Despite the demand, today the market for bite alarms does not really play with offers, being limited to floats, bells or electronic signaling devices, which are especially popular in feeder fishing, but at the same time entail significant financial and time costs.

Bells and other rattles are a separate story, extremely irritating. In most cases, according to my observations, the bell is hung right on the rod .. but I want it to be hung anywhere, even on the nose, but not on the rod - there is a bite or does not go, but it constantly rings and annoys everyone and everything.

The float is good for everyone, but if there are vision problems, or the sun is too blind, or twilight comes, you have to look for universal solutions and in most cases buy special glasses, and sometimes even several.

But which alarm to choose for night fishing? The most correct solution would be the same electronic light and sound signaling device. If you want to save both in money and in weight to be carried, while maintaining mobility (electronic alarms require stands, preparation, settings, etc.) or does not imply bottom fishing, have to be content with bells. But how to enjoy the silence and beauty of the nature at night if something is constantly beeping, tinkling and whistling?

We return to the old grandfather's way - we play the sniper in position - we listen, we feel, we strain our eyes. Or we make the float glow.

Back in the distant 70s (I personally saw this date), smart Soviet engineers invented bulky, but interesting night floats - inside there was a light bulb on a movable contact pad, a battery-tablet, the float was located in the water from bottom to top, when biting, the fish pulled the line down, the float turned over, the chain closed and the light came on - everything is simple.

That was the end of it - I have not seen more such floats.

In 2012, I was offered Finnish night floats in one of the fishing shops - I still regret not having bought them. The operation of the LED in them was similar, but the float itself is much more compact.

Perhaps now somewhere you can buy something similar, but the same request in google does not really give anything.

Many fishermen, like me, had to be content with fluorescent floats or fireflies (their work is based on the chemical reaction of several liquids when mixed, which results in a slight glow for up to 5-6 hours). But, to be honest, I personally don't like one option and the other - I hardly see the float at a distance of more than 5 meters.

The solution, in fact, was found in the Chinese market - LED floats.

Night Fishing Float Review

Price: depends on the seller - from 300 to 400 rubles. (free shipping)

Complete set: tube 3 pcs, float - 3 pcs, 3 batteries

Length: 32.5 to 33.5 mm

Weight: from 2 to 2.2 g

Float material: plastic (controversial)

Battery type: specialized 3V lithium battery CR425 (price for 1 piece - from 25 to 30 rubles)

Comparative model of typical batteries

Includes 3 floats, 32.5, 33 and 33.5 mm long, respectively (very long). Weight from 2 to 2.2 g in 0.1 g increments.

The equipped weight of the float + 0.8gr (battery). The material, according to information from the seller, is plastic, but wood shavings are clearly visible inside the float (I will know for sure how I break it).

What I liked especially - each float in its rather strong tube!

Principle of operation

Battery + LED + fiber optic cable (?)

We insert the battery - the float consists of two parts, connected through a reliable threaded connection, we just insert the battery into one of the parts, then the circuit closes - the LED lights up and transmits light up the plastic fiber. On account of the latter, I'm not exactly sure, but, most likely, it is he, or some kind of supersensitive to light conductive plastic.

The float has 5 sections at the tip, through which light passes (in theory, this is exactly the part of the light that was not reflected from the walls after refraction due to the low reflectivity of the walls). The brightest neon beam is formed at the top cut, the sections are dark red (bottom) to orange (top) - perfect colors!

The length of the float can be safely reduced by gently breaking off a part of the same tip (nothing will spoil!).

According to the equipment - the float is not equipped with rings either from the top or from the bottom, so you can use cambric.

Battery life is up to 4 hours, considering that the battery can always be removed.

The battery is very small

Insert the battery and tighten.

If necessary and in order to avoid leaks, we apply a sanitary film to the threaded connection

As soon as the two parts of the float are connected, the contact closes, the diode starts to shine

Total - the float is clearly visible both at dusk and at night at a distance of 10 meters

(with my vision of -2 in each eye, it was not a problem for me to fix the bites).

No leaks, short circuits or malfunctions have been noticed yet.

