Cameras for winter fishing - everything a fisherman needs to know

Technologies are constantly evolving, new devices are appearing that simplify human life in all areas. Of course, they are also designed for entertainment. One of the most popular recreational activities for men is fishing. And the combination of fishing and advanced technology brings double pleasure.

Not long ago, an ideal invention became available to fishermen - a video camera for fishing. It allows you to see what is happening underwater. This means that thanks to it you can find the most successful place and adapt to the behavior of the fish.

Why do you need an underwater camera for fishing?

An underwater fishing camera is a portable device for filming underwater and broadcasting the resulting image on a monitor. The lens is fixed above the bait, which allows you to observe the behavior of the fish in real time. You can see how it approaches, how it reacts to the bait, how it captures it.

The camera is especially useful in the winter months, when bodies of water are covered with ice. It allows you to:

• Locate the fish
• Calculate the trajectory of the flocks,
• Consider the relief,
• Select depth
• Find the perfect bait and lure
• Look at your own actions from the outside.

As a result, fishing will become more interesting and effective. You will see more, and the catch will be more impressive. After all, with properly selected parameters, catching fish is much easier. And if the camera has a recording function, then you can also collect your own collection of special video moments.

Video “Cameras for winter fishing - underwater shooting”

Fishing camera with line mount

There are situations when when fishing you need to attach the camera directly to the fishing line. For example, when fishing by trolling for a detailed study of the water area and where the predator is located, or when fishing vertically, lower the camera into the bottom layer directly on the main line.

Often with such a camera it is possible to film the bite itself and the process of fishing, while the bait is always in the frame.

So which fishing line camera should you choose? Currently the most popular camera is the Water Wolf from Savage Gear. This camera is quite compact and weighs about 70g, shoots in 720p quality and runs on batteries. The camera records on a Micro SD flash drive. The camera is attached to the fishing line using special equipment. And thanks to its unique shape, the camera behaves stably under water, allows you to take clear images and does not twist the fishing line.

The modest size of the camera allows it to be used effectively for winter fishing. By carefully lowering the camera into the hole directly on the fishing line of your winter fishing rod, you can assess the nature of the bottom and the presence of fish.

The main disadvantage is that when fishing you need to open the camera body every time in order to turn it on or off. Another disadvantage is the low resolution and lack of integration with mobile devices. And in order to watch the captured video, you need to remove the flash drive from the camera or connect it to the computer.

A more modern option is the GoFish fishing camera and it also has a fishing line mount. This camera has an ultra-wide viewing angle of 170 degrees and shoots in FullHD 1080p quality. In addition, it is equipped with infrared illumination and has high sensitivity, which allows you to shoot in low light on a pond. The camera is attached to the fishing line using two metal loops. This is convenient both for spinning fishing, where the camera is followed by a leash made of fishing line and bait, and for carp fishing, when the camera is statically located next to the feeding area. And the innovative stabilization and stability system minimizes shaking and rotation of the camera around the fishing line when fishing.

The main advantage of the camera is that it runs on a built-in battery for more than 4 hours and allows you to synchronize with mobile devices via Wi-Fi. So you can watch the video right while fishing after casting, from your iPhone and, if necessary, immediately publish it on YouTube or social networks.

Whatever camera you choose to mount on a fishing line, the main thing is not to forget that when fishing, shooting conditions are much more difficult than in ordinary life. And often you have to shoot dozens of hours to get a truly interesting video lasting only a few minutes.

And of course, do not skimp on the quality and strength of the fishing line to avoid the unfortunate breakage of the gear and loss of the camera.

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How does an underwater video camera for fishing work?

Photo Video camera device for winter fishing

Despite its functionality, the underwater camera has a simple design. Its main elements are a lens in a waterproof housing. Infrared illumination, cable and monitor. Some models are additionally equipped with sensors for temperature, depth, lens direction and others.

The lens captures everything that happens underwater. And the image is transmitted via cable to the monitor. Powerful receivers quickly process the signal, so monitoring is carried out in real time without delay.

The cameras are suitable for use on any body of water. The cable length can reach 30 meters, which is enough even for deep lakes and holes on large rivers. In this case, the wire does not get tangled, as it is wound onto a reel. Thanks to it, it is convenient to lower and raise the camera to the desired depth.

The sun's rays do not penetrate under the ice and into the depths. To see what is happening underwater, infrared illumination is required. It does not scare away the fish and provides full illumination, guaranteeing high image quality.

Most models have two shooting modes: color and monochrome. Choose a camera that automatically switches to black and white mode in low visibility conditions. Then you don't have to waste time setting up to see a clear picture.

