I have an Aqua-View Scout... I love it for perch. Seems to me, the walleyes seem to shy away when there is a camera around. I have been using it for 3 years, I have caught a ton of panfish (I pick and choose who gets my bait) and alot of perch. I have never watched a walleye take my bait, but have seen them and some rather large northerns cruise by on Mille Lacs. I have caught northerns before on camera. If you get one, and you have a young angler with you, forget about getting to use it, they will take it over !!!!
I also have the Aqua View Scout XL and think it works good in the day. At night I would't use it with out the the optional added light that attaches to the camera. I also have better luck when used with the optional weed sock that goes over the cable to the camera.
I agree with Glen. I have an older Aqua-Vu Z60 camera I use to check out structure and Perch/Panfishing during the day. It works great for Perch. At night or in stained water a flasher works best for me. My older Aqua-Vu is marginal in low light situations and I have been told that the old style white IR lighting spooks the fish. A camera also only shows one layer or depth your fishing, I usually setup just off the bottom. A flasher will identify any fish that may be suspended, giving you a larger target area and a better picture of the hole your fishing.
Thanks for the tip Glen. I wasn't aware that the camera presence may also spook Walleyes, I will start pulling mine up after I get a look of the structure I'm fishing.
If you are a mobile fisherman a camera will slow you down a bit. Most of the guys with portables are drilling, flashing, and moving until they find a hot spot. If they set up, they may use a camera.
If you are just starting out your best bet is to invest in a flasher first and consider a camera as an add-on later.
i ended up buying a scout xl from aqua view. the camera is so cool. just brings in a hold new dimension to fishing. kids like watching the fish on there as weell as the woman and I. thanks to all who offered there advice.