The only thing is that the float is too heavy - all the equipment is not designed for fishing small fish (in principle, at night, trifles are not willing to bite)

Floats for night fishing are an indispensable thing for keen fishermen. Why is night fishing good? The fish becomes less careful and easily swims to the shore to get food (shellfish and crustaceans), which is so abundant that it is often possible to do without complementary foods.

The only difficulty for fishing at this time of day is the difficulty of visual indication of the bite. In this case, special warning lights were invented for night fishing.

In today's market fishing tackle finding glowing floats for night fishing is easy.

There are the following types:

• luminescent;
• fluorescent;
• LED;
• fireflies.

Luminescent and fluorescent

These floats are commercially available, but it is easier and cheaper to make them yourself. To do this, you need to take an ordinary signaling device and glowing paint.

Possessing the property of accumulating light, such a coating is capable of giving it away for some time. A significant disadvantage of such floats is the short glow period - no more than an hour.

Luminescent floats have to be constantly "fed" with light from the camera flash in order to continue fishing.

Due to the inconvenience of using, fishermen are gradually abandoning such gear in favor of more modern and comfortable ones.

LED

Signaling devices with built-in LED lamps of various powers, battery-operated. The total operating time of a single battery often exceeds 24 hours. At the same time, the fisherman has the ability to turn off the light bulb by simply turning the battery over. If desired, the battery can be easily replaced with a new one.

This type of float is becoming increasingly popular among anglers due to its ability to glow all night.

Among the minuses, it is worth noting the bulkiness of the LED float and the high cost, comparable to the price of several daytime floats.

Another disadvantage of LED floats for night fishing is that it will be difficult to find such tackle in the provincial outback. This problem can be easily solved with the help of online stores.

Firefly floats

The glowing firefly float is most popular with fishermen. It is quite effective and affordable. Such alarms are attached to the top of the day float and light up until 15 hours, which is quite enough for one night fishing, even in late autumn.

The principle of their operation is as follows:

1. A capsule with two non-contacting liquids is inserted inside the transparent tube.
2. When the tube is bent, the capsule breaks and the fluids mix and react chemically.
3. A glow appears.

When exposed to the tube, it is important not to damage it and prevent the ingress of oxygen, which can prevent the reaction.

The firefly is believed to be a disposable tackle. However, many fishermen claim that you can put used it in freezer and after that he will again gain the ability to illuminate.

Any float tackle can be made by hand, including a luminous float for night fishing. The easiest way is to attach reflective tape to a conventional signaling device. Even glancing light will be sufficient to keep the float visible on the water. To do this, you can install a flashlight on the shore and continue fishing.

A more serious way to perform is to create an electronic luminous signaling device.

For this you will need:

1. LED lamp from a lighter with a flashlight;
2. a tube of suitable diameter in which you can place a light bulb with batteries;
3. a plug in the form of a sealed cover that connects the contacts by squeezing.

Putting it all together, you can get a great luminous float for night fishing with replaceable batteries for a very small fee.

For night fishing it is very important to use special luminous floats to signal a bite. Which float to choose is a personal matter. The main thing is that they contribute to a successful bite.

Night fishing, especially in the warm season, is no less popular than fishing in the daytime. This is due to the fact that in summer the nighttime temperature drop can activate fish quite well. On ponds with the onset of night, you can count on catching a large crucian carp or carp, while on rivers there is a high probability of pulling out a good bream or even a catfish.

With the onset of autumn, burbot may appear in the catch on suitable rivers. In order not to miss a bite, a wide variety of float illumination is used - reflective materials, LEDs, a firefly float and other methods.

Some of the designs are more convenient, while others often don't work as they should. The most widespread are fireflies for fishing, primarily due to the simplicity and reliability of the design.

The most common fireflies for night fishing are chemical fireflies. They have the form of a hermetically sealed plastic capsule, inside of which there is another container with a reagent that is easily destroyed when pressed. To get started, you need to slightly press on such a firefly, or bend it a little so that the inner capsule bursts, and the outer one remains intact. Mixing, the chemicals begin to glow, most often with a yellowish-green light, but other options are also possible. Due to its simplicity and reliability, as well as low cost, this design is most popular among anglers.

Photo 1. The chemical firefly in action.

The set usually includes adapters for attaching the firefly to floats with different diameters of antennas, and also sometimes plastic mounts for fixing the device to the feeder top.

