GoPro Downrigger Ball Mount: Lake Testing Complete

[h20hunter]

So...I'm soon to be buying a GoPro and have began a list of things to use it for. Snowboarding, bow hunting, diving....and downrigger fishing. On YouTube you can find various clips showing the flasher and lure as well as fish striking. I think this would cool as cucumbers to see what is going on with my gear. How different leader lenghts and line weights affect lure action. Are fish short striking? Following? All kinds of hands on. How about crabbing....are they getting out? What kind of life is out there compared to what you are getting in the pot? Endless really.

So...here is my idea for a mount on the fin of the ball. The "legs" of the camera case are 3mm...the gap is 3.5mm. I've got about a square foot of 1/2 inch thick plastic board that is very strong. The idea is to slide it over the fin, run two bolts, and a singe bolt through the "W" at the top creating a secure mount. Then, it is just a matter of playing around to see what angle you need to tilt it to capture the action with X amount of distance from camer to gear.

[hogslayer]

I have a contour camera that has a waterproof case and I just electrical tape in onto the fin of the Downrigger ball and have an emergency line attached to the swivel.   It works really good.  I got some nice videos down at Westport last year.

[h20hunter]

Is that the longer skinny one? I agree on the safety tether....that is a lot of $$$ to consider losing to tape or sloppy rigging.

Got links? Youtube? How far back was your gear visible from the camera? How deep on a good day did you have enough light? Was it hard to angle the camera to see the gear? Details details!

[h20hunter]

This is what I'm after....

Underwater salmon Trolling wild Action GoPro

[Becky]

That video is cool, don't forget to get the dive housing for your GoPro when you get it. Makes a huuuuge difference.

[h20hunter]

The "silver" comes with it.....I'll keep you and the Mr posted...I was going to ask him to work on this for me but in the mean time I've got a slap of material and a plan of attack.

[Becky]

The "silver" comes with it.....I'll keep you and the Mr posted...I was going to ask him to work on this for me but in the mean time I've got a slap of material and a plan of attack.

I wasn't sure which one you decided on yea can't wait to see videos and such. He tried out the dive housing on our hike for the first time yesterday and it was pretty neat, CRYSTAL clear underwater, he taped this underground spring we found and some baby salmon out of a hatchery. Random stuff, looked cool though lol.

[whacker1]

h2o, does anyone sell this kind of thing commercially?

[h20hunter]

I don't think so. I've spent most of my day so far looking around on the web. Can't find anything so far. I've bought a 12 x 12 scrap piece of material for $2.25. Gonna use the dremel and cut out a rough test piece and check it for strenght.

[whacker1]

How are fishing shows getting underwater footage, using a go pro on the end of a wand perhaps?  Or are they using different types of cameras?

[h20hunter]

You can get underwater housings....shaped like a torpedo for faster trolling in blue water. For salmon fishing going much slower there really is no need for something that reduces drag. The trick will be to get enough light to see the action and at what angle do you need the camera to see the lure with X feet of line between release and lure. I've got a little lake close to home to experiment with.

[wildmanoutdoors]

I think drag will be a factor even with slower speeds. Your adding a fair amount of surface area. I have fish shaped downrigger weights and round balls with the fin.
At Midchannel we tested them. The fish shape hit bottom at 106 or so in 100 feet of water. The Round balls were near 116.
Currents on bottom arnt always the same as on top. But I believe your a diver so you know this.

I also think you will have problems tunning them to swim correct and not vear into the boat or out away to much. They may even swivel 90 degrees or back and forth unless you run your release clip from the ball itself. (Which I dont)

They will also tilt the cam back. So you will have a heck of a time if the current/speed is slow vs fast I think.

Id look to a "T" style build. Say 16 ga stainless with a 16 ga top.

[h20hunter]

Some good points....The current GoPro are very small....much less than the facing part of the rigger ball. My hope is that with it centered properly I dont' get spin. Gonna be an interesting experience...thanks for the advice.

Also, just occured to me....I bet I could fastion a "V" that would sit in front of the cam...on top of the ball....that would greatly cut down on the drag.

[Smossy]

Here's what Ive came up with so far bro. Super prototype.
I think it would be a good place to start. Small clamp on lamp, Metal Housing preferably.
The O ring on the back will need to be somehow designed so that it can be secured at X height. Maybe just use wire clamps on top/bottom of where you want placement. It will allow for low drag, Torpedo style trolling, With still being able to aim the camera up/down inside of the housing. Can even do a white bottom/black or dark blue top to reduce chance of being spotted by trolling fish.
Kinda like a great white shark.
Add a fin to the bottom, add a long narrow weight on the inside of the housing on the bottom to reduce wobble and keep the camera centered, basically a counter weight. Could even add a secondary attachment line on the bottom of the housing down to the downrigger to keep it centered and facing upright. Maybe add a fin. on top and bottom with a weight, I imagine that should work to. Well have to play and start testing.


PM me with any further ideas, drawings, etc.

[mallard79]

I am going to build one like this to try to get some kokanee footwge up on Lake Stevens soon.