up. Luckily, at least the night I was out, there were almost no boats, we felt ok because we could hear them a lot sooner than we could see them. With no light on my dive board or flag we were invisible to everyone.


    My friends have gone out scuba diving at night with plenty of light and said it was awesome. It takes a minute to shake that "there's something behind me" feeling but after that it's supposed to be a whole nother ball game. I remember shining the light on an undersized hog and it froze, things are definitely different out there at night. I really should do it again and plan and prepare for a night dive just to see if I can relax and enjoy it. We did get quite a few bugs so in the end it was worth it, but my friend and I still bring it up and joke about it every now and then. Looking in at the city lights is pretty cool if it's a perspective you've never seen before.

  • I personally use a mini Q-40 by uk (it comes with a strap to connect to your mask ) I also use a C4 by uk connected to a floatline and a float so i can ditch the light in mid grab for reinforcements. I personally love diving at night due to the fact that your world is confined to your beam of light. If you do decide to go out at night bring a buddy you have confidence in and only go as deep as absolutly necessary. In cali I've got most my bugs in less than Ten feet of water this year and two of them have been personal bests for me.

    Edited once, last by Tomlynch: spelling ().

  • For night diving, I use the brightest light that I have. I don't like big, heavy lights. Make sure you have one good main light with fresh batteries and a good backup light. Surfacing without a light is not really a problem, but some people get a bit claustrophobic without the light. I am assuming you will be diving from a boat, make sure your anchor light is on and if you have spreader lights you may want to have them on as well. Night diving can really be a lot of fun. This is a good time to gig flounder as well, They are much easier to see at night with a good light.


    The main thing about night dives is good planning for contingencies/emergencies. Make sure you have someone along to stay with the boat.


    Good luck and stay safe,


    Dennis

  • lots of great info on this thread.


    i think if you are shorediving you should have a float that will serve the same purpose as a boat, to find it and for safety

    i like to spear fish

  • I know this is an old post but a good marker light on shore is very important too so that you know where you originally got in the water so you can get out and back to your car.

  • In retrospect it was kind of a risky move because it could've been taken by the coast guard as someone signalling to a boat. But I didn't stay long, it was deep and scary. I think night freediving is for 20ft or less.

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