If you are purchasing our AlumiGlo FlounderPro 4400-X2 or any of the AlumiGlo FlounderPro 13000-X2 lights, you have the option of changing color temperatures and can now use either 3000K (Amber) or 5000K (Natural White).
Which Color works best?
The primary reason some people prefer a lower color temperature over a higher color temperature is because lower color temperatures many times allow you to see better in dirty or heavily stained water. The old incandescent lights including halogen bulbs were typically in the 3000K to 3200K color range whereas most of the new white LED lights use 5000K to 8000K color temperatures. When buying a ‘White” LED light it is important to look at the color temperature of the light because color can make a big difference in visibility which fishing. The 3200K (amber) range tends to work better in stained to dirty water while 5000K range tends works better in moderately clear to clear water. The reason for that is because stained to dirty water has a lot of mud or algae particles floating around in it which is why it is stained to begin with. When you shine a bright white light into stained water, the light reflects off the mud and algae particles which prevents the light from penetrating the darker water. Lower color temperatures such as 3200K is about the same color as the stained water, so you get less reflection and better visibility. I tell people, fishing in stained or dirty water is like driving in the fog. If you turn your bright lights on in the fog, the light reflects off of the fog particles, making it harder to see in front of you. Low beams, and the yellowish color fog lights which is a lower color temperature, tend to cut through the fog much better. The same holds true when fishing in stained water with lights. With that said, the whiter lights work much better in moderately clear to clear water and will illuminate the bottom much better.
You can find a lot of different articles and opinions on the internet pertaining to which color temperature is the best color to use for gigging and bowfishing, but typically, lower color temperatures in the 2700K to 3200K range work best in heavily stained and muddy waters and mid-range color temperatures in the 5000K range work best in moderately clear to clear water. 85% of our customers purchase 5000K lights which works best in most waters, however if the water in your area is extremely stained or muddy, you may want to consider using a lower color temperature. Just remember, the lights will look much yellower and will not look as bright when compared to the higher color temperature lights, but they should provide better overall visibility because there will be less glare from reflection. If you are fishing in moderately clear to clear water, color temperatures in the 5000K range would be your best option.
We want to thank Alan Hults for taking and sending us some great pictures of a flounder gigging rig he made using (6) of our FlounderPro 30W COBs. He, like many of our other customers was curious which color temperature would work best for him…3000K (Amber) or 5000K (Natural White). The attached pictures show (3) 3000K lights and (3) 5000K lights side by side, which may help you decide which color would work best for you. The water Alan was fishing in was moderately clear and he said he preferred the 5000K color to the 3000K, however, we do have some customers who fish in much dirtier water who prefer the lower color temperature. With that said, the majority of lights we sell are 5000K and do work the best in most waters, but with these pictures you can decide for yourself.
