ROYGBIV & the best colors for underwater lights.

Green dock lights are often used by fishermen to attract fish at night. The reason green dock lights are effective is that different colors of light are absorbed differently by the water and the objects in it.

Water molecules absorb different colors of light differently. Take for instance the colors of the rainbow or the acronym ROYGBIV. Red and Orange light, for example, are absorbed quickly and do not penetrate very far. Yellow and Green light, on the other hand, penetrate deeper into the water while still providing useful light to the human eye. Blue, Indigo, and Violet light penetrate the deepest.

When a green light shines on the water, it penetrates deeper than white light, illuminating more of the water column. This is important because many species of fish are attracted to light, and they will come closer to the surface if they can see the light from deeper in the water.

Additionally, some studies suggest that certain types of plankton that attract baitfish are more attracted to green light than white light. Baitfish, in turn, attract larger predatory fish, which are the primary target of fishermen.

In summary, green dock lights are better at attracting fish than white lights because they penetrate deeper into the water, illuminating more of the water column, and because they may attract the plankton that baitfish feed on