I am thinking about getting an underwater camera to attach to the
downrigger ball. Aqua-vu seems like a decent choice (model SV or MC w/
120 ft cable). Does anyone have any experience trolling w/ this
system?
Is it a hassle to use? How do you like it? Any advice prior to
purchasing?

I will be used primarily to target salmon and walleye on the Great
Lakes.

-Mark

"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On 22 Feb 2004 18:20:38 -0800, (mark s) wrote:

I am thinking about getting an underwater camera to attach to the
downrigger ball. Aqua-vu seems like a decent choice (model SV or MC w/
120 ft cable). Does anyone have any experience trolling w/ this
system?
Is it a hassle to use? How do you like it? Any advice prior to
purchasing?

I will be used primarily to target salmon and walleye on the Great
Lakes.

-Mark


Hi Mark,

You've certainly come to the right place! I'm not sure that anybody
here knows squat about video, but we have some of the finest and most
experienced trolls on Usenet, so I am sure your request trolling
won't go unnoticed.

Are you a Democrat or Republican?



--




LOL!

As to the underwater TV. Send an email through http://www.protroll.com/
Dick Poole, who owns the company, took a lot of videos off his downrigger
ball when developing the RSK. Is a nice guy who will answer your questions.
Bill

On 22 Feb 2004 18:20:38 -0800, (mark s) wrote:

I am thinking about getting an underwater camera to attach to the
downrigger ball. Aqua-vu seems like a decent choice (model SV or MC w/
120 ft cable). Does anyone have any experience trolling w/ this
system?
Is it a hassle to use? How do you like it? Any advice prior to
purchasing?

I will be used primarily to target salmon and walleye on the Great
Lakes.

First, a personal opinion.

THAT'S CHEATIN'!!!!! :)

Ahem - anyway, it's a lot of fun actually although I don't use mine
for trolling. I use it a lot just looking at the fish themselves and
their habitat. I've seen stripers take actual live bait like eels on
Hackett's Reef off Saybrook with the thing. Want to have some real
fun, watch a bluefish blitz sometime - it's like watching pirhanas
attack a cow!!!

I now have one that has the low light option and video feed - I'm
planning on taking some video this summer and putting it on the web.
I have a lens/sender that has a fin to it will track in a direction.
Works great.

This is the camera I have now - it works well, although I bought it
late in the year and only used it once.

http://www.aquavu.com/downrig.html

Get the best you can afford - you will be amazed at what you can see
with these things. And get the low light option.

Good luck - have fun.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------

Basic Fishing Program:

10 - Fish
20 - Eat
30 - Sleep
40 - Goto 10

I think you should verify the visiabilty range in the water and depth that
you want to use this in.

This is going to be difficult to determine unless you try doing a test dive
with scuba gear.. Video gear isn't going to improve that.. What you might do
is contact a local dive shop and ask about visibility ranges in the area you
are interested in.

I most coastal water, rivers, lakes, etc. this range is going to be limited.
Perhaps so limited that you wouldn't see a fish unless he is with in a
couple feet of the camera. Not much use if your trolling along at 5 knots.


--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On 22 Feb 2004 18:20:38 -0800, (mark s) wrote:

I am thinking about getting an underwater camera to attach to the
downrigger ball. Aqua-vu seems like a decent choice (model SV or MC w/
120 ft cable). Does anyone have any experience trolling w/ this
system?
Is it a hassle to use? How do you like it? Any advice prior to
purchasing?

I will be used primarily to target salmon and walleye on the Great
Lakes.

First, a personal opinion.

THAT'S CHEATIN'!!!!! :)

Ahem - anyway, it's a lot of fun actually although I don't use mine
for trolling. I use it a lot just looking at the fish themselves and
their habitat. I've seen stripers take actual live bait like eels on
Hackett's Reef off Saybrook with the thing. Want to have some real
fun, watch a bluefish blitz sometime - it's like watching pirhanas
attack a cow!!!

I now have one that has the low light option and video feed - I'm
planning on taking some video this summer and putting it on the web.
I have a lens/sender that has a fin to it will track in a direction.
Works great.

This is the camera I have now - it works well, although I bought it
late in the year and only used it once.

http://www.aquavu.com/downrig.html

Get the best you can afford - you will be amazed at what you can see
with these things. And get the low light option.

