Phil wanted to see if an underwater green fishing light could be used to attract some unusual animals at night. A nighttime test at the dock in 15 fsw lured a haze of amphipods, copepods, a huge worm and several flatfish, which feasted on the invertebrates in the green glow.

Last week, we took advantage of the flat calm seas at sunset. Since this was our first nighttime dive from the boat, we needed a trial run with the light to sort out any issues. Phil hooked up the light to an independent 12V battery and played out the cord to 35 ft. We also suspended a white light to the anchor chain and attached a white light near the anchor itself. At 65 fsw, we could easily see the green light and anchor light even as we made our way onto the reef, so we always knew where the boat was. Success!

Flat calm seas.

A thick haze of copepods and amphipods surround the light. The light is MUCH brighter than it shows here.

Phil lowering the light.

New-to-me brown shrimp, Farfantepenaeus californiensis. Sometimes, I could see only their eyes poking up out of the sand.

California longbeak shrimp, Pandalus gurneyi.

Lavender-tone, juvenile California scorpionfish, Scorpaena guttata.

Several Doryteuthis opalescens briefly scoped out my focus light.

One of many polychaete worms at the light.

Topsmelt near the green light, Atherinops affinis.