Five reasons why (hook-less) camera angling is fun
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Without an underwater view you sometimes go home empty handed, no catch, no release, no bbq. But you never know, you may have caught some action on camera. I enjoy reviewing some footage (as tedious as it can be at times) and then be surprised by a sneaky fish face.
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No hooks means less risk to get snagged. You do not waste money, do not pollute the environment, and do not harm any fish. A win-win for everyone involved in the game of camera angling. And it is also safer for yourself and your angling buddies: no hooks can unexpectedly cross-fire….
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Deploying an underwater camera without “extracting” an organism, legally means you are not fishing and are in most cases free to “fish for footage” in places where others can’t go. I checked with a legal department in Belgium and got the green light. But before you turn into a guerilla camera angler, please check with your local authority.
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Combining diving with angling - getting thrilled without getting wet. There is also a thrill element to it. You do not know what you caught. Arguably, there is less fight time involved, as you “only” reel in a camera after a bite or nibble and not an animal that is trying to evade predation in agony.
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And the best thing: if you got lucky and caught an underwater trophy shot, you can review it as many times as you like, share and upload it. A memory well kept.
Experience it for yourself - it may not be the same than real angling, but still a ton of fun, animal-friendly, and relaxing way to chill in the great outdoors.