Best GoPro for Fishing — Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Best GoPro for Fishing

Who does not want to capture the moments and the joy of making a catch as an angler or a fisherman? Everyone does, right?

While waterproof cameras can be a little heavy, bulky and expensive, GoPro is a perfect device to capture your best moments and make memories.

Even if you are water for something more than just snagging that big fish, a GoPro is a way to seize every moment and make those moments epic.

Small, compact and easy to carry, I always take them along, and this is my regular gear I take with me when to kayak fishing.

Well, you can either carry a heavy camera or get one of these five best GoPro for fishing to make your adventure in the wild a thrilling one.

​Best GoPro For Fishing (Top Picks)

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Why do I need a fishing GoPro?

It seems nowadays everyone wants the best quality camera, but a lot of those cameras aren’t up to par.

Either the video footage is wobbly, or out of focus or in the most embracing moments, shot at the wrong angle.

A GoPro is an HD waterproof video recording device that is gaining a lot of popularly because of its small and compact nature.

With GoPro, you can rest assure knowing that the device will remain steady and true for every shot you take.

It is also more than just a family camera and is becoming a way of life by providing high-quality videos that you can share with your friends and family.

Every person who practices extreme sports or travels to exotic destinations should own a GoPro and I know you’ve always wanted to have something just like that.

When it comes to kayak fishing trips, a GoPro will set you apart from the others and allow you to capture every moment from beginning to end.

You can quickly set up the device manually or use one the of built-in apps that allow you to control the camera right from your phone.

Technology has changed from single shot images, and a fishing GoPro will help you to explore and experience your world in a whole new way.

Things to consider​

As GoPro are a great gear to bring along when going out on a kayak fishing trip, there are several things you need to keep your eye on when selecting a brand and picking up a product.

A GoPro camera can be a bit intimidating when you first get it, and there are a lot of different features that an action camera offers that others don’t.

But don’t fret, here are a few tips to get you started filming amazing videos and capturing your favorite moments in no time.​

Resolution

You surely don’t want a camera that will be out of focus or one that won’t capture high-quality images. Though there are a few handheld GPS with an inbuilt camera, the quality is not that great, which makes GoPro worth spending for.

You want a camera that has a high-resolution so that when you pull your fish out, it will be able to capture the water droplets dripping from the fish and the fight in the fish’s eyes.

The better the resolution, the better the shot and so you should aim to get a camera that offers a resolution from 1280 x 720 pixels (HD) to 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K)​.

FPS​

Resolution isn’t all you should look for, and you also need to see what the frames per second (FPS) is for the camera.

The higher the FPS is, the better the shots will be and the smoother the video will be.

Some of the best cameras will offer 120 frames per second, but ones that come with 60 FPS is enough for all your fishing photos and videos.

Angle view​

The next thing you should look for when purchasing a fishing GoPro is the angle view of the camera.

Most cameras come with an angle of 90 degrees, 127 degrees, and 170 degrees.

The importance of the cameras angle makes a world of difference to the videos and photos you capture. It isn’t about the shot, but how a person perceives it, and the camera angle will give you that perspective.

Just to give you an idea of what these camera angles are, a shot filmed at 170 degrees gives you the “fish eye” lens to capture stunning wide images and footage.

The 90 degrees angle offers you a narrow field of view to center on the fight while reeling in your fish.

The sky truly is the limit when it comes what you can capture with a GoPro cameras.​

Memory and storage​

What if your GoPro storage memory drains out when you are fighting to make your best catch? That’s saddening, right?

When it comes to the memory of the camera, you should opt to get a memory card of at least 32G storage/memory space.

Any card lower than 32G will require you to change every 30 to 45 minutes or so due to the amount of regular footage you record.

With 32G you will be able to record for longer, sometimes even up to 3 hours and 21 minutes as long as you stick with the resolution of 720 and frame rate of 60.​

Battery​

The final tip is to be aware of your battery life.

When you are fishing for a day, you want a camera that is ready and is charged so that you can catch that shot.

You should think about getting a GoPro that either allows you to plug a to a power source so you don’t need to worry about how much time is remaining, or buy extra batteries that you can easily slip in and keep going.

