01-24-2010, 06:52 PM
The 7" is the same as I have. I used mine at McTucker on pond #8 and it worked fine. It does work best about 6" off the bottom as then you have something for a back ground. When you have it up in the water column, there is really no background and you can not see to far, couple feet like you said. The farthest I have been able to see with mine is about 10-12' which was at Ririe. Even when I dropped the camera about 10-20' down at Ririe I could see the Kokes as they came buy. Use it in a shelter if you can. That will make a huge difference. The sun really messes with the screen. American Falls probably has been the worst on water clarity with McTuckers ponds next. McTucker will get worse now until spring since they are ponds and there is no filtration or fresh water coming in at the moment. Once the snow melts, they will look like brown tea.
You will find that using the camera on the bottom 2' of water works best. Only place I can think of that would have super clear water would be like Fishing Bridge in IP. Springs will be the best for the camera, but then again, if the water is that clear, you do not need the cam. One rule I seen on the internet is if you can see 10' down into the water with your eyes, then the camera will be able to see 5'. Also the deeper you go the less light and that will cut the distance down even more. The lights on the camera work, but they also intensify all the particles in the water. This is where that clear water comes into play again. I use mine mainly for Perch fishing right now. I have not used it for much else. I do want to try it on the boat this summer on the down rigger. That should be interesting.
You have a good idea on the bucket lid. I used a piece of 3/4" plywood about 10.5" in dia.. I cut a slot from the outside to the center for the cable to slide through, and then put 3 screws in a staggered pattern to weave the cable through. I then used a 4" u-bolt for a handle. I drop the camera down to where I want it, then weave the cable between the screws to hold it at that depth. I then use the handle to spin the camera so I can see my bait.
I have seen things I never expected like suckers swimming up after my bait 4-5' off the bottom. I seen Kokes swimming right on the bottom feeding. I have seen a few nice Bass in Ririe and watched them for a while. I have also learned what Perch like as far as the jigging action. My Perch catch rate has doubled since I bought the camera. Blue gills catch rate would increase also if I could find some. I did use it on Lamont about a month ago and could see around 5'. I think the cam works best for locating an area you want to fish like a muddy bottom or rocky drop off. The second best thing it is for is fishing for bottom fish. It is also great entertainment while the catching is slow. Hope this helps.
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You will find that using the camera on the bottom 2' of water works best. Only place I can think of that would have super clear water would be like Fishing Bridge in IP. Springs will be the best for the camera, but then again, if the water is that clear, you do not need the cam. One rule I seen on the internet is if you can see 10' down into the water with your eyes, then the camera will be able to see 5'. Also the deeper you go the less light and that will cut the distance down even more. The lights on the camera work, but they also intensify all the particles in the water. This is where that clear water comes into play again. I use mine mainly for Perch fishing right now. I have not used it for much else. I do want to try it on the boat this summer on the down rigger. That should be interesting.
You have a good idea on the bucket lid. I used a piece of 3/4" plywood about 10.5" in dia.. I cut a slot from the outside to the center for the cable to slide through, and then put 3 screws in a staggered pattern to weave the cable through. I then used a 4" u-bolt for a handle. I drop the camera down to where I want it, then weave the cable between the screws to hold it at that depth. I then use the handle to spin the camera so I can see my bait.
I have seen things I never expected like suckers swimming up after my bait 4-5' off the bottom. I seen Kokes swimming right on the bottom feeding. I have seen a few nice Bass in Ririe and watched them for a while. I have also learned what Perch like as far as the jigging action. My Perch catch rate has doubled since I bought the camera. Blue gills catch rate would increase also if I could find some. I did use it on Lamont about a month ago and could see around 5'. I think the cam works best for locating an area you want to fish like a muddy bottom or rocky drop off. The second best thing it is for is fishing for bottom fish. It is also great entertainment while the catching is slow. Hope this helps.
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