✔ VIDEO REVIEW

The top and underwater cameras shoot video files of 2 minutes each. The microphone is only on the top camera, and as I said, it is overly sensitive. Characteristics of the video captured by the upper camera.

And the underwater camera already has worse characteristics.

Example video.

The video is not mine, but it might work for a home archive.

How to choose a video camera for fishing

If you want to buy an underwater video camera for fishing that will exactly meet your requirements and expectations, focus on 7 key parameters when choosing:

• Matrix. The higher its sensitivity, the better the image;
• Backlight. The more LEDs, the brighter the lighting. But it is precisely this that provides a good overview;
• Viewing angle. A wide-angle lens covers a larger area, and a small angle indicates a clearer picture;
• Monitor. The larger it is, the easier it is to view the image. However, if you are used to a smartphone, you will find it more convenient to use a 3.5-inch screen;
• Temperature. An ice fishing camera must be able to withstand low temperatures. Choose a working range from -20 degrees;
• Cable. Its length should correspond to its depth. For small rivers and lakes, 15 meters is enough, and for large bodies of water, a cable 20-30 meters long will be the optimal solution;
• Additional functions. Before purchasing, think about what will help you and what does not make sense to overpay for. You can choose a model with two cameras, a recording function or sensors. If you often use several tools at once, then one device can easily replace them.

Read our article on how to choose a camera for fishing

How to use under ice

In general, the process of shooting in the cold season is practically no different from the usual plan of action, but there are a number of useful recommendations that will help make it as effective as possible.

First you need to make a small hole in the edge of the ice, corresponding in diameter to the size of the chamber itself. Make sure that the edges of the hole are smooth and not sharp, otherwise they may damage the cable. Next you need:

• secure the camera to a strong fishing line;
• carefully guide it through the hole;
• slowly immerse to depth, while making sure that the camera does not hit the bottom, does not catch on snags, or is damaged by anything;
• if the camera floats up, then you should take it out and attach several ordinary lead weights to the fishing line.

Then you can start fishing directly. To get spectacular shots, you can mount the camera above or below the bait.

The best video cameras for fishing

Video cameras for fishing appeared on the market not so long ago. However, the competition is quite noticeable. Dozens of manufacturers compete for the attention of anglers, offering a variety of models in several categories. The leading positions were taken by the brands Piranha, Fish-cam and Rivotek. Marcum, Panasonic, Chinavasion, Cabelas, Aqua-Vu, BestWill, JJ-Connect remain popular.

For many buyers, price remains the deciding factor. Therefore, it is worth considering the most popular models in each category.

Inexpensive underwater cameras for fishing

• 110-7hbs for 8900 rubles. The model is a wide-angle camera without additional functions. This is the optimal solution for those who want to get high-quality images without overpayments. It fully meets the basic requirements of fishermen: it has a cable 20 meters long, operates in a temperature range from -20 to +60 degrees and operates without recharging for 8 hours.
• Piranha 4.3 for 9200 rubles. Thanks to the 140-degree lens, it makes it possible to cover a maximum area at a depth of up to 30 meters. The picture is displayed on a 4.3-inch display. The kit includes a multi-bracket that allows you to securely fix the monitor in a convenient position, and a collapsible stand for attaching the screen unit. The battery charge lasts for 5 hours.
• Rivotek LQ-3215 for 9500 rub. The model features powerful backlighting with a brightness of 400 cd/m². The wide-angle lens allows you to examine the features of the terrain in detail without unnecessary turns, and the image is displayed on a 3.2-inch diagonal color LCD display. The anti-reflective coating makes the camera comfortable to use in sunny weather. Additionally, the model supports memory cards and has its own capacity of 8 GB.

How to choose a high-quality cheap underwater camera for fishing

Underwater video cameras with average prices

• Fish-cam-700. The camera costs only 11,500 rubles, demonstrating the optimal price-quality ratio. 12 LEDs provide excellent visibility even at night and at great depths. A small viewing angle of 92 degrees has a positive effect on the quality of the picture, which is displayed on a large display. The model is capable of working continuously for 10 hours.
• Piranha 4.3-2cam with recording function. Its price is 11,900 rubles. A distinctive feature is the presence of two cameras at once. One of them films what is happening underwater, and the second – the float, the fisherman himself and his vivid emotions. Both images are displayed on a 4.3-inch display. However, you can choose only one of them if you wish. The model is perfect for fishing at depths of up to 20 meters and operates without recharging for 7 hours. It is equipped with six infrared diodes, providing good visibility at the bottom.