I have used a go pro a few times to shoot a tv show. All models can attach to anything with brackets/ exterior casings you buy. I have played with clips and magnets. I have put one on the bar of a 13 foot chainsaw bar and on the motor of the same chainsaw. You get interesting images. I think it would work on a rod. The Chinese have knocked off the go pro from what the production crew has said. They are half the cost and just about as good. They were talking about using them for scenes that were higher risk of destroying a go pro. The nice thing is you can view the image on your cell phone to aim the camera and be far enough away.
I am more of a still guy who plays around with video every once in awhile.