In need of a flashlight twice as bright as a good KD C8

Hi there, Im a complete newbie with flashlights, I found this site after a quick google around as i needed a flashlight for my fishing, mainly for checking spots on the bottom from a boat in clear water depths of around 6 foot. After a quick look around the forum it seemed the KD C8 was a good buy so i purchased one. Im not sure what amps its running at as i havnt got a multimeter. But im fairly sure i’ve got a goodun as mine is red hot to handle after 10 or so minutes on high. Anyway, The KD C8 is a blinding light but if in need of something even more powerful, idealy about twice as bright.
Im open to suggestions on anything and dont mind spending a bit to get something nice. It does not have to be waterproof i better add although it would be nice as you can hold the head of the torch just under the surface of the water and it stops wasted light getting reflected of the surface. It doesnt even have to be an LED light, Is it worth just getting a big old spot lamp.
regards,

Short of like a Sky Ray 3800 or DRY, I don't think there is anything that is NOT a dedicated spotlight that will do that. I guess you should try a HID light. These XM-Ls have put us right to the forefront of what a carry-able light can accomplish.

If you don't mind really spending, an Olight SR90 or Fenix TK70 would measure up. But honestly, not even a UF 980 L would put out 730 emitter lumens x 2.

You're just going to have to sacrifice pocketable, portable power for a friggin 6 lb, short-lived, bulky spotter.

Maybe take a look at the Klarus XT20, one of my favourite purchases of last year...

A dual head XM-L with 1200 lumen output. The build quality is tops, and it's a fantastic looking piece of kit.

Uhm, got no direct experience in the fishing, but if I were you, I would pick a waterproof one.

The reflection of the water surface cuts away more light than you think. You need a light that can be held under the water level. Both beamshot and throw will improve versus above water.

Just to better understand your needs, try to define if you need a light that has more depth penetration on a small hotspot, or if you need to enlight a larger area than your C8 makes now

Get a TK41, quite waterproof. But don't drop it, you'll be kissing $100 goodbye or going for a swim.

It's no brighter than a 980L, just throws further.

Is it an xml or a q5 c8? I’m assuming its an xml, but if not swap the pill to an xml.

Appear to the eye twice as bright as a well driven C8? Think that's a tall order, maybe requires HID, the DRY may be close but twice as bright to the eyes requires much more than double the lumens iirc

Yep it requires four times the lumens, assuming the identical optics in the light.

I’m not clear what you’re trying to do with it. If you are trying to shine it into the water to spot fish then throw is what you need.
You aren’t going to get something that appears twice as bright unless what you currently have is an XM-L and you go to a XR-E and a bigger head. If so and you go to an aspheric as well you will be much more throw and that is what is needed to cut through the water.
You will be better off as mentioned putting the head under the water and shining it at an angle close to whatever you are looking at.
You might consider to fairly inexpensive backup dive lights. If you really want some throw and a bigger beam and waterproof there is a MC-E dive light on DX for just under $100 that would certainly provide all the light that you want if the water really is clean and only 6 feet deep.
Just search on DX for Cree Dive Light. I have one by the way.It uses (2) 18650’s. The head is 52mm. It’s roughly equivalent to a 10W HID that I used to have in terms of output and throw.
You might be able to get away with an Ultrafire W200 backup dive light also sold on DX for about $36. It uses 3 AA’s and throws very well (XR-E) and will certainly cut through the water but its beam is narrow so it may or may not work in your situation. It’s built like a tank and has an attachment point on the tail. It works by twisting the head for on and off. It is certainly not only waterproof but can be banged around quite a bit. The lens is 6mm thick.