Best Underwater Fishing Camera

If you love fishing and are looking to increase your catch, make the most of the latest technology with the best underwater fishing cameras.

Whether you’re ice fishing, in murky waters, or trolling with bait, an underwater fishing camera can give you a better view of what’s happening beneath the surface, a bit like an underwater ROV.

Underwater fishing cameras work alongside the angler’s bait on the fishing line and often look just like regular floats so that they won’t scare away the fish.

The best models also feature low light capabilities, Wi-Fi transmission, real-time monitoring, and even infrared vision.

We’ve spoken to the most successful local fishermen here in the Northern Rivers to help you get your next big bite!

(Or you might just want to use an underwater fishing camera to spy on different species of fish.)

Whatever the case, let’s dive right into the recommendations.

Best Underwater Fishing Camera in 2023

Image	Product	Features
	Eyoyo PortableOUR #1 CHOICE	1000TVL Camera 7" Color LCD Monitor Equiped with Carrying Case Up to 8 Hours Working Time	View Price →
	GoFish CamTOP RATED	Full HD Video 1080P Mobile App Integration Night Vision Green LEDS Easy In-line Rigging	View Price →
	MOOCOR InfraredGREAT VALUE	Camera with Wide Angle Record and Photo Function 5" LCD Monitor Infrared White Light Integrated System	View Price →
	RICANK Fish Finder	Suitable for Various Fishing Ways Long and Durable Cable Wire Advanced Underwater Camera Lens Multi-Function LCD Monitor	View Price →
	Ovetour Fish Finder	AHD Camera & IP68 Waterproof Upgraded 4.3 Inches IPS Screen 5000mWh High Power Product Support	View Price →

 

1. Eyoyo Portable Underwater Fishing Camera

The Eyoyo Portable Camera makes the list of our best underwater fishing cameras due to its specifications and performance.

You’ll see every nibble and scaley detail thanks to a 1000TVL camera and the bright 7″ HD Color LCD Monitor pumping out 800 x 480 pixels. Regardless of the water clarity, the 12 infrared high-power LEDs will illuminate your catch.

The IP68 waterproof camera securely tethers to the monitor via a durable 165ft cable. The length is great for all fishing styles in including ice, bottom, and trawling – an included float allows for surface fishing.

The Eyoyo makes an ideal ice fishing camera since it operates under extreme conditions and in bright environments.

The kit is compact and stores safely in the included carry case. It’s an ideal ice fishing camera to pack on your next fishing trip.

2. GoFish Cam

The GoFish Cam is one of the best underwater cameras, thanks to its compact form and wireless connectivity to capture clear video footage.

The high-resolution camera support Full HD underwater video in stunning 1080P @ 60Fps and 30Fps – it also supports 720P @ 60Fps.

Rather than trailing the camera below your boat or kayak, it’s compact enough to fit onto your line – It’s only 4.5″ long and weighs 3.3oz.

That way, you get up close and personal with your fishy catch just as he takes the bait. The green night vision LEDs provide clarity in dark or murky waters allowing you to fish at night.

While there’s no included LCD display, the video camera connects wireless with your smart device. The supporting app allows you to view the underwater landscape on your phone or tablet with exceptional video resolution.

What’s more, you can record while you catch fish and share the outcomes with your unbelieving friends and family!

3. MOOCOR Infrared Underwater Camera

The MOOCOR Underwater Fishing Camera is an ideal underwater camera that should be a part of everyone’s regular or ice fishing gear.

The underwater viewing system features a bright 5″ HD screen delivering 800 x 840 resolution and image quality.

The monitor is a compact size allowing you to mount it inside your boat and kayak – or strap it to your wrist with the included velcro strap. It also features a handy flip-down sun visor for bright days that acts as a cover for protection in rough seas.

The underwater camera viewing system also provides information on the camera depth, direction, low battery power reminder, and water temperature – it’s a great underwater camera for ice fishing.

As for the camera, it delivers HD 1000TVL images with a 130-degree field of view to see the underwater landscapes at 98ft. It features four infrared lights and two bright white LEDs for deep underwater exploration – these have three brightness settings.

Everything you see records directly to the 8GB of internal memory – video and still, images included.

The built-in lithium-ion battery delivers up to 6 hours of use, and an external battery bank is all you need to extend the use of your underwater fishing video.

4. RICANK Fish Finder

The best underwater fishing camera requires a large LCD monitor – especially if you’re fishing on a boat. However, if you’re onshore and on foot, you need something that’s compact and lightweight.

