New flashlights and headlamps for fishing
5.5.2025
Night fishing has its own unmistakable charm. A calm water surface, silence broken only by the sounds of nature, and the tension of an anticipated bite. However, for fishing in the dark or twilight to be successful and comfortable, high-quality lighting is absolutely crucial. And this is where the Fenix brand comes into play, offering top-notch headlamps and lanterns designed to meet the needs of even the most demanding anglers. Let's take a look at why Fenix should not be missing from your fishing gear.
Fenix – A Synonym for Reliability and Performance
To start, it's good to mention why Fenix. This brand is renowned for its:
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Durability: The lights are often waterproof (HM series headlamps according to IP68 standards) and shockproof, which is invaluable by the water.
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Performance and Endurance: They offer high luminous flux (lumens) and, at the same time, long operating time on a single charge or set of batteries.
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Quality Craftsmanship: They use first-class materials and modern LED technology.
Fenix HM series headlamps work even underwater.
Fenix Headlamps – Free Hands for More Important Things
A headlamp is probably the most important light source for an angler. It allows you to have both hands free for handling the rod, rigs, baits, or landing a catch. Fenix offers models with features that anglers will particularly appreciate:
Combination of Spotlight and Floodlight:
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Spotlight Reflector (Spotlight): Need to cast accurately to a feeding spot or watch a float at a greater distance? A narrow, but intense beam of light will shine exactly where you need it. Ideal for casting and monitoring the situation from a distance.
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Wide Reflector (Floodlight): When it's time to re-tie a hook, thread a worm onto a hook, look for something in your backpack, or walk safely along the bank, you'll appreciate a wide, evenly diffused beam of light. It illuminates your entire workspace without dazzling spots. Modern Fenix headlamps often allow you to easily switch between these modes, or even combine them.
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Among anglers, popular headlamp models featuring this function are: Fenix HM75R Topaz, HM70R, and HM71R.
Strong Red Light – A Discreet Helper:
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Doesn't Spook Fish: Red light has a longer wavelength and penetrates water less effectively. Moreover, many fish species perceive red light less intensely or not at all. By using red light when handling gear near the water, you significantly reduce the risk of scaring away fish near the bank.
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Doesn't Attract Insects: Mosquitoes, midges, and other annoying insects are much less attracted to red light than to white light. This means a quieter evening without constant buzzing and bites.
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Preserves Night Vision: Eyes adjust to the dark slowly. Bright white light can temporarily "blind" you, and it takes time for your eyes to readjust. Red light minimizes this effect, so you'll see in the dark more quickly after turning it off. Fenix also often offers sufficiently strong red light that is not just for "mapping" but genuinely usable for common tasks.
Currently one of the most comprehensively equipped headlamps in the range, it immediately became very popular upon its release among users of all possible categories and industries, from athletes to craftsmen and construction site managers. It is specially adapted for the Czech and Slovak markets and, compared to the standard version of the Fenix HM75R headlamp, it has several changes and improvements.
The Fenix HM75R Topaz allows you to turn on both the spotlight and floodlight reflectors simultaneously.
The performance parameters have been maintained, with a maximum output of 1600 lumens; the red light has an output of up to 120 lumens. The spotlight reflector with a top-quality LED Luminus SST-40 creates a well-focused light beam with a range of up to 223 meters, and the second reflector with powerful LEDs Luminus SST-20 has a very wide and smooth light footprint with a range of up to 68 meters. Both reflectors (wide and spotlight) can be combined to achieve maximum coverage of the illuminated area. Thanks to the strong red light with a range of almost 20 meters, the headlamp can be used in many situations without attracting annoying insects or spooking fish.
The headlamp is powered by a rechargeable Li-ion battery 18650 4000 mAh. You can also purchase an optional rear battery case with a 21700 5000 mAh battery to significantly extend the lighting time. The headlamp can also be operated without an internal battery, powered solely from a power bank via a USB-C cable (with slightly reduced maximum output). The headlamp is made of a lightweight and durable magnesium alloy, its construction is fully dustproof and waterproof according to the IP68 standard, and also shockproof against falls from a height of 2 meters.
Complete Fenix HM75R battery set
Battery case attached in the holder
With an extension cable, we can clip the power bank to a belt, pocket...
...or hide it in a backpack.
You can view the HM75R Topaz headlamp in a separate article here.
This is a very powerful flashlight with a perfectly tuned spotlight reflector featuring neutral white light, which reaches a great distance and allows you to see exactly what you need on the water. Another benefit is the wide reflector with very soft light, additionally with a high color rendering index. Any work under this "wide beam" is a joy – the light is truly amazing.
HM71R - spotlight reflector.
The headlamp comes with a 21700 type battery with a capacity of 5000 mAh, which provides sufficient lighting time for both high power outputs and longer work at lower outputs.
The HM71R comes incl. a 5000 mAh battery
and is charged via a USB-C connector.
HM71R - wide reflector with high CRI.
