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I recently started using a Go Pro Hero HD camera on fishing adventures, and that’s turned into its own adventure. I’ve come close to punching the monitor only a few times so far.
I edited this using iMovie – not a bad program so far….
I created the music using GarageBand….
It’s been a great learning experience for me, and I promise to make better videos.
Warning: This is really boring and uneventful….
I'll be needing one of these soon
I haven’t been writing very much lately because…well…there hasn’t been a lot to write about. Last week, the wind from Hurricane Irene made being on the water tumultuous at best and I’ve learned to trust my instincts when it comes to that and stayed off the water….. 25 knot winds aren’t conditions you should be in while fishing from a kayak.
Made the most of it though, and went to the grand opening of the new Clearwater Dicks Sporting Goods store. Took advantage of the decent deals on DOA and Mirrolure products and ended up getting around $40 worth of stuff for $20. Ran into some folks who were at the seminar and traded stories and intel about where we fish – great guys!
So you figure that one weekend off the water isn’t that bad, and we’ll “get them next week”, right?
Keith and I did a bit of lunch hour recon the other day to see if we could get our kayaks and gear over the seawall, making it easy on us and not requiring a mile and a half paddle across the ICW to get to the spot where we want to fish. The spot was AWESOME! A mangrove lined mouth of a tidal creek with an oyster bar right down the middle. There was a mass of baitfish all over the area, so it looks promising. The seawall however…yeah…that part doesn’t look so good….The word from a reliable source is – night time, incoming tide should equal big snook and redfish.
So the plan is to paddle across the ICW at about 3am to tackle this new spot, but Tropical Storm Lee has other ideas….The forecast is for 20-25 mph winds and seas 4-5 feet….not really something I want to paddle a mile and a half in….so far, there hasn’t been any wind to speak of.
I’m really really liking my new Mac-Mini! The GarageBand program is awesome and gives me that creative “thing” that I miss about being in a band.
Here’s one of the songs…A sort of Downtempo/Chill Out type of thing that I like to listen to….reminds me of being in the hospital thinking about fishing.
Saltwater Therapy
Things have been pretty busy in Bad BackcastLand, I haven’t had a lot of time to sit down and write about it, so I’ll do a quick thumbnail post…
Last Saturday, Keith and I met up with Mark (Yaksushi), Sam and The Suwannee Refugee on the other side of the Bay for an early morning fishing trip. Other than fire ants and mosquitoes as we were getting our gear rigged, it was a nice trip! Didn’t catch a lot of fish but Mark’s record of coming to Florida and catching fish with me is still sound…The curious manatees were pretty neat too.
Since I’m mailing it in, the story is HERE on Suwannee Refugee’s blog.
Monday night, I took Mark and Sam out to fish my favorite dock lights. We caught a LOAD of trout and were getting bit on just about every cast. I lost a nice snook at the side of the kayak that was in the 20-25 inch range. Mark is really good at standing on his kayak and pitching soft plastics right into the strike zone! It was a clinic on how to stand and fish, paddle one handed, and how to fish a gold rush colored DOA curly tail. So that’s 4 for 4 in the last year with Mark coming to Florida, fishing with me, and catching fish….I must be some sort of good luck charm…
This Thursday, August 25th, I’ll be putting on a Badtastic Fishing Seminar from 7pm to 9 pm. If you’re local, be sure to show up. You can win a Badtastic Prize Pack, among other things. Should be a good time! Here are the details:
A Badtastic Fishing Seminar
August 25th, 2011
Fishin’ Mission Fishing Club
Smiley’s Coffee House
12685 Ulmerton Rd.,
Largo, Florida 33774
7pm – 9pm
Topic: Night Kayak Dock Fishing Tactics
Badtastic Prize Packs will be available!
Sponsored by Yakangler.com and Kayak Fishing Radio, LLC
I’ve recently made the switch from PC to Mac in order to endeavor into a new project….hence the lack of writing the last few weeks… I’m not saying too much about the project right now since I’ve been left at the altar a few times previous, but it involves Go Pro cameras…I promise to keep you in the loop. By the way, the new Mac Mini is AWESOME! and I highly recommend making the switch if you can!