Remember that the higher the resolution of your videos, the more battery power it will need.

Reviews of the Best GoPro for Fishing

Sure, you don’t have to get a GoPro or action camera and can go out on the water and snap photos, but why would you want a boring image when you can GoPro and amaze your friends and family?

GoPro cameras pull you back into the experience and let you relive the moment in a high-quality definition.

Don’t settle for just a regular shot, get a GoPro camera for fishing and attach it to your line or below the kayak so that you can get an amazing print of your recording.

1. GoPro Hero4 Black

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The Hero4 Black GoPro camera offers a resolution of 720p, 1080p or 2160p, and a SuperView 4K recording for super high-quality videos.

The viewing angle is 170 degrees and features a built-in WiFi and Blue tooth along with the GoPro Smart Remote app for controlling several GoPro cameras within 600 feet.

If you want to capture a shot of the fish coming up from the depths and reeled into the kayak, this probably is the best GoPro you are looking for.

The Hero4 Black offers ultra wide, medium and narrow field of view to help you capture the full impact of your surroundings and target.

Protected with a shock-resistant housing that will protect your camera from dust and is waterproof up to 400 meters, the Hero4 allows you to seize the moments with different video formats of your choice.

It also allows you to capture photos, videos, night lapse up to 30 seconds, time lapse from 0.5 seconds to one minute and features a burst mode of 30 frames per second.

You can even use this recording device in dim lighting and still capture the ultimate footage, which I particularly love about this product.

Though it does not have a touch display, the Hero4 gives the best quality footage you could ever want while also capturing audio.

The camera comes with loads of mounts for all your fishing needs, which means that you can mount this camera on your deck, hull or a rod specifically used for the camera.

It can record HD videos with a maximum shooting speed that will reach 240 FPS (frames per second) and loop your video over and over again. 

Features I like​

  • Amazing picture quality at 4K.
  • More image control.
  • Ability to capture at high quality frames.
  • Best quality footage even in dim light.
  • 12 megapixel camera and photos at burst speed of 30fps.

2. GoPro Hero4 Session

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The HERO4 Session GoPro has a resolution of the basic 720p, 1080p, and 1440p that produces amazingly high definition videos.

With a battery life of about 90 minutes when recorded regularly, this GoPro camera can be set to capture photos, videos at a superView with 4:3 aspect ratio.

I particularly like the Burst mode 10FPS and Time Lapse mode of 0.5 seconds to one minute, which surely adds an amazing feature to this fishing GoPro.

The viewing angle is 130 degrees and as this device features a built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, data transfer is so easy.

The Hero4 session is also compatible with iOS and Android devices making it one of the handiest GoPros for fishing in your list.

Protected with a shock-resistant body that is also waterproof for up to 10 meters, it is extremely durable and worth spending money for.

The downside to the HERO4 Session camera is the fact that you can’t replace the 1000mAh lithium-ion battery. Once the battery is dead, it will need to be placed on the charger to power back up. 

You won’t be able to snap pictures at the same time as filming, it is either one or the other and not both. This still is not much of a problem as you can snap pictures from the videos once you get back to your computer and why not? The videos are in high definition.

The Hero4 also offers a field of view that is either ultra-wide or medium. Unlike the general Hero4 that allows for a narrow field of view, you can still snap and film that catch and take home the prize fish while releasing it back to the wild.

It also comes with two microphones so that you are crystal clear no matter what your surrounding are. It can automatically adjust the camera orientation so you won’t have to worry about manually adjusting the camera or edit your videos later.

Features I like​

  • Small, lightweight and rugged without housing.
  • Dual mic for better audio quality.
  • Good video and image quality.
  • Compatible with most GoPro mounts.
  • Pro-tune options to auto adjust different parameters.

3. DBPower Waterproof Action Camera

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The DBPower GoPro camera is waterproof and has a resolution of 720p and 1080p.

It has a battery life of about 90 minutes when fully charged and on continuous use which makes it a great piece of gear compared to other fishing GoPro.

