Bully Netting

The Best Bully Netting Lights: Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Setup

If you're serious about bully netting lobster, having the right lights can be the difference between seeing lobster clearly on the bottom and spending the entire night searching through dark water. Whether you're a recreational bully netter making a few trips during mini season or a commercial operator running multiple boats night after night, visibility matters. The better you can see the bottom, the easier it becomes to locate lobster, identify structure, avoid obstacles, and maximize your success on the water. At Outrigger Outdoors, we've spent years working with commercial lobster fishermen, charter captains, and recreational bully netters throughout the Florida Keys to develop lighting systems specifically designed for this style of fishing. Commercial operators such as John Buckheim with Keys Fresh Seafood and charter captains like Chris Simmons of Key West Bully Net Charters trust Swamp Eye® Submersible lights because they deliver exceptional visibility while holding up to the demands of continuous use. If you'd like to hear directly from experienced Florida Keys operators, check out our interviews with John Buckheim of Keys Fresh Seafood and Captain Chris Simmons of Key West Bully Net Charters, where they share bully netting strategies, equipment setups, lighting advice, and lessons learned from years on the water. In our newest podcast with John Buckheim, he focuses specifically on Florida Keys bully netting, including how to read conditions, choose equipment, set up a boat, avoid common mistakes, and understand why reliable underwater lighting is so important for spotting Florida spiny lobster at night. As John explains, commercial operators need equipment that simply works. When your livelihood depends on finding lobster night after night, reliability becomes just as important as brightness. This guide will walk you through every Swamp Eye® bully netting light option and help you determine which setup is best for your boat, water conditions, and budget. Quick Answer: What Is The Best Bully Netting Light? For most recreational bully netters in the Florida Keys, the Swamp Eye® Submersible 6000K is the best choice thanks to its bright white output, large coverage area, and excellent visibility in clear water. For commercial lobster operators or anyone frequently fishing dirty, windy, or stirred-up water conditions, we typically recommend the Swamp Eye® Submersible 2000K because of its superior water penetration and ability to make lobster stand out on the bottom. If conditions vary throughout the season, the Swamp Eye® Submersible Dual Color provides the flexibility to switch between both spectrums as needed. Why Trust Outrigger Outdoors? For years, Outrigger Outdoors has worked directly with commercial lobster fishermen, charter captains, and recreational bully netters throughout the Florida Keys to develop and refine underwater lighting systems specifically for bully netting. Our lights are trusted by operators such as John Buckheim of Keys Fresh Seafood and Captain Chris Simmons of Key West Bully Net Charters, who spend hundreds of nights each year chasing lobster throughout the Florida Keys. Unlike many lighting companies that simply sell marine lights, we actively gather feedback from operators who rely on these products night after night. Their real-world experience has helped shape the lighting systems featured throughout this guide. Why Underwater Lights Work So Well for Bully Netting Unlike above-water lights, submersible lights place the light source directly in the water. This provides several advantages: Reduced glare Better bottom penetration Improved visibility in rough water Less reflection off the water's surface Greater ability to see lobster crawling on the bottom More effective illumination in turbid water By putting the light below the surface, more of the available light reaches the bottom where the lobster are actually located. What Color Light Is Best For Bully Netting? The answer depends largely on water clarity. 2000K Warm White Best for: muddy water, windy conditions, suspended sediment, commercial operations, and areas with stirred-up bottoms. The 2000K spectrum produces a warm amber-white color. This color temperature penetrates dirty water exceptionally well and helps reduce backscatter from suspended particles. An additional benefit is the way the light reflects off the shell of a lobster. Many operators report that lobster appear to glow under the warmer spectrum, making them easier to identify on the bottom. 