Eye to Eye

A view never before seen. Ever dream of sliding over the gunnel into 1400‘ of water on a pitch black night and filming a hooked swordfish? Most of us would think that’s an absolutely crazy idea! Tony Ludovico, underwater digital videographer extraordinaire, is a person that actually partakes in such insanity on a regular basis. It's what he does for a living.

 Many of us grow up with visions of achieving financial security as a doctor, lawyer or some kind of engineer. Not Ludovico. He has survived the years free-diving with empty pockets and a wet underwater digital video camera. Filming saltwater game-fish in their natural habitat is an absolute passion for Ludovico.

Our industry has only scratched the surface of the possibilities the evolution of underwater digital imaging offers, not only for the scientific community but for recreational anglers alike. In addition, numerous tackle and accessory manufacturers are now turning to underwater video in an attempt to get a ‘fish’s eye view’ of the world below. They clearly realize this assists in producing more life-like lures and user friendly accessories.

The technological advancement of digital underwater videography allows divers like Ludovico to be free from the constraints of old, bulky equipment. A broad selection of affordable digital video equipment and underwater housings allows divers to document their adventures much more easily and affordably. New digital imaging software has also become easier to use for all fishing and diving enthusiasts.

Ludovico is a top specialist in the field and a professional free diver who is able to hold his breath underwater for up to three minutes. Without the complications of SCUBA gear he is less threatening and able to get much closer to fish. Wearing a blue camouflaged wet suit and utilizing all light blue equipment, Ludovico slips quietly into the water and is able to come within inches of a school of dolphin or a pack of prowling permit.

Underwater video adds an educational aspect to sport fishing that recreational anglers have been missing. Watching footage of sailfish pursuing goggle-eyes or a school of ravenous dolphin closing in on a pod of baitfish is both heart pounding and informative. The footage teaches us the importance of correct bait presentations and the value of proper rigging techniques.

Watching underwater footage coaches us on the importance of drop backs when trolling natural baits to aggressive billfish. The film reveals that dropping rigged natural bait back to an unsuspecting sailfish or blue marlin allows the fish to easily engulf the offering after manipulating it in its mouth. The closing scene is the bait sliding down the fish’s gullet, a clear cut advantage when fishing with circle hooks. In addition, underwater video proves the change in speed associated with a drop back actually triggers a more aggressive strike from sometimes stubborn fish.

Ludovico's experiences have also built his reverence for wahoo. He feels this fish is clearly one of the apex predators roaming the world’s oceans. The wahoo’s distinctive striped markings allow the fish to seemingly materialize out of nowhere and disappear just as fast. When rocketing in for the kill, they light up like a neon sign. As if flicking a switch, the sign turns off and the predator is able to instantly disappear into the dark depths. Along with its incredible coloration, witnessing the amazing acceleration this slender speedster is capable of achieving is nothing short of breathtaking. The underwater footage proves that high speed trolling can never be too high!

Dolphin, probably the most sought after blue-water species, are brilliant in the ‘spot light’. Filming dolphin around a bait ball is a truly unique experience. It’s as if they clearly communicate with each other in some sort of silent way. Their body language defines their every move. Like sheep dogs they’ll herd scattered bait into tightly packed formations. Surrounding the resulting concentration each will take a turn charging the group and picking off individual mouthfuls. Working in unison they’ll gorge themselves. Being in the middle of the action is like a fantasy as the water sparkles with millions of tiny glittery scales.

Inshore anglers also greatly benefit from studying underwater footage. Viewing tarpon, snook and permit engulf baits in ‘real time’ shows how crucial a natural presentation really is. One particular experimental video shows a pod of 15 to 20 pound snook aggressively feeding on a school of whitebait over the top of a shallow wreck. As Ludovico films from below, a hooked bait tossed into the mix goes untouched as it swims upside down in a completely unnatural fashion due to too large of a hook. The weary eyed snook approaches the bait but quickly turns away. A second angler tosses in a bait hooked on the correct, thin wire hook and in a matter of seconds it’s devoured.

Step two of the experiment shows artificial lures thrown into the melee. An imitation shrimp doesn’t even raise an eyebrow while a white bucktail jigged to imitate a wounded baitfish gets slammed! Again the video shows how crucial it is to ‘match the hatch’ and how important experimentation can be. The lesson learned is, when a particular species is focused on the prevalent forage in the area, all other offerings may go untouched.

Without a doubt one of the most thrilling species to watch in their natural habitat is tarpon. These silvery giants gracefully glide through the water as they constantly prowl for unsuspecting meals. It’s interesting to note that the dark green color on a tarpon’s back provides excellent camouflage when looking down from above. Even though tarpon can grow to enormous sizes, their long slender bodies appear to melt into the lush bottom as they methodically cruise along channel edges and deep cuts. This camouflage allows tarpon the ability to hunt unnoticed. One sweep of their powerful tail propels them toward the surface where they pick off shrimp and other tasty morsels. The unfortunate prey never even has a chance to see the tarpon coming. Tarpon are masters of adaptation.

