To avoid reguritating an old topic, I used the Search and didn't find any previous posts on this topic. Thus, my question. I am continually intrigued by the underwater video camera technology for use on Texas lakes. Having grown up in Minnesota and fishing the very clear lakes and doing alot of ice fishing, I can see where the technology might be very effective up there. However, crappie fishing in structure at depths of 15-20' in Texas reservoirs such as Ray Roberts, I am concerned about the lack of water clarity and thus the ability to see more than 1-2' at those depths. So, my question is "does anyone use one (or know anyone) on our lakes and if so how effective are they"? We do follow Ernest's credo of pulling up to lots of spots and not spending much time unless we are getting bites....so I know that taking the time to drop a camera down there might not be the best use of time. However, it could be useful for looking at underwater structure (and finding lost condo's). Anybody out there using one and finding it worth a few hundred $$?. If so, what brand? AquaView?

MasterDave,
SAVE YOUR MONEY !!!!!!!!!! I bought one of the AquaView from BPS. In the East Texas lakes you can't see more than a foot or so. Seemed to me to be a lot more trouble than it was worth. Luckly for me the Temp. part of the system didn't work from the get go so I was able to return it and get my money back.

MasterDave,

An underwater camera might be good for locating underwater condos and brushpiles if you paid attention and noticed when it banged into the structure. Of course, an old piece of scrapmetal would work just as well...

Joe

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[This message has been edited by CapnJoe (edited 01-16-2004).]

I AGREE WITH POSTAL. SAVE YOUR MONEY.

IF YOU CAN GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO YOUR CONDO TO FIND IT WITH A CAMERA (THAT CAN ONLY SEE A FOOT) YOU CAN FIND IT A LOT EASIER WITH A DEPTHFINDER.

MY THEORY ON THE FISH BEING THERE OF NOT IS THIS:

IF I FISH A SPOT AND DON'T GET BIT IN 10-15 MIN. (OR LESS USUALLY) I DON'T REALLY CARE IF THE FISH ARE THERE OR NOT. THEY WON'T HIT SO WHY STAY.

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GOOD FISHING.


ERNEST
972-245-9311
www.catchcrappie.com
I LIVE FOR THE THUMP"

Masterdave,
I currently own one of the AquaVu's and have used it on many occassions.

But, everyone else that has spoken on water clarity is correct. You can't see more than a couple of feet at best.

If you were to purchase one, you'd may end up doing the same thing I do with it. Which is forget to bring it along on most trips.

However, you just have to change your opinion on what you're going to use it for.
It's not a "search tool" . It's a gadget.

It's still fun to pull up on a brush pile that you're catching fish from and drop it down and take a look.

Good Luck
-Jeff

You would be better off taking a scuba diving course. Those camers look good at Bass Pro- but where else is water gonna be that clear. Maybe Possum Kingdom. Lakes aren't clear enough to see 1-2' at most.

If you really want one and dont want to spend a fortune on it. Build one yourself.

All you need is some pvc pipe, a small sheet of lexan, some caulk, cable from Radio shack, and go to ebay and buy you one of those small spy cameras, most everything can be purchased at radio shack. Heck some of them will even tell you how to put it together.

If you do a search for underwater video camera you will find some plans for them. It would be alot cheaper than those expensive one in the stores and if you cant see that well with it you didn't waste a couple hundred bucks.

Hey! Thats some darn good info. Now I can build myself one and check out some bridge pilings. Could also check out brushpiles before tournament- but not during - its against th rules!~ Could maybe even take some styrofoam- make a float and float it under docks...hmmmmmmm

In a gin clear lake like Canyon Lake, it still will not help that much. Once you go
below certain levels the little micro's
are so outstanding that it looks like you
are looking at something from Mars.It really did not help that much for finding structure, becouse I could do it faster
with my dept-finder. Got one For Sale
though. Good Day; ><{{*>

I sure like mine I use it in the
summer when the water is the clearest I can see alot of fish around the timber on RR. At night the light attracts alot of shad when i am around the bridge. I used it last
weekend to find alot of crappie hugging
the timber.

First chance I've had to get into and respond to my original post. First want to say thanks for everyones input, positive or negative. Would sure like to hear from a few more that have one and use it. CRAPPIECAT - nice to hear that you get some value out of it at Raybob. In midsummer at 20' depths how far do you think you can see? If you drop your bait right next to it can you see your bait and a fish strike? Also curious if you are having any success in the timber right now? Also, ever had any problems getting it hung up in the timber? I would sure like to find a used one at a decent price rather than buying a new one so if anyone out there is interested in dumping theirs (ie Chascat) then let me know. I looked at them at BPS today and they had a couple models including the AquaView....not sure which is the best. I guess I could look on Ebay as well. I'm sure it will be more effective for my annual Canadian Walley trip....lots of testimonials from the Walleye Pro's that use em.

Alright guys...I been tryin to talk Masterdave out of it...so befour he throws me under the bus, I gotta make it clere whoz interested. Buttttt if'n he wants one bad enough and its his $ who am I to complane? Now with that said, it you can see somethun down their, even if only a few feet, it probably is a pretty cool gadget.

in the mid summer the crappie and bass
that i have seen are at 10-12ft i have seen the bait taken on the screen with the
screen magnifier has to be totally in the shade. no hangups in the timber, no trolling
ever around structure like that.As far as
distance if i had to guess about 8ft in relativly clear water could be more.
i have found lots of fish in the timber lately on RR just find the shallow flats of timber and drive around to the dropffs of deeper chanel and fish on the first ledge they are only on the ledge with the trees all around.they do have eggs in them also.
very few small ones. lots of other magnum
trash fish, bite is very slight if any.

I tried one but what worked better was to get a stethoscope and sticking it under water. Once I heard them talking I would just go listen to what they were saying.

Just kidding. A depth finder is all you need and will never be replaced by video equipment. They can cover 100s of square yards.

Before you go buying a camera learn how to use your graph. Ernests fishing video teaches more than just the basics, put your money there.

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Hal Dodd
Fishing Guide
www.HowellDodd.4t.com

in case some of yall dont know what underwater fishin pics look like u can see a muskie posted here camera literally under water.
0 ya just in case u never seen a buck over 300 pounds 3 a dem on same page,too http://pub38.bravenet.com/photocenter/album.php?usernum=3213730796&album=9596