Underwater Cameras

[Snag]

Who else is a way better fisherman by using one of these? I got out today and wouldn't have caught anything without it. Found crappies hangin out in the weeds and managed to catch a dozen.In the winter it is almost like cheating seeing the fish take the bait and then setting the hook.

[Ufatz]

Well Snag, you used the word "cheating" in your post so you must at understand what it means. Perhaps many of us should take a minute to evaluate our personal outdoor ethics. Sure some of this stuff works;but is it the right thing to do? The sophisticated gear available to the commercial fishing fleets today enables them to fish the oceans bare. Should we maybe think about resticting the use of some of the "tools" they have aboard?

[Snag]

Some guys just know spots in their heads, but now we have GPS, underwater cameras, better graphs, lake maps with gps. You still need a hook and line to catch fish. I just think a total beginner with some equipment can find fish a lot easier. They may not know what it takes to catch them on a particular day. Does it take a little of the sport out of it?

[LocalGuide]

These "tools" are perfect for a beginner! I would recommend one.
Now it is a great tool to go out and find fish relating to structure. Also nice to find what kind of fish they are.
I have learned a ton of stuff from my camera. From what kind of bottom is here, transition zones, species present, and more.
Its just fun to have.

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And keep those hooks sharp!

[danny berg]

I use my camera mainly to see what is happening below the fishhouse. I don't think it helps me catch any more, I have tried to coax some fish into taking the bait, but if they don't want it, they don't want it. Although it is really cool when you have a bunch of sunnies around the bait, then they all of a sudden dissapear, only to have a northern or muskie appear on the screen. You do learn a lot about how fish react to things, be it noise, or another fish.In the boat,it is a great tool in really visulizing what that weird shape is on the bottom of the lake that you see all the time with the locator, whether it is a big rock or a tree stump.