Underwater Cameras

[DanM57]

I am thinking it might be fun to get an underwater camera. I have ZERO experience them. I don't ice fish so cold won't be a consideration. I would like to stay under $400. I have several questions:

1. Are they worthwhile or a waste of money?
2. What features are "must haves?"
3. Any recommendations?

Thanks
DanM

[radarlove1974]

From my experience I'd say save your money. I bought an AQUA VU a few years back and it's good for about 24' max and thats in clear water. You will spent more time looking than fishing.

[Explorer]

I do not own a camera. But from what I have heard from others they are a waste of money unless you are using them for ice fishing ?????????

[gsorenson]

I have one, use it next to never open water fishing. The only time I use it is when we slip bobber early in the year, and then it's only to entertain the kids. If you are moving very much at all you can't see much, it just goes by way to fast.

[sinkingboat]

Originally Posted by DanM57

I am thinking it might be fun to get an underwater camera. I have ZERO experience them. I don't ice fish so cold won't be a consideration. I would like to stay under $400. I have several questions:

1. Are they worthwhile or a waste of money?
2. What features are "must haves?"
3. Any recommendations?

Thanks
DanM

Worthwhile if you want to learn and study a new or current area. Will not work well if boat is moving at all. I used mine while I was bobber fishing to study my area. The truth was I used it 2-3 times the first year than never use it again for open water season. Now ice season has its benefits, but I really never use it much either. So for me if it's $400, I invest that towards better electronics. I was lucky enough to sell my with minimal lost. You said you don't ice fish. I won't bother getting one. Maybe you can rent one and see if it's something you would want.

Now if they made one that was remote controlled that was affordable I consider that. Lol!

[TomP.]

I have a Marcum 825 HD and I only use it in open water and really really like. There is a world of difference in underwater cameras. The Marcum has dark water technology, I don`t get the reflection off of particles in the water like other cameras It has worked very well for me, any time I am marking fish and can`t get bit I will drop the camera and see what is going on. With the Terrova I run my camera all the time by myself after about 2MPH it gets a little harder to keep track of where the camera is. Granted if your trying to use it in very dirty, muddy water it isn`t going to do it.

[hondo]

I started using a Marcum vs 825 sd last year. Used it for ice fishing, then used it in the boat a few times, and by the end of the year I never took it out of the boat except to charge the battery.

Couple key things about the Marcum cameras ---- they use the best cameras, ie. they get the best picture with the least amount of light in the water ---- and they have the best monitors, and the only monitors that can be viewed in daylight (a must-have if you're going to use it in the boat).

There's a few things I use my camera for in open water ....... checking out the interesting things I find with my side scan / down scan / traditional sonar, looking for the best spot-on-the-spot, looking for specific fish species, and looking for specific size fish (ie. big fish). I do a lot of prefishing for a league and for a few other tournaments, and the camera can be a BIG part of that.

Cameras can be fun and they work great for ice fishing, but if you have a good camera and put in the time with it in your boat it can really help you find fish and spots, and learn about them.

[Wade B AKA: Ruger2506]

1. Are they worthwhile or a waste of money?
   They are definitely worth while.
2. What features are "must haves?"
   Water Temp and depth are extremely valuable.
3. Any recommendations?
   Can't help you there. I love my Marcum VS 825SD but that's well above your $400 cap. The Marcum VS 625SD can be bought for $500 right now. That unit has these features.

Mine will be used 80% of the time on open water (in boat). The other 20% on the ice. However it will be with me 100% of the time on the ice.

[Wade B AKA: Ruger2506]

50' of water looking at Saugers on the bottom out of the boat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwT4T...3&feature=plcp

Another video from BK out of a boat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwT4T...3&feature=plcp

He's done a lot of these. Check out his You Tube Page.

[Wade B AKA: Ruger2506]

There's a few things I use my camera for in open water ....... checking out the interesting things I find with my side scan / down scan / traditional sonar, looking for the best spot-on-the-spot, looking for specific fish species, and looking for specific size fish (ie. big fish). I do a lot of prefishing for a league and for a few other tournaments, and the camera can be a BIG part of that.

This is exactly why I bought my camera. I can't tell you how many times my graphs are full of fish and I can't buy a bite. This year instead of wasting a hour fishing that spot to see what's going on. I'll drop the camera, see a school of sucker or carp and move on immediately. Also once I find the walleye, I can study them to see how they are relating to the structure.

I have some friends that never wet a line pre-fishing. It's all graph and camera work and it's really paying off for them.