Voting is now open for the Kayak Angler Choice Awards - Nominations were open for 8 weeks, so now it the chance to get in there and vote for your favorites. Once again, you can vote once a day for the entire voting period until early November. Please remember that KFR show hosts, and Yakangler Staff members are exempt from voting or being nominated.
Dear Fly Rod,
I’ve never been good with words or saying I’m sorry. I’m not quite sure how to say this, so I’m just going to say it. Even though it’s hard for both of us, I’m sure that you’ll agree that it’s for the best.
As you know, it’s been a long and hard summer for both of us: For me, it’s been the inability to land any decent fish, and for you…well…sitting in the corner, unused….waiting…watching…. can be distressing I’m sure….and I want to take this chance to apologize for said treatment. There was no good reason for me to leave you at the campsite in February while the rest of us went to Mosquito Lagoon and caught a slew of redfish. I’m sure that you would have enjoyed that experience every bit as much as I did…..and I’ll have you know that I didn’t really take Redfish Chuck’s offer to make a custom fly rod for me seriously….it just went in one ear and out the other.
I can distinctly remember the day you and your siblings arrived at my house, and me looking at your hunter green and teal wraps and Pflueger logos glistening proudly. Even though I accidently killed your two siblings, I learned a lesson from each one of those mishaps and have cherished your existence since I screwed your partner reel onto your carbon fiber reel seat….even more since I found out that your model was discontinued. You’re a rare breed for sure. I have fond memories of us wading the flats for redfish and trout, and wading the marl for bonefish.
But everything happens for a reason…and if you listen, I can explain some of my actions and fishing trips with those other spinning rods…
I’m sure that you’ve noticed the big, green kayak stored behind the couch…and I’m sure that you can remember being in the kayak a few times and staying in the back rod holder, untouched…all the while watching those lightweight spinning reels get to have all the fun….and it’s not because they have bigger guides and a faster action….it’s because they’re easier….yes….easier to use while sitting in my kayak. You know that I’m not the most coordinated of fellows and I was only doing this to protect you from being dunked into the saltwater, but I’ve since learned the art of standing and fishing in the kayak, and I’m a bit more balanced now that I’ve practiced it.
I need you in my life and I promise, I’ll change. Just like the Shania Twain song, I’m going to make a conscious effort to use you more than ever…to caress your cork handle lovingly, to feel the vibration and hear the sound of the fly line coursing through your guides and to feel your curvy butt end jammed into my groin while fighting a fish….after all, the spinning gear is spinning gear and they don’t mean near as much to me as you do.
So…. starting this weekend, we’ll be together again, hunting for snook in Cockroach Bay amongst the mangroves.
I need you to be a shining star for me. You’re bound for the big screen. Surely we can find a way paddle off into the sunset like we used to.
So try to look happy when it’s time for your Go Pro close up….
I’m sure that you’ll look stunning under the lights….
One issue that I am very passionate about is sun protection, and I’m sure that you’ve educated yourself about the importance of protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. All kinds of health issues can arise related to sun exposure, not to mention the agony of sunburn. To me, sun protection is every bit as important as wearing your PFD and the lures and tackle that you’ll be using. Even though I live in one of the most hot, humid climates known to man, face protection is an important part of my sun protection arsenal.
Even if you wear a wide brimmed hat, you can still get a nasty sunburn on your face from the sun reflecting like a mirror off the waters surface….trust me….I’ve done it so you don’t have to….and I always try to put it around my neck when I’m getting dressed in the morning when I’m going fishing so that I won’t forget it.
There are many options out there to choose from. I own 3 different face mask/neck wraps…all do a good job and are priced about the same and each one has things that I like and don’t like about it. I’ll try to break it down for you the best I can. After all, if you spend your days cocooned in microfiber and lightweight, quick drying, sweat wicking gear, then you want something that is going to do the job yet be comfortable to wear.
I’ve based this review on 2 categories:
#1 – 0-5 Comfort Scale (0 being sucky and 5 being awesome) – If it feels like I’m wearing a plastic bag or a ski mask on my face, chances are, I’m not going to wear it and chances are, neither will you.
