Top 3 Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Underwater Fish Lights
Installing Underwater Fish Lights is one of the best ways to enhance your waterfront, attract fish, and create a stunning nighttime display. But if you want your dock light system to work its best—and last for years—you need to avoid a few common mistakes that can seriously affect your setup’s performance.
At Underwater Fish Light, we’ve helped thousands of waterfront property owners get the most out of their lights. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just love the glow of underwater illumination, avoiding these three mistakes will help ensure your system runs at full power, every night.
1. Choosing an LED Fish Light for Long-Term Use
This is the #1 mistake we see—and it’s a big one.
While LED lights are popular for their energy efficiency and compact size, they’re not built for permanent underwater installation in saltwater environments. Why? Because LED lights don’t get hot enough to burn off aquatic growth.
When you leave an LED fish light in the water long-term, barnacles and algae will quickly grow on the lens. Before long, the buildup will block the light entirely, making it ineffective. You’ll end up with a dim, green fuzzball instead of a bright fish attractor.
The better choice? HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lights.
Our HID underwater fish lights heat up enough to naturally burn off algae and growth, keeping your bulb clear and bright night after night. That means minimal maintenance and maximum fish-attracting power.
2. Mounting the Bulb Directly Under Your Dock
We get it—you want to protect your bulb from boat traffic. And yes, mounting your light under the dock might seem like a good way to keep it safe in busy canals. But here’s the problem: when the bulb is directly under the dock, it becomes much harder to see the fish that gather around it.
And let’s be honest—that’s kind of the whole point.
The goal is to see the entire food chain come to life—from tiny baitfish to massive snook and tarpon. If your dock is casting a shadow over the bulb, you’re blocking your view of the action.
Instead, position the light out from under the dock, and mount the weight closer to the bulb on the cord—about 2 inches apart. This will help the light sit lower in the water column and rest closer to the floor, while still staying visible (and safely out of the way of boat props).
3. Picking the Wrong Bulb Wattage for Your Water Conditions
Not all waterfronts are created equal.
Some docks sit on crystal-clear water, while others are surrounded by murky canals or darker brackish bays. That’s why we offer two different wattage options at UnderwaterFishLight.com:
- 175W Classic Series – perfect for clear water or smaller areas
- 250W Extra Bright Series – best for murky or dark water conditions
Here’s the mistake: customers sometimes opt for the lower-wattage bulb without considering how it’ll look in their specific water. In murky water, a 175W bulb can look underwhelming—it may not cut through the haze, and the glow won’t reach its full potential.
If your dock is on darker or murky water, the 250W Extra Bright Series is the way to go.
You’ll get a broader, brighter glow and better visibility, which means more fish—and more fun.
Final Thoughts
Installing an underwater fish light can transform your dock into a glowing fish haven. But to get the best results, you’ve got to set it up the right way. Avoiding these three common mistakes will save you time, frustration, and help you enjoy all the benefits of your dock light from day one.
✔ Skip the LED lights for long-term use
✔ Don’t hide your bulb under the dock
✔ Choose the right wattage for your water conditions
At Underwater Fish Light, we’ve done all the testing so you don’t have to. If you’re not sure what system is right for you, our team is always happy to help.
👉 Explore our dock lighting systems and get ready to light up the water like never before.
