Over the last decade, underwater filming, particularly for documenting carp behaviour, has exploded, with many tackle companies and subscription platforms now creating their own content, giving anglers unprecedented insight into what goes on beneath the surface.
While this footage has produced some of the most talked-about moments in carp fishing, it often follows familiar patterns. The same scenarios repeat, and only a handful of lakes are suitable for filming due to the current technology and sophisticated cameras required.
One man looking to change this is John Kerr, owner of VR Underwater Fishing, who has developed a state-of-the-art underwater camera system unlike anything seen before. Designed and built by John himself, the system not only delivers crystal-clear HD footage under the water but also features 360-degree movement, giving anglers far greater versatility as to how they create feeding scenarios and what tactics can be adopted while being filmed.
YOU CAN SEE MORE OF THE FOOTAGE SHOT BY JOHN HERE...
"Around two years ago I decided I needed a career change as I work weekends while the missus works during the week. I told my partner that I wanted to get in to the fishing industry however being based in Scotland there was never going to be an opportunity. Around this time Korda released the Test Tapes which was their first underwater film in like 12 years and I was gobsmacked as to how bad the actually quality of the footage was," John explained.
“The next day, I started working on designing a new underwater system that can see in 360 degrees. This was in January 2023, and by October I had completed my first of many failed tests. The first footage I actually captured of fish with a working system wasn’t until May 2024,” he added.
“Everyone who sees this on the bank says it’s far superior to any other underwater footage or systems out there. With that in mind,I think going forward we can produce some really unique and interesting footage for anglers.”
“I believe there are many products out there that appeal to more anglers than carp. My intention now is to use the system to learn and publish content about different rigs, baits, and lake beds as well as fishing with things like zigs, which hasn’t really been done before.”
"This system can also be used for product development, field testing and marketing of new products, especially as I can showcase how they work in a real fishing situation. (similar to what Ali done with the Magic Twig)"
"While I still hire the system out, many of the underwater films fail due to poor lake choice and water clarity."
"What's amazing is that because I am filming in 360, I can put three rigs in front of the camera 5ft apart rather than squeezing two rigs six inches apart, meaning I can split and compare baits. For example, I can have corn to the right of the camera, pellet in the middle and boilies on the right, in order to prove if fish favour certain baits at certain times of year."
"Also with the three rigs I will be fishing they will be decided by the viewers. It's not so much about me and more about what people want to see so for example my plan is to have something old, something new and something odd."
"Like the old school guys who have used the same rigs for over 30 years, like a 14 inch braided boom and a hair, compared to the new school shorter d-rigs and ronnies. This will give us much more insight into what works and with two complete systems now, I could fish with up to six rigs if I have an angler on with me."
'If I am on my own then both cameras can film the same spot from differing angles, meaning I will never miss a bite and the fish can never get in the way of the camera, no matter what direction it approaches the rig."
