ok, really... do they work...or not???

[olbaidhh]

I have been gettting conflicting reports from best thing since sliced bread to biggest waste of $$$ EVER!

I am wondering about the underwater camera's and not from guys who are pushing the products...guys who have them (if you can even get one)

Lets say I got the best $$$ can buy so brand and model is not a factor

What lakes do they work on or more-so DO NOT?

LOW, URL, Winnie, The big V, Metro Lakes?

Does the water have to be crystal?

Do they even have a prayer of working at night?

Can they replace the Finder?

What else am I missing?

[hanson]

Hey olbaidhh-

I can tell you a few lakes that I haven't been happy with using a camera on- Lake of the Woods & Upper Red Lake. I can see a little ways on Upper Red (maybe 2-3' tops) but I don't even bring my camera there anymore.

Mille Lacs has got awesome clarity! Rush Lake north of the cities is manageable. Medicine Lake is pretty good as well.

One of the tricks is to not stir up the bottom when you put your camera down. It takes awhile for the silt to settle back out again.

I didn't have my camera last time on Winni but I know that is a fairly clear lake. I can't wait to try it again next month up there when I'm hammering the perch. Should be quite entertaining.

I would also like to say that I don't think my camera has directly helped me to catch more fish meaning watching the fish eat on the camera and setting the hook. Rather, it has been an invaluable tool to help understand what my bait is doing underwater and to watch how the fishies respond to that bait. Once I can start to understand that relationship, I have more confidence in my jigging & presentation when fishing without the camera.

Best thing since sliced bread? I don't know. I like my camera and use it quite often but not all the time. I think it is a great learning tool and it can also be fun to just watch the fish at times.

BTW... A camera will never replace your flasher.

[JoeTC]

They will never replace your fish finder but they can be a great tool. I don't have one myself but my buddy that I fish with a lot has an aqua-view and it works great. If you are marking fish you can use it to see what kind they are and its also nice to see the bottom content. They are going to work a lot better in clearer water but crystal clear water isn't necessary. I've used one on many metro lakes with a lot of success. As far as night fishing I wouldn't know. I just like it for finding baitfish and bottom content. After that I'm not a huge fan of fishing with it becaue it can spook some fish and get tangled but If you want to put your lure in front of it and fish it can be a great learning tool. If you have the money get one, if not you'll do fine with out.

Joe

[Muskie Dude]

I picked up an Aqua-View scout last year. I don't think they are a waste of money. I use it quite a bit during open water to find weed edges and structure. I find they work best in low light conditions. The only thing is that if I bought another I would get one that has multiple camera angles as I find it can be tedious to turn the camera to find your bait. I have not had trouble on any lakes viewing fish.

[PikeHarms]

I own an aqua view zt series which has temp display and IR lights.....Personally I love the thing....however it doesn't always work....It's by far best for Ice fishing....Makes finding weeds or that spot on the spot easier.. you still have to drill all the holes...Mine seems to work on all lakes I've fished including V and the metro area....Mine is soso at night,you can't make out much unless it's right in front of you...I use mine for evening and nighttime crappie fishin and all you see is your bait and the fish that takes it or doesn't......this brings up another excellent advantage of the camera when used this way...you can actaully figure out the perfect little twich,lift,pause or whatever the fish need for them to commit....I also use it open water fishing for checking out newly found structure and bottom content..........I't won't replace your depthfinder,sonar,ect.....This coming spring I intend to find a way to attach mine to my trolling motor when I'm out bassin...All in all i think there a pretty cool little toy that will definitely keep the kids interested........

[cold one sd]

I have the Aquavu ZT series and I think it is great for my use. I use it mostly for ice fishing and I find that it helps me a lot. When I am fishing for Perch they will sometimes in the afternoon get pretty fussy and I have to switch to waxworms to catch them. They will sit there and look at your bait and refuse to actively take the bait. I can manipulate the bait and set the hook when I see them take it into their mouth. A float won't even twitch when they are doing this. I find it to be a great tool.

[bigbritt]

i have used them on mille lacs and some metro area lakes and had a blast with them. i have used the marcum and the scout. used it to see when to set the hook on extremely finicky walleyes. that was really fun to watch. comes in handy in an ice house with multiple holes and anglers and only a couple of flashers.

[Deitz Dittrich]

olb-

I have an AquaVU Scout ZL and an MC2X... The biggest question you asked is.. Do cameras replace a flasher.. the answer is no.

Look at underwater cameras as scuba diving without getting wet. Some lakes they are awesome on, some they are worthless. For me its worth having one on the lakes that they work well on. LOW, and upper red are 2 that they dont work well on... Mille Lacs its awesome. As far as night viewing, the water has to be clear. I myself use mine more for setting up, making sure the cover/struture I am on so that when the good bite is to happen I am ready!

its a tool.. that does help you catch fish!, is it worth that to you?

[Phred52]

olbaidhh, I useta build 'em, and at the moment don't/won't own one. If you're looking for "where to invest your cash", A GOOD FLASHER!!!" I personally run an FL-8. Over-time and experience, I've found, By the time you get done messing around with the camera, determining if it's a fish you WANNA catch, a) it's either "spooked" or It's a sucker or carp. By that time, I've hooked AND landed the fish showing interest and am on my 2nd or 3rd. There are ONLY 2 advantages I've found, (IMHO) they are, cameras are to find bottom composition (That can be done, in extreme situations) with a rock tied to a string and a good sense of hearing!! And, 2)entertainment for the kids! That brings us back to "the bottom line" A good Flasher. Better yet, A top of the line flasher (mine WAS). AND ALOT of time/experience reading it. IMHO! Phred52

[Bobb-o]

I have had really good luck using them on URL, i dont know what everyone else is talking aboot.

[Quackaddict9]

I have tried several different lakes with my Aqua Vu ZL (if that is right) and tried it on URL and one time I put it one of the holes drilled and there were 7-9 crappies and I ran and got my fishing rods and put them in 2 holes near to eachother and got all of them.. that was pretty cool to see. I did not leave it in the water when I was catching them, wouldve got in the way and take awhile to set it up. But I do like my Aqua Vu looking whats down there and I dont knwo if it helps to my fishing success.. I dont use it alot, just in the day time but I am usually fishing at night and dont use it. Most of the lakes I use it, the water clarity is from fair- to good.

[Wables]

My aquaview ZT has come in handy in several situations:

1) The first couple of times I used it, I learned a lot about my jigging. Especially with jigging raps.

2) It keeps my 9 year old daughter occupied for an extra half hour or so.

3) It helped me retrieve the spud I dropped through the hole in 30' of water last year. The thing actually shot out a good 20 feet!

Other than that, it hasn't been much use to me. It only works about half of the time due to water clarity in the lake that I fish. I also like to hole hop, and having the camera, vex, and line all in the same hole is a pain in the arse. Not to mention getting tangled up in the cable. I am contemplating selling it. I think that your best bet is to rent one for a trip or two, or whenever you have a special need, then use a flasher.

[olbaidhh]

Thanks for the insite it has really helped, I think I have my mind made up and let me know if my thinking is wrong and if it will work etc.

I have a 7x14 wheel house (6 holes in a about a 6.5x11 area)

If I use it to find the spot on the spot (it will help with this obviously as stated)...

Then drop it down one of the middle holes (I usually fish with one other guy so we can only use 2 holes each anyway).

Get a camera that is self rotating (looking at the MarCum VS 560).

In most lakes during the day and some at night I will be able to rotate and see the other 5 holes and the fish?

As well as using it to help get them to bite?

Also no one talked about down viewing?

Anything else....

Again THANKS GUYS!