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Okay guys, here's a question Dan Galusha and I get asked at every seminar. How do you feel about the new "underwater viewing cameras?" There seems to be a lov/hate relationship on these units. Good or bad for the industry? Johnnie Crain Iowa Pro Staff.

Johnnie, You and I actually touched on this subject at the radio station.

Here are my feelings about the viewing systems. I personally have the top of the line Aqua-Vu system. (can't recall the model #) This system does everything that the company claims it will do. However, what people have to take into consideration, is that the clarity of the water is a huge factor in visibility. In most waters that I visit, the visibility is very low. Through the camera it almost looks like a snowstorm. The light refracts off of the suspended particles in the water. Causing the camera to be almost worthless.

In the next few weeks I will be taking my system, along with a small TV/VCR combo to the local YWCA. We are going to get underwater footage of how various lures react to a variety of rod movements and retrieval speeds.

In situations such as the one mentioned above, the cameras are a tool without compare. We will be able to view many times exactly what our lures looked like going through the water. It sort of takes the guess work out of determining the effectivness of certain rod movements.

For example if someone has always believed a giving a quick jerk to your rod tip will make a spinnerbait react a certain way, their only source of proof is hear say. (unless they are fishing in waters with good visibility) By viewing this technique with an underwater camera and then having it recorded on a tape, we can go back and actually see what the lure actually did as a result of that rod movement.

Hope this wasn't to long.

Jeremiah Bagwell

I don't have nearly as much experience as most of you, but i have seen underwater cameras( To be specific the Aqua-Vu) and I think they are great. Anything that is gonna help fisherman catch more fish is good to me. Also, It may help towards the development of new lures by finding different ways to make a lure react with a different motion of your rod.
Thanks, Cole

Jeremiah, whats the possibility of getting a copy of that tape??? Information like that could/should be incredibly useful.

Bryan,

If the tape comes out clear and shows exactly what I am hoping for I will gladly give you a copy.

I was hoping to get down to the pool tomorrow to do the testing but, the lady from the YWCA never called me back with the availability schedule.

The baits we will likely look at will be, Jerkbaits, Spinnerbaits, Senkos, Crankbaits, Jigs and Drop Shot Rigs.

I am not sure how the tape will turn out because I have never tried doing this before but, I will keep you posted.


JT Bagwell

If you are a crappie fisherman I think the system would be great. What better way to see the number and size of panfish in an area before throwing in. Personally, I will not get an underwater camera. I have watched several fisherman spend so much time running around the lake looking into that little monitor and not accomplishing anything. It seems to be too time consuming. Like Jeremiah stated, the water where I fish is normally stained or clear for a small portion of the season, another factor in my decision. The one thing I could see as a benefit would be the ability to see how the fish are holding to a specific type of structure. That one piece of information would make a big difference in my approach. But, who knows. In a few years there will be another technological breakthrough that will create a stir in the industry.

I can see it being a detriment if you spend too much time goofing around with it on the water, but in a pool for research would have to be a gold mine of information.

well, I think that the BEST thing to use those for is to find hidden structure somewhere especially for practice days before a tournament...maybe follow up with exact GPS coordinates to mark hidden structure that is obviously out of the view from others without it. However I do agree that during tournament fishing you would spend way too much time on looking at that monitor than fishing. Also Jeremiah I think along the same lines as my partner I also agree that seeing exactly how that bait is presented with what your doing could be worth its weight in gold!
Good luck!
FISH, EAT, SLEEP!!!!..........PJ

Patrick, Bryan, Mike, Jt and Cole, thanks for your input. As usual, good, useful information. I have had some bad feedback from negative anglers about the "sport" of using underwater cameras. One particular person was really trying to pick a fight with Dan Galusha and myself at a seminar, he said stuff like that could cause all the fish to be caught. We all know better. If for one instant I knew of any tool that would wipe out bass or any other fish, I would fight it tooth and nail right to the Supreme Court if needed. No one on earth wants to preserve fishing of all kinds than we do! J.T. good luck with the filming, great idea. Cole, you may be young in years, but I can tell already that you have a great future in fishing. Just never-ever get convinced you know all there is to know, none of us do. Thanks, guys, Johnnie Crain

Johnnie- Was it Minnesota or Wisconsin which discussed outlawing depthfinders in the 70's as I recall? Every advance in equipment goes through this discussion, it seems. I think most anglers would feel as you do; if it is detrimental to the resource, ban it. If it is a good aid in locating the bass or good bass structure, let's go for it.

Let's keep this one going. Much obliged to you all. JoeM