Fish camera

[t.dan]

Just wondering if many people use underwater cameras? I used one today and thought it was really cool, seeing fish swim by while jigging.
Any recommendations on models or brands they like?
Thanks

[Altonbayicefishingfool]

I do, maybe it’s cheating but I’ve seen fish come in and look at the bait and take off. Without the camera you’d never know if you had fish interested in what you’re offering. I’ve caught more fish this year with the camera than any other just observing how they act to my jig/bait. Best investment ever!

[t.dan]

What brand do you have?

[sunniewally]

Depends on the lake and visibility. I use mine all the time on the lake I fish for panfish. Its just a blast to watch them. See how they react to different presentations, and how some smaller fish seem be be always  around and how some bigger ones move thru and usually on the bite. Its more fun watching the fish then catching. Seeing northerns, muskys or bass  coming thru. A regular soap opera at times. Definitely helps to catch fish.

[Brownbagger247]

Marcum

[mowbizz]

We have 2 Marcum  VS825SD units which were top line then.
Game changers for sure. Like someone already said a blast watching what’s going on down there. I accidentally nicked the cables on mine chipping them out of the hole on a very cold day and had to send one back to Marcum for repair. Very expensive so take care not to damage your cables! The other one I spliced the wires myself and it is working but now the power switch is giving me problems. I’m expecting a new switch circuit board from UPS today. Hopefully I’ll be able to get it back to 100%

[Dieseldog]

I have been researching them and plan on having one before next season. Several ponds I fish have brownish water, tannin stain I believe. Will that be a big problem for viewing.

[Altonbayicefishingfool]

I’m running the Marcum pan-cam. Hooks wirelessly to your smart phone with full 360 degree viewing at the touch of a button, I also have an AUX cable to run on the big screen in the shack.

[mowbizz]

I’m running the Marcum pan-cam. Hooks wirelessly to your smart phone with full 360 degree viewing at the touch of a button, I also have an AUX cable to run on the big screen in the shack.

Does the Pan-Cam have a built in panner? In hindsight, I would have preferred something one piece rather than having to run a camera and a separate panner...the panner is a bit weak and gets frozen in easily.

[Altonbayicefishingfool]

Does the Pan-Cam have a built in panner? In hindsight, I would have preferred something one piece rather than having to run a camera and a separate panner...the panner is a bit weak and gets frozen in easily.

It sure does, all sealed from the elements! I use to have the same panner you do now, what a huge POS that thing was! Marcum should be ashamed of themselves for that thing.

[Jringo001]

My son purchased the Aqua View 5", I believe they also make a 7" screen as well. Models come with either a 60' cord or 100'. The clarity is amazing when being used in a shelter or pop-up but when used directly on the ice the glare can be difficult on a sunny day. You can easily rotate the camera around simply by moving the cord. The upgraded models also come with a record feature, death and water temp I believe. Both have an infra-red light feature that helps with dark water, you can definitely see lots of structure and see fish approaching your lure. Also, if fully charged the battery should last all day.

We watched all kinds of fish come right up to the camera and check it out. Watching a fish bite and knowing the species and size not to mention what lures they are hitting on or avoiding is a game changer - it really is a lot of fun. His cost about $350.00.

Good luck and have fun - we sure do using it.

[Jringo001]

LOL - The comment should have read as Depth - not death... 

[Rugburn]

Bought an Aqua-vu Revolution 5 this year. Love this camera, especially the cord wind up spool. Plus the whole deal fits into a large cargo type pocket. Great scouting tool for sure. Great image quality.

[bikrsrule]

Do you think a camera is better than a flasher?

[AQUAASSASSIN]

Do you think a camera is better than a flasher?

I sure as hell don’t, if you’re asking? 

[Stickhick86]

Do you think a camera is better than a flasher?

I don't think either are better than the other. They both have a time a place when the work better than the other. Smaller camera's such as the Aqua-vu Micro II like I have are good for scouting sort of speak. Just drop it down, check the area out and see what's down there such has rocks, weeds and what type of bottom it is and to see what type of fish you are marking on the flasher.

