So you want to buy a camera to record your bass fishing adventures? I was in your exact position a few months ago so I went out and did some extensive research for which camera to buy for bass fishing. Here are the results.
In short, the GoPro Hero 5 Black (Link to Check Price on Amazon) is the best choice for recording bass fishing. It’s reasonably priced and carries the dependability that the GoPro brand has built for itself. The Hero 5 Black records great quality at a manageable frame rate for its price.
GoPro has been a leading brand in the photography industry for many years now and their cameras have shown great durability as well as high-quality footage as a part of the bass fishing industry. Some of the high-end GoPros are more suitable and can film at higher frame rates than the Hero 5 Black but if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, the Hero 5 Black is the way to go.
Why I chose the GoPro Hero 5 Black
The GoPro Hero 5 Black was my first choice for bass fishing for a few very specific reasons.
The first is that the Hero 5 has advanced capabilities such as being able to capture 120 FPS (frames-per-second) while still recording 1080p quality. I feel like this feature is important especially when it comes to bass fishing because many times I’ll find myself wanting to capture slow-motion videos. Filming at 60 FPS just doesn’t suffice when recording slow-motion so I like to bump it up to 120 FPS on these occasions.
The second reason has to do with the camera’s touch screen. Before purchasing the camera, the touch screen seemed like an unnecessary bonus. After using the camera extensively for months now as a part of my YouTube channel, I’ve come to realize that the touch screen makes things a MILLION times easier when operating your Hero 5. It’s definitely not a necessity but if at all possible, a touch screen on your action camera certainly makes filming your bass fishing adventures a whole lot easier.
The third and most important reason for recommending the GoPro Hero 5 Black is the price. Most digital camera companies nowadays are charging $350 plus for their high-end cameras but the Hero 5 Black price is extremely reasonable and is going to provide you with all of the most important features that you’ll need to record your bass fishing.
Action Camera Brands to Keep in Mind
- GoPro
GoPro has undoubtedly been the leader in action cameras since the demand for the little cameras began and they continue to put out new and improved high-quality cameras.
- Vivitar
Vivitar makes great beginner cameras and has a great line if you’re just getting started with videography.
- Garmin
Garmin has a great lineup of extremely high-quality cameras like the Garmin Virb XE which is one of the hottest new cameras on the market.
- Sony
Sony’s cameras are top of the line and have great quality as well as great stabilization and compete with GoPro in almost all of those categories.
- Yi
Yi is a Chinese company that has high-quality cameras for a great price such as the Yi 4K+ action camera.
- Akaso is another great beginner brand and the EK7000 is a phenomenal camera if you’re just beginning to record your bass fishing adventures.
If You Have the Budget…
The Hero 5 Black is an extremely budget friendly option that’s a great choice if you’re just getting started. That being said, buying a higher-end camera even if it’s for a higher price can pay off in the long run if you’re looking to shoot videos full time. Here’s my choice for a high-end option for a bass fishing camera.
GoPro recently came out with the GoPro Hero 8 Black (click here to check the price on Amazon) which has set a new standard in the world of digital action cameras. I’m telling you first hand, don’t click here if you’re trying to resist buying this camera.
I’ll go through the features and why they are so groundbreaking below.
- HyperSmooth 2.0
The Hero 8 Black has three levels of stabilization; On, High, and Boost. You have the option of getting the widest views or use the boost option to get the smoothest footage ever in a HERO model camera. You’re not limited at all for Boost as you can use it in all different frame rates and resolutions.
- New Mounting Design
The new mounting design for the camera takes away the stress of carrying around different mounts for your camera. There are two folding fingers at the base of the camera so that you can switch out your mounts more efficiently which can save precious time on the water.
- Great Modification Options
The Hero 8 also has “mods” (sold seperately) such as the Media Mod. Media Mod allows you to have shotgun-mic abilities and also lets you attach the Light Mod and Display Mod to increase video quality and help when you’re filming by yourself.
- Live Stream Abilities
THIS IS HUGE. You can now live stream in 1080p on various social media platforms while still utilizing HyperSmooth technology. We all know how big social media is in bass fishing and being able to live stream your footage straight from the water is going to be a huge step for bass fishing.
