Three seconds underwater can decide whether a bite happens or not. A colorful squid-style lure moves rapidly above the seabed, speeding up and stopping with the current, stirring up a small cloud of sand. A few seconds later, a summer flounder (Fluke) appears from the shadows. Instead of attacking immediately, it follows the lure along the bottom, watches the movement, and then suddenly turns and strikes from below. The angler on the boat cannot see any of this happening, but the underwater camera records every second before the attack.
For most anglers, the most exciting moment is when the rod loads up, the line tightens, and the fight begins. But the decision behind a strike is often made before that moment. During a summer flounder trip in Long Island Sound, experienced saltwater angler John Skinner brought CHASING CanFish Fishing CamX on board. He was not only looking for fish — he wanted to answer a question anglers have always wondered:
What does a fish actually see when a lure enters the water?
Watch John Skinner Fishing’s original video: https://youtu.be/PEQhQfLXR_k?si=tC5JSqun1EmAwKgg
Even 28 Years of Experience Cannot Reveal Everything Underwater
John Skinner chose an area in the eastern Long Island Sound that he had fished for 28 years. Years of experience helped him understand the current, structure, and movement patterns of fish in this area. But even with decades on the water, there was still one thing experience alone could not answer: what happens after the lure disappears below the surface?
For this Fluke trip, John used a classic setup with a bucktail jig, teaser, and soft plastic lure, drifting near the bottom to search for summer flounder. For bottom-dwelling fish like Fluke, small details matter. The distance between the lure and the seabed, the movement of the presentation, and whether the lure passes through the right feeding zone can all determine whether a strike happens.
In the past, these details could only be guessed. This time, the underwater fishing camera captured the answer.
Seeing a Fluke Attack a Lure for the First Time
When John reviewed the footage, he saw something every angler wants to understand. A Fluke appeared near the lure, adjusted its position, and prepared to attack.
“It’s always cool to watch a fluke come in and attack something,” John said.
Then the underwater footage captured the full sequence.
“That fluke really wants to go at it. Look at that spin around. That is such a cool move.”
For anglers watching from above the surface, this entire process usually remains invisible. They only know the final result — a bite happened or it did not.
But the underwater fishing video revealed what happened before the strike: the approach, the tracking, and the final decision to attack.
An Imperfect Recording Became the Key to Better Adjustments
The first recording was not perfect. Wind and water conditions caused the camera to move underwater, and John quickly realized that the footage could be improved.
“If you watch enough of this, you're gonna be nauseous.”
Instead of accepting the result, John reviewed the footage on his phone and adjusted his setup based on what he saw. He changed the camera position and stability, making the next recordings clearer.
“I’m gonna be able to review this video and make corrections.”
That is the real value of underwater fishing video. It is not only about capturing a cool moment — it helps anglers review, adjust, and improve their next fishing session.
Seeing the Fish’s Choice Is More Valuable Than Just Seeing the Catch
After making adjustments, John captured clearer underwater footage and saw how Fluke reacted to the lure.
The fish did not always attack immediately. Sometimes it followed the lure, studied the movement, and waited for the right opportunity.
To observe the reaction more clearly, John used a hook protector so he could watch the fish approach without immediately hooking it.
“Once they zero in on something, they’re not letting it go.”
For anglers, these details are extremely valuable. The result of fishing is not only about whether a fish gets caught. It is also about what happened before:
Was the lure moving correctly?
Did the fish notice it?
Why did some fish follow while others attacked?
In the past, these answers depended mostly on experience and guesswork. Now, underwater fishing video allows anglers to review those hidden moments.
More Than 28 Fish
By the end of the trip, John Skinner caught 28 Fluke, including three keepers.
But the biggest reward was not only the number of fish caught.
It was seeing what had always remained hidden below the boat: how Fluke tracked the lure, how other fish approached, and how small adjustments changed the underwater presentation.
For an angler with 28 years of experience, improvement does not only come from new equipment or new fishing spots. It comes from understanding the details that influence every bite.
Every cast has a story happening below the surface.
CanFish Fishing CamX helps anglers capture those invisible moments and turn them into real experience they can review, analyze, and learn from.
Because the bite is only the result.
The real story starts before the bite.
