Underwater Cameras

[fishermn]

I am considering asking for an underwater camera for christmas, and I am wondering what kinda success those of you that use them have had on Duluth area lakes. I am a bit concerned that maybe the water on many of the local lakes (Fish, Boulder, Island, Caribou, Pike) might be a bit too bog stained for a camera to work very well. Any info from those of you who have used cameras on the local lakes would be much appreciated.

[moderation]

Have had my camera for two years. Tried it on fish lake in the winter and no luck, couldn’t see anything.

Tried on Island lake in the summer and could see bottom structure great. I have tried trolling, with no success at getting good pictures of anything. Kabetogama is about the same as far as pictures go. I think

They are a great help but mostly for structure info.

[gunflint]

I got a new Aqua-Vu last spring. I have had no trouble seeing with it. Although most of the lakes I fish are deep and clear.

moderation is correct, the camera is great for checking structure and getting temps underwater. Does it help catch fish? Yes, but not the way most people think. It's almost impossible to keep your lure in front of the camera in a boat. But if you are looking to discover what type of bottom the fish are holding over or what type of fish are under the boat they work fine.

One other thought. Before I bought a camera I would buy the best depth finder I could afford, and learn how to use it like a pro. after all a depth finder is more or less a camera.

[andy j]

I think that underwater camaras at times can be a great tool for openwater and icefishing, I can think of a couple of ocassions that It helped locate fish prefishing for tournaments. I like them also for icefishing, many times you can see panfish enhale your jig without feeling the strike, It is like sight fishing in shallower water only at any depth when using the down viewing cameras, You can also pick and choose which ones to set the hook on, It is a great way to fine-tune tequniques when fish are finiky, seeing how the fish react to you presentations. If you would like to look at a few different ones, I work at Gander and would tell you the info you would need to decide. Just ask for AJ Good luck AJ

[Northlander]

I will be testing out the New Marcum 560 this year. Im also concerned about the stained water. I know last year on Lake Superior it was a very helpful tool. Ill get back to you on how it does in our stained waters localy.

[wormburner]

My step dad has a marcum, we used it some last year, worked great on fish lake, but we tried it on boulder, and it was like looking into a cup of coffee. I have been looking around to see what is out there that is not too high priced, planning on stopping at gm and talk to A.J. and see what he recomends. I don't know alot about them, but I know there are some pretty big price differences between them all, I am sure the cheaper models are not as great as the highr priced ones, but the marcum I used seemed to do a good job in unstained waters.

[Surface Tension]

Water clarity really makes a difference on how well cameras perform. The LED lights are something else you'll want for night viewing. I've got a no frills camera with IR lights. Works great in clear water and depths with some light penetration. You can find cheapies like it for around $200. I don't use mine very often because its a pain to setup.

Start adding features that make setting up the camera faster and easier and the price starts to go up. If I where to get another camera it would be the OVS 560. This camera gives you depth, temp, has the blue LED lights along with IR lights. Its main selling point for me is the ability to rotate the camera inside of its housing. All done with a remote control. If you've ever tried to find your jig by twisting the cable you'll know how nice that feature is.

[nunnu]

ST,

I bought a VS 560 about 2 weeks ago and I can't wait to give it a try. We're headin up to URL on the weekend of January 15th. Are you gonna be up there by any chance?

Nunnu

[Surface Tension]

nunnu, You going to love that camera. I think the 16th is trout opener and I'll be on Gunflint. We'll have to get a date set for Red later this winter. Hey see you Sunday, tell the gang Leila and I say hi.

[gunflint]

Surface Tension,

Could you please reword that to say I'll be on (THE) gunflint?

[Surface Tension]

Goosh and I hardly know you.

I'll be somewhere on the Gunflint Trail.

[smallmouthguide]

I bought an Aqua View a few years ago for open water fishing. At first I thought it was cool and it does work like it should, BUT It's a pain in the butt when you are on a lake with a lot of large rocks and boulders. If you are moving along slow with your electric to scan the area you have to keep on raising and lowering the cable or the lens keeps clunking boulders. When you are on a lake with a mud or silt bottom and you are moving along slowly and the depth changes up and down a lot you have the same problem. But now when the lens hits the bottom you create a cloud of silt and can't see anything. If you plan on fishing and exploring with the camera at the same time it doesn't work well on open water. My camera sits at home most of the time because I get to antsy without a rod in my hand. I am not sorry that I bought my camera, but It cuts into my fishing time. I brought it out once with my clients and they got so interested in the camera that they spent more time screwing around with the Aqua View and not focusing on the fishing. That was the last time I took it out on a guided trip! I guess that the point I am trying to make is that you need to fish OR you need to use the camera, but you can't do both at the same time EFFECTIVLY. Please bare in mind that I am not referring to ice fishing. ............Only my opinion!