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This instructable shows how to adapt the GoPro Hero2 camera to fit on a large fishing lure (or jigger) so that you can observe the fish that are within range and also see the action during the catch.  There is a limited time opportunity to fish for cod in my area so I wanted to take advantage of the schedule to get all the information that I could. I decided to try the "flat adhesive mount" that was supplied with the camera. The "curved adhesive mount" would probably work as well but which to select  depends on the shape of the lure used.  The Hero2 is rated down to 197 feet (60 meters) but I didn't want to push it for this try so I rigged my reel with about 130 feet of line.  Fortunately the line was long enough for the area we fished in (see the video below). My only previous experience with the Hero2 camera was to mount it on a wooded stick to observe trout in my small backyard pond.  I did a video of that and posted it on youtube at this url:  http://youtu.be/PkegTS7decE

The procedure to adapt the mount to the lure has been recreated in the following steps.  I used my drill press to make the holes and to countersink but a hand drill would work just as well. 

Keep in mind that there is a fair risk that the camera and lure could be lost if you run into a big fish or if you get a serious snag.

The video below shows my experience with the camera on the lure (aka Cod Cam).  Not shown is when the hook was torn free of the lure when the split ring (connects the hook to the lure body)  allowed the fish to twist the hook free.  (I might get to make a separate video later showing that action.)
 
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Tim Temple says: Aug 3, 2012. 12:50 PM
It is the poor man's sonar. Set a timer for when you push the button on the camera. Log the time at each ten feet you let the camera down. Pull it back up and put the CD in the computer. See where the fish are at a certain time. Translate that to feet below the surface. Fish at that depth until you get your limit.

It was funny watching those stupid fish hitting on the camera!
dougalh in reply to Tim TempleAug 14, 2012. 3:39 AM
Or you could get a wifi backpack then watch it live on your iphone?
cdroman in reply to dougalhFeb 13, 2013. 10:45 AM
WiFi doesn't work underwater. Checked. Even if you submerse the cam 1 inch, the signal is lost on your phone. (picture froze).
rhysendicott in reply to dougalhAug 17, 2012. 7:12 PM
WiFi uses the same frequency so the water so signal would be blocked and it would not work.
nlinventor (author) in reply to rhysendicottAug 18, 2012. 3:14 AM
rhysendicott - that confirms my thoughts on wifi through water.
nlinventor (author) in reply to dougalhAug 14, 2012. 4:19 AM
dougalh - kind of doubt that the wifi would work through water.
potatomansoup says: Feb 6, 2013. 2:45 AM
WOWOOWOW
Super cool
nlinventor (author) in reply to potatomansoupFeb 6, 2013. 4:00 AM
Summer is not that far away :)
bobthebuilder728 says: Feb 5, 2013. 7:20 PM
That is really cool!!!
nlinventor (author) in reply to bobthebuilder728Feb 6, 2013. 2:45 AM
Thanks :)
bigflash1 says: Aug 2, 2012. 8:33 AM
Awesome idea! Get the underwater case for your GoPro, the quality of video is way better with it.

nlinventor (author) in reply to bigflash1Dec 17, 2012. 3:11 AM
bigflash1 - The camera was in the underwater case (that came with the camera) for all of the video shown. Are you talking about a different underwater case that I am not aware?
bigflash1 in reply to nlinventorDec 18, 2012. 6:34 AM
Yes, GoPro makes a great new (I say new, it's been out for almost a year now) case that makes the video / pictures under water much more clear. Take a look at http://gopro.com/hd-hero-accessories/dive-housing.
nlinventor (author) in reply to bigflash1Dec 18, 2012. 8:12 AM
Thanks bigflash1 I didn't know about the new housing. Got to give a holiday gift hint now :)
Microbe says: Aug 2, 2012. 2:01 PM
Great idea.