Permit, another favored inshore species are much smarter than most of us realize. Underwater footage shows hooked permit scrapping their rubbery lips in the hard rough bottom in an attempt to rid themselves of the hook. Holding your rod tip up high and fighting these powerful fish with caution is clearly necessary to avoid being outsmarted.

One of the most intriguing critters to watch on video are bottom dwelling grouper. It’s amazing how patient a big grouper can be. Often a big gag or black will lie in its lair and barely move for extended periods of time. Only when the fish feels secure will he emerge to engulf an unsuspecting passerby. After inhaling his meal, the grouper immediately turns and heads straight back into the security of his cover. This reinforces the fact that the first few seconds of any grouper tug-of-war are the most crucial. It also reinforces the importance of heavy leader material, especially when targeting large specimens.

Worthy of mention is what commonly occurs when sinker bouncers use fresh chunk baits. It’s intriguing to watch small pinfish, triggers and other tiny bottom dwellers pick away at the morsel. The commotion and excitement surrounding the bait inevitably results in a large snapper coming in to investigate. As a large mutton closes in, all the small fish quickly take cover, leaving an easy meal for Mr. Mutton. Often though, a bare hook is all that remains. Without seeing it with their own eyes, anglers above would never believe what was only a foot away from their hook.

Reviewing footage from over the years has also proven the distinction between fluorocarbon versus monofilament as leader material. When the denser fluoro is used, the refractive index is far less evident. Compare that to monofilament which appears to cause a greater sun glint and it’s no wonder the resulting reflection often causes fish to shy away from an offering.

Equally important is viewing underwater footage of hooked fish. The video clearly raises the awareness of how essential it is to keep battles as short and sweet as possible. On more occasions than one, viewers can actually see a struggling sailfish’s life dwindle before their very eyes. Anglers should do all they can to avoid drawn out battles with fish intended for release. Using the appropriate class tackle for the targeted species should be your first step in achieving mutually beneficial outcomes.

Ultimately, anglers should find the digital imaging world surprisingly rewarding, just ask Ludovico. Never in his wildest dreams did he believe he would be able to turn his passion into a livelihood. Every time he enters the deep blue he is intrigued by the splendor and beauty the ocean has to offer. Passing this beauty on to us through the frame of his digital video camera continues to feed his own enthusiasm. His goal is to educate anglers. He wants us to fall in love with the natural beauty of Mother Nature, thus gaining a higher level of respect for the epitome of sport fishing, the fish. Tony is clearly aware that without a healthy resource, the sport fishing industry would not be able to exist. Let’s never forget that.

The limitless possibilities underwater digital imaging have offered Ludovico over the past six years have assisted him in producing instructional videos such as Spearfishing the Palm Beaches, How to Lobstering and his most recent introduction of My World, an underwater perspective to sailfishing. Thanks to 21st century technology, what used to take an expensive crew of professional film makers months to develop now only takes Ludovico and a handful of friends only weeks to accomplish. Tony’s work can also be viewed on the exciting Reel Adventures television show which airs on FOX sports networks. Jeff Aderman, the show’s producer, credits Ludovico for bringing an educational and realistic aspect to his show which is rarely seen.

As recreational anglers, we’re always looking down and wondering what it’s really like in the watery depths below. If we all had an opportunity to spend some time in the fish’s world, we would all be more successful anglers. Whenever I am fishing for any species, I find myself imagining what it’s like below. I dream of effortlessly gliding through the pristine blue waters of the Gulf Stream chasing schools of flying fish. I dream of slowly cruising the shadows of a well formed weed line in search of unsuspecting prey. While wreck or reef fishing I imagine myself prowling in and out of dark crevices looking for unconcealed crabs, lobster and defenseless baitfish.

Having experienced diving and underwater photography myself, I know I have an advantage when it comes to recreational rod and reel fishing. I have been there. And even though diving and filming is just a hobby for me, the lessons I’ve learned and the circumstances I’ve witnessed have been invaluable to my sport fishing success. Until next time, good luck and be safe in all your sport fishing adventures.

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In addition to viewing underwater footage produced by professionals such as Ludovico, other options do exist. With the aid of modern technology, recreational boater’s can produce their own films without ever getting wet. More and more enthusiasts are purchasing complete underwater video camera systems at relatively inexpensive prices. Available in color or black & white, complete systems include camera, viewing monitor, cables and all required hardware.
Recording the film for future use is a cinch with the aid of any VCR. With the correct equipment, your underwater films can be viewed on lap tops, PC’s and even on your chart plotter.

Specially designed for the harsh marine environment, these underwater video cameras can be lowered to the desired depth for viewing wrecks, reefs or even mid-water action! Imagine dropping a camera right down into the heart of a chum slick and watching smoker kings viscously attacking your baits.

Cameras designed specifically for trolling applications are also readily available.
Watching a billfish or tuna come racing in on your lure in ‘real time’ would surely provide an added thrill to the strike.

For more info on underwater video cameras check out:
*Seaviewer Underwater Video Systems at www.Seaviewer.com