[DConICE]

I have both - and I always bring my fish finder / flasher - and only use/bring the camera when I know the water clarity is good and when I am using a shelter - since the screen can be difficult to see well in the bright sun.

If I could only have one - it would be the flasher/fish finder for sure.

[green shack]

Do they still have trouble in tannin stained water?

[Arctic Addict]

Do you think a camera is better than a flasher?

Both are separate tools.  On known fishing grounds, a flasher is great to hole hop looking for fish.  No long wire to spool back up, just grab and go.  When I am in unknown waters, I like to check the bottom out with the camera and to fine tune the action while jigging.  It's great to see how many near hits  I had as well.

[Arctic Addict]

Do you think a camera is better than a flasher?

Both are separate tools.  On known fishing grounds, a flasher is great to hole hop looking for fish.  No long wire to spool back up, just grab and go.  When I am in unknown waters, I like to check the bottom out with the camera and to fine tune the action while jigging.  It's great to see how many near hits  I had as well.

[jmamos52]

I agree.. I use both for different purposes. Flasher/Fish finder for jigging and going hole to hole... but camera for the shack and for honing in on what's biting and how they want the jig that particular day. The camera is also a must for checking the bottom and surrounding area before I decide where the hard side is going to be for the long term. Before I used the camera, one year I put it hut out and did all the trouble of anchoring it down etc. I got virtually nothing jigging and a few weeks later, I put the camera down there only to find I was on a big boulder and no way I was going to get anything out of that spot.... and have done it again to find just pure sandy bottom with a few leaves and absolutely zero structure... yet on the Navionics, the spot looked great with a contour ... that was clearly is marked ... so, both can be very helpful.

[Kourcha]

When using my Aqua Vu Revolution 5 I always bring a spare thin coat especially on sunny days when I'm scouting around the lake with the camera I just drape the coat over my head and that kills the glare just fine, I mainly use my camera for scouting bottom and structure there are a few ponds I have fished that dont have the best water quality and the camera still seems to work fine for scouting purposes. I took a 5 gal bucket and cut a hole in the bottom big enough for the camera to fit through and a Styrofoam ball not to fall through and cut a slit halfway through the ball and once your at the depth you want you can slide the camera cord through the slit and use the ball to position this works very well for me when using the camera to either watch a trap or jig
 

[SHaRPS]

When using my Aqua Vu Revolution 5 I always bring a spare thin coat especially on sunny days when I'm scouting around the lake with the camera I just drape the coat over my head and that kills the glare just fine, I mainly use my camera for scouting bottom and structure there are a few ponds I have fished that dont have the best water quality and the camera still seems to work fine for scouting purposes. I took a 5 gal bucket and cut a hole in the bottom big enough for the camera to fit through and a Styrofoam ball not to fall through and cut a slit halfway through the ball and once your at the depth you want you can slide the camera cord through the slit and use the ball to position this works very well for me when using the camera to either watch a trap or jig

Can you please post a picture of this?

[Kourcha]

Sorry about the lighting in the basement

[JIGGIN-]

I use both for different purposes. Flasher/Fish finder for jigging and going hole to hole... but camera for the shack and for honing in on what's biting and how they want the jig that particular day. The camera is also a must for checking the bottom and surrounding area before I decide where the hard side is going to be for the long term. Before I used the camera, one year I put it hut out and did all the trouble of anchoring it down etc. I got virtually nothing jigging and a few weeks later, I put the camera down there only to find I was on a big boulder and no way I was going to get anything out of that spot.... and have done it again to find just pure sandy bottom with a few leaves and absolutely zero structure... yet on the Navionics, the spot looked great with a contour ... that was clearly is marked ... so, both can be very helpful.

Spot on.

[jethro]

Gotta have both. But I'm more bummed out when the batteries run out on my flasher than the camera.