Hi,
I am wondering if there are any tip tops available that are highly visible in varying degrees of light? Or if there would be a modification that could be done to a tip top, to get the same results?
If I were to be baitfishing from the bank of a river, and not really paying attention (enjoying the scenery), I might notice the tip top moving.
Thanks

Use fluorescent thread for the tip top wrap (make a fairly long one). This should do the trick.

Yes on flourescent thread. A friend of mine who fishes at night has found that "balloon lights," very light small led lights intended to go into balloons and light them from the inside work very well. I expect they can be found on the internet.

One of the very best colors is florescent PINK.

For whatever reason, it seems that the bright pink shows up better than nearly any other color in varying degrees of light.

For visibility purposes, I would do a tip wrap of 3-4 inches.

It might also help to put about a 4 wrap band at the tip, next to the tip top, in the middle of the pink, and at the bottom edge of the pink of metallic thread.

The contrast between the gold and pink seems to really increase the visibility - in all lighting conditions.

If you don't want to go with glow thread or glow tape but want to still be alerted to a strike if you're away from your rod I would go with a device that emits a sound over doing something to the tip top of the rod . Constantly staring at the tip of your rod is OK for some but something that emits a sound signal will allow you to enjoy the scenery without needing to always turn around to stare at your rod.

Some devices offer a sound and visual indicator .

There numerous sizes of glow sticks available on amazon. Perhaps wrap an extra guide opposite the line guides. Glow sticks tend to be rather flexible. Use a guide size that the glow stick can be forced into.

[www.amazon.com]

One of my plug rods from long ago built by lamiglas had a fluorescent orange glass tip, it was called Flame Tip in the catalog, maybe 15 inches long, I just paint my other plug rod's tips to get the same effect. Works very well, it's quick and costs very little

Look into carp fishing products.

Gary,
Some years ago, I did a swap with a fellow rod builder.
I supplied him with some equipment and he supplied me with a ready to build on - Catfish blank for night fishing.

This was a blank that came out of a California company as I understand it.

The blank was a translucent fiberglass blank.

The fellow witch whom I had done the swap - added a change to the blank. He integrated a light bulb and a battery compartment along with a butt cap that acted as a power switch - when made tight on the bottom of the blank.

I went ahead and built up the rod using an Eva rear grip and fore grip along with a standard casting reel seat. The rear grip was placed such that it matched the butt cap and its ability to perform the on/off switching of the light bulb.

When using the rod at night, the hook is baited and the hook and sinker is cast out into the catfish - or other fishing hole for the night and then the rod is placed into a rod holder.

With some tension on the line - the line will take a slight bend. With the light switch turned on - the blank is illuminated at different locations depending on the bend of the blank.

So, now the waiting game begins.

When the fish bites, bend in the rod blank begins to change and get more or less - depending on the action of the fish.

As the fish is working against the pull of the line and the rod - the illuminated parts of the rod run up and down the blank - depending on the amount of rod bend at any given time.

This changing illumination locations on the different parts of the rod alerts the fisher person to grab the rod and bring the fish to the shore.

I also used the rod for Sturgeon fishing and the action of the blank was a perfect match for some nice sized sturgeon.

-----------------
I have never seen a blank like this one commercially any where - but I suspect that they are still available somewhere.

However, with the advent of very bright LEDs - I may take on the project to modify the battery compartment and light bulb to a change to an led light and associated battery.

I suspect that the right led would do an even better job of illuminating the rod, along with a much better battery life.

Take care

Here is an example of a Berkley "glow stick" rod that was announced in 2019 and similar in concept to the rod that I mention above. The one difference is the use of an optical fibre running the length of the glow stick that will give a uniform light - all of he way to the tip.

[fishingtackleretailer.com]

Since these are completed factory rods - one might purchase one - if the right one were available for the particular use one had in mind to simply evaluate its [fishingtackleretailer.com] for the type fishing that has been envisioned.

I have not used them, but an led light that clips on to the rod tip are popular down here for night time catfishing.
[whiskerseeker.com]
Norm

If you use circle hooks a tiny bell hung from your tip-top should do the job - and you won't have to constantly stare at the light!