Photo 2. Can be inserted into the float instead of the antenna.

In addition to the color of the glow, such a firefly on a float may differ in the duration of operation, as well as in the volume of substances that provide the glow. Fireflies with a duration of about 7 hours are considered the most successful options - they will be enough for almost any night. The luminous float should remain bright, if only a dim residual glow is visible, replace the capsule with a new one.

Photo 3. Variants of use.

Important! When fishing at night with a feeder using a firefly, you need to be especially careful when casting. The fact is that the cord is often overlapped behind the firefly, which threatens to break the tip.

Photo 4. Fastening to the tip with silicone rubber bands.

LED lights

Glowing floats for night fishing can be found on the counters of almost any fishing store. Most often they are in the form of an ordinary float, but inside such a design is hidden an LED and several batteries. This option has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of such a float for night fishing include the possibility of its repeated use (unless it is, of course, the cheapest Chinese product, which is likely to fail on the first fishing trip), as well as a brighter glow. The disadvantages include the low reliability of budget options, as well as heavy weight, and as a consequence, less sensitivity of the float (a heavy float can also scare off cautious and inactive fish at the moment of biting, since more effort is needed to submerge such a structure).

Removable structures with LEDs can also be found on sale. There are both options with attachments for the feeder top and for the float. At the same time, using cambrices of different diameters, you can attach LED backlighting to almost any antenna, except perhaps for the thinnest options.

Homemade fireflies for night fishing

The easiest option is to cover the finished float with reflective tape. Although this method does not provide a luminous float, it allows you to maintain sensitivity when using delicate gear, in which case neither chemical fireflies nor LED fireflies can be used. For normal visibility with this design, you need to use a light source. When using a high-quality LED strip, even a weak flashlight with diffused light is sufficient.

How to make a firefly with minimal investment of time and materials? The easiest way is with shrink sleeves. For this you will need:

• LED of the required power and glow color;
• shrink tubing;
• flat battery;
• silicone for filling the tube;
• a silicone tube; a lighter or other source of fire.

The battery is placed in a heat-shrinkable tube of a suitable size, so that about 1-1.5 centimeters of the tube remain on both sides. After that, first on one side, then on the other, by heating, the silicone tubes are fixed inside the heat-shrinkable tube.

Important! The diameter of the lower tube must be selected based on the size of the float with which the firefly will be used.

The next stage of manufacturing will be filling the upper silicone tube with silicone, which, in addition to isolating the structure from water, will also fix the LED. Such a firefly with your own hands is easy to make, and to turn it off when there is no longer a need for backlighting, you just need to pull out the tube with the LED. The only drawback of this design is the impossibility of replacing the battery.

Important! If after the LED is inserted, it does not light up, you should insert it the other way around - the contacts may have been connected incorrectly.

Fans of night feeder or bottom fishing sometimes use impromptu fireflies if, for one reason or another, better lighting options were not available. Many have lighters with a built-in LED flashlight. It can be pulled out and attached to the end of a feeder or donkey with adhesive tape. For float fishing, this method is not suitable, since such a firefly does not have insulation from water, and will quickly become unusable.

Preparation of the fishing site

You must arrive at the place where the night fishing will take place before sunset. While it is still light, you need to decide on the point of fishing on the pond, and get clipped if feeder rods are used. You should also place fishing rod stands, landing net, fish tank, folding chair or chair on the shore in advance, as well as arrange bait, bait and spare parts of tackle so that they can be quickly found in the dark when the headlamp is illuminated. All these works are performed before dark, since it is extremely inconvenient to do this at night.

The fishing point should also be fed in the evening, before sunset. So not only the fish will be collected as quickly as possible on the bait table, but also the angler, in the case of feeder fishing, will get used to the casting distance, and it will be easier to re-throw the rig at night.

While fishing, camouflage should be observed - it is advisable to avoid not only noise, but also too frequent use of a flashlight.

As you know, many species of fish in certain seasons of the year actively feed throughout the day and during such periods, the fisherman has the opportunity to fish at night in complete darkness. If bottom gear can be put on a sound signaling device that notifies you of a bite, then with float rigs, due to the need for constant visual control over the installation, the problem of comfortable fishing is more difficult to solve. The float for night fishing effectively copes with this kind of task.

