Do Underwater Cameras Scare off Fish?

[cdkeim]

Just wanted peoples opinions on whether they feel underwater cameras can scare off certain species of fish. Personally, I'm on the fence, but for a fish that might be a little skiddish, maybe that camera 3 ft away might be the deciding factor. Whatcha think?

[RavYak]

Sometimes yes, sometimes it helps draw them in. It isn't a black or white situation and need to treat it on a case by case basis (day, lake, weather, fishes attitude etc).

[RACKER]

Cant say ive had one time ever where the fish spook with the camera.Ive had pike grab at it though.Ive never used it on trout that would be the only species here

[thorne]

No.....

[35 whelen]

No they just get tangled in your line and you lose the fish

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[BiteArray]

In my experience the fish are actually curious and will sometimes strike and attack it. After a few taps they realize it's nothing interesting and just leave it alone.

[RavYak]

The cameras don't scare the fish off as in spook them (unless you drop it on top of them). If fish are finicky and not actively feeding they may avoid weird suspended objects like cameras though.

I 100% believe this as there have been numerous times I have been sitting watching the camera not getting any bites, I fish a hole 10 feet away without camera and see marks(flasher) or get bites, set up camera on new hole and no fish once again, fish old hole and fish are there now.

If fish do not want to actively feed they will avoid anything strange. Cameras, shadows from tents, big flashy lures etc. However if fish are actively feeding or just cruising they are often curious and will see the camera and come investigate.

I find it amazing that some people will simply state yes or no to this question. Its like asking if a pike will bite a 5 of diamonds spoon. The answer is sometimes.

[Hunter4ever12]

Originally Posted by 35 whelen

No they just get tangled in your line and you lose the fish

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Maybe if you’re a rookie

[slingshotz]

Exactly what people have said before, it really depends on their mood. This was from Sylvan during the burb spawn many years ago. Hundreds of whites which did not care about the camera or my lure, only focused on burb eggs.

https://youtu.be/bI4iWEDelEU

[Poppa]

Definitely not... And I would hope nobody has their camera dropped down right by their line. Mine is a few feet away so there's no danger of getting in the way. Make sure you have a MoPod tho (worth every penny) so you can turn it toward you and watch your lure.

[35 whelen]

Originally Posted by Hunter4ever12

Maybe if you’re a rookie

I don't even own one but I've seen enough guys on videos losing fish because of their camera cables

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[Talking moose]

No. If anything they help bring fish in. When I’m watching my hook and all of a sudden my camera starts moving around it’s almost always a burbot nosing it.
Whitefish I have my camera pointing straight down from the bottom of the hole right at ice level.

[Alberta Bigbore]

Yes.

[old dog]

No not at all. Fish actually snoop around the camera

[cdkeim]

Thanks guys. Appreciate your input. I would agree that it is probably a situational thing, where it could range from hurting, helping or no effect on the bite. I need something to blame though when the bite is slow because it cant be me!

[FlyTheory]

Probably not. If you zip tied some aquarium weeds to the cable, it might draw them in to your man made structure 😂🤷🏻*♂️

[Mayhem]

Originally Posted by FlyTheory

Probably not. If you zip tied some aquarium weeds to the cable, it might draw them in to your man made structure 😂🤷🏻*♂️

Good idea...I have also read of dropping a few weighted ropes of colorful pennants (like you see at used car lots) around the hole you're fishing. Apparently the bright flags attract panfish Never tried it tho.

To the OP, most of the time I find fish are curious and attracted to the cam, or not bothered atall by it. Whitefish shy away from it tho. Once drilled a hole on a really clear lake and after 5 mins of panning around not seeing a thing a whole wall of perch came in. Was quite a sight.

[kevinhits]

Originally Posted by 35 whelen

I don't even own one but I've seen enough guys on videos losing fish because of their camera cables

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Lost a big burbot on CVR a few years back because he got tangled up in my camera wire

[cdkeim]

Deterrent or not, there is a cool factor to be able to watch fish on camera swimming around and watching how they react to your bait presentation.

[Talking moose]

Originally Posted by cdkeim

Deterrent or not, there is a cool factor to be able to watch fish on camera swimming around and watching how they react to your bait presentation.

Agree. Cameras have changed fishing for me. Love seeing what’s happening under the ice.

[Poppa]

I personally find the underwater camera more beneficial than the sonar unit. The sonar is great for a depth reading, but we use the camera to see what bottom composition is like, and then to monitor for activity. My AquaVu 715c has 100% helped me put fish on the ice (so to speak - we are fully CnR) by allowing me to see how a fish is reacting to my lure.

[skain11]

Got my new Aqua Vu out to a favourite trout lake this past weekend. Worked really well, watched some individual fish over the first few hours then it was near about 3 pm when it got crazy with multiple fish slashing about on the screen for a good 30 mins. Not very aggressive in actually taking the bait but we did hook a few. Found myself trying to set the hook while watching the take on video instead of by rod feel as i normally would. Corrected that behavior. Really makes the hours go by and you get a real sense of how many times they swim up for look and maybe a bump without a take. Did not see any shyness caused by the camera.