#2- Does What It Should – Does it work?
Please try to keep in mind that I have an average sized nose, head and face, so your individual results may vary.
The Original Buff
After receiving a bad sunburn on my face, a Buff was my first choice in face/neck wraps. They’re available in a lot of stores so they’re easy to find.
My Buff fits well and does a good job of keeping the sun off my face. It’s comfortable yet, is a bit on the warm side. It stays put and doesn’t slide down.
The biggest knock on it is the fact that my sunglasses get fogged up if I’m not breathing through my mouth while wearing it. It also doesn’t really dry very fast when wet so, if you get caught in a downpour or go swimming, it’ll stay wet for a while.
One thing I can say about Buff is they make just about any design or color scheme you’re looking for….from wacky to subtle, they do it all….
I’ll use my Buff when it’s cooler – not in the middle of summer in Florida.
Price – $22.00
0-5 Comfort Scale – 4
Does What It Should – Yes
Breathe Like A Fish
When I found out about the Breathe Like A Fish face masks, I thought that it was an innovative idea to put a mesh breathing hole in it for your nose and mouth to help prevent sunglasses fog, not to mention, more comfortable to wear. Made of quick drying and stretchy Gildex 50 fabric, I figured this to be what I was looking for.
The mesh vent hole works as it should and the fabric is cool to the skin however, I found the fit to be a bit on the snug side. It actually pushes my nose down uncomfortably, so I found myself breathing through my mouth again unless the vent hole was right on top of my nose. I feel as if I need to constantly adjust it, even though it’s tight. I like the way the black/gray camo looks on me though, and it DOES keep the sun off my face.
Price – $17.95
0-5 Comfort Scale – 3
Does What It Should – Yes…if you play around with it.
*Note – You can get this product either on it’s own or it comes attached to one of their awesome fishing shirts.
Columbia Omni-Freeze
I find myself liking the performance of Columbia gear more and more lately….not because I want to look like I just walked off the pages of some gear catalog like everyone else – in fact, I’m quite the opposite – but, because they make stuff that works for my style of fishing.
I have to say that I’m impressed with the Freezer Neck Wrap. It fits well, keeps the sun off, is lightweight, and is quick drying. The fabric at the top and bottom is doubled up to keep the mask in place without being too tight. There are tiny holes to allow ventilation and I don’t have a problem with sunglass fog. Very comfortable to wear and not restraining or claustrophobic feeling at all.
I do find that for some reason, it likes to fall off my right ear….and I’m not quite sure about the Omni-Freeze technology as this material didn’t really feel any different than any other.
Price – $19.95
0-5 Comfort Scale – 5
Does What It Should – Yes
So there you go folks….3 options for you to protect your face from the sun!
I recently upgraded my Personal Flotation Device (PFD). The vest I had wasn’t really made for using a sit-on-top kayak. It was uncomfortable to wear, so I would just toss it in the back of the kayak to meet the legal requirements….not something I should be doing. As a pro staff writer/public figure, every photo of me in the kayak SHOULD show me wearing a PFD, and I apologize for my irresponsibility in regards to that.
I bought the Stohlquist Get-A-Way PFD from Austin Canoe and Kayaks
Now, after asking my fishing buddies what they use (Stohlquist FisherMan) and doing a bit of online research, I chose the Get-A-Way because it’s almost identical to the FisherMan (both are rated Type III and both are high backed sit-on-top, front zip kayak vests) it just doesn’t have all the pockets and attachment points that the FisherMan has, and is about $30 bucks cheaper. I’m not going to put anything in those pockets anyway because they aren’t water proof. The Get-A-Way does feature 2 Velcro closing chest pockets that you might put your camera and maybe a small box of lures or bag of soft plastics into while you’re wading, but please remember that the pockets aren’t waterproof.
This vest is so comfortable, I don’t even realize that I have it on, which is a good thing until you’re walking into the convenience store after your fishing trip and the clerk asks if you know something he doesn’t. The vest features several adjustments points to offer an almost tailor made fit to make it comfortable yet still be worn properly.
