How to Succeed with Your WestinCam in Colder Saltwater

The Spot: What to Consider

Jigging Spots

• Choose areas that aren’t too deep—ideally ≤ 100–150 ft—to maximize natural light for better footage.
• Avoid heavy snag fields (tight wrecks/reefs) to reduce lost tackle.
• Use a weaker leader from the camera to the lure than your main line so a snag breaks at the lure, not at the camera.
  Example: 75 lb mainline → 50–60 lb leader from WestinCam to lure.

Shallow Casting Spots

For fish feeding near the surface (e.g., striped bass, bluefish, pollock), use a shorter leader between the camera and lure for better casting distance and control. Keep presentations quiet and natural.

Deep Casting / Heavy Jigs

Throwing heavy paddletails or metal jigs for halibut or deeper tuna? You can run the camera without the Y-Fin stabilizer to reduce drag and keep the jig tracking correctly.

Depth & Light

In very deep water, available light drops fast. Without added light, you may only see shapes or the fish near the surface. Plan filming for midday, clear water, and shallower structure when possible. If you add external light, mount it so it doesn’t spook fish or alter lure action (and check local regulations).

Species & Leaders

Toothy Fish (bluefish, king mackerel, etc.)

If toothy fish are common, run a short internal wire rig through the camera tube:

• Crimp swivels on both ends, cover with heat-shrink for a clean, snag-free finish.
• This helps prevent bite-offs if a fish hits the camera itself.

Non-toothy Targets (halibut, cod, tuna, etc.)

• A fluorocarbon leader under 1.0 mm works well (e.g., 0.70–0.95 mm ≈ ~60–100 lb depending on brand).
• Crimp a swivel on each side and use a slightly lighter leader from the camera to the lure than your main line so you can recover the camera if the lure snags.
• For US readers: 1.0 mm ≈ 0.039 in. Examples: 0.95 mm ≈ 0.037 in; 0.80 mm ≈ 0.0315 in.

Land vs. Boat: Tackle Choices

• Boat (vertical/drop fishing):
  A conventional reel gives better line control and direct sensitivity for vertical jigging. Run braid mainline unless it’s extremely rocky; braid transmits taps and keeps scope down.
• Shore (casting):
  A spinning outfit usually casts farther and avoids backlashes. In very shallow, rocky areas, monofilament can be more forgiving than braid if you nick structure.

Quick Rigging Tips

• Keep the system streamlined—fewer knots/hardware near the lure = more natural action.
• Rinse the camera with fresh water after salt use and check lens/ports for spots.
• Review footage between moves to see bait presence, followers, and short strikes.
• Remember: WestinCam records to microSD for playback on your phone/computer—there’s no live view underwater.

Simple WestinCam Rig (Shore/Boat Casting)

Main Line (braid)

   │

   ├──▶ Barrel Swivel

   │

   ├──▶ WestinCam (line-through)

   │

   ├──▶ Leader to Lure (slightly lighter than main line)

   │        (e.g., 50–60 lb fluoro; shorter for shallow casting)

   │

   └──▶ Lure (paddletail / metal jig / plug)

Toothy option: Replace the section through the camera with a short wire insert (swivel–crimp–wire–crimp–swivel) covered in heat-shrink, then continue with fluoro to the lure.

Heavy/deep jigs: You can remove the Y-Fin to reduce drag and keep the jig’s track true.

Recommended Resources

• Explore Cam – Product Page
  Feather-light, deep rating, 1080p/60.
  👉 https://westin-fishingcam.com/products/explore-cam
• Escape Cam – Product Page
  Alternative model/specs for different setups.
  👉 https://westin-fishingcam.com/products/escape-cam
• Manuals & Quick-Start
  👉 https://westin-fishingcam.com/pages/manuals
• FAQ – Using WestinCam
  👉 https://westin-fishingcam.com/pages/faq