Next level Micro DVR-DT Underwater Viewing Systems unlock overlooked fish
Still so much we don’t know about what’s really happening beneath the surface.
Interesting to consider that beyond water and oxygen itself, perhaps the single most important fish-locating factor remains the least understood. Water temperature is so vital to fish that each species’ existence depends on an optimal range. Locate the ideal temperature at the right depth, and you’ll almost always land on gamefish gold.
But how to put these key pieces together and solve the puzzle?
Sonar screens display water temperature on the surface, but what about temperature at the depth of your target species? Might read 72 degrees on top, but at 10, 15 or 25 feet, it’s a whole other ballgame.
The best way to quickly discover this essential fish-finding data—summertime, salt- or frozen water—is to drop the optics of an Aqua-Vu® underwater camera. The gold standard in subsurface surveillance, Aqua-Vu’s new Micro™ DVR-DT series (Micro 5 Plus DVR-DT and Micro Plus DVR-DT) is the most complete handheld underwater viewing system ever engineered. Here’s why:
The simple act of dropping the lens of the Micro DVR-DT to any depth instantly reveals three critical clues—water temperature, depth and a real-time, real-life video image of the underwater world. No other high-tech tool brings together such decisive fish-finding data and displays it so clearly on a single portable LCD.
“When fish move offshore, you’ve got to find that key depth zone that’s holding bass,” says Bassmaster Elite Series pro Ott DeFoe. “The Micro DVR-DT camera helps me find the precise level of the thermocline; this is nearly always the depth range where baitfish and gamefish set up. This Aqua-Vu provides one of the quickest, easiest shortcuts to putting together a game-winning pattern. The beauty of finding these key depth-temperature zones is that you can then go to other areas of the lake that intersect with that zone and find more fish.
“Not only does the camera immediately show you temperature, it also shows any fish in the area and the exact depth holding them. Remember, just because you see fish on sonar, you don’t know what species they are. Drop the Aqua-Vu down there and it removes all doubt.”
Further north, where lakes freeze, another group of enterprising anglers have recently begun to unlock the secrets of water temperature below the ice. “We’re finding that even a two or three degree difference in temperature below the ice can be the absolute difference maker,” says Brandon Newby, who, along with partner Ryan Wilson, claimed three consecutive North American Ice Fishing Circuit (NAIFC) Team of the Year titles. “At the 2015 NAIFC Championship on Mille Lacs, Minnesota, we found a break in 14 to 22 feet that held a bubble of 37- and 38-degree water—just a few degrees warmer than the surrounding territory. This little zone held some of the biggest crappies in the tournament.
“There’s no way we would have found this sweet spot without the Micro DVR-DT camera.”
Further assisting the team’s numerous ice tournament wins, the camera’s built-in DVR (digital video recorder) supplies a dynamic video log of Newby and Wilson’s underwater scouting missions. “We don’t always notice every detail we see on-screen when we’re on the move, looking for fish on the ice. It’s why the Aqua-Vu’s DVR is so critical to our success. We can review all the footage after a day on the ice—upload it to our laptop or review it on the Aqua-Vu screen. Details like a quick rise in water temperature, a subtle bottom transition, a pocket of healthy vegetation, or even a few big fish in the background—the DVR assures we don’t miss a thing.”
Now available in two powerful, ready-to-fish models, the Aqua-Vu Micro 5 Plus DVR-DT and Micro Plus DVR-DT provide the most colorful, clearest optics, brightest screens and most feature-rich operating system of any handheld underwater camera.
Complete with IP67 Waterproof color LCDs— 5” or 3.5”, respectively— the Micro 5 Plus DVR-DT and Micro Plus DVR-DT also include a thumb-sized Micro camera, 50- or 82-feet of camera cable, plus an adjustable camera fin—all powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Bonus features include On/Off Infrared LED lighting, 3X Digital Screen Zoom, DVR with USB / 8GB memory and on-screen digital displays of depth and water temperature. Retail priced at $599.99 and $449.99, purchase of any Micro 5 Plus DVR-DT, Micro Plus DVR-DT or any Aqua-Vu Micro system comes with a FREE Wearable Micro Viewing Case and auxiliary battery charger ($60 value).
About Outdoors Insight, Inc.
Creator of Aqua-Vu, the original Underwater Viewing System, Outdoors Insight, Inc. has led the underwater camera category in design, innovation and quality since 1997. The Central Minnesota based company builds many popular outdoors products, such as the iBall Trailer Hitch Camera and Odor Check Moisture and Odor Control System featuring Scent-Lok Technology.
By: Cory Schmidt
