You never know what’s living right beneath the planks of the dock, or hovering beneath the hull of the moored pontoon, or hiding within the limbs of the downed willow tree. You won’t know about some of the most fish-rich areas of the lake, that is, unless you deploy your underwater optics. To the fish themselves, artificial overhead cover provides the most obviously comfortable, appealing territory in any neighborhood, regardless of the lake. And in many lakes, given ample depth,…
Read MoreBeyond a few feet of water, bass and other fish avoid visual detection via the mere presence of the aquatic blanket. They’re further separated and shrouded from the terrestrial world by surface glare, wave action and planktonic veils that reduce water clarity. Providing even greater security, boat docks, flooded trees and matted vegetation invite angler curiosity, yet prevent us from seeing what actually lies beneath. The darker and more impenetrable the hideout, the greater its chances, it seems, that a…
Read MoreBig-name bass tournaments might be shelved for the short term, but for every day anglers, lakes, rivers and reservoirs remain open for business. Across America, fishing license sales are skyrocketing as anglers from every walk of life are enjoying the nation’s aquatic resources. We’re adapting, too, forging ahead with a new breed of ‘virtual’ fishing tournament that anyone with a rod and reel and a few bucks can enter. Beginning Saturday, May 16, Aqua-Vu will launch “Fishing for Dreams”— an…
Read MoreRight now, across Earth’s northern-most latitudes, water wolves are stirring. Even while ice cover still encases many lakes, this spectacular freshwater predator is already on the prowl. As Esox lucius migrates en masse into shallow bays, river backwaters and sloughs, however, it’s procreation rather than predation that propels their journey. Standing at the mouths of these same shallow bays, renowned freshwater photographer Bill Lindner doesn’t have to wait long to witness the earliest spring spawning movements of northern pike. For…
Read MoreSomewhere in the mysterious land of sonar menus, hidden windows and secret subroutines lies a little known fish-finding function. Think of it as a super interesting on-screen app that can instantly help you locate and catch more fish. Rather than a rendered interpretation of fish and structure, live underwater video provides the final word on what lies beneath. As anglers continue to discover, their Lowrance, Garmin and Raymarine sonar-chartplotters offer the powerful ability to connect an Aqua-Vu camera and view…
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