Lights for a portable ice house?

[Navigator]

I'm sure this question has been asked before...What type of light are you using for ice fishing at night? For example, gas lantern, LED headlamps, flashlights, ect.

Any input is greatly appreciated! Nav

[Deitz Dittrich]

For me I use the Princton Tec light.. its a head lamp.. I also use a dual fuel colman lamp... and I have a few of the Colman Tent lights...I like them, they have a magnet that you can put anywhere on your house.. works great. maybe not enough light to light the whole house however.

[The Chemist]

There are alot of choices that you can make. Alot depends on the size of the house and temp outside. I use coleman lanterns(which can be used to heat also), but you need to carry a couple of cylinders along with you, I suspended it from the ceiling from one of the cross supports using a tow strap to keep it away from the tent. I have used the battery lanterns but they don't offer alot of light and usually isn't enough light to cover all holes. I have also used the small flashlights with a wrist strap and then suspend them directly over each hole if the supports permit. I also have a princeton tec aurora head light that I use but that is more for when I'm taking things down and need both hands free. I am now looking into the cable lights for my house to decrease on the amount of space that I will use. The thing you will have to consider is where you will put the light. Simple modifications to your house will allow for most any light. One consideration also is that sometimes you can cast too much light especially in shallow water where the fish may end up getting spooked by the light.

[decoy]

I use a trouble light. I attached a homeade cord with alligator clips. With it I run a 25 watt 12volt RV bulb ($2.75) and a Vexilar battery. Works great.

I also sometimes use my petromax multi- fuel lantern.

decoy

[Navigator]

Thanks for the input guys! Do you like the brighter light from a LED over softer lighting from a lantern?

[Farley]

I use the priceton tec predator pro for the direct lighting needed to set up and tie hooks, and also use a coleman dual fuel (I just use the coleman fuel, the gasoline burns pretty dirty and gives me a buzz) latern. Works good. I dont have one but those LED headlamps are pretty slick since they light up an area around the light, it's not a direct beam. But one drawback is you cant check your tipup more that 5 yards away with those things unless you get out of the portable.

[Northlander]

Decoy how long will a 12 volt battery last with that setup?

[MJCatfish]

I bought one of the rope lights from clam corp. and installed it last night. I was amazed at how well it worked. They say the battery works for about 3 hrs on this setup. I'll have to see if I plan on bringing another battery or maybe one of my lanterns. My Princeton head lamp is always with me as well.

MJ

[mnfishman]

At Fleet Farm they sell those trailer lights that are 12v with clear lenses. They have a off and on button on them. I am planning on hooking up two in my Quick Flip II tonight to see how much light I get. I plan on mounting them below the bench seat so that they will shine across the holes between my legs. I am going to use my lawn tractor battery to run them. I will let you all know how it works out. I saw the clam rope lights at Gander but I don't want to attach anything to my poles.

[Crappie Killer]

decoy I do something similar. But I use one of those temporary lights, has the round metal shroud with the clamp. I clamp it to the center beam and wrap the cord around the beam out of the way. Instead of wrecking the end of the cord with alligator clips, I made a "cheater" out of an old extension cord. Kept the female end, cut the cord about two feet up and put on alligator clips. Good light.

[Duffer]

i use the coleman lantern and a head lamp. i put the lantern on the ice or hang it from the pole with an s hook.

[Walleye Guy]

I use a trouble light that has and encased flourescent lamp in it. The flourescent lamp drws way less current and you can get many hours our of a 12 volt gel cell.

[LittleRanger]

Buy the bendable snake light thats made for the Vexilar FL8. Its an accesory that you can add. Real cool light for its application. Look it up on the Vexilar site.

[LittleRanger]

Here is the 12 volt light thats made for the Vexilar. Just clip it to a 12 batt. and it will last for 6-12 hours while the Vexilar is running too.

[jigginjerk]

Maybe I'm old school or just cheap, but I use a interior light out of an old car and line the inside with a piece of brown grocery bag and you get a nice quiet light. But thats just me.

[Bruce Mosher]

I use a HeadLamp (for tying jigs and up close stuff - also for tearing down at the end of the night) I also bought a 30 LED Lantern which has a 15 bulb switch and a 30 bulb switch position. I set the lantern on the ground and it has enough light for my Otter Lodge. No more broken mantels! Or burning your line over the top of the Coleman Lantern! Pros and Cons to everything. The coleman Lantern does put out alot of heat too. Bruce Mosher

[NELS-BELLS]

I have the same set up that mnfishman discribed. It works perfect. I have about 8' of wire so I can attach it to a car battery or one on back of my four wheeler but most of the time I use a small gell cell battery in my portable. I have alligator clips on the end of the wires. I made a plastic clip out of PVC pipe and fastened it to the back of the light so I can clip it to the pole above my head. Its bright enough and it lasts for about 4 - 5 hours.

I also made a set up like Crappie Killer discribed but I have only used it in my boat and clamped it to my pole light for night fishing. I have clips on the wires so I can attach it to my trolling motor battery. I'd like to know how long it would last on a gell cell battery.

The nice thing about the other light is that it is so much smaller that you can put it in your pocket and it only cost about 7 bucks at Mills Fleet. The best part is that you can go tearing across the lake and not worry about breaking your mantles or globe, just clip it and turn it on.

Nels

[arbuck]

In the past I have used a Coleman Northstar lantern and it lit well but I have had two of them go bad on me.

This year I will be running a Coleman "Single Mantel Compact" and a Prinston-Tec Aroura headlight. I love that headlight - bright, hands free operation.

arbuck

[smellyfish2]

for a start check out the "cat's eyes" LED lights,,I use them all the time fit the cap bill and put good light right where you need it,,,whenever you rebait they charge the glow jigs too,,,the old stanby coleman gas lantern gives me all the heat I need for my midsize flip over, and yes they can singe your line off,,lol

[MinnetonkaRealtor]

Has anyone else burned holes in their jackets or pants with their coleman lantern? I've got a black nylon jack that I wear all the time, and the sleeves are just covered in holes from the dang lantern! I wear blaze orange bibs that have plenty of burn holes in them as well.

[MNmikew]

LOL! You almost need "dedicated" clothing to wear around those things. I have lots of burn holes from sunflower heaters. Use a Buddy Heater in my Otter now. the clam rope light sounds like a great light. I think Cabelas has a batt/charger on sale now for $17.

[Duffer]

anyone have problems with there coleman burning a hole in there portable canvis.