I did wear it while paddling and fishing and can report that it’s ultra-comfortable and doesn’t get in the way AT ALL! it also has mesh on the back and open sides to make it a bit cooler for the person wearing it. Since I was attending the Demo Days event after fishing at the Gandy yesterday, I didn’t want to test out it’s capabilities in the water. Nothing like showing up at an event looking like a homeless person, so after I arrived home and got the kayak cleaned up and put away, I put the vest on and walked down to the pool.
After jumping in, I found that the vest did a good job of keeping my head and face out of the water, doesn’t limit range of motion while swimming, and also doesn’t feel as if it’s going to come off. I jumped in face first a few times and can report that it flipped me over onto my back fairly quickly. Same result with the relaxed face down test. I was able to make a few quick adjustments to the straps while floating as well.
The rugged front zipper and tough 420 Denier material make this PFD a vest that will be around for a long time, and DID deflect a set of treble hooks that the fish decided to toss my way when it came unbuttoned at the side of the kayak. The high viz, reflective Stohlquist logo on the back gives it an added advantage of being easily seen when using it at night.
So the Badtastic Bottom Line is – a great product for folks on a budget, comfortable, and does what it’s supposed to. 5 out of 5 stars.
The Paddle-Fishing.com Demo Day is Coming! This is a great chance to “test drive” that kayak that you always wanted to check out. I’ll be there with Kayak Fishing Radio stickers at some point, but we’re fishing a few hours before the event kicks off.
July 23, 2011
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Gandy Causeway
“Come out to the west end of the Gandy Causeway on July 23rd where we’ll have many of the leading brands of fishing kayaks on display. You’ll be able to talk with actual owners and Pro Staff team members about the Kayaks, Canoes and Stand Up Paddleboards.”
“This is a great opportunity to see what is available in the marketplace right now. Do actual side by side comparisons. See how they are rigged for fishing. Take them for a test paddle and find the boat that fits you and your needs the best.”
Check out kayaks from:
Hobie
Malibu
Ocean Kayaks
RTM
Diablo
American Eagle
Emotion
Liquid Shredder
Wilderness Systems
Jackson Kayaks
Mohawk
If you are a Pro Staff member or representative and would like to display your kayak, canoe or stand up paddle board brand, please contact rik@paddle-fishing.com
How big was that fish, Keith?
You know how I’m always writing about fish being a constant source of surprises? When you think you know where they’ll be and what they’ll be doing and they end up behaving totally different than you expected, or turn up in the oddest places?
Well, read on because I was flabbergasted a bit too….
We launched into the still dark gloominess of what I like to call “ugly early morning” with our target grass flat a short paddle away. The tide was incoming and scheduled to be high at around 8:30. There was no wind and the waters glassy surface was sure to give away the position of scurrying baitfish a long distance away. The water temperature had cooled a bit due to the recent rain and was holding at 86 degrees. There was quite a bit of floating grass around, which meant topwater lures were out.
I found our spot and found it loaded with baitfish however, there didn’t seem to be very many gamefish present. I did manage a few smaller trout, but none of the monsters I was looking for. We moved to a slightly deeper section, but more of the same: very few fish. Hard to understand….low light period, baitfish present, no gamefish?
We paddled out to a sand bar with oysters around it and a deep, current swept edge. Keith pulled out a 15 inch flounder, but no other fish to speak of. The wind was still not blowing and we were treated to flat seas that were a pleasure to paddle in.
We were fishing between two small islands on a 3 feet deep grass flat, when out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement. When I turned to look, I saw a porpoising 80 lb tarpon lazily swimming around, oblivious to my presence, 10 feet away from my kayak. It was only when I shouted over to Keith that it saw me and bolted, leaving me damp from a large tail splash and a torpedo-like wake shooting across the flat with my Mirrodine loaded rod in hand…..It’s not something that I’m accustomed to seeing on a flat like that, but I have seen them in that vicinity before. I wasn’t really geared for a silver king….I’m pretty sure that it would have twisted up my rod like a pretzel and handed it back to me and said “nice try, kiddo” and swam off….This goes to show the value of having the ability to sneak up on fish in a kayak.
We paddled to the put in tired and hungry after a long, yet beautiful day on the water. Just seeing that tarpon so close was a rush….
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