Cameras and Ice Fishing

[NAPAFISH]

Watching your bait while using a camera, then setting the hook.

Doesnt this seem to take the skill out of fishing? I can see using it to see whats below and around. I have used it before and it seems to easy, almost like cheating. I dont want to say its unethical but it seems to take away the skill.

What does everyone think??

[cylinder]

You can point it the other direction...

[Quackaddict9]

Its not about cheating, its about how fun it is to watch them do the nibble then you set the hook when you dont feel it and they are trying to out smart us but doesnt work. So it is alot fun watching the fish underwater.

[Deitz Dittrich]

If thas your line of thought.. then would a flasher depthfinder also be cheating, I can see a fish come in and bite on that too.. How about Bait? That cheeting? Glow lures?

I'm not trying to come across too sarcastic. With an underwater camera, yes you can see fish and yes you can set the hook when it hits.. But you still have to make the fish hit!!!! I cant tell you the ammount of times I have seen huge fish come in and not take the hook.

And as stated, its all about enjoying your self when your one the water. I release 95% of my fish I catch anyway. Why should I make my expierience all that much more fun.

[Dave]

These fish didn't take the bait but, it was fun to watch how fish react and play around.

[Chef]

It's a tool for those who want to use one--if a person thinks it gives us an unfair advantage, then don't use one.

Will a thousand differing opinions make a person change their personal and ethical feelings about it?

[ASMOLEY]

When i use my camera the fish get camera shy The camera has helped me learn how fish react to certain jigging motions, different jigs/bait, and mostly what i use it for identifing the what species i am marking on the VEX. Many times i'll mark fish drop the camera and it will be a school of baitfish or bullheads on some lakes. I have also found great strcture like pine trees with the camera. It has really become an important tool in my outings and not because it helps me hook the fish.

[metrojoe]

I guess you could make the same argument for power augers, flashers, and gps's. Plus a whole host of other gadgets. I look at it as being a more efficient fisherman.

[V-12 Merlin]

A couple years ago, some guys near Spicer found an entire airplane with their underwater camera... a plane that the military has been looking for since the 50's.

I see the points on both sides, but don't think it's unethical. It makes me sick when I see anglers over limit, but they'll do that without the camera. I don't think using a camera changes whether an angler is ethical or unethical.

Speaking of cameras, can everyone tell my wife that I need one for my birthday?????

[PERCHJR]

You mite have a point here NAPA, I have a camera and a flasher I always use the flasher more than the camera because the water is dirty alot of the times, but it sure is cool to use it though!!! A person can learn alot about how fish react to your presentation, sure its cheating but so is TNT!!!

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD FISHING!!!

[Swimmer]

Funny how with the advent of Fishing Technology, came the advent of Catch & Release. Either we got lucky they cooincided, or our left and right brains are getting smarter at the same time.