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Check out this underwater camera that can see fish up to 75 feet below the surface.
Onboard technology continues to evolve to the point where you can actually see real-time imagery under your boat. Sonar may alert you to schools of fish and tell you where to drop your hook, but the one thing it can't do is actually identify fish species.
That changes with the Aqua-Vu Multi-Vu HD Pro, an underwater camera that connects via black box to a compatible multifunction display (MFD). The underwater camera comes with 75 feet of cable and has built-in adjustable infrared lighting for fishing in murky water or low-light conditions.
"The Multi-Vu Pro system is a powerful tool for tournament prefishing," says Mark Lassagne, who scouts with underwater optics on West Coast bass waters, such as Clear Lake and the California Delta. "If my sonar marks a fish, I can quickly drop the Aqua-Vu and see if it's a bass, as opposed to carp or other species. I can also uncover fish hiding in heavy brush or grass; these fish aren't always possible to discern on the sonar."
Lassagne is a pro, but even weekend anglers can improve their game with Aqua-Vu. Take a look for yourself.
The camera connects to a control module that converts the camera images into digital signals for output via RCA or HDMI plugs built into the bottom of the module. The camera offers 720p resolution for crisp images with 120-degree angle of view.
Although the Multi-Vu Pro system is aimed at the fishing market, it would serve just as well as an inspection camera to see what's going on below the waterline on larger boats.
To set up the unit, connect the control module to the boat's 12-volt supply, then plug the requisite video cable, sold separately, into the MFD.
Manufacturers recommended retail price is $699. Aquavu.com