Inexpensive and durable, you can capture photos, videos, Time Lapse and Burst mode with the DBPower at 170 degrees and 4x optical zoom.

It has a built-in WiFi, G-Sensor, HDR, motion sensor and can charge while filming, which is probably the best feature that it has.  

The DBPOWER also offers a webcam and displays the time and date in your videos so that you know the exact moment you caught the “big one.”

This action camera comes with a shock-resistant case that will protect it from dust and other particles and is waterproof up to 30 meters, making it extremely durable and long-lasting.

Unlike the other cameras listed, the DBPower has a 1.5-inch LCD display for you to watch the moment over again and brag to all your buddies.

The casing can be somewhat of a pain and may cause frustration when watching your video as the volume will be diminished quite a bit. This can be reduced with proper adjustments, though.

It also comes with two batteries, so the fun doesn’t have to stop when one battery gets low. Simply replace the battery and keep on fishing.

This action camera also makes for a great surveillance camera and can be used on the deck of your fishing kayak should you want to capture your trip out to your favorite spot.

Features I like​

  • Good screen resolution and 4x optical zoom.
  • Shock-resistant case, waterproof and durable.
  • High quality LCD display.
  • Two batteries to power for long durations.
  • In-built Wi-Fi, G-Sensor and motion sensor.

4. Polaroid Cube Action Video Camera

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The Polaroid Cube GoPro has a resolution of 720p and 1080p just like most other action cameras.

With the Cube, you can only capture photos and videos with a viewing angle of 124 degrees.

It doesn’t offer much protection but is waterproof up to 2 meters and lasts for about 90 minutes when used continuously.

The best thing to do will be to get a waterproof case for the Cube so that it can withstand 10 meters underwater and last longer.

One of the unique features is the built-in magnet that allows you to mount the camera on any metal surface.

This feature allows you to mount the camera to your seat or a rod that is specifically used for the camera.

The Cube doesn’t come with extra batteries, and you can’t remove the battery to replace with a new one, which might be bothersome when you don’t have a backup ready.

The resolution of the photos the Cube captures resembles that of those taken with a smartphone, so it is familiar and provides high-quality images.

The amazing thing is how lightweight this camera is as it only weighs 45 grams. It’s so lightweight you might even forget where you placed it!

Features I like​

  • Easily mountable on any metal surface.
  • Compact and extremely lightweight.
  • Inexpensive compared to other fishing GoPro.
  • Replaceable battery.
  • Easy to use.

5. GoPro Hero

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A reasonably affordable and budget GoPro, despite not being a bang for your buck.

Offering screen resolution of 720p and 1080p, the camera lasts for about 140 minutes when used continuously. This is a bit longer than other action cameras.

With the HERO you can capture photos, videos at a burst mode of 5 frames per second and time lapse of 0.5 seconds.

The camera angle is 170 degree and has a shock-resistant case that is also waterproof up to 40 meters.

The battery life is exceptional and longer than any of the cameras reviewed which makes it a great choice for anglers.

The HERO offers a skeleton backdoor and flat adhesive mount along with a curved adhesive mount. It also has a quick release button, so you don’t have to fumble with the camera while getting it off the mount.

With rugged housing and skeleton door, the sound quality reaches to the built-in mic  easily without disturbances.​

Shooting options are barebones and if you are going out specially during the day, it’s perfect to take along. Even if in the dark, the camera has an auto low-light feature that reduces the chances of distorted or blur images.

Features I like​

  • Integrated, permanent and rugged housing.
  • Direct playback from camera to any screen.
  • Auto low-light feature to adjust in dim light.
  • Inexpensive and budget action camera.
  • Longer battery life.

The Verdict

GoPro is continually raising the bar for cameras, and they are easy to use to get you looking like a pro with every shot.

And just like a regular camera, you will want to play around with the settings and find one that best suits your needs. I particularly like the GoPro Hero4 because it is robust, extremely durable and works great even at greater depths.

No matter what you are filming or the images you capture, the point is to have fun. Make your pick and have a great adventure out in the wild.

Last update on 2024-03-28 at 03:38 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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