My tournment bass fishing friend has a new toy, an underwater video system
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hile we’re in somewhat of an early summer drought here in southeast Florida, we occasionally do get big rain events resulting in water releases by the South Florida Water Managenment District (SFWMAD). Their water releases go into canals that run to tide through spillways or into the Everglades canal system. Releases play havoc with anglers chasing largemiouth bass because the Everglades is partitioned. Unequal amounts of water are distributed by SFWMD engineers. In one series of canals the water stays relatively low and in another it’s high water which means a scarcity of bass because they can forage deep into the impenetrable sawgrass. Searching for the few who hang in the fishable shallows – around structures or under lily pads makes for a lot of search casting. Or does it?
Aqua-Vu Micro Series underwater video system:
The new Aqua-Vu Micro 5 Series underwater video system – the size of an iPhone, can “see” fish underwater. Not maybe but definitely. A sonar view of an underwater structure would reveal nothing but “a structure.” There could be 20 bass sitting in that structure and you’d never know it. With the Aqua Vu you can not only see the bass, but fish that structure and be able to see what temps them to strike. It could be short pulls, and then the drop/pause technique, eractic pulls or pulsed pulls. You can even watch the gulp and “see” when to set the hook – a real avantage.
If you extrapolate the use to offshore, coastal or flats fisheries a whole new world of fish finding opens up:
Your sonar picks-up fish at 70-feet; you drop the weighted video camera cable down and take a look. You’ll know in a few minutes what species are there. Or, there’s a weedline with no birds or bait crashing going on, but you think there might be some dolphinfish hanging around, cobia, wahoo or kings. The wighted camera-cable shows there’s schoolie dolphinfish in the weedline. Voilà!
You can employ the camera in murky water, inlets, flats – anywhere.
There are two Aqua-Vu Micro Series models:
AV micro 5
An Underwater Camera System With A Larger 5″ LCD And Built-In DVR
Aqua-Vu’s AV Micro 5 Series re-imagines underwater cameras, offering amazing color and clarity in a hand-held package. The Micro 5 with DVR features a high-resolution 5-inch color LCS with an IP67-rated waterproof case and sunshield / screen protector. Sporting enhanced color camera optics with 3X Digital Zoom, while 100 feet of cable wraps neatly around an integrated cable management system. Micro 5 also includes a built-in DVR with 8-gigabyte internal memory, and a handy USB port for connection to computers. Camera also has adjustable IR Lighting for dark and dirty water viewing. An internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 8 hours of run time (charger included). Lightweight, portable and it even records underwater video.
MSRP: $599.99 – currently, free shipping
An Underwater Camera System That’s The Same Size As A Smart Phone
Aqua-Vu’s AV Micro II Series re-imagines underwater cameras, offering amazing color and clarity in a pocketsize package. The Micro II is an amazingly economical Underwater Viewing System featuring full-blown features at a fraction of the price. Playing live color underwater video on a 3.5-inch LCD, the Micro II includes 50 feet of camera cable wrapped on the integrated viewscreen. Micro camera is the size of a bottle cap, includes auto IR lighting and enters the underwater world with an amazing stealth that won’t spook fish. Complete Micro II system also includes a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery for up to 8 hours of run time and a battery charger. Fits easily into your pocket or even inside a tackle box.
MSRP: $249.99 – currently, free shipping
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