The RICANK Fish Finder is ideal for fishing enthusiasts that travel light yet still need a great fishing camera.

The 4.3″ backlit LCD display delivers a high-resolution video feed via the 100ft tough cable. It includes a sun visor for bright days and a mounting bracket to attach it to your rod. As a result, it’s one of the top ice fishing cameras due to its portability.

Thanks to the eight bright LEDs, the video camera works in cold temperatures under ice and in deep waters. While these are not infrared LED lights, it will also operate during night fishing.

The video camera and display feature rechargeable batteries that deliver up to 8 hours of the underwater world and its tasty inhabitants.

5. Ovetour Fish Finder

The Ovetour Fish Finder is one of the best options for those that take their fishing gear while on travels.

The underwater viewing system is lightweight and very portable while still delivering HD video resolution. The 50ft durable cable that connects the 4.3-inch TFT color monitor is suitable for fishing in shallow waters to capture stunning video footage.

It features a 4.3″ HD image display with a removable sun visor ideal for bright days on the open water. While it’s a small LCD monitor, it’s ideal for long afternoons standing on the beach or by the lake.

The high-resolution camera has a waterproof rating of IP68 and features an array of eight white LEDs for murky and dark environments.

If you hope to capture a long underwater fishing video, the 8-hour battery life and ability to charge via a power bank make it a no-brainer.

The included fishing rod holder is the best ice fishing accessory as it keeps both hands free to focus on the catch.

How to Choose an Underwater Fishing Camera

When it comes to choosing the best underwater fishing camera, there are many different elements and features to take into account.

Before you even start looking, you need to have a think about your potential uses and environments. What you need for ice fishing may be very different from trawling in deep waters from a moving boat.

Once decided, you can start to think about the options and features such as video resolution, screen resolution, depth, lights, and if it includes a sturdy carry case.

Let’s take a look at the top considerations for choosing a suitable camera.

• Monitor Size and Resolution

We live in a world where our televisions, phones, and computers have exceptional image quality and resolution. Full HD, 4K, 6K, and higher are the new standard in the resolution race. Why should your underwater fishing experience be any different?

The bigger the monitor and the more resolution you have, the better you can see your prize catch. If you’re out on a boat or at the water’s edge, chances are it’s going to be bright.

Your underwater camera is capturing footage in a dark and often murky environment too – resolution is the key to seeing your catch.

Look for cameras with a 5″ or 7″ monitor, especially if fishing from a boat. For the sake of portability and comfort, always choose to go smaller if you’re fishing on the shore.

A model that’s either HD 800 x 480 or Full HD 1080 is the best choice – this image resolution will ensure you gain a clear view of the underwater environment, potential snags, and also what fish you can expect to reel in.

To combat glare while out on the water, a monitor that includes a sun hood or shade will help you see what you’re catching.

Some feature a shade that folds down to act as a protective cover for the LCD screen and function buttons. It’s a great solution if your camera doesn’t come with a carry case or protective bag.

• Camera Quality and Field of View

Most underwater camera systems will list the camera quality as TVL or TV Lines – it’s a term of measurement for these kinds of cameras.

The best quality cameras will have a TVL of 1000. While the higher the TVL number the better, you won’t see many underwater cameras that top a TVL of 1000.

It’s also worth pointing out that some products list their camera quality in digital measurements such as 1080p. 1080p is considered Full HD resolution and delivers excellent image quality with high levels of detail.

The field of view determines how wide an underwater scene a camera will capture.

Too narrow a field of view, and you’ll only see what’s dead ahead without seeing the underwater landscape. Too wide, and you’ll have no true sense of the depth of field or how close a fish is to your lure.

The best field of view is around 100-degrees, which provides an excellent broad look at what is going on in front of your hook and bait.

You’ll have a clear view of fish that are up close to the lure and you’ll also have a good view of those lurking in the background.

• Lights, Cameras, Action!

Another critical aspect of the best underwater camera shopping list is lighting. The lower the camera submerges, the less light is available for the camera to pick up a clear image.

The water surface reflects a lot of the natural light from the sun – as a result, less light passes under the water. Further to this, while underwater, light is further diffused the deeper you go.

Add to this muddy or murky water, a cloudy day, or a lot of plant life, and you have a real challenge trying to see what your fishing for.

The monitor resolution will only compensate for this to a certain point. Beyond that, you need bright or infrared light for your deep-sea or ice fishing video recording to be a success.

To manage low light and murky conditions, select a camera that features LEDs – either white or IR LED lights. It will make all the difference to your fishing experience.