The device is endowed with qualities that allow the accessory to glow in the dark and thus be in the constant field of view of the angler. There are currently a large number of floats in the fishing industry that are equipped with lighting functions. The glow of the signaling device is based on different principles, which directly affects the cost and dimensions of the product. Thus, the angler has the opportunity to select the device necessary for the fishing conditions.

The material of this article is devoted to an overview of various types of luminous fishing floats, after acquaintance with which, it will be quite easy for the reader to decide on the choice of an accessory suitable for his fishing strategy, and he will also receive information on how to make this device on his own.

This type of accessory is considered the most advanced illuminated signaling device today. Its design is a sealed flask made of transparent plastic, in which there are chambers for placing batteries and an LED. Depending on the power of the LED, the floats have a different degree of luminescence, and this makes it possible to select a device for fishing at any distance. In addition, manufacturers produce products with different colors of the emitted light, which gives the angler the right to choose the purchased signaling device in the glow that is optimal for his individual perception.

The LED float is convenient because the battery power is sufficient for a long service life, and if necessary, it can be turned off. The radiation of the LED occurs with a constant brightness and such devices are clearly visible on the water in any weather conditions. A significant drawback of products of this type is considered to be their bulkiness. The luminous element itself and the kit necessary for its power supply require large volumes and have a high mass, which, accordingly, is reflected in the size and total weight float.

LED float

The LED accessory is not suitable for delicate and delicate installations and is mostly used for fishing with coarse rigs, which ultimately affects the final result, not particularly favorable to fishing. For completeness, it should be noted that in Lately Among the manufacturers of these products, there has been a tendency to release more elegant forms of floats, which, of course, will have a positive effect on increasing their popularity among fishermen-floaters and will allow completing sensitive and more delicate assemblies.

Luminescent floats

Luminescent floats for night fishing are especially popular among anglers. The effect of light accumulation was one of the first to be introduced into night float fishing to visualize floats. The essence of such radiation is based on covering the body of the accessory, most often the antenna, with light-absorbing material. After the luminescent material is exposed to light, the object equipped with it will emit, albeit dim, but noticeable in the dark, light for about an hour, contributing to the comfort of fishing.

The accumulation of light can be done with an electric flashlight or, what is the most rational way today, with a photo flash of a mobile phone. During night fishing, lighting of a piece of equipment has to be done repeatedly, which, of course, is not entirely convenient, but in principle, it solves the problem of night fishing at the lowest cost. For example, you can paint the float with paint as shown in this video.

The effect of light accumulation is endowed with special types of paints, which are used to cover the floats. Such an accessory has small masses and is varied in its standard sizes and shapes. Consequently, the introduction of a luminescent float into a float rig does not particularly affect its delicacy, allowing the angler to catch cautious and shy fish.

Firefly floats

Another simple in design, but effective in practice, is the method of equipping the signaling device with a firefly. The firefly, in the action of its features, allows you to get a noticeable signaling device in the dark throughout the night, without replacing and recharging the light-emitting element. The principle of operation of a firefly or the so-called chemical rod is based on the course of a chemical reaction that occurs due to the combination of two components located in a sealed polyethylene soft capsule.

A special fluid is concentrated in two separate sections of the firefly. Having deformed the chemical rod by compression, in other words, by crushing the capsule, the solutions mix, emitting light. A miniature firefly is inserted into the main body of the float. The design of the annunciator may involve attaching a firefly instead of an antenna, or placing it in a hollow, transparent, and sealed accessory antenna.

Float equipped with a firefly

Cunning and savvy anglers attach the firefly to the antenna of an ordinary float with a nipple rubber band or tie it with a regular thread. A firefly is a cheap and quick way to prepare a distinctively visible float for night fishing, but as with an LED fixture, such a signaling device is massive and does not fit into delicate installations.

Reflective foil floats

Often in sales you can find types of floats glowing at night, the backlighting element of which is a fluorescent reflective film. The same film is used in the production of road signs and markings that are familiar to car drivers. When even a dim ray of light hits an object covered with a reflective film, it is displayed with brightness in its clear contours and you can conveniently read information from it or monitor its movement, which is used in the case of production of a night float.

As in the example with luminescent compositions, signaling devices of various modifications and weights are made from reflective films. Such a device can provide the formation of thin rigs with light shipments.

