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Lake Erie Charter Captain Dave Adams of D & D Charters answers questions and provides tips and insights into fishing the region.
If you would like to Ask the Captain a question, please click HERE.
March 12, 2001
Rich Asks:
Dave - Have you ever used an under water camera?
Captain Dave's Response:
Rich --
Good question!
No, I haven't used an underwater camera. But as a charter captain, I too, rely on the latest "electronics" to catch fish. And I'm sure when the first sonar units became available to anglers, the doomsdayers said, "The fish will not have a chance." The idea of using an underwater camera on Lake Erie has me thinking - has fishing technology gone too far?
My opinion is, as anglers, we have to leave something to the imagination. Fishing is similar to hunting. The hunter walks up to that great looking brush pile. Meanwhile, the possible flush of the game is anticipated. Even if a flush does not occur, the expectation was an important part of the hunt. The angler ventures to a great looking body of water. The sonar tells us that good structure is below the boat; then, with excitement, your lure is presented - soon you expect a strike. Even though that particular retrieve did not result in a fish, the expectation was an important part of fishing. With this in mind, if I wanted to see what I would catch before I caught it - I would go to the fish market.
Now, in all fairness to the companies that produce these products, I did search for other opinions on this subject.
"It's a great item," said Brian Selai, of Prowler Charters. "Last May, when bass fishing was slow on Lake Erie, we learned that that even if it seemed as if the bass were non-existent - the camera proved that hundreds of bass were under the boat. Plus, it enabled us to target the areas that were holding bass. Not only did the kids love it - watching the screen was like a nature show - but, the bass were actually curious about the camera." According to Selai, one drawback is, the unit can be cumbersome to operate. Also, he added that the black and white screen offered better visibility than the color screen.
"Finding out that the structure you thought you knew about and have fished for 20 years - is completely different than you thought," said Trevor Sumption, sales manager of Aqua-Vu. "This is what makes an underwater camera unique." Also, according to Sumption, when drifting over a wide open expanse of water - similar to Lake Erie - the camera will pick up small structure that a sonar unit will not detect.
Sumption adds, "First on the market, back in 1996, a basic unit from Aqua-Vu retails for approximately $300. Freshwater anglers would do best with the black and white unit, since it gathers more light than the color model. The unit is powered by a 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter and can run as deep as 60 feet. Accessories also include a downrigger attachment or an internal battery."
Good Fishing,
Capt. Dave Adams
Dave Adams is an author and professional charter captain who operates D & D Charters on the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie.
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