Could we please borrow it to try to find a GoPro that is lying at the bottom of the ocean after the attachment broke while videoing dolphins around a moving boat :P
nlinventor (author) in reply to MicrobeAug 3, 2012. 2:19 AM
Microbe - what kind of attachment were you using?
Microbe in reply to nlinventorAug 3, 2012. 2:22 AM
It wasn't actually me or mine, my good mate was using it with http://gopro.com/camera-mounts/handlebar-seatpost-mount/
static says: Aug 2, 2012. 9:32 PM
This coulf nr something Heater LeCroix could use in making her YouTube videos
agis68 says: Aug 2, 2012. 9:44 AM
a true horror movie !!! should be prohibited by authorities......LOL
nlinventor (author) in reply to agis68Aug 2, 2012. 10:12 AM
agis68 - it's a reality check for sure!
agis68 in reply to nlinventorAug 2, 2012. 4:00 PM
I bet !!!
vincent7520 says: Aug 2, 2012. 7:30 AM
Holly mackerel (if I may say so) !…

This is unfair fishing !…

(or did I miss something ?…)
nlinventor (author) in reply to vincent7520Aug 2, 2012. 8:44 AM
vincent7520 - check my reply to shaune23 below.
vincent7520 in reply to nlinventorAug 2, 2012. 1:23 PM
Oh !... OK I was a little too quick on that one.
Sorry.
But then again it may give you an idea for improvement !!! LOL
shaune23 in reply to vincent7520Aug 2, 2012. 8:21 AM
I'm assuming there isn't a live feed of what the camera sees.
nlinventor (author) in reply to shaune23Dec 17, 2012. 3:13 AM
shaune23 - No live feed, the camera does not even have a viewfinder or lcd screen. You have to take out the SD card or connect the camera to the computer to see what you captured.
nlinventor (author) in reply to shaune23Aug 2, 2012. 8:43 AM
shaune23 - no live feed and no means of viewing what you captured directly using the camera. You have to remove the SD card and read it on a computer or else connect the camera to a computer via USB to see what you have. No viewfinder even.
freeza36 in reply to nlinventorDec 29, 2012. 1:59 PM
I think they sell a digital screen that attaches to the camera now..
nlinventor (author) in reply to freeza36Dec 29, 2012. 2:18 PM
freeza36 - Interesting, must check it out, thanks!
freeza36 in reply to nlinventorDec 31, 2012. 11:50 AM
Sure! I just got a GoPro and I cant wait to take it up to the mountains. I plan to put it in a small stream and capture some brook trout swimming by.
mister_jerry says: Aug 2, 2012. 1:19 PM
Needless to say, but I'm very impressed!
bajablue says: Aug 2, 2012. 12:49 PM
This is freaking AWESOME!

Just keep your gps on and your dive gear handy! ;-D

FANTASTIC WORK nlinventor!!!
lud100 says: Aug 2, 2012. 12:36 PM
Sick.
onrust says: Aug 2, 2012. 12:33 PM
Brilliant ....and long live your quotas!
fixitbear says: Aug 2, 2012. 11:40 AM
This video is abolutely crazy! I wish my Dad was still with us to see it. Great video and great fun! Really cool idea. And those fillets will be tasty I'm sure.
nlinventor (author) in reply to fixitbearAug 2, 2012. 12:05 PM
fixitbear - Thanks and yes the fillets are delicious!
BrandonZV says: Aug 2, 2012. 10:50 AM
It looks like you have some sort of flash on the camera when you catch the fish. What's with that? Just glare from the sun shining through the water? I am curious as to how you got everything so bright in general.
nlinventor (author) in reply to BrandonZVAug 2, 2012. 12:04 PM
BrandonZV - no flash or artificial lighting used. It was a sunny day and, to my surprise too, Hero2 did a real good job even when the camera was 100 + feet down. But, we have very clean, and obviously, clear, water here off Newfoundland.
pomroy says: Aug 2, 2012. 9:09 AM
Fellow Newfie, commending you on your ingenuity. Quite the cool idea haha, good luck filling your quota :P
nlinventor (author) in reply to pomroyAug 2, 2012. 10:11 AM
pomroy - we had no problem getting our quotas, we actually took less than allowed. Thanks!
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