Most cameras that feature this have a LED lights control function located on the monitor or base station. With it, you’ll turn on and off the various IR (Infrared) and bright lights.

• Depth and Cable Length

An essential element of choosing an underwater camera is how deep it will go!

It’s also necessary to know how long the included cable is – no point in having the best underwater fishing camera that’s waterproof to 50ft if the cable is only 20ft long.

A lot of underwater fishing cameras carry the IP68 depth rating. It’s a little deceptive as it’s usually a term used to rate the water-resistance of smartphones. IP68 refers to the camera’s operability at a depth of at least 3.28ft (1 meter).

However, it’s important to note that an IP68 underwater camera submerges a lot lower than 3.28ft and operates without failure or image degradation.

The rating is more of a manufacturer’s assurance and guideline – especially if you sink your underwater camera too far while ice fishing, and it freezes and stops working.

The best ice fishing cameras provide temperature readouts on the monitor to ensure you don’t operate the camera outside its recommended temperature range. Obviously, if you’re tropical fishing, you have less to worry about.

Regardless, check the safe working minimum and maximum temperature before you use the high-resolution camera.

Where available, check the depth that the camera is capable or ranked of submerging to and make the best choice to match your fishing experience.

• Sink or Swim

Before you grab the first underwater camera you see, consider if it’s fit for the intended purpose – bottom, trolling, and floating.

Some underwater cameras include a bracket to mount them securely to the underside of your boat or kayak. These stay in a fixed position and have a wide field of view – the cable runs to the monitor mounted onboard.

Other types of underwater fishing cameras trail behind your craft at varying depths for trolling. For this camera style, make sure it can sink, swim or float to match your fishing.

The final type attaches to the actual line for some close-up, eyes on the hook action.

• Battery Life 

Underwater cameras feature a rechargeable battery that powers the camera and the monitor. Battery life is your next best friend for long days out on the water when you’re far from a power outlet.

The quality of the battery is essential, especially with higher resolution and larger monitors. It may also need to power LEDs and connectivity features if the underwater fishing camera pairs with an app.

While you can turn on and off LED lights, they have little impact on battery life.

Look for a camera that promises up to 8 hours of battery life. It will allow you to make the most of the whole day out on the water. Look for an underwater camera that charges via USB and tops-up with a power bank for extended life.

• Apps to Share

Have you ever told a story of the one that got away and been laughed out of the bar as no one believes you?

If this sounds a lot like you, consider an underwater fishing camera that wirelessly pairs with an app – your smartphone or tablet acts as the monitor.

Imagine recording the one that got away or the one you managed to catch and then sharing that experience with friends and family on social media.

Or, if you’re studying aquatic species and their behavior, you can capture high-quality videos of your research for later use and reference.

• Keep it Safe

While the camera and cable are water resistance and rated at IP68, you still need to take good care of your kit. In most cases, the included widescreen LCD won’t be water-resistant and certainly wouldn’t survive a dunk in the ocean.

Keeping your underwater fishing camera and HD monitor safe is an essential priority for this type of equipment.

Ensure that you only use the included parts in the kit and do not submerge your video camera lower than it is rated – the cable should prevent this, but it’s worth mentioning just to be safe.

After a day fishing in the bay or by a river, take the time to wash the underwater camera and cable to ensure you remove corrosive and damaging saltwater and grime.

If the underwater camera kit includes a sturdy case or carry bag, keep it stored in that when not in use. Keep it in a dry place where it won’t overheat or get damp.

Ideally, get yourself a small watertight container to keep the camera, monitor, and accessories in when not in use.

That way, you’ll avoid an accidental drop in the lake and throwing away your money to the fish.

Final Words

Underwater fish finders and cameras add a lot to your outdoor fishing adventure. Regardless of needing an ice fishing camera or one that you can trawl from the aft deck of your boat, there’s plenty to choose from.

The ones we’ve listed above clearly qualify for the title of best underwater fishing camera. They’re ideal for all kinds and styles of fishing while inland, out to sea, or just dropping a line in at the docks.

You can go old-school and cast a line or two and wait while you hope for the best. Or, you can use a high-tech underwater fishing camera to hone in on your catch and know what’s about to take your bait.

With the correct specifications and features to suit your approach to angling, these types of camera will be your best companion.

What are your thoughts on the use of these products? Have you had any experience nailing a prize catch thanks to one of these gadgets? Do you have any hot tips on how to make the most of an underwater fishing camera as a beginner?

Share your experiences, questions, and comments below.