- TimeWarp 2.0
TimeWarp 2.0 allows you to record stabilized time lapse videos while on the water. You can adjust the speed of the time lapse based on motion, lighting, and scene specific detection. You can even slow it down in real time and then just tap if you’re ready to speed the time lapse back up.
- Lightweight
The Hero 8 is 14% lighter than previous HERO models which doesn’t seem like much but every little ounce counts when out on the water and you’re barely going to notice a camera that weighs a mere 4.4 ounces.
- 4K 60 Option
Although this was already an option for the Hero 7 Black, having the ability to film in 60 FPS while still maintaining 4K resolution has never before been possible while also utilizing HyperSmooth 2.0. These improved settings are going to produce some of the smoothest content we’ve ever seen.
Features to Look for in a High-Quality Camera for Bass Fishing
- High FPS
Like I discussed earlier, a high frame-rate is important for capturing slow-motion footage which will be a desire when bass fishing.
- Touch Screen
A touch screen isn’t essential but it definitely makes things easier when on the water.
- Waterproof
Most cameras come with waterproof casing but the GoPros are waterproof without a case. Putting on casing can seriously muffle your sound but the Hero 5 is waterproof by itself yet the sound still comes through fine
- Shockproof
Most cameras you find will be shockproof but it’s good to make sure of this before purchasing one.
- Different Mount Possibilities
Your camera should be able to mount at multiple angles such as on your chest, hat, and fixed angle (eg. your boat).
- Good Microphone System with Wind Noise Reduction
Your going to want to hear what your saying when playing back your videos so make sure your camera has a high-quality microphone system with wind noise reduction like the Hero 5 Black.
- Wide-Angle Capabilities
Filming at a wide-angle will ensure that you get the full view of your fishing surroundings. Make sure that your camera is able to film at a wide-angle point of view before purchasing.
- Long Battery Life or Rechargeable Batteries
Be sure to research how long your camera’s battery will last and if rechargeable batteries are an option. If not, you may want to be investing time researching different options.
- Motion Stabilization
Fishing is a very physical sport so ensuring that your camera comes equipped with motion stabilization will guarantee the smoothest footage possible.
What About the High-End Cameras?
There’s definitely something to be said for higher-end cameras such as the new GoPro Hero 8 Black (Link to check price on Amazon). There are three specific reasons why higher-end cameras can be worth the price.
Number one is the fact that they film at a higher frame-rate while continuing to film at a high-quality. The number one thing that I wish the Hero 5 Black had the capability of is filming in 4K while still maintaining at least a frame-rate of 60 FPS. The higher-tier GoPros can film at these high-rates which honestly just provides you with better footage. Period.
The second reason is the audio quality. As is with anything, as products get newer, they get more advanced. The same is true when it comes to GoPros and their audio quality.
Mounting Options for Bass Fishing
- Chest Mount
A chest mount is a great first-person mount that provides stable footage when bass fishing in rough water. Here’s a link to check the latest pricing on a chest mount for your action camera.
- Powered GoPro Mount
Game Changer. You can now purchase the AquaStickPOWER by YOLOtek (Link to check the current price on Amazon) which will keep your camera powered all day using the power from your boat. You’ll no longer have to worry about charging your camera throughout a fishing day.
Here’s a picture of the angle that the YOLOtek will give you.
- Rod Mount
This mount is just simply exotic. You can now mount your GoPro to the actual rod you’re fishing with the Rod Mount by GoPro. If you’re looking for a different angle than what everyone else is using, this is a great choice for you.
- Head Strap
The head strap/hat mount is another great first-person option that makes viewers feel like they’re fishing right there with you in the moment. The only downside is natural head movement may make the footage very unstable.
- Suction Mount
A suction mount is a great mount to capture the cast, hookset, and fish catch entirely on film and then also get great pictures like the one below of you holding up your catch of the day on the front deck.
- Clamp Mount
The Jaws Clamp by GoPro is a mount that you can pretty much put anywhere in any fishing situation to achieve stabilized footage from pretty much any angle you can imagine.
Conclusion
If you go ahead and follow the specific guidelines above when choosing your action camera for bass fishing, you should be able to find a camera that’s right for you.
You can also use the list above to help you pick out the right mount for whatever bass fishing situation that you’re in.
