AquaView?

[MXRacer105]

Anybody out there ever try one of the AquaView, or similar, underwater cameras? I was thinking about throwing one on the ol' X-Mas list. I have searched out a lot of reviews from old post, but most user were targeting salmon, sturg, etc, not too many bass fisherman. So I was hoping to get the opinions of people who fish the Willy or Columbia, water that is not super clear, but not too deep either....

I though this would make a great tool for really understanding my electronics, being able to see what I am looking at on the graph.

Any feedback would be appreciated.....

[FishNChip]

MXR105,
We've had one for about two years now, we've used it maybe five times. I would rather fish than look into a screen (it get boring pretty quickly). To answer you questions you really can see fish and structure, the current in the river(s) can really make the thing a pain in the *%#*. It does work in stained water, pretty cool technology. If you decide to put it on the list, make a commitment to use it.
Alex

[Cask of '43]

I have had one for about 5 years. When I lived on Lake Oswego, I used it quite a bit. I could see clearly no matter how dingy the water was or how deep (up to 40ft). The sunnier the day, the better and further you can see. One February day, I found hundreds of perch and bluegill swimming around a main lake point together. I watched them go by for more than 15 minutes. It was an amazing sight and I never would have imagined a mass migration like that ever taking place.

I only saw one bass the entire time I used it. I think it spooked them before it ever got close to them.

I had a good time with it and found stumps, boulders, and logs and I was able to compare what my graph was showing me. For me, it was more fun to go out on a sunny afternoon with the wife to just look at structure and panfish than try to use it as a fishing finding tool. My only complaint is that the one I have has such a small sun-screen opening that only one person can look at it -- with more than one, you need to take turns.

[sbasser]

Mine is one of the early types. It's bulky, no place to really store it in the boat, tho maybe it would fit under the console. The 50' cable is too short for my use. With the unit sitting on the floor, cable going over the side and a wrap around my hand, I can just get to a bit over 35' depth according to my depthfinder.

My home water is Lk. Washington, as I live about 5 miles from the launch. I've been under the East Channel Bridge as the sun came up, and could read the label on the beer cans, in the shadow of the bridge. You'll be amazed at what you can see, and how clearly you see it.

That said. I've never seen anything that wasn't right on the bottom, or within a foot of bottom. Being able to spot suspending fish would be wonderful, but I'm not sure if it would happen. I've seen nice fish, but they were obviously nervous because of the camera. My buddy was running the TM and fishing, and got nuthin'. I was interested in the AquaVu and finally had my fill. I'd missed the best part of the morning bite, put the thing away, and haven't used it since. Anybody wanna make me an offer? I think a better solution is to rent one, if you can. C&R, Steve

[Cask of '43]

Originally Posted by sbasser

Being able to spot suspending fish would be wonderful, but I'm not sure if it would happen.

Once while pulling mine up from 30ft down, I saw a huge school of suspended crappie. Of course, the camera spins as you pull it up, so I had no idea what direction it was pointing when the school came into view and I couldn't find it again.

[MXRacer105]

Thanks for the feedback. I could definetly see using it a few times at a certain spot and then putting it away and forgetting about it. But it sure would be nice to visualize some of this stuff I am seeing on my graph. I am sure the Willamette has some interesting stuff down there!!

Thanks again and feel free to keep the advice and stories coming....

[Cask of '43]

I remember an Oregonian article 6 or 7 years ago about a guy using an Aqua-Vu on the Willamette dwntown -- he saw all kinds of barrels and a couple of cars.