Underwater Camera Spooking Walleye, Down-rig to fix Problem?

[rrobillard]

Hey guys just thought i would ask around here if any of you guys use cameras when ice fishing. Lately i have been fishing a clear lake and i see lots of walleyes that want to bite, but at the last minute get spooked and swim off. i Believe this to be the camera beside the lure/bait. Im was thinking of downrigging my marcum so that i only have to put the camera a couple feet below the ice and downview. Has anyone tried this?? does it help with not spooking fish? thanks ice shanty members

[ice dawg]

It works.

[poorfisherman]

Until I got my vex I used a camera. I never found it to spook fish. Once down and positioned on my lure all was good.  When pointing the camera down I had trouble seeing fish they were to camouflaged.

[pete/ny]

Hey guys just thought i would ask around here if any of you guys use cameras when ice fishing. Lately i have been fishing a clear lake and i see lots of walleyes that want to bite, but at the last minute get spooked and swim off. i Believe this to be the camera beside the lure/bait. Im was thinking of downrigging my marcum so that i only have to put the camera a couple feet below the ice and downview. Has anyone tried this?? does it help with not spooking fish? thanks ice shanty members

Had a camera for years and never spooks fish.But then again we don't fish clear lakes either. The downview would work well if the line of sight is good but if the water isn't clear and deep, then the transducer hanging just under the ice would show nothing.In shallower water it would work good.

[ice dawg]

I don't downview with mine, but I sometimes hang it higher a 45 degrees so I can see farther to the sides and in a separate hole. I can't say my camera has ever spooked fish unless I turned it when they were next to it. One of my friends was using his camera for the first time and downviewing did nothing but confuse him. I pulled it up and set the camera for level viewing and he became so engrossed with watching fish on the camera I had to tell him when his float went down.  It was a fun day though.

[Wavemaster]

I always use my underwater camera. I mostly fish clear shallow water for perch. Never noticed fish being scared. The fish were actually interested in it. They would investigate, swimming into and bumping the camera. Have not yet got the chance to try it on Walleye.

[Wavemaster]

One thing I do like to do is drill the camera hole just outside the hut. This gives you more fishing room and makes it harder for a fish to tangle into the camera cable.

[Minnowhead]

You can try comoflauging the cord by adding aquarium weeds to it.

[michianafisherman]

How are you hanging the camera? Do you grab the cord as soon as you see the walleye? Do you start talking or hollering there he is? How close is the camera to the jig?

I like aiming the camera to point up a little. This way I can keep it closer to the bottom and hidden next to weeds. I try not to talk or touch the camera cord.

[bluetickchick]

not a fan of down-viewing at all... never really had a spooking issue with them either. sounds crazy and all but i prefer a camera over a vexlar if you are in a good school of fish gives me a better idea of what they want and i can adjust my jigs, line, and jigging method to how they respond. but i always drill a second hole just for the camera. also come in handy when panfishing and mr pike comes in and ruins it... then i can grab my jiggin rap and heavy duty pole and either catch him or make him go away. did however have a pike come through and grab the cabelas camera i had (very shiney) it was only for a split second and he let go. couldnt believe it. never had that problem with my aquaview. just dont like the down view maybe its just that i cant get used to it and i feel like i am missing out on something that way.