Photograph, I really want your; photograph, I really need your photograph. Photograph, all I have is a photograph, but that’s really not enough. I want you on the end of my hook, pulling, wiggling, and doing a majestic jump at the lakes surface; however, I don’t even know you are down there or the right kind of fish. That’s all going to change now with the MarCum Technologies Underwater Cameras. Now you can go below the surface and see exactly what’s underneath you.

In the past using an underwater camera left anglers scratching their heads wondering exactly what they were looking at. The technology just was not available or developed to get images that anglers could use to help them catch fish. Often just setting up the camera and the monitor was such a monumental chore for any angler to do and the screen images indistinguishable, fuzzy, or hazy; however now there are underwater cameras that have underwater live action viewing with remarkable clarity and definition. .

It doesn’t get any easier than carrying a small bag with the viewscreen and camera. Open the case up, drop the camera and watch the viewscreen to see fish or what cover the fish are hanging around. Today’s underwater cameras are available in both black and white monitors and colored monitors. “The VS825SD color LED underwater camera comes with the first of its kind solar intelligent display for complete daylight view-ability, the color kill technology is the first of its kind. It allows the angler to switch back and forth from a black and white image to high res color image. Black and white images will be better on low light days or darkness situations where color images come out great in clear water,” explained Steve Hanson, Brand Manager, MarCum Technology. It’s this technology that allows for a better screen image making more and more anglers dropping cameras to see where and what kind of fish are on their sonar screens.

On screen technology has also improved with more information anglers wanted with underwater viewing systems. “The On-Screen Direction, depth, temperature, and battery voltage can all be seen on the VS825SD viewing screen. The On-Screen arrow points which direction the camera is facing. Next is depth. As you lower the camera the depth is shown on the screen allowing the angler to know what depth the fish are and what direction they are pointing or swimming. After that is temperature. Temperature is not only important on open water, but when ice fishing. Fish will relate to water temperatures and be located in the warmer water in the winter and cooler in the summer. Last is battery voltage display that can be checked during or before going out fishing with a touch of a button,” said Hanson. The technology doesn’t stop there. Camera lighting has always been critical when viewing underwater. MarCum relies on a technology they developed referred to as Darkwater® LED Lighting Technology. “The Darkwater lightning technology works much like stadium lightning throwing the light away from the camera lens so that particles don’t reflex back into the lens,” said Hanson.

The VS825SD underwater viewing system features:

*    8-inch class Flat Panel, Hi-Res, Switchable Color /    B&W LCD,    Waterproof Display, Plus camera Panner in the box.
•    Sony Super HAD II CCD, .01 lux Camera with 75-feet of cable.
•    Solar Intelligent® Display – 3X Brighter
•    On-Screen Direction, Depth, Temp and Battery Voltage
•    On-Screen information can be displayed in Metric units
•    Calibrated for Fresh or Salt Water Use
•    12-volt 9-amp Rechargeable Battery
•    Darkwater® LED Lighting Technology
•    Soft Pack Shuttle, 12-volt 9-amp Battery, 3-stage Auto Battery Charger and Stabilizer Fin
•    Made in the USA

Underwater viewing systems range in price depending on features. The high res color units are normally the top of the line while the black and white systems are basic starter under water viewing systems for anglers. The MarCum VS825SD underwater camera (www.MarCumTech.com) has the ability to switch back and forth which is great for seeing what’s under the surface in lakes where visibility or water clarity changes due to wave action.

Just imagine being able to look and see what’s under the boat or what kind of fish is that next to those rocks. There’s no telling how many different ways anglers will use this to catch more and bigger fish. Ice fisherman will be checking for fish before dropping a line and open water anglers looking at brush piles to see if it’s a crappie or bass, but that’s only the beginning.  The underwater viewing systems are lightweight and can be used quickly then stored away. It will definitely make a difference in how you approach fishing a new lake or to find new honey holes in your favorite lake. All I have to say to you fishies out there is smile for the camera. I am going to take your photograph.