About 920pm decided to leave my spot head to boat ramp. Got on plain looked like a clear shot nothing between me but open water. All of sudden there is a silhouette of a boat just in front of me. I swerve and hit the horn he never even looked. Was a bass boat with trolling motor down and running big motor. I don't know what was going on but, damn, scared the hell out of me. At least hold up your cell phone when you see and hear a boat headed your way after dark.Not one light anywhere in the boat.

I guess he could of had a problem but he didnt wave at me or even look at me as if he needed help.

Any way be careful out there!

Possibly dead?

I've had similar experiences in the morning before the sun is up. Mostly with Kayaks though.....

I've had this same basic experience twice. People out on the water after dark without a single light on their boat. The last time was on Richland Chambers about 10pm one night. Almost hit a jon boat out in the middle of the lake. Guy was just sitting out there in about 50ft of water fishing/drinking. Not a single light on the boat. No moon that night. I swerved and probably missed hitting him by a max of 6 inches. Thankfully I was only running just fast enough to stay on pad. If I had been going any faster I don't think I could have swerved in time. I don't think I have night fished since then. Nav lights are required for a reason.

That’s almost every Thursday night for me. Someone thinks it’s ok to stay 30 minutes longer without lights AND I GOT FISH TO WEIGH!! Luckily my partner keeps his eyes peeled for me, and them.

As much as I want to, I never run on plain at dark.

Thats why if there isn't enough moonlight or sun left in the sky to see the water safely in front of me I use a spotlight while traveling.

No one would think of running their car down the highway without their lights on, don't know why so many run the lake in the pitch black without a light.

Those electronic maps won't show you a large floater or a disabled boat with dead batteries.

Back in the early 90's I used to go night fishing on fork several times a week. Several times I have come across boats with no lights on. The worst (most dangerous) was someone who was anchored off of SRA point pretty far near the boat lane. I caught him in my Q-light asleep on the bow with no light on. Crazy!

What spot light do you guys use when running? I have tried a few but still cannot seem to find one worth a hell. I dont do much night fishing but would like to do more but dont like that eary feeling of not being able to see in a bass boat. I have run many lakes for many years duck hunting but I have jumbo light bar up front that illuminates everything for a good good ways and I have an old HDS 7 strictly for mapping I go off of. Also, in dead winter, theres hardly a soul out fishing in the winter so I dont worry hardly at all when running the lake.

When I fish at night, which is rarely, I have a head lamp that I wear with red LED lights on it, barely ever get on plane, and I have several flashlights / spot lights in use to find those out without proper lighting.

I used to run the led light on the front of the Minn kota and it seemed to work pretty well
Nobody has made one for the ghost and I haven't messed with to try and mock anything up

I haven't had that experience yet, but I can see how it would if you night fished a lot. I night fish athens a good bit at night and I'm always amazed at how dark it gets before some people turn on their lights, and how fast some people run at night. Most people run 20-30 mph, but there's always one person out there running nearly wide open.

Probably because it’s illegal.

Sec. 31.064
Lights

A vessel or motorboat when not at dock must have and exhibit at least one bright light, lantern, or flashlight from sunset to sunrise in all weather. A vessel or motorboat when underway between sunset and sunrise in all weather must have and exhibit the lights prescribed by the commandant of the Coast Guard for boats of its class. No other lights that may be mistaken for those prescribed may be exhibited.

Me too. Happened on Lake Grapevine after the sun set. 2 kayakers, no lights. Saw them at the last second, hard turn to the right and missed them. I had just gotten on plane after passing the no-wake buoys. Scared the bejesus out of me.