Spy Link, Which model is best for the price

Hi fellow hunters,

I need some advice on these Spy Link cameras.

I have 2 other cameras where you have to physically check the SD card to see what walked by.
For my current situation, these style of cameras won't work .

My situation...

In the spring, I set up a minnow trap in a highway ditch in front of my property (I have 91 acres) where a creek that runs through my property drains under the TransCanada hwy. It's about 6 feet deep. I only trap my own minnows for my personal use-fishing Nosbonsing and Nipissing. I only keep Red and Yellow Belly Dace. My name and phone number is on the trap.

The fellow across the Hwy where the creek runs to is a licensed bait trapper, sells docks, kayaks, gunsmith... etc. He approached me one time explaining that he had the rights to that creek as he was licensed to catch bait and I was not. I explained it was for personal use and I never had more than 4-5 dozens. He didn't like my answer.

Well my trap disappeared. I put out a new one and that one disappeared...
If I would put a camera (old style) he'd probably steal that too and I would never know who it is.

So I was thinking of getting a Spy Link camera because it would capture this person stealing my trap. I've already complained to the MNR but they have yet to investigate the situation. I would love to give them this guy's photo.

Which Spy Link is best bang for the buck for this situation?
Do you have to have very good cell phone coverage? Our place is rural. Bell internet is iffy at times.
Does the Spy Link App cost money?
Would this same camera work in very rural northern Ontario for moose hunting? WMU 3

Thank you in advance for your advice and tips.

This post is about the camera not the bait trapping thief.

I have 2 spy point micros. they work great, but the cell signal needs to be there I live in the south with lots of cell towers, the one in the bush will fade in and out when leaves are on, and it takes about 2 to 3 minutes for the pictures to show up on your phone, Unless you have the camera very well hidden and secured it will disappear as well and you will not get the photo as he will probably come up to it from the side. You get 100 photos a month no charge, you can buy monthly packages, which aren't that bad of price. they take lithium batteries and they last a long time, if you use alkaline batteries they will be dead before he steals the camera.

get two cameras, one to watch the minnow trap (try to make inconspicuous if you can) ,and the other one to watch the first camera. conceal the the second one and you might just nab the culprit.

If I was you I would stay away from SPYPOINT. I have had the worst luck in the world with them. I first bought 5 Link micro S LTE’s. Within 1yr all got water damage. All one by one SPYPOINT would send me a new one for the damages. Iv have gotten 12 of those cameras back and forth with all water damage since 2020. Iv completely lost my mind with there Costomer service they are the worst. They keep sending me cameras, then water damage within a few months. This has been going on since beginning of 2020. 2 weeks ago I sent back another 3 and this time was given the “link dark” they tried to get 30$ more for each camera told them there insane if they think I’m gonna give them money ontop of all this bullshit. Then they went down to 15$ for each and then finally for free( after going back and forth on the phone for probably 2hours). There newest excuse for the water damages was that a bunch of solar panel ones were built defected???? Don’t know why they never told me this a year ago???? I still have 2 that have been good for a year now which are pretty good so I don’t know if that was the case. The link dark, I walk in front of it (all 3 of them at different times) and it takes pics when it feels like it. There garbage gona send them back once again. So now I have sent back 15 cameras. They won’t give my money back bc there actually warranty is 2months. You don’t have to pay for the app. You get 100free pics each month with each camera. I would never in my life go with SPYPOINT again. I don’t know if the solar ones I was getting was a bad batch or what but it was spread out in about 22months. I have had the worst experience with them ever. Maybe try a different type from SPYPOINT other than the solar or dark. Out of 5 cameras I’m still down 3 2yrs later.

I have been using them for 4 years now with no issues.
2 different models/ Micro and the Dark Link. Still performing great.
Make sure not to many moving branches are close to cameras.

Thanks for your replies fellas.

The creek has a lot of tag alders nearby but they flutter in the wind quite easily. I put a regular game cam set back a ways...enough to capture near the minnow trap. The problem with that is it's facing the Trans Canada Hwy so I got 5000+ pics in a 24 hour period....Lol


sabmgb-thx for you input.

smokeeter-I may have to go that route.

1stdrift-sorry to hear you've had so much trouble.

Ram-moving branches are a problem with skinny tag alders.


I'll have to rethink my strategy some.

He knows I go to work every day and come back at 430 to check my trap so next spring, I may just stay home the days I set my trap and watch it all day to catch him.

We'll see.

try " Reolink Go PT Plus" its cellular security camera my buddy has it in his farm and monitor deer movement, it will give warning when there is movement and you can have live stream too, solar power too.

Thx Duck

I'll have to research that brand.

We had issues with a few solar ones as well. A little bead of silicone resolves this issue. There is a youtube video on what to do.

With the price of batteries i like the solar ones. After a couple years you save the cost of the camera