I’m thinking of pickingup some image stabilizing binos this winter. I would use them for finding kelp offshore. If I could increase my success by 25% or more that would mean that many more shots. I am always amazed and how intently I can be watching but still have my mind wander and almost run over a patty. I’m thinking the lower powred models might actually be better because they give a greater field of vision and I’m not interested in detail at great distances. I found some Nikons for 700 dollars. Any thoughts/

Randy

randy - 27 November 2007 12:58 AM

I’m thinking of pickingup some image stabilizing binos this winter. I would use them for finding kelp offshore. If I could increase my success by 25% or more that would mean that many more shots. I am always amazed and how intently I can be watching but still have my mind wander and almost run over a patty. I’m thinking the lower powred models might actually be better because they give a greater field of vision and I’m not interested in detail at great distances. I found some Nikons for 700 dollars. Any thoughts/

Randy

Every little bit helps, but I’m not sure it would help me much in my boat, because I am too low to the water. The more I do this, the more convinced I am that I am missing the close paddies simply because of swell/chop. Being higher up, like in your or Scott’s boat, might benefit more from having stabilized binos. Heck, being higher up is an advantage by itself.

The sort of defacto standard in low-end image-stabilized binos have been the Fujinon Stabiscopes, but they are more towards $900 for the Stabi-jrs. Canon also has some, but they are also a bit more pricey.

The best are supposed to be the gyro-stabilized binos like the Fraser-Volpes, but now you’re talking thousands of dollars, plus they’re big and take a lot of power.

Fraser Volpe Stedi Eye Mariners are the gold standard for offshore use.  That said you need to be in them all day which means you need a comfortable ride.  The best sit in bean bags on the fly bridge with arm propped on a support.  This is impossible to do on a center console style boat.  Still any binos are better than none.  I have a fishing buddy who’s very good at spotting marlin in your basic 7x50 binos.  I really think binos for spotting kelps is overkill.  Attentive eyes will find them.  Once found they’ll usually line up along a current break.  The best are those with birds working or tornadoing over it, not sitting on it.

Steve dude where have you been? I posted this almost three years ago. I agree after uing the image stabilizers for this time I find more patties without them. But I can spot boats far away which is helpful. Also they look cool sitting on the console.

R

Randy, I’m the road weary warrior now.  Fished a lot the last two years but the travel will cut that back this year.  Willl you be fishing the BTBFF 3B?

Man, you must be bored on the road! Thanks for contributing…Hope the new job is working out.

The road is not as cool as the ocean. I hope you find some time to enjoy our shared passion. I’m going to fish all the tournaments this year. The TYD should be fun with el nono in the mix.

R