®
Winter 2023
Smallmouth
Smallmouth Auto Pilot
Rod & Reel Distant
Smallmouth Rocks
Smallmouth School
Rod Reel 32ft
Smallmouth Above Rocks
Smallmouth Close-up
Something
page
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You will find you can even spin the
water. Of course, the prop cut the
camera around 360-degrees to view
line, so the rig sank immediately. I
all around by twisting the cable
made a GPS waypoint of the
between your thumb and forefinger.
spot and returned a couple of days
Once familiar with vertical use,
later with my camera. In the video
start slowly moving your boat forward
with this article, you will see the
while viewing the camera.
rod and reel on the bottom, and
Of course, how far you can see
if you look closely, you will even a
is dependent on the available light and clarity of the water. It is not
Smallmouth Close-up
smallmouth bass looking at it. Also note how it shows on the Sonar
uncommon to see 10- to 20-feet or
screen. Using a large BladeRunner jig
more in clear conditions. Typically, you
I was able to snag the rod and return
can see at least three times further with
it to its rightful use.
a camera than with your naked eye. About the only time you
If you take kids fishing it isn’t unusual for them to get
cannot see with a camera is in muddy water.
bored when the fish aren’t biting. Time to break out the camera
One windy day, I was fishing a hump in 32-feet of water and let them go treasure hunting. Kid’s love to use the camera
and decided to take a break and eat a sandwich. I made a
and are thrilled to learn what it looks like underwater. They
cast in front of my boat, put the Ghost on anchor, and sat
may even surprise you by helping you find the bass.
down to eat. All too late I realized my mistake when I saw
There is no faster or better way to learn than using an
my fishing rod shoot out the front of the boat and sink
underwater camera. Hopefully this article and video gives
to the bottom. The wind had blown my line to the trolling
you some ideas and helps you to improve your fishing skill.
motor prop which propelled my $500 rod and reel into the
After all, seeing is believing! Ciao! •