Another popular headlamp for fishing is the Fenix HM70R, which also features red light. This is useful both to prevent the headlamp from being constantly swarmed by insects, which are abundant near water. It is also suitable, for example, when collecting dew worms, which do not flee from red light. Separate spotlight and floodlight reflectors again allow for precisely the lighting you need for individual activities.
The HM70R features red light.
With a 5000 mAh 21700 type battery, the HM70R achieves excellent lighting endurance in all modes.
Spotlight reflector of the HM70R headlamp.
And the floodlight reflector (HM70R).
Zoomable Headlamp Fenix HL45R
The headlamp offers a zoom function – smooth adjustment of the light beam width. By simply turning the reflector, you can switch between a focused spotlight and wide ambient lighting. This provides maximum flexibility in a single flashlight.
HL45R wide light, great for any work.
The Fenix HL45R delivers a luminous flux of up to 1000 lumens (ANSI), a range of up to 220 meters, and a function for contactless on/off switching. The Gesture-sensing function allows you to turn the light on and off by waving your hand in front of the headlamp (the function can be deactivated). So, you can have your hands dirty with mud, oil, or anything else while working, and the flashlight will remain clean. Power is supplied by a Li-ion battery with a capacity of 1900 mAh, which is charged via a USB-C connector directly in the headlamp. The battery can be removed and in an emergency, replaced with three standard AAA batteries (they cannot be charged in the headlamp). The light source is a modern LED Luminus SFT-25R, its light is directed by a special TIR (Total Internal Reflection) optic with the option to adjust the width of the light beam (zoom function). Additionally, it also features a red LED OSRAM GR QSSPA1.23, which achieves an output of up to 130 lumens.
Range of 220 meters, but even so, there's enough halo left when set to the narrowest beam, so you can clearly see underfoot and in the immediate vicinity.
A total of 8 power modes are available, including a red flashing mode for emergency situations. Despite the adjustable optics, the headlamp maintains water resistance according to the IP66 standard, so it can easily withstand heavy rain. The headlamp strap is equipped with reflective elements that ensure good all-round visibility when moving on the road.
The HL45R features red light up to 130 lumens.
Fenix Lanterns – Comfort at Your Fishing Spot
While a headlamp is for active tasks, a Fenix lantern will ensure comfortable lighting for your "base camp" – whether it's your spot by the rods, a bivvy, or a shelter.
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Area Lighting: Lanterns provide soft light ideal for illuminating the surroundings, preparing food, or just creating a pleasant atmosphere.
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Long Endurance: They are often equipped with high-capacity batteries and offer very long lighting times, especially in lower modes.
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Practical Features: Many models have a hanging loop, a magnetic base for attachment to metal surfaces, and also offer various brightness levels, including red light for discreet night lighting in a bivvy.
These lights are categorized under CL lighting, which denotes the lantern series. However, unlike other lanterns, they do not shine diffusely in all directions, but have a directional reflector. The design somewhat resembles halogen work lights but offers much more.
The light intensity can be continuously adjusted using a rotary dial. Another rotary dial is used for smoothly adjusting the light temperature from 2700 K to 6500 K. In addition, both lights also feature red lighting and a red flasher.
Bestselling lights in the CL category Fenix CL27R and Fenix CL28R.
You can find the differences between them in the comparison article.
Continuous adjustment of light output and color temperature is enabled by COB LEDs with a lifespan of 50,000 hours of illumination. The light is pleasantly wide and is perfectly suited for illuminating a workbench, evenly lighting a room, tent, etc. The new CL27R also allows switching to a spotlight reflector with an LED Luminus SST-20 and a range of up to 177 meters at an output of 800 lumens, and combining both wide and spotlight reflectors. The CL28R does not have a spotlight reflector. However, unlike the twenty-seven, it also functions as a power bank for charging mobile phones and other electronics.
The handle of both lights is equipped with strong neodymium magnets, so they can be easily attached to anything iron.
You can find the differences between the two lights in the comparison article.
The Fenix CL26R PRO is a practical portable rechargeable lantern that you can use to illuminate a room, tent, campsite, caravan, cottage, boat, or workbench. Additionally, it also features a power bank function, so it can be used to charge other USB devices. The lantern offers circular lighting and bottom lighting functions, with individual light modes switched by a rotary controller. Both lighting methods can also be combined to achieve a total output of up to 650 lumens.
Fenix CL26R PRO and power bank function.
Thanks to its durable and shockproof construction with IP66 protection, the lantern can be safely used even in adverse weather conditions (heavy rain). The top side of the lantern is equipped with a hanging loop that can be opened like a carabiner and a strong neodymium magnet, so it can be easily hung or attached to anything iron.
Investing in high-quality Fenix lighting will pay off many times over for anglers in terms of comfort, safety, and ultimately, more successful fishing. Whether you choose a headlamp with combined reflectors and strong red light, or supplement it with a practical lantern, you can rely on Fenix not to leave you in the lurch in the dark. Illuminate your fishing experiences and enjoy every moment by the water, regardless of the time of day.
Tight lines!
Links:
Article about fishing headlamps