The Best Underwater Fishing Camera Tips & Tricks
Underwater cameras aren’t just for travel vloggers or ocean photographers chasing sea turtles in the tropics. If you fish—especially if you’re trying to improve—an underwater camera might be one of the best pieces of fishing gear that you’re not using yet.
I say that as someone who came to underwater imaging through photography first. I’ve been shooting for years, from DSLRs to video production gear and everything in between. So when I first brought a GoPro on a fishing trip, it was more about capturing the moment than analyzing fish behavior. But that quickly changed.
Once you start reviewing footage not as a filmmaker but as a fisherman, it opens your eyes. You start to notice the way fish approach structure. How they react—or don’t react—to your bait. What “holding tight” really looks like in murky or brackish water. These are things you can’t always spot from the surface, no matter how clear the water is.
The Underwater Angle You’re Missing
The first time I used an underwater camera while fishing, I didn’t expect much. I dropped the cam low and slow, mostly curious what the bottom looked like. Visibility was decent—greenish but not chocolate milk—and within minutes, I saw something flash in and out of frame.
Turns out, it was a snook. And not just cruising by—it was holding near a mangrove root I hadn’t even noticed. That one frame changed how I fished that stretch from then on. I started working that mangrove line tighter and slower.
That’s what these cameras give you. It’s not about always getting the perfect fishing strike video clip to share on social media (though, hey, it's a bonus every time you do). It’s about learning the spot. Learning the fish. And dialing in your strategy with intel that a fish finder alone just won’t show you.
A Quick Word About Underwater Camera Gear
Whether you’re in freshwater or saltwater, having the right housing can make or break your trip. Trust me on this one. I've had both a GoPro and a supposedly "waterproof" housing fail on me in the Everglades—a place where camera gear really doesn’t forgive mistakes. That trip turned into a lot of casting and no footage.
You don’t need a cinema rig—but you do want something purpose-built for underwater use. So, skip the phone hacks and generic action cams. (Smartphones work best for tide pools, not real fishing.)
Look for a compact, submersible camera designed specifically for fishing and aquatic environments. These aren’t just your standard water-resistant/waterproof cams—they’re built to capture usable footage in real-world conditions like murky water, low light, and current. No clunky housings to fiddle with (and no risky jury-rigged solutions)—just drop it, watch, and fish.
Pro Tips: Experienced Videographer-Fisherman Weighs In
I reached out to Jordan Sherman, a long-time fisherman, photographer, and videographer with underwater experience, to talk through what actually makes for useful fishing footage—not just pretty shots. His advice was all about getting practical:
“People think you need crystal-clear water to make [an underwater camera] worth using, but that’s not true. Even in murky water, with a quality underwater cam, you can still see how fish behave around structure or bait."
Sherman also pointed out that the most helpful footage often comes from setups where the camera is rigged inline with your bait:
“If you can run the camera in-line—tethered above your lure or bait—you’re capturing the exact action the fish sees. It’s not a wide shot from across the structure; it’s their perspective. That’s incredibly valuable if you’re trying to refine your technique.”
That’s actually one of the biggest advantages of a dedicated fishing camera over a general action cam. The inline rigging option gives you context: where your bait is, how fish approach it, and what makes them strike—or spook. You’re not just watching fish; you’re learning how they react to you.
The Strike Shot: Why These Type of Cameras Change the Game
One of the most talked-about advantages of using a dedicated underwater fishing camera is the ability to actually capture strikes on video.
Seeing the fish flare, make up its mind to strike, and explode into the frame isn’t just educational—it’s the kind of footage that gets your heart racing. Whether you share it or just replay it for yourself, those clips are some of the most exciting moments you’ll ever record underwater.
Jordan Sherman weighed in on strike videos too:
“There’s nothing like seeing [a fish] commit on video. When your camera’s positioned inline or fixed near the bait, you’re not guessing anymore. You get to see the full sequence—how the fish approaches, flares its gills, opens its mouth, and either strikes or turns away. That’s intel you can’t fake.”
Cameras designed for this kind of capture don’t just show you the fish—they show you decisions.
- Did the fish strike out of aggression or curiosity?
- Did it inspect your lure multiple times before hitting
- Did it tap and run… or inhale on the pause?
Reviewing those moments in slow motion gives you a deeper understanding of how to trigger more bites—and when to change up your retrieve.
That kind of clarity doesn’t just make for cool footage. It makes you a better fisherman.
