Help me find an underwater camera

[CybrSlydr]

So here's what I'm envisioning.

 

Something I can toss out or cast out that has a float on the line so I can suspend it at certain depths to look around and see what's there - bonus if it has the ability to rotate the camera lens.

 

The idea is I'm on shore and toss/cast this out so I can spend more time fishing where there actually are fish instead of spending 4 hours doing nothing.  lol

 

Appreciate the help!

 

Something like this?

 

https://www.cabelas.com/product/AQUA-VU-AV-C-COLOR-CAMERA/1663107.uts?slotId=1

 

Preferably in that price range or cheaper?

[Scott F]

I’m sorry to disappoint you, but it doesn’t work quite as nice as you might hope. The cameras are a bit heavy and you will have zero control on where it points if you try to cast it out from the bank. Dropping it straight down from a boat gives you a bit of a chance to control the direction it’s looking. If the camera isn’t near the bottom, you will see little to nothing 99% of the time. If the bottom is mucky, the camera can sink into the muck where you won’t see anything. The lens’ have a wide angle and even in clear water, you won’t see much beyond a few feet from the camera. The biggest thing you’ll find is that every minute you spend looking at a TV screen is a minute you aren’t fishing.  

[CybrSlydr]

1 minute ago, Scott F said:

I’m sorry to disappoint you, but it doesn’t work quite as nice as you might hope. The cameras are a bit heavy and you will have zero control on where it points if you try to cast it out from the bank. Dropping it straight down from a boat gives you a bit of a chance to control the direction it’s looking. If the camera isn’t near the bottom, you will see little to nothing 99% of the time. If the bottom is mucky, the camera can sink into the muck where you won’t see anything. The lens’ have a wide angle and even in clear water, you won’t see much beyond a few feet from the camera. The biggest thing you’ll find is that every minute you spend looking at a TV screen is a minute you aren’t fishing.  

I was afraid it'd be something like that.  Rats.

[Scott F]

If I’d have known that ahead of time, I could have saved myself time and money. If fishing videos are something you are interested in, an underwater camera will add another dimension to your videos. 

[TOXIC]

Not to mention the huge disappointment looking at all of the fish that you can't catch or get to bite.  Seriously, we used an AquaView on crystal clear Lake St Clair and dropped it down on a deep rock pile and saw some monster smallmouth that we couldn't catch!!  Another negative is that when you are in the boat that is rocking in the waves and you look at the camera screen..... I came as close to getting seasick as I ever have and I have been out for extended periods in very rough water.  I got dizzy and felt like I had vertigo after a few minutes looking at the fish on the bottom.   But as has been said, you need very, very clear water to really see anything.  

[J Francho]

I only ever used an AquaView ice fishing on Oneida.  It was pretty cool, but that's about all I can see any use for around here.  Most waters aren't clear enough to see much.

[Gundog]

If you are willing to do a little DIY you could attach a underwater camera to a small remote controlled boat and you could go and see whatever you want. Only problem would be the launch. I'm thinking attach the camera to a plastic rod. You would have to find a way to retract and deploy the rod and camera. 

[Arcs&sparks]

Yup,  Scott, Toxic and J nailed it.  Even in calm water, standing on a dock or bridge, any amount of current or slight movement of the hand makes looking at the screen tough. I bought the compact Aqua-Vu for something like $350 and ended up just returning it.  I hardly ever return anything but just couldn’t justify that kind of money for this little tiny screen, no record function and of course was just disappointed with what could be seen.  Ended up with a cheap China brand “Eyoyo” with record function and only use it through the ice in crystal clear shallow water,  with a remote control tripod. 

[Bassman37]

Interesting info guys as I had been considering the Aqua-Vu Micro Stealth 4.3 inch unit myself and now I think that I may reconsider and spend the money on another rod and tackle instead!

[Jig Man]

The worst $600 I have ever spent was on an Aqua View camera.  It was next to worthless.  Any sunshine at all made the glare so bad you couldn't see anything.    I wound up giving it to my son in law to play with in his boat dock.

[FryDog62]

I bought an Aqua-Vu 12 years ago and was underwhelmed.  Just bought Panoptix Livescope... different yet trying to accomplish the same thing. Kind of anyway... ask me next June if it lives up to expectations.