How to Install and Use LED Fishing Lights Effectively: A Practical Guide for Offshore Operations

LED fishing lights have become essential tools in squid fishing, sardine fishing, anchovy fishing, and other offshore operations where light-induced aggregation is critical. While LED technology offers high efficiency, strong wavelength performance, and long service life, proper installation and usage directly determine the effectiveness of fish attraction and the longevity of the equipment.

This guide outlines best practices for installing and maintaining LED fishing lights on offshore vessels, providing practical insights for fleet operators and fishing companies.

1. Installation Height: Positioning the Light for Optimal Attraction

The height at which a fishing light is installed affects both light dispersion and the aggregation radius.

Recommended installation guidelines

• Lower installation (closer to the water surface)
  Enhances penetration into the upper water layers, beneficial for squid and small pelagic fish such as sardines and anchovies.

• Medium-height installation
  Preferred for mixed-species fishing where both shallow and mid-depth attraction are required.

• Avoid placing lights too high
  Excessive height reduces underwater intensity and increases surface glare.

Why height matters

LED light is most effective when directed into the water column with minimal obstruction. Installing the lamp near the rail or above the waterline ensures deeper penetration and wider horizontal attraction.

2. Optimal Angle Between the Lamp and Sea Surface

The angle of illumination influences how light travels through water. Unlike land-based lighting, fishing lamps require careful orientation.

Best practices for angle positioning

• A 15°–30° downward angle helps direct the beam into the water efficiently.

• Avoid pointing the lamp horizontally across the surface, as this increases surface reflection and reduces underwater penetration.

• For high-output lamps (1000–2000W LED), angling ensures the beam reaches deeper layers without blinding deck crew.

Biological reasoning

Fish respond to the underwater shaft of light, not surface reflection. A properly angled lamp creates a stronger “light column” that attracts plankton, baitfish, and larger predators such as squid.

3. Single-Lamp vs. Multi-Lamp Configurations

Different fishing operations require different lighting setups.

Single-Lamp Setup

Suitable for:

• Small vessels

• Shallow-water squid operations

• Nearshore fishing

A single high-power cyan or green LED can create a focused attraction zone.

Multi-Lamp Setup

Used by:

• Offshore fleets

• Purse seine operations

• Large-scale squid fishing vessels

Advantages include:

• Wider illumination area

• Stronger aggregation across multiple depth layers

• Better distribution across both sides of the vessel

Multi-lamp systems also allow mixing of wavelengths, enhancing ecological layering and plankton density.

4. Wavelength Combinations: Multi-Spectrum Strategies for Maximum Effectiveness

The spectral output of LED fishing lights plays a crucial role in fish aggregation. In addition to traditional green and white wavelengths, cyan and red wavelengths are increasingly used in offshore fisheries to optimize attraction for different species and water conditions.

Below is an expanded explanation of the four most effective wavelengths and how they work together.

Green Light (≈520–540 nm)

• Strong attraction for plankton

• Highly effective for sardines, anchovies, and mixed pelagic fish

• Increases bait density before squid rise to feed

• Works well in shallow to mid-depth waters

White Light (Full spectrum)

• Provides wide-area visibility

• Enhances depth penetration across multiple layers

• Supports mixed-species attraction

• Improves deck visibility and safety during night operations

Cyan Light (≈485–495 nm)

Cyan is one of the strongest wavelengths for squid and cuttlefish, due to:

• High sensitivity of squid photoreceptors in the 480–500 nm range

• Strong penetration through clear and offshore blue water

• Ability to attract cephalopods at deeper layers compared with green

Cyan is ideal for:

• Offshore squid fleets

• Deep-water cephalopod fishing

• Operations requiring strong vertical penetration

This wavelength is one of StarHSY’s core strengths, supported by spectrum test reports from your products.

Red Light (≈620–630 nm)

Red has unique biological and environmental characteristics:

• Attracts certain baitfish and deep-water species sensitive to lower-frequency wavelengths

• Effective in turbid or greenish coastal waters, where shorter wavelengths scatter more

• Helps create environmental contrast when layered with green or cyan

• Useful as an auxiliary spectrum to stabilize fish aggregation

Red is not typically used alone, but becomes highly effective when combined with white or cyan, creating a multi-layer attraction environment.