Important! Among the significant disadvantages of using such accessories, it is worth highlighting the obligatory presence of a constant light source, a small flashlight or light laser pointer, through which you will have to systematically highlight the installation supply area to monitor the status of the signaling device.

In view of these actions, it is difficult to fish for long distances and for the most part it is worth focusing on coastal fishing or fishing from a boat at short distances.

Night floats cost

Modifications of conventional accessories and the execution of devices in sealed forms to preserve the integrity of the batteries and LEDs, affect the final cost of the goods. The angler will not be surprised by the fact that the cost of a float for night fishing will be an order of magnitude higher than an ordinary, classic signaling device. The purpose of continuing our conversation will be to compare price indicators of various types luminous float, which will help orient the angler when choosing an accessory necessary for the planned fishing conditions.

Of all the types presented above, LED products have the most high level prices. Such a signaling device will cost about 4-7 USD. That is, the higher its weight, the higher the price will be. Luminescent versions of products will cost an angler 1 cu. e. per piece. You shouldn't chase branded floats here. Chinese manufacturers have learned to produce quality goods that can serve more than one season, even with intensive fishing.

Choosing a device for fishing in the dark with the use of fireflies, they are guided by the price indicator of the purchase up to 1 cu. e. They also take into account the fact that you will need to have a pair or three of spare sticks with you, guaranteeing the reliability of fishing in case of their incorrect operation. These troubles sometimes happen with the purchase of a low-quality fake product or an unsuccessful attempt to open a firefly.

DIY glowing floats

In addition to buying a ready-made accessory, there are many ways to make a float for night fishing with your own hands. The simplest solution is to buy fluorescent film or fluorescent paint and treat the antenna of a conventional float with these light-accumulating or reflective materials. As we mentioned above, the firefly can be trivially attached to the antenna of the signaling device with the help of an elastic band.

Making an electrical device will require some expenses for the purchase of an LED of the required power and a battery, but it will not be an overly difficult task either. The LED connected to the battery by means of soldering is placed in a plastic transparent tube matched to the diameter of the elements assembled into the device. The ends of the tube are closed with plugs cut from the foam. A luminous antenna made with such a simple technique is inserted into the signaling device housing and they are comfortable night fishing. To be able to disconnect the LED from the battery, one of the contacts is broken, connecting it again on the next fishing trip.

With the onset of night, some species of fish go to rest, but life in the reservoir does not stop. It is at night that the activity of especially large individuals, hunting for a resting trifle, increases. Night fishing has its own characteristics. In some ways it is lighter than a day fish, in particular, small fish will not interfere with the fisherman with false bites, but in some ways it is much more difficult. First of all, the difficulties of night fishing are associated with the deterioration of visibility conditions, against the background of which other factors, such as a drop in temperature, requiring the use of warmer clothes, fade into the background. After all, if the fisherman does not see the behavior of the bite alarm, then it does not matter at all whether he is dressed warmly or not. Therefore, when fishing at night, it is necessary to use various means that make the bite visible (in extreme cases, audible). Such devices are special illumination means, or fireflies.

General information

The Night Fishing Firefly is a bite warning light that can be installed on various pieces of rig. Most often they are located on the tops of floats or on the tips of fishing rods.

As the name implies, this device is capable of emitting light, which makes the behavior of the float or any other bite alarm clearly visible. Mostly such products are of two types: using either a chemical reaction or electrical energy to produce light.

Chemical

Fireflies based on "chemistry" have one important advantage: they are lightweight and small, that is, they practically do not affect the sensitivity of the tackle. However, they are single-use and after they have been in operation for several hours, they need to be replaced. Moreover, their brightness cannot be adjusted.

Disposable fishing fireflies with mounts.

This device is a flexible capsule, slightly larger than a match. Inside the flexible capsule is another capsule that is smaller and more rigid. To activate the firefly, bend the structure so that the capsule inside breaks.

After that, the liquid inside the hard capsule will mix with the one outside and a chemical reaction will begin, accompanied by luminescence.

The firefly, broken in several places, shines more brightly and evenly.

This type of firefly is very cheap. On Aliexpress, you can buy a batch of 50 pieces of similar products at a price of 160 to 190 rubles, i.e. about 3.5 rubles a piece.