6000K Cool White Best for: clear water, calm conditions, recreational bully netting, and maximum visible coverage area. The 6000K spectrum produces a bright white light that many people perceive as brighter. In clean water, it illuminates a larger area and allows users to see more natural colors on the bottom. This is the most popular option among recreational bully netters. Dual Color Best for: changing conditions, uncertain water clarity, and operators who want maximum versatility. Dual-color lights allow you to switch between 2000K and 6000K depending on conditions. Instead of choosing one color permanently, you can adapt throughout the night. Bully Netting Light Comparison Chart Light Best For Water Conditions Brightness Use Type Swamp Eye® Submersible 2000K Commercial operators and dirty water Muddy, windy, stirred-up water Full size Underwater only Swamp Eye® Submersible 6000K Recreational bully netting Clear water Full size Underwater only Swamp Eye® Submersible Dual Color Maximum versatility Clear or muddy water Full size Underwater only Mini Swamp Eye® 2000K Budget muddy-water setups Muddy or stained water Mini Above or below water Mini Swamp Eye® 6000K Budget clear-water setups Clear water Mini Above or below water Best Commercial Bully Netting Light Swamp Eye® Submersible 2000K For serious commercial operators, this is our top recommendation. The full-size Swamp Eye® Submersible delivers approximately three times the output of the Mini Swamp Eye® while maintaining exceptional durability and reliability. Commercial operators such as John Buckheim with Keys Fresh Seafood run Swamp Eye® Submersibles across their lobster boats because they provide dependable performance trip after trip. In our bully netting-focused interview with John Buckheim of Keys Fresh Seafood, he discusses the importance of visibility, conditions, boat setup, and dependable lighting when targeting Florida spiny lobster at night. When conditions become challenging due to wind, waves, or suspended sediment, the 2000K spectrum excels. Maximum penetration in dirty water Exceptional lobster visibility Reduced backscatter Commercial-grade reliability Designed for frequent use Outstanding performance in changing conditions If your goal is to bully net as effectively as possible regardless of conditions, this is the light we recommend most often. Most Popular Recreational Bully Netting Light Swamp Eye® Submersible 6000K The 6000K version is our most popular recreational bully netting light. When water conditions are clear, the bright white spectrum creates an impressive field of view and helps illuminate large sections of bottom. Bright white appearance Excellent clarity Large illuminated coverage area Natural color rendering Ideal for Florida Keys clear-water conditions For many recreational users, this is the perfect balance between visibility and simplicity. Best All-Around Bully Netting Light Swamp Eye® Submersible Dual Color Can't decide between 2000K and 6000K? Choose both. The Dual Color Swamp Eye® Submersible allows users to adjust between warm and cool white spectrums. Run 6000K in clear water Switch to 2000K in dirty water Adapt to changing conditions Experiment to determine which spectrum you prefer For many serious bully netters, this becomes the ultimate setup because it eliminates compromise. Best Budget Bully Netting Lights Mini Swamp Eye® Submersible 2000K The Mini Swamp Eye® 2000K provides a more affordable entry point while still delivering excellent visibility in muddy or stained water. Lower cost Can be used above or below water Compact design Easy installation Great muddy-water performance Mini Swamp Eye® Submersible 6000K The Mini 6000K is one of the most popular starter systems for recreational users fishing clearer water. Budget friendly Bright white illumination Above-water or underwater use Easy to move between boats Excellent for clear water How Many Bully Netting Lights Do You Need? Small Bay Boats: 18–22 Feet Recommended setup: 1–3 full-size Swamp Eye® Submersibles or 2–5 Mini Swamp Eye® Submersibles. Medium Bay Boats: 22–26 Feet Recommended setup: 2–5 full-size Swamp Eye® Submersibles. Large Bay Boats: 26–30+ Feet Recommended setup: 4–5 full-size Swamp Eye® Submersibles. Purpose-Built Commercial Bully Netting Boats Recommended setup: multiple full-size Swamp Eye® Submersibles positioned around the vessel for maximum coverage. Mounting Options for Any Boat Clamp-On Boat Adapter Pole This is ideal for bay boats, center consoles, temporary setups, and recreational users. It clamps to the gunnel and does not require drilling. Bolt-On Boat Adapter Pole This is a great option for dedicated bully netting boats or frequent users who want a secure removable