Got to play around with my Aqua-Vu scout today..

[Kylersk]

Wow, is that cool! I was fishing in a weedy area, even though I could see my lure with my flasher, I could see it far better with the camera. So, I ended up shutting the flasher off and just fished with the camera. It was a pain trying to keep the camera lined up on the jig at first, but after a few twists on the cable, I finally had it set up just right.

Had a small bass come up to the jig, then a larger one actually slurped it in, but I waited too long, as it spit it back out immediatly. Saw 2 crappies during the day, one hit the jig right away. The other came up to it, sniffed it but didnt want it. I pulled the jig up, but a fresh waxie on, dropped it back down, and this time the crappie hit it.

Sunny after sunny would come up to jig, and I could pull away from the small ones, so it helped me filter those out a bit. Also, saw lots of perch, and again.. If they were smaller, I pulled the jig away. The larger ones though wouldnt hit it. I've still got to get a feel for the size of fish yet.. Some look much bigger on the camera, but once out of the hole, they some how shrink. Guess it's true, camera does add weight.

I dont get to do alot of day fishing, so I dont know how much I'll use the camera.. but after today, I hope to do alot more.

[BLACKJACK]

Did you get a chance to use it at night? Can you see anything at night? How about the direction thing, you mentioned twisting the cable, any camera that I've seen, thats been a problem, trying to find and keep the camera on your jig.

[Kylersk]

I have tried, but I wasnt able to see a thing at night.

The scout doesnt show direction. It wasnt too hard finding the jig, but keeping the camera facing the jig can be a pain. It always wants to spin just a bit more once you think you've got it set. I was constantly twisting the cable a little at a time, till it finally set on the jig. Once it was set, it didnt move.

[SCHAAKATTACK]

I believe you will enjoy using it all the time. I bought mine last year and it has helped keep my kids out fishing longer because they can "see them" down there. To me it's amazing that for $200 bucks I can enjoy this technology for myself and reap the benefits of spending more time with my kids.

I also have benefited from learning more about the lake structure.

[Bigjake]

Get the Aqua-Vu Ice Pod. When I first got my ice Aqua-vu I found that wouldnt use it because it was such a pain to get the camera set up. Then once i got it set I didn't want to move.lol

Now with the ice pod it not a big deal. Just drop the depth and spin the knob and keeps the line from twisting. They should of just included it with the camera

Bigjake

[prov1900]

Ditto, re the ice pod. I didnt get the motorized one, but the inexpensive one put out by Aqua View. Night and day difference with the pod. Makes it even more enjoyable.

[Walterwontfalter]

I love the Pod thingy. I've never had a problem keeping the camera on my bait either. One thing I learned using my camera is that You can see the fish and tell what kind they are but you can't make them bite. I have a very bad habit of jigging the right way to get the fish to come in but as they get closer I stop moving or change what I'm doing and they swim away. The bad part is that I know that, yet I still do it.

[SCHAAKATTACK]

I can relate w/ that. I believe seeing the actual fish puts you in a trance and causes you to forget what you are doing.

Anyone know where I can get the Icepod more towards the SW metro? I would have went to GM in Bloomington but they are no longer there and I don't like The big box on 494 since they changed names.

[Kylersk]

Brought the camcorder along and recorded a little bit of the action. File is about 4.5 meg..

http://www.mnconclave.com/temp/icefishing/fishing.wmv

[shamalex72]

That was pretty cool. How big were the fish? Its hard to judge their size on the camera.

[Kylersk]

Quote:

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That was pretty cool. How big were the fish? Its hard to judge their size on the camera.

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Most were really small. I'm still trying to judge size as well. If I recall, one (the largest) of the perch was 8"? Most of the sunnies were prolly 6-7"? I didnt bring any home though. By the time I decided that maybe I should keep a few, it was too late and time to head back home.

[Snag]

If the lake you are fishing is clear, I prefer to downview using the fin on the camera. I set it 5-10 ft above my bait and don't have to worry about spinning the camera or spooking the fish. I use the camera horizontally when I am checking out the bottom or looking for fish.

[Hookmaster]

I like using the downview also. You can see the bait no matter from what direction the fish come in. With the horizontal view a fish between the camera and the bait can hide the bait and you can't always see when they suck it in. The largemouth in your video is an example of the blind spot. They are great for keeping the kids interested. Last year my son caught as many sunfish as I did with my flasher. I just told him not to set the hook until he saw the white eurolarvae disappear.

[Bigbartguy]

fun clip! thanks, I enjoyed it.

[nytelyter]

well i start my 5th year with a camera. and the way i compare size is to look at the size of the bait. in this case wax worm. it takes a bit of practice but you will catch it very quickly. thought it was funny with the dropped waxworm in the foreground on the bottom of the lake.

[nytelyter]

now how many of you went back and looked for the waxworm? did you see it? it was about 3/4ths of the way thru. it felll off the hook while he was jiggin.

[TSCTSC]

Your clip is very funny. I like to see how the perch look at it from an angle, inhale it and then get pulled up. It looks like when the hit, you pull them up pretty fast. It is hilarious.

Thank you.

[rosspj59]

Nice avatar bigbartbguy!!!

[BLACKJACK]

When you use the downview, how to you keep the fish you catch from wrapping around your camera cable??

Neat clip! After watching that, I'm thinking a camera would be pretty neat!! Except for the fact that most of my ice fishing is done at dusk/dark and I haven't heard any good reports on cameras at night.

[MetroEye]

Blackjack,

I use an aqua view scout and it is worthless at night. The LED setup doesn't do a thing except show some floating particulate matter. Is there a camera out there that actually works at night and doesn't spook the fish

[Wish2Fish]

Quote:

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Brought the camcorder along and recorded a little bit of the action. File is about 4.5 meg..

http://www.mnconclave.com/temp/icefishing/fishing.wmv

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That was a hoot! Last year I was sitting over a some weeds in about 14 FOW. My AquaVu screen was full of activity; sunnies and perch going merrily about their business. Suddenly, everybody bailed out. A moment later, I had a close up view of a tiger. Very cool.

[MSchmillen]

I second that question Metro.

Is there a camera that will work at night? It will be easier for me to justify this purchase if I can find one that can be used for the elusive night bite!

I heard that Marcum has a 360 view camera that blows everything else out of the water, anyone have it or seen it?

[Hookmaster]

It gets tangled sometimes. I've only done this in shallow water, less than 15 feet.

[mark n]

Tried to pen that video file, but was unsuccessfull ?

[Captain B.R.K]

gereat clip you put together!