Recommended Multi-Wavelength Combinations

White + Green (Classic broad-spectrum combination)

• Balanced performance for mixed-species fishing

• Strong plankton aggregation (green) + wide coverage (white)

• Suitable for purse seine and anchovy fleets

Cyan + White (Deep-layer attraction + wide-area coverage)

• Cyan penetrates deeper and targets squid

• White fills upper layers to prevent dispersion

• Ideal for offshore squid and cuttlefish operations

Cyan + Green (Bait-layer + squid dual-optimization)

• Green builds high-density bait layers

• Cyan targets squid that rise to feed

• A powerful combination for squid boats operating in clear blue water

White + Red (Enhanced combination for turbid waters)

• White compensates for red’s shallow penetration

• Red maintains strong visibility in turbid coastal waters

• Effective for estuary fisheries or river–sea transitional zones

Green + Red + Cyan (Three-spectrum ecological aggregation)

• Mimics a more natural underwater light environment

• Increases plankton density (green)

• Attracts cephalopods (cyan)

• Enhances contrast and depth layering (red)

• Ideal for large offshore vessels using multi-lamp configurations

Why Multi-Spectrum Combinations Work

Different wavelengths penetrate water at different depths and stimulate different biological responses.
Using multiple wavelengths:

• Creates layered ecological zones

• Attracts both plankton and baitfish

• Encourages predators such as squid to rise

• Maintains fish density for longer durations

• Expands the horizontal and vertical attraction radius

This approach is especially effective for large offshore fleets and vessels using multi-lamp configurations.

5. Timing Techniques: How Long and When to Use LED Fishing Lights

Effective use of LED fishing lights involves precise timing.

General timing recommendations

• Switch on LED fishing lights 20–40 minutes before net deployment to allow aggregation to form.

• Use continuous illumination during active fishing periods.

• Avoid frequent power cycling, as sudden changes may disturb fish movement.

Species-specific considerations

• Squid require stable, consistent illumination.

• Baitfish respond more quickly, but dispersion happens faster if light is reduced abruptly.

• Mixed-species fishing benefits from gradual brightness transitions.

A properly timed lighting strategy directly influences catch efficiency and aggregation density.

6. Maintenance & Cleaning: Keeping LED Fishing Lights at Peak Performance

Regular maintenance ensures long-term stability and prevents equipment failure during long voyages.

Key maintenance tips

• Remove salt deposits after each trip to prevent corrosion.

• Inspect cable glands, connectors, and mounting points for signs of wear.

• Clean the lens surface to maintain maximum light penetration.

• Verify that the heat sink remains free of debris to ensure efficient cooling.

Why this matters

Saltwater environments accelerate rust, oxidation, and component wear. Clean lenses and well-maintained heat sinks help maintain brightness and extend the lifespan of the LED modules.

7. How to Avoid Damage and Extend Lamp Lifespan

LED fishing lights face several environmental challenges:

• Heavy spray

• Salt corrosion

• Impact from gear or equipment

• Long operating hours

Preventive measures

• Use marine-grade brackets and stainless fasteners.

• Install shock-absorbing mounts on vessels with strong engine vibration.

• Avoid direct impact from nets, steel cables, or heavy tools.

• Ensure proper ventilation around the heat sink to prevent overheating.

Engineering considerations

Durability depends not only on materials but also on how well the lamp manages heat and moisture intrusion.

StarHSY fishing lights utilize corrosion-resistant housings, reinforced IP-rated sealing, and high-efficiency thermal systems to ensure stable operation across long fishing voyages.

Conclusion

Proper installation, wavelength selection, and maintenance are essential for maximizing the performance of LED fishing lights in offshore operations. By optimizing height, angle, timing, and spectral combinations, fishing fleets can achieve stronger aggregation, higher catch efficiency, and longer lamp service life.

LED fishing lights engineered with advanced heat dissipation, waterproof structures, and wavelength-optimized LEDs — such as those produced by StarHSY — offer long-term reliability and performance for modern offshore fisheries.