Do I need a camera?

[LarryClutch]

I typically fish small farm ponds and typically catch more than normal amounts of fish. But the days that I don't I wonder if a camera would help. I run a lx7 and I keep looking at the aqua vu's. I am looking for advice from other camera users. Thanks

[panfishman13]

a camera is useful to identify cover, species of fish, bottom composition, and possibly the presence of food in the area. it can also help to be able to read a fish's body language when it comes to look at your bait, plus it's a ton of fun.

i recommend getting one, but don't expect to rely on it over your flasher. it's a handy enjoyable tool, but it's not as efficient as a flasher is for locating fish and figuring out water depth etc.

[just_a_beer_man]

I have use of my buddies lx9 when he's over seas and i think I've used the camera 3 times this year. Nice for new bodies of water but I think it's a luxury that of you can have then get it.

[Crappielover89]

fished a lx9 all last year and most of this year and I probably used the camera a total of 2-5 times I think they are too time consuming and waist of money(now here is the important part...) for the way I fish and for the lakes here in Utah...... there are a lot of people who find success with them and that they help tremendously..... I would barrow one or see if you can watch someone fish with one and see if it is something you think would fit your style of fishing......

[Whopper Stopper]

I look at my flasher as a tool. I look at my camera as a fun tool. If you can afford getting one you will enjoy hours of watching fish, checking out structure and searching bottom content, etc. You will also be frustrated to no end when you see a bunch of fish that won't bite, and nothing you try works. I would use mine a lot more if I could get it away from my wife 

            WS

[SpitzoMT]

Well said WS...............

[WANNAKETCHUM]

Well said WS...............

DITTO!!!!

WK

[skifisher]

Never owning a camera, how do they do in deep and/or murky water? Can you use them in say 60+' of water? Will they effect the fish at all? I know...dumb questions right? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!   
Ski

[DFresh75]

Need is a funny word...

I think they are very useful for not only scouting and finding structure, but seeing how fish react to your lure as well as ensuring a hookset with a finicky bite.  When panfish are slow, the camera will beat a flasher in our house by 5x

[bobberbill]

Never owning a camera, how do they do in deep and/or murky water? Can you use them in say 60+' of water? Will they effect the fish at all? I know...dumb questions right? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!   
Ski

Deep water depends on the length of the camera cable. Fish don't seem to mind the cam at all. Visibility is totally dependent on sunlight penetration and water clarity. If it's dark/murky/stained water, you won't see very much.

[ASATMillerbluegill]

My buddy and I love our marcum 825sd's. There are days that we wouldn't catch any gils, if it werent for the cameras

[Lobes]

My Aqua-Vu gets a lot of use and is a very useful tool. But if you're wondering if it can help decisively on real slow days I don't know what to tell you. I set mine up when I have found active fish and you already know the value of a flasher for that. The biggest help is when I've been on a good bite and they suddenly stop biting. You can see them still come charging in but will turn away  if they don't like your presentation moving any more or maybe want more or difdferent type of motion or maybe it's time to switch lure, bait, or location.
It's a valuable tool but not a miracle maker.

                                                           
NBG

[LarryClutch]

My Aqua-Vu gets a lot of use and is a very useful tool. But if you're wondering if it can help decisively on real slow days I don't know what to tell you. I set mine up when I have found active fish and you already know the value of a flasher for that. The biggest help is when I've been on a good bite and they suddenly stop biting. You can see them still come charging in but will turn away  if they don't like your presentation moving any more or maybe want more or difdferent type of motion or maybe it's time to switch lure, bait, or location.
It's a valuable tool but not a miracle maker.

                                                           
NBG

This is my situation hot bite right at the start but then the stop biting. I might wait till the end of the season to see if any go on sale.

[Romby]

I have both a Vexilar and a Marcum 825c, and I have to say the vexilar is a more useful fishing tool.  I fish primarily Lake Superior for coho's, splake, whitefish and perch.  With that being said, the camera is useless for coho's and other suspended fish, but does work well for fishing the bottom of the lake.  Its a good tool to see how the fish are reacting to bait/presentation and to actually see what you are graphing on the bottom with the vexilar.  Where I fish is very clear at 50' and was able to watch a big sturgeon hang out for a while, which was pretty cool.  Wow what an ugly fish!  If I had to pick one over the other I would take the vexilar everytime.   

[wyogator]

No, you do not need a camera.