Carp Lighting

44 products

Sort through head torches, bivvy lights, lanterns and hand torches for night carp fishing in one range, each priced live from reputable online tackle shops so the whole after-dark setup can be planned together.

About Carp Lighting

Carp lighting is the portable lighting an angler uses after dark, mainly a head torch for jobs at the rods and a bivvy light for inside the shelter.

Anyone fishing into the night needs at least one light, and most overnight anglers carry two, a head torch for landing, unhooking and rebaiting plus a softer lamp hung inside the bivvy. Winter anglers rely on them most, with darkness falling well before the evening feeding spell starts.

The key choice is brightness against weight and run time. The head torches listed run from 150 lumen models to 600 lumen lamps, and from about 60g up to 374g on the head.

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How to Choose a Fishing Head Torch or Bivvy Light

Night fishing lights split into head torches, bivvy lights and lanterns, and powerful hand torches or floodlights. Decide which jobs you need light for, then pick one light per job rather than one bright light for everything.

Lumens measure the total light a torch puts out, and the head torches here run from about 150 to 600 lumens. Hand torches and floodlights for searching the margins go past 1,000 lumens.

Bivvy lights are far softer, with the ones listed giving roughly 150 to 350 lumens. That is plenty for a shelter interior and kinder to tired eyes at 3am.

Run time is quoted for a set brightness mode, so the figure on the highest setting is always far shorter than on low. Compare run times at the setting you will actually use.

Most lights listed charge by USB, which saves carrying spare cells and lets a power pack top them up on the bank. A few still take AAA batteries, which you can swap in seconds if a charge runs out.

Many head torches add a red mode alongside the white beam. A dim red light is widely used at night to keep eyes adjusted to the dark, and it is less likely to dazzle anglers in the next swim.

A spot beam reaches further across the water, while a flood beam spreads wide over the unhooking mat. Torches with both let you switch between the two jobs.

The lightest head torches here weigh about 60g to 95g, light enough to forget you are wearing one through a long night. Heavier units with rear battery packs reach around 340g to 374g but stay balanced on the head.

Water ratings follow the IP code, where IPX4 means a light resists splashing from any direction. IP67 means it is dust tight and can survive a brief dunking to 1m, which suits lights used near the edge or on a boat.

Bivvy lights hang from the roof or stick to the frame by magnet, and some fold out as a dome, a strip or an inflatable lantern. Remote control lets you switch them on from the bedchair when a take wakes you.

Infrared remote models switch on from the remote without anyone needing to reach the light. The bivvy lights here weigh about 100g to 250g, so they add little to the barrow.

Some lights in this range do one job, such as photography lights for night catch shots or UV head torches. Others include a beacon for a boat and a compact torch built to scare birds off a baited area.

Budgets for Head Torches and Bivvy Lights

The dearest light listed costs about fifteen times the cheapest head torch, with every price checked against reputable online tackle shops. Bivvy lights sit in a tighter band, where the top model costs about four times the entry one.

Spending more on a head torch buys more lumens, longer run time, a tougher waterproof body and a better balanced headband. On a bivvy light, the extra goes on remote control, a built in power bank and a smoother dimmer.

Out of 44 lights listed, 15 have a scored eTackle review rating light output, battery life and value. Our favourite bivvy lights for every budget are in the best bivvy lights guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lumens should a fishing head torch have?

Around 200 to 300 lumens covers most jobs at the rods, with 500 or more useful for checking the margins. Most of the time you will fish on a lower setting to save battery.

Which head torch suits carp fishing best?

A light, USB rechargeable head torch with a red mode and at least 200 lumens suits most carp anglers. Choose one with a spot and flood beam if you net your own fish at range.

Why do head torches have a red light?

A red light lets you see close up without spoiling your eyes' adjustment to the dark. It also causes less glare for anglers fishing nearby.

Is a rechargeable head torch better for fishing?

Yes, for most anglers, as it saves buying batteries and can be topped up from a power pack on the bank. Battery models still make a handy spare, as fresh cells go in at once.

What is a bivvy light?

A bivvy light is a soft lamp that hangs inside a fishing shelter to light the interior at night. Many have a dimmer and a remote so they can be switched from the bedchair.

Do you need a head torch and a bivvy light?

Most overnight anglers carry both, a head torch for jobs at the rods and a bivvy light for inside the shelter. On a short evening session a head torch alone is enough.

What does IPX4 mean on a head torch?

IPX4 means the torch resists splashing water from any direction, so it copes with rain. It is not rated to be dropped in the lake, which needs IP67 or higher.

How heavy is a fishing head torch?

The lightest models listed weigh around 60g to 95g, and the heaviest about 374g with their battery packs. Lighter torches are more comfortable to wear for a whole night.

What is an IR remote bivvy light?

An IR remote bivvy light switches on and off with an infrared remote control. It lets you turn the light on from your bedchair without reaching for it.