Fishing with a GoPro attached to the mainline! (Video)

This was a fun little project.  Pixster inspired me with his underwater video stuff!



Here's the notes I attached to the video.  There's a pic of the rig I used below.

I really wanted to see the underwater structure of one of my favorite spots to fish. I also wanted to know more about how a lingcod strikes a live greenling, and what he does after he takes it in his mouth.

So, I surrounded up a GoPro camera with some bouyant material (a pool noodle) to keep it above the action), then slid it on a doubled over section of anchor line. Had a knot keeping it in place in back, and a downrigger clip in front (so it could be adjusted up and down the line). I then took the back of that rig and tied it onto my 65-lb mainline. Really can't get stronger than that! On the front end I tied a section of 25lb test "safety" line, so that if a hook or sinker gets snagged, I can easily pull off, breaking the 25lb test and recovering the camera rig. Below the safety like is an 8oz ball singer that balanced out the bouyant camera nicely. And below that - a 80# leader with 2 10/0 barbless hooks for my 12" greenling bait.

Got alot of hookups, maybe 7 or 8, but only managed to get one to the boat. It was good times, especially learning about the habitat of the spot I fish so frequently. I spent hours looking at the footage.

Not sure why the main camera is aimed at my chin. That kinda bums me out. But whatever.

Sorry a bout the wind noise. The Playsport mic sucks. I gotta try to find a fix for that.


(didn't end up going with the flashlight - there is enough natural light in daytime down to 40 ft.)

That is soooo bad ass!!  Mind = blown
Nice work!

Wow, I mean really WOW!  That was absolutely amazing.  I saw in one shot where there were like 3 lings just hanging out on the bottom.

Bravo!!!

Extraordinary combination of insight, skill, and passion for the hobby!

Fricken cool!!

Nice piece of work! loved the video and the design.  Cant say I would of sent one of those down there but you sure did a fine job of insuring your recovery. 

Sweet video.  How deep were you fishing there?

That is F'n sweet.

Way cool that would be so usefull in so many types of water. Nice ling by the way.

Wow! That was unbelievable! If there is an award for coolest post of the year then gentlemen we have a winner.

Dude!

You have seriously outdone yourself this time.  That was baaaad ass!

-Spot-

Thanks, gents.  I thought you might enjoy that.

Sweet video.  How deep were you fishing there?

It was about 40 or 45 feet.

Awesome work. That first strike was crazy

You are brave to lower a GoPro into Davy Jones' locker, but it sure looked sweet.

I'm inspired.  That was super cool.  Was there much trial and error setting up the rig or did things go right on the first try? 

Best Video yet!!!   

I've been toying with attaching a gopro to the underside of a jet diver when back trolling for salmon/steelhead... Time to hit the workbench!