mounting point. Trolling Motor Adapter This system attaches directly to the trolling motor shaft and can operate anywhere from one to five lights at a time. Swamp Eye® LED Trolling Motor Light Kit for Bully Netting For users who want the easiest solution possible, this kit arrives professionally wired and ready to install. Why Commercial Operators Trust Swamp Eye® Submersibles Commercial fishermen depend on equipment differently than recreational users. When you're operating multiple boats, making trips night after night, and relying on your gear to produce results, reliability becomes critical. That's why operators like John Buckheim of Keys Fresh Seafood have chosen Swamp Eye® Submersibles for their commercial lobster boats. Likewise, Captain Chris Simmons of Key West Bully Net Charters relies on Swamp Eye® lights to help clients locate lobster throughout the Florida Keys. For more background on John's commercial fishing story and life on the water, you can also read our earlier interview: The Casita Mafia Story: John Buckheim on Florida Keys Bully Netting, Lobster Fishing, and Life on the Water. Which Bully Netting Light Should You Buy? Buy the Swamp Eye® Submersible 2000K if: You fish dirty water You fish in windy conditions You want maximum performance You operate commercially Buy the Swamp Eye® Submersible 6000K if: You fish mostly clear water You want bright white illumination You're a recreational bully netter Buy the Dual Color Swamp Eye® Submersible if: You want ultimate versatility Conditions vary regularly You don't want to choose between 2000K and 6000K Buy the Mini Swamp Eye® if: You're on a budget You want a portable setup You're just getting started 2000K vs 6000K Bully Netting Lights One of the most common questions we receive is whether 2000K or 6000K is better for bully netting. In clear Florida Keys water, 6000K often provides the largest visible coverage area and is the most popular choice among recreational users. In windy conditions, stained water, or areas with suspended sediment, 2000K frequently outperforms cooler color temperatures because it penetrates dirty water more effectively and helps reduce backscatter. Neither option is universally better. The ideal choice depends on the conditions you fish most often. If you regularly encounter both clear and dirty water, a dual-color system gives you the flexibility to switch between both spectrums as needed. Learn Bully Netting From Florida Keys Professionals Choosing the right lights is only one part of becoming successful at bully netting. Learning how experienced operators locate lobster, position their boats, and work different conditions can dramatically shorten the learning curve. For more advanced bully netting strategies, check out these in-depth interviews: Florida Keys Bully Netting Tips with John Buckheim of Keys Fresh Seafood Florida Keys Bully Netting Tips with Captain Chris Simmons of Key West Bully Net Charters The Casita Mafia Story: John Buckheim on Florida Keys Bully Netting, Lobster Fishing, and Life on the Water Frequently Asked Questions About Bully Netting Lights What color light is best for bully netting? For dirty or stirred-up water, 2000K warm white is usually the best choice. For clear water, 6000K bright white is often preferred. If you fish changing conditions, a dual-color light gives you both options. Are underwater lights better than above-water lights for bully netting? Yes. Underwater lights reduce surface glare and put more light directly into the water, making it easier to see the bottom and spot lobster. Can I use a bay boat for bully netting? Yes. Many people convert bay boats or center consoles for bully netting using clamp-on, bolt-on, or trolling motor-mounted light systems. How many lights do I need for bully netting? Most recreational bay boats use 1–4 lights depending on boat size and desired coverage. Larger or commercial boats may use 4–5 or more full-size lights. What is the best bully netting light for commercial use? The full-size Swamp Eye® Submersible 2000K is our top recommendation for commercial operators because it performs exceptionally well in dirty water and is built for frequent use. More Bully Netting Resources How To Bully Net Lobster Florida Lobster Mini Season Guide Bully Netting Tips From Key West Bully Net Charters How To Clean Florida Spiny Lobster Final Thoughts No matter which option you choose, you'll be using the same proven lighting technology trusted by commercial lobster operators, charter captains, and recreational bully netters throughout the Florida Keys. When visibility matters, Swamp Eye® Submersibles continue to set the standard for bully netting lights.