I was wondering who on here has ice fishing cameras, what kind you have and do you like it? Pros and cons, would you go with a different one?
Also wondering from those who have tried a camera versus a vexilar, which do you prefer and why?
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I got a Cabelas Advanced Angler camera. Their bottom of the line model - was under $100bux. It's got a small B&W screen. Not great in the sun, takes some dialing in to get it lined up where you can see your jig - but once you do - it's entertaining, assuming you actually see fish where you are.
I will say it has helped me connect with some hookups - bites that even a spring bobber didn't detect.
But - if you're serious about finding fish - I'd say you'll do better with a Vex of FFinder. Why you ask?
1. Your "cone" will cover more area - you can watch two holes at once - with the camera your limited to whats in front of it at the depth you're sitting. A finder will give you more of a snapshot of what's happening all under you at differing depths.
2. The camera required a cable run down to the camera lens itself. With holes set close together - this can be a hazard. Panfish, not so much - they'll come straight up. But a zig-zaggy trout can easily run circles around the cable - hazard city.
3. A Finder or Vex can be used w/o drilling a hole - at least give you a depth sounding - just pour some water on the ice for a clear shot down.
4. Essentially no limit to depth, and can always read bottom
On the other hand
1. A camera will tell you WHAT kind of fish, and how BIG is actually ticking at your bait. You can even 'select' to put it in front of a biggun, or take it away from a squirt.
2. In shallow water - a FFinder has little effectiveness - small cone. A camera has no shallow-end limit, but it will have a deep end one. My has a 50ft cable, pretty good - but not if you're looking to spot up schools of Kokanee at 65 feet running through!
I think both have their place, both have their pros/cons. I think the camera can be more entertaining for kids, and it's interesting to see how fish actually respond to your movements. You can see if active jigging scares them away, or fires them up.
I'd like to add a Finder (or Vex, drool) to my arsenal. I don't think I'm pulling enough weight on the ice yet!!! (ha)
I have had the cheap camera from cabelas for years love it IF you can see in the water Utah there are only a couple places you can use it but everywhere in Idaho I have been to it is great BUT if your going to buy one buy the 360 we spend a lot of time moving it around to find our jigs I also have the showdown if I can see with the camera I don't even use it but that's really only when we are in 25 feet or less its so cool to watch the fish
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just picked up the aqua-vu micro. the thing is sweet! i used it fishing little camas, didnt see any fish but i was able to see the jig really well in 15' of water. the cool thing about the micro is it fits in your pocket. i also own a flasher and got the the micro for bluegill and perch fishing to play keep away from the small fish. The flasher i have is a humminbird ice 45 and i am able to detect the difference between 6", 9" and 12" fish.
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