Best underwater camera set up- side or down view?

[Crankbaiter]

I have a aqua view camera that I use occasinally in the open water season.
I was excited when I first bought it for its potential on ice.
To be honest though it seems like it has been more trouble than it is worth, (I fish strictly walleye not perch so Light perch bites are not an issue).

I still have not decided the best way to set it up in a fish trap where the unit wont get kicked around and also what is best, down viewing or side viewing. The camera sure likes to spin around and after a while I just give up and use the Vexlar.

Anybody have a system that is simple and fast?

[went522]

I like the side view, it seems like my depth perception is screwy in the down view. I bought some hangers, I believe they're Frabil, and hang the camera off the bar above the door. Works well as it's out of the way. I had troubles with an unsteady/spinning camera as well, I bought the mo-pod as I was sick of trying to operate the camera by hand while fishing. The mo-pod should take care of the unsteady/spinning camera and leave both my hands free for fishing. If you don't want to drop the money for a mopod, I found that a chunk of 2x4 across the hole worked well for holding the camera cord, I had a piece about 14" long, cut a slot in the center for the cord and bought an extra stopper for the cord. The 2x4 really worked good, to bad I didn't figure it out till the 2nd to last ice trip last season.
I really like the camera, watching the fish' reactions to jigging and different lures is key. I haven't purchased the "reel weeds" yet but they'll be on my camera cord soon! Seems like they'll help camoflage the camera pretty well! Great concept!

BIRDDOG

[Dacotah Eye]

They sell a tripod for your camera for about 10 or 12 bucks. It has an attachment that goes on your camera cord and sits on top of the tripod. It holds the camera still and you can turn the camera whenever you want. You should be able to find one at a bait shop.:cheers:

[JJ Mac]

I have an older aquaview that has just a downviewing camera. It stunk. You had to have the camera and cable too close to your lure in order to see. Then when a fish got on there was always the potential to get wrapped around the cable. I turned mine into a side viewing camera with good old electrical tape. It works ten times better now.

[jbwallskater]

I bought one of the tripods for 10 or 12 bucks - I think I got mine at Fleet Farm if I remember right. It works great. It has a little rubber stopper to control the depth and works really well for rotating the camera. Definitely worth the money. I think it is made by Hi-Tech. I had the same issues with my camera when I first started using it, but after getting the tripod it made the whole ice fishing experience even better. Good luck.