Winters done. Done hibernating.

[slabsrus]

Well most of the ice is gone in our area and I was able to get the kayak in the water for the first time earlier in the week. Didn't even take a rod and reel as I had not purchased my license yet. I did however take a new camera that my lifelong friend and fishing buddy gave me last December for my birthday. I attached the camera to my extending paint roller pole and probed it around in the some holes, slack water, current breaks and structure. I got some decent footage of structure, but the water is very dirty with only a foot or so visibility. No fish though. Tonight, however, was a different story. Keep in mind that this is not a camera with which I can view the footage on the spot, I just submerged into areas that I thought would likely be holding fish, checking about a half dozen areas. I wasn't expecting to see a whole lot because the pole and camera rig is fairly large and seems to me that it might alarm fish. I was really just intending to use it for structure observation. So man what a surprise it was when I saw the first sign of fish. Though it was not crappie, I think you all might enjoy this little video. And now that I see my set up just might work, it won't be long before I should be able to have some crappie video to share.

[ready2fish]

Cool video, must of been fun getting out after a long winter

[usafret99]

Pretty cool, what camera is that

[coyote419]

Welcome back Frank. Interesting video.

[yankee doodler]

Gets your heart thumpin doesnt it Frank. Thanks for sharin the vid.

[crappietale]

Nice video Frank, but muskies and pike are not what a crappie fisherman likes to see. I recall a number of times when I was catching crappies at shoreline trees in the water when it went dead. Shortly thereafter I caught a pike. A local lake that was great crappie fishing got stocked with muskies years ago and the crappie fishing crashed PDQ. I'm going nuts because my truck is in the repair shop for the camper on it. My favorite waters are open and I won't be able to get out with the boat until the middle of next week.

[slabsrus]

Right you are Crappietale. Plus, they are more than happy to chomp onto a nice crappie if they see it struggling on the line. Lost more than one that way myself. Can't wait to get into some crappies with the camera but all this rain is not going to make it any easier to see anything. Super calm out today, but I can see from my living room window that the water is about 4 shades browner than it was yesterday. And yesterday it was a couple shades lighter than it was Friday evening in that first video. Here is last nights.

[crappietale]

More cool video Frank. Unless the camera spooks the fish, when the water clears you ought to REALLY get some nice clips with fish. Is that one of those Go-Pro hero cameras with a waterproof housing?

[slabsrus]

It is a Sony, don't remember the model. Has an housing for underwater. Seems to do pretty good but still have not had the chance to get it into clear water. Might give it a shot tonight as long as the rain holds off. Close shop at 6pm. Back home at 6:45pm. Could be on the water by 7ish. Will see how it goes. Might even take the rod and reel with me tonight if I do make it out.