Good luck - have fun.

Later,

I have an AquaVu and it is really fun. One caveat for this application.
The lens is pretty wide angle which makes sense considering the relatively
low visibility conditions in most fresh water. So depending on how far back
you run the lures and how fast you troll, it might be hard to see much.

They work in air also so you can get an idea of what stuff would look like.

del cecchi

On Mon, 23 Feb 2004 11:45:07 -0800, "Steve" wrote:

I think you should verify the visiabilty range in the water and depth that
you want to use this in.

This is going to be difficult to determine unless you try doing a test dive
with scuba gear.. Video gear isn't going to improve that.. What you might do
is contact a local dive shop and ask about visibility ranges in the area you
are interested in.

I most coastal water, rivers, lakes, etc. this range is going to be limited.
Perhaps so limited that you wouldn't see a fish unless he is with in a
couple feet of the camera. Not much use if your trolling along at 5 knots.

That's a good point, although under low light, you can really see
more than you might think.

I'm still looking for a site that I saw last year when I bought mine
where the guy took pictures of bass taking lures under the ice and the
herring run up the Connecticut River at night.

Eventually, I'll find them, but my point is that even with crappo
visibility, you could still see a lot of stuff.

It's a toy - no doubt about it and it won't work perfectly all the
time, but anytime you have enough disposable income, might as well
spend it on your hobby. :)

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------

Basic Fishing Program:

10 - Fish
20 - Eat
30 - Sleep
40 - Goto 10

On Mon, 23 Feb 2004 22:32:20 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:


I'm still looking for a site that I saw last year when I bought mine
where the guy took pictures of bass taking lures under the ice and the
herring run up the Connecticut River at night.

is this it ?

http://www.ctriverstripers.com/Video/video.htm
got talc ?
Drysuit talc & bags http://www.underwaterusa.com

On Tue, 24 Feb 2004 16:44:24 GMT,
lid (Ed) wrote:

On Mon, 23 Feb 2004 22:32:20 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:


I'm still looking for a site that I saw last year when I bought mine
where the guy took pictures of bass taking lures under the ice and the
herring run up the Connecticut River at night.

is this it ?

http://www.ctriverstripers.com/Video/video.htm
got talc ?
Drysuit talc & bags http://www.underwaterusa.com

Got it in one Ed!!!

Thanks.

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------

Basic Fishing Program:

10 - Fish
20 - Eat
30 - Sleep
40 - Goto 10

After a little more research... my main concern w/ this system is the
PAIN it may be to use for trolling... if it's not convenient, it may
not get used.
How much of a hassle is it to hand-wind the cable?????? (when
retrieving the cannonball)

I've seen the Walker system (strikevision.com) which looks fantastic,
but it is ONLY for trolling and I'd like the option to use the system
in local lakes (non-trolling applications).

Thanks for the input, folks!!!!!!

-Mark









Short Wave Sportfishing wrote in message . ..
On Tue, 24 Feb 2004 16:44:24 GMT,
lid (Ed) wrote:

On Mon, 23 Feb 2004 22:32:20 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:


I'm still looking for a site that I saw last year when I bought mine
where the guy took pictures of bass taking lures under the ice and the
herring run up the Connecticut River at night.

is this it ?

http://www.ctriverstripers.com/Video/video.htm
got talc ?
Drysuit talc & bags http://www.underwaterusa.com

Got it in one Ed!!!

Thanks.

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------

Basic Fishing Program:

10 - Fish
20 - Eat
30 - Sleep
40 - Goto 10

On 26 Feb 2004 17:41:26 -0800, (mark s) wrote:

After a little more research... my main concern w/ this system is the
PAIN it may be to use for trolling... if it's not convenient, it may
not get used.
How much of a hassle is it to hand-wind the cable?????? (when
retrieving the cannonball)

I've seen the Walker system (strikevision.com) which looks fantastic,
but it is ONLY for trolling and I'd like the option to use the system
in local lakes (non-trolling applications).

Thanks for the input, folks!!!!!!

Any additional item hanging off the boat, or working on concert with
another piece of equipment is a pain.

Stick with the Aquavu if you want a good all-around camera. Just get
the best one y ou can afford.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------

Basic Fishing Program:

10 - Fish
20 - Eat
30 - Sleep
40 - Goto 10