Underwater Camer Instead Of Fishfinder

[jimalert3]

Was thinking of up grading my old cheap fishfinder. Waswondering if any of you great fishermen have used an underwatercamera instead of a fishfinder. I'm just an old 90 year old fisherman that would like to catch a lunker berfore I go or have to give up this great sport.

[Feathers and Fins]

I have and use a camera but without good electronics to find the fish you are tinkling in the wind. The camera is good for seeing structure and bottom type and how fish react to those but for finding them its as worthless as teets on a boar.

[Dutch]

I have an underwater camera that I wish I hadn't bought. It has been a total waste of my time. Get a better sonar.

[Bill Babler]

The camera is ok for looking under your dock and some of the professional fishermen for years here used to use them to check docks prefishing for tournaments, until they were banned.

It really is not a practical fish locating tool other than very certain areas, and then only to look at specific locations. Also if you are looking at any depth they are very hard to use.

Dam area at Lake of the Ozarks and the White River Chain due to the water clarity make a big difference. If the water is the least bit cloudy they are next to worthless.

My brother in law has one. You want to see how picky fish can be it is amazing. One day we were trying to feed bass and walleye under the dock at Shell Knob. We were dropping crayfish and huge Canadian night crawler to them. They were in 25 ft. of water on the bottom. IT was hard to see the craws as they would shoot off to the sides, but we were dropping crawlers that were at times landing on the walleye and they would just move away. At one point we had at least a dozen crawlers wiggling on the bottom in front of those fish and they just ignored them.

Camera can be fun, but I would not buy a new one. I bet there are thousands for sale on the web that folks just don't use anymore. Really don't think my BIL ever uses his, but he won't sell anything. HE keep it on a shelf at the lake cabin.

[jimalert3]

The camera is ok for looking under your dock and some of the professional fishermen for years here used to use them to check docks prefishing for tournaments, until they were banned.It really is not a practical fish locating tool other than very certain areas, and then only to look at specific locations. Also if you are looking at any depth they are very hard to use.Dam area at Lake of the Ozarks and the White River Chain due to the water clarity make a big difference. If the water is the least bit cloudy they are next to worthless.My brother in law has one. You want to see how picky fish can be it is amazing. One day we were trying to feed bass and walleye under the dock at Shell Knob. We were dropping crayfish and huge Canadian night crawler to them. They were in 25 ft. of water on the bottom. IT was hard to see the craws as they would shoot off to the sides, but we were dropping crawlers that were at times landing on the walleye and they would just move away. At one point we had at least a dozen crawlers wiggling on the bottom in front of those fish and they just ignored them.Camera can be fun, but I would not buy a new one. I bet there are thousands for sale on the web that folks just don't use anymore. Really don't think my BIL ever uses his, but he won't sell anything. HE keep it on a shelf at the lake cabin.

[jimalert3]

Hi Bill and the others: I know what to do now. Maybe I can get a good fishfinder for around $500. I never ever thought I caught a fish with my old hummingbirds. They were good but my fish we caught away from where my. sonar was showng. Bill I know it would be better to spend the money going with you. One of these days before l go, I'm 90 , I'm go to do this with my son. Thanks all and have a blessed CHristmas

[LD Fisher]

I'd look at them at BP and get the biggest screen I could for the money. The bigger screens are easier for my old eyes. I'm just waiting for them to come out with one that shows me which fish are hungry!!

Merry Christmas to all !!!

[5bites]

I say put the money on a couple guided trips.

[magicwormman]

My new hero!!!! My goodness, at 90, and you're still fishing.

My advice would be to spend your money on the BB boys (that is Bill Babler and Bill Beck) sometime in April. That would be the best time to land a real lunker and would be money well spent. Now, if you and your son just want to go fishing, I would be honored to take you at no charge (keep in mind that I'm not a guide). If I can be of service to you, just shoot me a pm and we'll go fishing. You and your family have a wonderful Christmas and God bless you all.

[jimalert3]

Hi :brook l live in Springfield, l'll take you up on the fising trip, maybe when it warms up. Jim Andrews