Underwater camera

[cavalierowner]

I just got a Aqua-Vu Micro AV Plus camera for Christmas. I have never used an underwater camera before and I have no idea what to expect. Does anyone have this camera, or any camera for that matter, who can give me any tips, etc. on using it?

[dan z]

I have a cheapie marcum vs 280? Its clarity is so terrible I haven't used it in a few years. I am think the new micro's have better resolution n such.

[Carl Bjorgen]

Got the micro plus last year and really like it. (no AV)

Started out just using it for checking out the bottom when moving around, then began leaving it down there for a while to see the fish react to the lure. Now, pretty much keep it on the the entire time.

Found that the panning can be a little difficult with the little camera cord, so it's just used as a view from the top, kind of like sight fishing.

It seems to go about 7 hours on a charge.

Since a camera has become a really important tool for me now, I might someday buy something a little bigger. Might take a while to save up the money for that, but until that day, the micro is working as well or better than expectations.

[Stringerless!]

Don't monkey with trying to get it set up so you can look at your bait from the side. I always use mine looking down. Hang it as high as you can and still see your bait. Granted I will sometimes drop it and look around for fish or structure but have found it much more effective while looking straight down. Rarely get fish tangled in cam cord but that is cause I usually fish clearer lakes with better visibility and don't need much cord in the hole. You will learn to set the hooks when you see them flare their gills from above.

[trebormorgan]

I just bought the new vexilar fishphone. It syncs via wifi

To any apple or android device. I love it. Check out this

Video. http://youtu.be/_nK6cwte1Ks

[cavalierowner]

Do you guys drop the camera down a separate hole or the same hole as you're fishing in?

[FishinFools]

I just bought the new vexilar fishphone. It syncs via wifi

To any apple or android device. I love it. Check out this

Video. http://youtu.be/_nK6cwte1Ks

+1 on the Fishphone...it's awesome!!

[Carl Bjorgen]

Do you guys drop the camera down a separate hole or the same hole as you're fishing in?

I fish out of a 4.5 inch hole most of the time and still never cut a separate hole for the camera and transducer. It can seem tight sometimes, but it doesn't usually cause too much of a problem.

[Stringerless!]

Same hole.

[Chad Holst]

I'd do a seperate hole. I dont even run my flashers in the same hole i fish. It takes loosing 1 good fish to learn your lesson.

As you will see above the answer from others is "usually" it doesnt cause a problem. To me if it "ever" causes a problem, then its a problem.

I put 3 holes together in a line, very close together, the middle one is for my flasher or camera, the outside holes are to fish in. This way my flasher or camera can pick up both lures and it helps keep the fish out of the cords. Even then you will get fish hitting the line if they are running on you. If your playing with small pannies, then i wouldnt worry to much about it, but larger fish will give you issues. Why give a 32" walleye an extra chance to come off before it gets its picture taken?

[Dave]

Just lift your transducer out of the hole before you get a larger fish up close but, I too, drill a separate hole (alongside the sled) when using a camera.

[bassinboy3]

I have always cut a separate hole for my camera, if you get on some gills they have a tendency to wrap around the camera cord.

I actually just got the aqua vu mirco and used it for the first time last night, its the first camera I have had since the early ones and boy have they come a long way. I found cameras more affective to use it for structure and bottom type than fishing however.

[Surface Tension]

I prefer to side view so I'll drill a hole for the camera. How far away matters on light and water clarity. I've gone as far a 6' and as close as 2'. I use a MarCum camera compass and find it simple to use and make small adjustments in direction.

If I'm setting out the perm I'll a flasher to find my depth and then follow up with the camera to find the weeds. The flasher will mark weeds but the camera lets me know exactly how many are in the area. That particular lake I set the perm on is for the gill and crappie bite so the above needs to be done before the house gets set in place.

Since I won't be moving the perm I'll take the time to set up the camera.

If I'm using the Otter that usually means I'll be moving to keep on fish. I'll drill out the area first. That makes moving a little more seamless. I may or may not bother with the camera. The idea is to not be fettered with with stuff when that little voice in your head says you should move. The camera compass or whatever device you have to hold camera depth and direction makes for less hassle but maybe down viewing is the way to go for the guy on the move.

[V-12 Merlin]

I have an older Cabelas brand monochrome camera that was made by Marcum, I think. While I've used it for software fishing, it's much better on the ice.

I've always used it looking across (not down), but after seeing previous posters mention that, I need to try it. I bought one of the hole covers by Marcum that allow me to hold the camera at a specific depth.

If I'm fishing near the bottom, I usually line up 3 holes:

Hole 1 - where the camera goes

Hole 2 - where my line goes

Hole 3 - set off about 2-4 feet and this is where a buddy can fish from

So, in other words, I line it up so that I can see 2 jigs at the same time, and can give advice to someone else, in addition to watching my own line.

Visibility goes WAY down after dark, and I think that's mainly because the light picks up all the particles in the water (and including all the little tiny invertebrates swimming around) - kind of a snowstorm effect. I use it at night, but it's much more difficult and I can only see one line.

Overall, I've learned a huge amount about fish behavior by watching the camera, and can also see what kind of fish are down there. I've actually pulled a jig away from fish that I didn't want to catch! It also helps me decide whether to switch presentations or how I'm jigging.

If I fish with a partner, I usually let them run the flasher and then I strictly focus on the camera. They help me locate the fish, but I help them catch the fish!

Overall, I've really enjoyed my camera and wouldn't mind getting an upgrade one of these years. My catching has improved significantly since I got it.

[V-12 Merlin]

Here's a good example of how I use my camera:

[Ice_Ice_Baby]

I've have a micro plus and absolutely love it and I'm sure you will also. If I'm scouting I drop it down from hole to hole looking to see if there are fish present or what the weeds or bottom might look like. Fishing I use a separate hole and as others have said, the distance depends on the water clarity and light penetration. Experiment and you will find what distance you prefer. The small size of the micro's camera doesn't scare fish at all . You'll want to get a panning device if you plan on using it for fishing. Aqua-vu makes the mopod 3 which is really nice because it comes with a wireless remote. Marcum makes a good one also but it has hardwire remote.

[walleye44]

I just got a Aqua-Vu Micro AV Plus camera for Christmas. I have never used an underwater camera before and I have no idea what to expect. Does anyone have this camera, or any camera for that matter, who can give me any tips, etc. on using it?

First, congrats on an awesome camera! I have an Aqua-Vu AV Plus with DVR. This unit is so sweet. I have the pro-snake and mo-pod 3. I am totally hands free once I find the fish. Aqua Vu does sell and ice pod to manually move the camera for cheaper too. I like the mo-pod 3. I has a wireless remote to move the camera. I put the remote on the camera strap to keep the hands free operation. The camera is very clear even on dirty and deeper lakes. Please be aware like other camera makers the camera changes to black and white when there is deep snow cover and if you get in deep water. You might have to turn the IR on or off on some lakes. that is what is nice about this camera too. Enjoy your camera..

[walleye44]

When using the camera, I drill two holes about a foot apart. I fish out of those 2 holes. I then drill a hole behind and in between the 2 holes about a foot and half back. When on clear lakes I can see my buddies hole 8 ft away. Lake clarity plays a huge part on how far you can see. I put the camera down that hole. No reason to loose a fish! Another reason to use my Nils power auger! I like looking at the fish side ways, way better then from the top. With the mo-pod 3 you can rotate the camera so easy.