Why a Camera Will Always Beat Memory
Even experienced anglers have selective memory. You think the fish hit as you popped the jig. But watch the tape back, and you’ll realize it paused a few seconds first—or ignored the first 3 casts completely.
An underwater cam gives you feedback in real time, but it also lets you review what actually happened. Especially in pressured waters or with picky fish, that matters. The way a bass flares its gills. The moment a bluegill turns and runs. The subtle tail flick before a redfish bolts. These are cues you can train yourself to read better after reviewing footage.
Pro Tips for Using an Underwater Cam While Fishing
- Scout First, Fish Later - Use your camera to look before you drop lines. Spot where fish are holding, how they’re behaving, and if your bait is even in the strike zone.
- Use Natural Light Smartly - Point the camera with the sun behind it, not in front. That gives you the best contrast and helps eliminate washed-out, backlit footage.
- Get Low and Stay Still - Place the camera low and stable—facing upstream or into the current, if applicable. Let fish approach naturally.
- Check Temp and Clarity Before Deployment - Sherman recommends testing visibility before every drop. “You don’t need perfect clarity,” he says, “but if it’s less than a foot, don’t expect miracles.”
- Label and Review Your Clips - Even if you’re not editing them into a video, keep your files organized. Note the time, tide, weather, and what you were targeting. This turns your camera into a logging tool.
You Don’t Need to Be a Content Creator
You don’t need to be a fishing content creator or an influencer to justify using an underwater camera. In fact, some of the most useful footage is never seen by anyone but the angler who captured it.
Reviewing how fish behave around specific structures, how they trail or reject certain presentations, or even how environmental factors like current or turbidity affect lure action can completely change how—and where—you fish.
Whether you’re trying to dial in your jig cadence, confirm fish presence before setting up, or evaluate if you're fishing dead water, the camera becomes a feedback loop that accelerates learning.
It's not just a fishing content creation tool. It’s a learning tool. A fishing spot scouting tool. A way to refine your approach and catch more fish—especially in areas where visibility, current, or fish behavior throws a curveball at conventional techniques.
Want to get better at sight-casting? Struggling with missed hooksets? Wondering why the fish you swore were under the dock won’t bite? Review the tape.
| Camera Type | Pros | Cons | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone + Waterproof Case | - Already owned - Some "waterproof" options exist |
- Risk of damage - No inline setup - Poor visibility & control - Not practical for real fishing |
Casual use near shore Not recommended for anglers |
| GoPro + Waterproof Housing | - Good image quality - Rugged with accessories |
- Bulky - No inline strike capture - Requires post-trip review |
Content creators (scenic shots, not underwater/strike shots), hobbyists |
| Westin Explore Cam | - Super lightweight (1 oz) - Inline mounting - Simple operation - Instant review on phone |
- 1h25m battery is better for short sessions (if you need more runtime, check out the Westin Escape Cam.) | Fishing trips, inline rigging, scouting structure, pro fishing content creators |
| Westin Escape Cam | - Longer battery (2h30m) - 1080p at 60fps - Castable & compact - Designed for deep and murky water |
- Slightly heavier (1.4 oz) | All-day fishing, deep structure, travel-ready, pro fishing content creators |
Final Thoughts: What You’ll Actually Get Out of It
Using an underwater cam adds a new dimension to fishing. It doesn’t replace instinct, but it sharpens it. You’ll start to fish with more purpose.
And sometimes, of course, you’ll get those perfect underwater shots: A fish striking mid-frame, gills flared, tail kicking. But even if you don’t, you’ll be walking away with something better than a highlight reel: actual understanding.
“Every time you drop an underwater camera down, it’s like cracking open a new world. You never know what you’re going to see down there, and when you catch something, it’s gold.”
Sherman wouldn’t call it “capturing the magic of the world beneath the waves”—in fact, he’d probably laugh if you did.
"It’s not magical," He says. "It’s just fish doing weird stuff. But yeah, when you catch it on camera, it feels magical."
And that’s exactly the point. You don’t need to be a photographer or a creative to use an underwater camera effectively. Purpose-built fishing cams let you record natural, unscripted behavior beneath the surface: fish investigating your bait, holding tight to structure, or ignoring you completely. That’s useful. That kind of feedback is hard to get any other way.
Once you start seeing those patterns for yourself, it adds another layer to how you fish. You make more informed choices. You waste less time. You fish with a little more confidence. So next time you pack your gear, consider adding an underwater camera to the mix.