infrared camera lights and spooking fish

[south_metro_fish]

I am still not sure and wondering what other people think? I have had crappies act spooked from the camera at night but some of that could have been from having it to close to my bait. I am going to try using it for walleye fishing because I dont have a vex. I plan to use it down veiwing and have it a few feet away from my hole. has any one noticed a difference from having the infrared on or off as far as spooking fish, I know it lets off a little red light?

[RonWBasser]

If you are in MN I don't think it is legal to have the light on when actually fishing.

But back to your question, I'm not sure they even really see the light as much as it helps you see them. When I've tried it the water seems to be to full of plankton or something to even be able to see.

[Big Buck Buster]

Infrared lights are legal in MN, but the white lights are not.

[backlash 1]

I have infrared lights on my older aqua view and I have never noticed any difference at all when I turn on the light.

After the sun goes down I might as well put it away.

[mr_jman]

I have an Aqua Vu Scout SRT with the infrared and the fish I have seen so far, Bass, Gills, Perch, and Crappies don't seem to be too bothered by it unless you are moving it around. I dropped a lure right in front of the camera and one gill came right up to it but most stayed away. At about 3 - 5' away they don't seem to care at all and some fish are curious and will stare right at it or swim up to it. I got it with a few weeks of open water and had catfish swim right up to it and that swim by.

However once "primetime" evening hits the camera is worthless and the vexilar gets used.

[cold one sd]

If you go in a dark room and turn your camera and Infrared lights on you will be able to look around the room in the dark. While doing this, point the camera at your face. You will be able to see your face, but you won't be able to see the Infrared light because Infrared light is invisible. Fish don't see it either. Fish can see the colored Spectral lights that some cameras have though. I have heard that Gills get spooked by Spectral lights, but I can't say for sure since mine are Infrared.

[backlash 1]

Cold one

Are you saying you can see under water after dusk with your infrared on?

[Dave]

I can see fish underwater with my 820 infrared on.

[south_metro_fish]

With my infrared lights on my Cabelas camera, I can see a good couple feet with them cranked up and it really makes it easy to find your line. It also depends on how much plankton and other stuff is floating around, come mid to end of winter it really settles out and you can see a lot farther. I have noticed panfish fish are not as spooked by it they will swim right up to it but they sometimes don't hit your bait as much as when the camera is not down. I am just wondering how walleyes act around them not having any experience with them.

[cold one sd]

In order to see a fish after dark it just about has to bump the camera. They will swim by and they look like they are coated with aluminum foil. What I was saying is that Infrafed light is invisible and doesn't spook fish.