Electrical

Electric fireflies are more flexible in customization and more durable - when correct selection parameters allow not changing the batteries of power supplies for a much longer time. They glow brighter and have the ability to adjust the intensity of the glow.

They use miniature accumulators or batteries as power sources.

An electric firefly mounted on the tip of a quivertip.

The price of such products is somewhat higher than that of chemical products, but it will not hit the pocket of any fisherman at all. For example, you can buy an electronic firefly of the Italian company Lineaeffe in Moscow (Bolshaya Game store) for 26 rubles. a piece.

Mount fireflies

There are many ways to attach fireflies to different gear. There are even whole sets of mounts on sale that allow you to attach fireflies to floats, rods, nods, quivertips, and so on. There are even mounts for fixing fireflies to fishing lines. Let's consider these constructions in more detail.

On the float

Perhaps this fishing device is used most often. Usually, silicone tubes are used to attach the firefly to the float. They often even come with fireflies.

Attaching the firefly to the antenna.

If a regular float is used when fishing, then the firefly is attached to its antenna. In the case of a narrow antenna, either fastening with a clamp is used, or the antenna itself is thickened with the help of several nipple rubber bands, put on each other.

When using large floats, for example, when fishing for predators, the capsule can generally be inserted inside the float. The top of the firefly is closed with a cap. The cap can be permanently present on the float or come with a firefly.

Floats with capsules and caps to accommodate fireflies.

Mounting on a quivertip

The firefly is often used for feeder fishing. To attach them to quivertips, two silicone rubber bands are most often used. Usually, the firefly breaks first, and then it attaches to the 1st or 2nd segment of the quivertype.

Fastening the firefly with two silicone rubber bands.

Attention! To avoid snagging the fishing line on the body of the firefly, a slightly unaesthetic, but very practical method of fastening is used - the firefly is completely wrapped with tape.

Fixing the firefly with tape.

Fixing electric fireflies is completely similar to fixing chemical fireflies. In this case, stationary or artisanal mountings can also be used.

Attaching an electric firefly to a quivertip.

DIY making

V self-production fireflies for fishing are no problem. The currently existing selection of elements for creating various homemade devices is very extensive and includes a wide variety of components.

There are several ways to make a lighting for a fishing rod, float or quivertip with your own hands. They can be based on a variety of principles of the light source, i.e. a firefly can be:

• chemical;
• glowing;
• reflective;
• electronic.

Let's consider each method in more detail.

It is relatively easy to make such a device on your own. It is only necessary to pre-prepare several small containers for the fireflies, a container in which the glowing composition will be mixed and some kind of device for pouring the glowing liquid over the firefly bodies.

As the body of the firefly, you can use any sealed container of a small volume (2-5 ml), which has an elongated shape. The components can be mixed in glass containers, and the resulting luminous composition can be poured over the fireflies, for example, using a 10 ml medical syringe.

Ampoules with lids are one of the variants of the firefly body.

Almost all luminous liquids have approximately the same composition: it contains luminol and something that creates an acidic environment. There are a lot of similar mixtures. Consider making one of the simplest luminous compositions; this will require the following components:

• luminol - 0.2 g;
• dry powder of potassium hydroxide - 30 g;
• dimexide - 40 ml;
• any fluorescent dye of the desired shade - 5 mg.

The components are stored in separate containers and mixed immediately before use.

Attention! Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is an extremely active substance. Its other name is potassium alkali. You need to work with it carefully, avoiding contact with the skin of the hands.

The mixture is made as follows:

1. Dimexide is poured into a glass container and dye is added. Mix well.
2. Potassium hydroxide is added to the resulting mixture and mixed well again.
3. Close the container with a lid. As a rule, the solution is already glowing.
4. After 2-3 minutes, the lid is opened and the glowing composition is poured over the fireflies using a syringe.
5. The firefly containers are securely sealed and attached to the tackle.

Fireflies made in this way retain their ability to glow for more than 1 hour. Next, you need to make the glowing composition again.

The advantages of fireflies of this type can be attributed only to their cheapness. But they have a lot of disadvantages: a relatively short glow time, the need to work with several (including hazardous) chemical reagents, the difficulty of sealing luminous containers.

