How to Choose An Underwater Fishing Camera
Above, we have discussed the features, pros, and cons of five of the best underwater cameras on the market. All of these products have fantastic features and reasons to choose for your purchase. And if you combo this with a decent trolling motor and fish finders, you’ll have a blast!
However, it is important to properly consider what it is that you want out of your new device when purchasing an underwater fishing camera.
Keeping in mind the features of the devices we have reviewed, read the following guide on buying these products. Here, we detail what to look for when buying one of these innovative and exciting devices. By the end of this guide, you will likely be all set to go out and start pricing the best option for you!
Convenience: portability, weight, and ease of use
When choosing your underwater camera, be sure to look out for how convenient it is in terms of portability and weight. Try to look for a device that comes with a custom made bag or container – this way, you can be assured that you are storing and carrying your new device properly.
If you are concerned about weight (sometimes, fishing gear needs to be carried long distances and can become heavy and difficult), try to go for a lighter device. This will not necessarily mean a lesser product – in fact, some of the best underwater fishing cameras are lightweight.
You should also be sure to consider whether or not the product seems easy to use – complicated and difficult devices can become a chore out on the water and end up counteracting the relaxation that comes with fishing!
Durability (important for ice fishing)
Purchasing a product that is durable and able to withstand a range of weather and water conditions is extremely important.
Try to go for a device that is resistant to cold, pressure, and pulling. Of course, you may be used to fishing conditions that do not pose threats of pulling or extreme temperatures, so you may not necessarily need these features.
Often though, the features are standard across products and can be an extra help regardless of your fishing environment. On top of this, you can be assured your device lasts for a long time, so you can get the most out of your purchase.
If you’re specifically looking for the best underwater camera for ice fishing, you’re in luck because the fishing cameras we reviewed should work very well for ice fishing too.
Cable Length/View Depth
The reach you get from the cable determines how far down you can view fish on your camera display unit. If you plan on scanning greater depths while you are out fishing, then make sure that the product you buy has a cable that will extend down to the levels it needs to reach.
Bear in mind that the further down the camera goes, the greater the pressure it will be under from the surrounding water. With this in mind, you need to make sure that your product has both a durable camera and strong cable, resistant to pulling.
Waterproofing
This may sound like an obvious statement to make, but it really does ring true.
Check the camera’s waterproof casing prior to making a purchase. It must be solid and durable enough to withstand pressure from the depths as well as protect the internal parts of the camera to keep them dry.
Screen Resolution
Depending on the kinds of waters you are fishing in as well as the brightness of the environment in which your monitor will be functioning (taking into account you’ll probably be wearing fishing sunglasses too), the display is an important thing to consider. For dark waters, try to purchase a device that is equipped with LED lights on its camera. Murkier waters are easier to manoeuvre with higher resolution cameras.
You don’t need to be concerned with crystal clear display to enjoy it – many underwater fishing cameras boast clear, colour HD monitors. This is a great feature that adds to enjoyability and helps you to better manoeuvre through the waters you are surveying. One thing it is important to look for if you tend to fish in bright and sunny environments is the inclusion of sun visors or protectors: sometimes viewing the screen can be difficult without them.
Battery Life
Just like with a lot of portable fish finders, battery life is a very important thing to consider when buying an underwater fishing camera. Your device may be equipped with a battery that cannot be replaced. Not being able to charge this while you are out on the water in your best fishing kayak may be a problem, so be sure to check on the battery life of the product that you are investing in.
Luckily, many of these devices boast battery lives of between 6 and 10 hours so you can be confident about keeping your underwater area surveyed for the entirety of your fishing trip.
Keeping the above reviews and guidelines on these fantastic and exciting devices in mind, you can now begin to price and choose the best underwater fishing camera for you!
Author: Peter Wilkins
Overall Winner
Runner-up
When I’m not out fishing trying to land my next pb, you can find me writing about fishing, or reviewing the latest in fishing gear. Hopefully, our articles will help you make an informed decision on your next fishing tackle purchase, and ideally catch more fish!