Underwater Cameras

[bfisherman11]

This is just a question. I use my Sonar and would not think anything can replace that...… However, as the tech gets better and cheaper, has anyone tried an underwater camera like the Aqua-Vu? I see these are HD and color. Looks like older gen's were BW and I am sure lower resolution. Also see like in most things there are a number of Chinese knock-off's....

 

So, anyone tried one?

 

Thanks!

Bill

[Wanderer]

A camera won’t ever replace a good sonar but they have their place, especially in clearer waters.  Aqua View and Marcum are the two most popular brands - at least around the MN region.

 

They’re most frequently used for ice fishing but spot checking things in the summer can be plenty useful too.

[Muskies]

I have used an older b/w camera when ice fishing on rainy mostly. I have tried it a few times to chech out a reefs structure during the summer but was limited due to the water clarity so couldn't see as much as I would like. I agree a good quality depth is a must.

[bfisherman11]

Yep water clarity was an issue. It was fun to play with and will be in the years to come in probably calmer conditions. The week I fished last year was ROUGH weather wise. We only had about one good day of fishing. 

 

True about sonar. On another note my wife made me get a bigger boat this year. True story, I was happy with my old boat. After the waves last year though I could see her point. I am getting too old to fight that stuff.

 

Bill

[Getanet]

I didn't like underwater cameras until this winter. My past experience had been with some much older models that were fairly large and didn't have great video quality. But this past winter my buddy got a handheld Aqua Vu and it was awesome. The camera quality was excellent, and if you're in a wheelhouse it's really fun to connect it to a flat screen TV. But the biggest upgrade might be the smaller size of the actual camera nowadays. The camera on the last one I had used looked like a perch. While it didn't scare the fish away, they certainly seemed a little leery of it and didn't act natural when it was down.  The ones they make now are really small and don't seem to bother the fish nearly as much. It's really interesting to see what kind of structure you're sitting on, and you can be certain your lure is exactly where you want it - for instance - a 1/2 inch above a rock or weeds.

 

Don't think they'll ever replace a flasher, but I'm tucking a $20 bill away from time to time so I can buy one next ice season.

Edited March 21, 2019 by Getanet