Categories: EquipmentTips

Best Underwater Fish Cameras

One of the best ways to increase your catch and enhance your fishing experience at the same time is with the best underwater fish cameras. This latest technology comes in handy whether you’re fishing in the ice or murky waters, as it gives you a clear view of what’s below so you can get the best fish. If you are planning on getting an underwater fishing camera, then our complete review is here to guide your purchase.

What to Consider when Choosing an Underwater Fishing Camera

There are a lot of benefits offered by these cameras. Because of this, you need to consider a wide range of factors to consider when choosing the best fish camera. You will need to think about where you might use the camera and what features you want. Here are some factors to keep in mind while you shop.

Monitor Size and Resolution

The first thing to remember is how big your underwater fishing camera’s monitor is and the resolution or quality. The bigger the monitor, the better the resolution, making it easy for you to view the catch. Going for high resolution also makes it easy to use the camera in dark ad murky water. It would be best to consider monitor sizes of 5 or 7 inches, with image resolutions of 800 x 480 or Full HD 1080.

Lighting

The lighting provided by the fishing camera is another important factor, as there is less light the deeper the camera submerges into the water. The resolution can only do so much, so it’s advisable to look out for cameras with infrared or bright lights. Some cameras also feature LEDs, which provide enough lighting for your fishing.

Does it Sink or Swim?

Underwater fish cameras work in different ways. While some of them float, others swim or sink to the bottom. You can purchase those that you attach to your boat or kayak, as they usually feature a wide field of view or those connected to the fishing line for a close-up of the catch. Check the type of camera it is before grabbing it off the shelf.

Learn more about What Do You Need for Kayaking?

App Compatibility

While this isn’t compulsory, having app compatibility on your fishing camera is good to have. You can record your catches directly on your smartphone or tablet, whether you caught it or it got away and shares the experience with friends and family. This also comes in handy if you use the camera to study aquatic species.

Camera Quality

The camera quality and field of view are other essential factors in underwater video camera fishing. TVL measures this, and it’s best to look out for those set at 1000. The higher the number, the better the quality of that underwater camera. It would be best if you also looked out for those with a wide field of view, going as wide as 100 degrees, giving you a clear view of all the fish around your bait.

Cable Length and Depth

No one wants an underwater fishing camera that barely scratches the surface, so it’s essential to look out for those with a long cable length and depth. If the camera is waterproof to 50ft and the cable isn’t even half as long, you can’t get the best from this product. You should check the camera’s cable length and depth and check its temperature range, as some might freeze if sent too far down.

Battery Life

It’s also helpful to have a good battery life so that your camera doesn’t die while you’re still in the middle of the fishing spot. If you don’t have access to a power outlet in your fishing spot, choose those with up to eight hours of battery life. You can also get those that charge with a USB to top up the battery life with a power bank.

Five Top Underwater Fishing Cameras

After much research and considering the factors above, here are the top underwater fishing cameras.

1.     Ricank Underwater Fishing Camera

If you’re traveling light and in need of a reliable underwater fishing camera, this Ricank Fish Finder is an ideal choice. It is fitted with a 4.3-inch backlit LCD and a 100ft tough cable, offering you high-resolution video as it goes deep into the water. It is also equipped with a mounting bracket, so you can fix it on your rod while fishing.

Great for ice fishing, night fishing, and other murky waters, the Ricank model has eight bright LEDs that light up the dark underwater. It also comes with a sun visor that guards the feed during sunny days. This fishing camera offers 8 hours of battery life, so you can use it for a long time while you’re out fishing.

Pros

  • High-quality HD camera.
  • Features a 100ft cable for deep fishing.
  • Battery life lasts for eight hours.
  • It comes with a fishing rod mounting bracket.
  • There are LED lights for dark fishing.

Cons

  • The display size is small.

2.     Eyoyo Portable 7-Inch LCD Monitor Fish Finder

Next on our list of the best underwater fish cameras is the Eyoyo Portable Fish Finder, boasting a display size of seven inches. The color HD monitor will bring your fishing experience to life as you can see every detail of the underwater as it is. The 1000TVL camera is connected to a monitor giving 800 by 480 pixels. The clarity becomes even better with the 12 LEDs, all infrared and high power lights.

It is an IP68 waterproof camera and comes with a 165ft cable, so it goes way lower in the water than most cameras. Thus, this camera is ideal for ice, trawling, and bottom fishing. It can be used for surface fishing, too, as it is fitted with a float. The camera comes with a carry case, covering portability and storage.

Pros

  • Large HD monitor.
  • 12 LEDs for dark fishing.
  • You can use it for all types of fishing.
  • Comes with a carry case.
  • The cable length is set at 165 feet.

Cons

  • The large monitor will look better with full HD.

Eyoyo Portable 7 inch LCD Monitor Fish Finder Waterproof Underwater

3.     GoFish Cam Wireless Underwater Fishing Camera

This is the best fish camera on our list in terms of camera resolution, and it combines this with wireless connectivity and a compact-sized design. The camera features a full HD 1080P resolution for stunning quality underwater. Since it is only 4.5-inches long, it is best connected to your line, giving you a close look at your catch.

The GoFish camera is fitted with green night vision LEDs, making the murky and dark waters seem clearer, making it ideal for night fishing. It is connected to your smart device, allowing you to view the underwater on your phone or tablet for even more impressive resolution. You can also record your footage and share it.

Pros

  • Impressive camera quality at full HD 1080P.
  • It is easily connected to your fishing line.
  • It is fitted with night vision LEDs.
  • It can be connected to mobile devices for recording and sharing.

Cons

  • No monitor available.

4.     MarCum VS485c Underwater Viewing System

The MarCum VS485c viewing system comes with a fantastic 7-inch LCD monitor, and a 90-degree Sony Super HAD II ultra-low lux CCD viewing angle. With a powerful battery, it lasts a long time while you fish and gives you a fantastic camera and monitor quality. It features all-weather durability, whether you’re going for ice fishing or shallow fishing on a sunny day.

The unit comes with a sun shield for brighter days, although the cable length is only 50ft. If you’re fishing in dark or murky water, the color camera will automatically switch to black and white imaging, which is pretty helpful. It comes with a video-out port so you can send the videos to your phone.

Pros

  • Large monitor and wide field of range.
  • High camera quality.
  • 8-hour battery life.
  • Black and white imaging is available.

Cons

  • The cable is short.

5.     Ovetour Underwater Fishing Camera

We also included the Ovetour Underwater Fishing Camera as one of the best on our list, especially for traveling. The fish finder is lightweight and portable, with a cable of 50ft. It is fitted with a 4.3-inch TFT color monitor, so it’s best for shallow fishing. The camera has a waterproof rating of IP68.

The fishing camera is fitted with a removable sun visor, making it great for bright fishing days. It also comes with a small LCD monitor, so it’s a good companion when you’re sitting at the lake with your fishing rod. This doesn’t mean you can’t use it at night, as the camera comes with eight white LEDs.

Pros

  • High definition camera.
  • Comes with a removable sun visor.
  • It is fitted with LED lights.
  • Portable and easy to transport.

Cons

  • Short cable.

Read more about The Best Bait Casting Rod And The Best Underwater Fishing Camera

Verdict

While the best underwater fish cameras come in different types and features, it all depends on you to choose whichever appeals best to you. If you have trouble choosing, you can’t go wrong with the Ricank Fish Finder, which is the best on our list. You can check out our buying guide to determine your preferences too, and choose one from our top five underwater viewing systems.

Harrison A.

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