8 replies to this topic

[centrarchid]

I have been trying to do this for years and now have a GoPro to make job easier.  At work I have a pond being managed to stay clear for Black Crappie and a field site may actually have Flier nests in a location I can get to and that is also naturally clear this year (for once).  Being a biggin, I need some sort of float that will enable to cruise water surface with mask and snorkel while creating minimal disturbance as floating about.  I have some nice styro-foam insulation sheets that may be suitable for the task.

 

 

[Matt DeLaVega]

That is a good idea. If you use the 2 inch thick foam boards, you could cut a viewing hole in them and silicone on a piece of glass or acrylic. Might not need a mask or snorkel at all. Depends on the bouyancy I suppose.

[centrarchid]

I am a biggin.

[Michael Wolfe]

no offense, as I am no small load myself... but that actually makes us more floaty, right?  When I have on my wetsuit, I could not get to the bottom if I wanted to for more than a a second or two.  Avoid the fins and got with the wetsuit.  The buoyancy will help and you can sneak up on the nest and post your camera.right near the nest, and then just paddle away (hands only). 

[Matt DeLaVega]

Have you got a photo of your Gopro camera monopod that you use for this Michael?

[centrarchid]

I also sink more than average.  Wet suit will be worn but even with that I ride too low in the water.  Legs go to bottom at very least mucking everything up.  If I exhale I can sink.

[Michael Wolfe]

Have you got a photo of your Gopro camera monopod that you use for this Michael?

Good question but I think I only take pictures with it, not of it!😎

But I should do that. Should also post threads best video from the Florida trip.

[Isaac Szabo]

You might consider a cheap inflatable lounge mat (maybe backwards if it has a thick headrest) or perhaps a foam bodyboard. It would be neat to see photos/video of nesting crappie or flier. I haven't observed either of those species nesting yet.

Here's a photo of Michael snorkeling with his GoPro polecam:

[Michael Wolfe]

Photographic evidence that chubby dudes float!

That is my GoPro with a bicycle handlebar mount but mounted to a wooden broom handle. I also sometime mount it to a ten inch piece of PVC about the same diameter. You can see the camera hangs upside down (but the camera can be set for that). This makes the whole thing more stable. And with the shorter PVC piece I can sometime jam it into the substrate for a shot on a chub nest or like what you are talking about.