Therefore, such devices in independent execution are justified only when there is a large amount of raw materials at hand and there is nowhere to put it. If the described materials are not at hand, then it is better to use another method of making a firefly.

Using a luminous coating

This is probably the easiest way to make fishing fireflies. To do this, you just need to color those parts of the gear that should glow. The advantages of such a solution are simplicity and one-time use: after applying the paint once, nothing else needs to be done.

The disadvantage is that light sources of this kind require regular replenishment of their "luminous resource". Simply put, once every 20-30 minutes, they should be illuminated with enough light so that they can luminesce again.

There is a huge variety of paint coatings with the addition of a phosphor that can glow in the dark for a long time. Moreover, the variety of choice does not rest only on color - light-accumulative paints can also have a different basis - be oil, enamel, acrylic, etc.

Luminescent spray paints are the most popular solution today.

It is recommended to use acrylic paints for painting fishing tackle (floats, nods, rod ends, etc.). They are chemically neutral and do not dissolve the material from which they can be made, for example, the same floats or ponytails. Tackle coloring can be done in any convenient way and in any number of layers.

Reflective Coated Models

As in the previous case, those parts of the tackle that should be visible are painted. However, this method works in a different way: in this case, a light source should be located on the shore, which will constantly highlight the painted areas. The advantages of this method include the higher brightness that reflective paints give in comparison with light-accumulating ones.

Such a source usually emits light that is not visible to the human eye (ultraviolet or infrared). When this light hits an area painted with fluorescent paint, it causes the paint to glow in the visible range. Naturally, objects on which no paint has been applied will not be visible in the dark.

Portable currency detector - optimal illumination for fluorescent fireflies.

Any ultraviolet radiation device can be used as such a source. For example, a UV lamp or UV LED of a portable currency detector. It is simply placed on the shore, turned on and directed by the emitting part to the side where the fireflies are located.

Attention! Even a small amount of ultraviolet radiation is harmful to the eyes. It is advisable to reduce the glow angle of the UV lamp using any (at least cardboard) shielding so that it does not shine in the eyes of the fishermen. The reflected light no longer poses any danger.

Electric backlight

This method is the most optimal in terms of cost and efficiency. In addition, it is the safest for humans, since it does not require the use of chemically active substances or various sources of harmful radiation.

In addition, using the electronic method, it is possible to quickly change the brightness of the objects' glow, the ways of their arrangement, the direction of the glow, and other parameters.

Miniature power supplies for electric fireflies.

The easiest way to create homemade fireflies is to directly attach the emitter to an energy source in the form of a battery or rechargeable battery. In this case, sources of small dimensions and weight are used. For example, models of the CR, LIR series and others with a diameter of 5 to 24 mm, having a voltage of 1.5 to 3 V.

The simplest firefly consists of an LED and a battery.

It is best to use LEDs as an emitter, since they have the longest glow time due to their low current consumption. In addition, their weight and dimensions are the smallest among electric light sources.

More reliable design - the LED is attached to the battery with electrical tape or tape.

This design has several disadvantages. In particular, the LED will shine very brightly and not for long. Moreover, if a rechargeable battery or a battery with a voltage of more than 1.1 V is used, the LED may generally burn out after a few minutes of operation.

Therefore, it is recommended to limit the current consumption of the LED by adding a resistor with a nominal value of 10 to 100 Ohm to the circuit. It should be soldered to one of the LED electrodes. The higher the resistance, the less bright, but the longer the LED will shine.

LED with resistor for long lightning time.

To ensure tightness, the resulting structures can be filled with silicone using a glue gun. An alternative is to place the entire structure in some kind of airtight container that has an elongated shape.

As such a container, you can use a transparent cap for a pen, the aforementioned ampoules with lids, or a body from a 2-5 ml syringe. It is necessary to use batteries of small diameter, for example, types LD or LR60 / LR63.

Firefly made of LED and three elements of the LD type with the outer shell removed.

The container can be sealed using the same silicone and a glue gun. Further, the resulting structure is installed on the tackle using any convenient mounting method.

Using fireflies during night fishing helps the angler see bites in low light conditions. Fireflies are currently used based on chemical or electrical principles for generating light. You can buy fireflies or make them yourself without any problems.