Crow Horse

I'm using a ForEverlast floating net. I keep mine on the bow deck of my 10' sit in while moving, all other times I'll just let it float beside the yak (leashed). (I realize that this doesn't help the OP with his net)

I use this (actually McNett Zip Care but it's the same thing. McNett became Gear Aid). It seems to work well and I use it on anything with a zipper. Never had a problem. It's cheap enough to give it a try. If your zipper is damaged, it might require replacement. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Zipper Cleaner and Lubricant is designed to remove sand, dirt and salt deposits that can make a zipper stick. Previously known as Zip Care, this zipper lubricant’s handy brush top removes debris and delivers its cleaning formula right between the zipper teeth. Plus, it leaves behind a clear, protective and lubricating film to prevent corrosion of zippers. Use it regularly and experience the joy of gliding zippers on wetsuits, dive bags and outdoor gear. Lubricates – Quickly releases stuck zippers and helps prolong zipper life by removing sand and salt deposits Cleans – Brush-top removes sand and debris from zipper teeth; formula repels sand and dirt Protects – Fights damage caused by saltwater, chlorine and rust on nylon, metal and plastic zippers Non-toxic – Contains no silicone or paraffin wax for worry-free application every time Multipurpose – Use it to keep zippers on wetsuits, tents, luggage and sleeping bags in good condition

I should have mentioned it but I have a sit in yak so no scupper holes. It's another interesting option to consider for those with sit on yaks.

The percentage drops off significantly. I think we have to keep in mind that we're talking percentages and not total numbers. If I only catch 2 4#er's in a 7 hour session, that's 100%. Some would think of that as a poor showing but I'm happy with that. I do catch crappie, perch & pickerel but they aren't my target species. I discovered this pond almost 10 years ago and caught some really large bass for the area then but that has trailed off. I can only hope that these 4#-5# bass survive and grow larger.

I'd estimate it would be around 15%-20% with an explanation. 15%-20% of bass greater than 4#'s is not because of some high skill level I possess (although I would like to think that). It's because of the pond I fish holds larger bass and I fish for them. It's pretty rare that I catch a dink. I can't overstate this. It's because of the water I fish and NOT an expert skill level. I will say that I pretty much do better than my 2 fishing buddies and they tend to catch smaller fish which most probably is because of the different strategies used. I'm a large lure = large fish guy which I believe really plusses up the percentage. More often than not, a larger bass won't be gut hooked (although they could be) and unhooking with a large lure and there is less damage to the fish and me. Smaller lures tend to get gut hooked more often which makes releasing them problematic.

I've outgrown this already but I have limited space. A variety of plastic containers, mostly Plano 3600 & 3700 series Stowaways. What I found to be most important is a good labeling system. What you decide on is dependent on how much room that is available, how much $$$$ you want to invest, what you want to store, and how deep you want to go down the DIY hole.

Will do but it'll be quite a while till all the snow melts off and it's reasonably warm enough to work outside. Oh how I wish I had a heated garage (or just a garage)......

I like the magnetic mount but after careful consideration, I believe that It wasn't going to be the optimum setup for my needs. Reason being that when I drift into really shallow water I'd have to reach under the yak to remove the camera. I returned to my original idea and will be using a Ram Mounts arm and components. I will have to drill to mount the B ball mount on the yak and I have no issue drilling into my yak. When I need to pull the camera & arm from the water all I need to do is loosen the knob and swing the arm out of the water just like I do with my transducer. To complete the setup I'll have to wait for warmer weather to arrive. I need to bend the arm which is 1/2" aluminum rod to match the slope of the yak's deck, not a problem. I'll also look into making a "lanyard" for the camera in the event of it coming loose from the mount. Don't want to loose the camera in the event of a component failure.

This and more. Being out on the water fishing for bass allows me to refocus, recalibrate & recharge. It allows me the opportunity to pursue personal excellence: to be better than I was when I launched that day. It also allows for those precious moments to commune with the world that surrounds me and become a part of it and not a part from it. For me, making it a competition would corrupt all of the above and prevent me from finding myself and experiencing what is real.

Thanks.Very cool photos!!! I do have several dive cases. I'm using Hero8's and they are supposed to be waterproof, but I wanted to make sure they didn't take on any water. The down side is that power is relegated to the battery which doesn't have long run time. I'll need to bring extra batteries and swap them out periodically. My topside GoPros can run all day with the 3BR Powersports cage & cabling & Nocqua batteries. I'm a fan of Ram Mounts and they have never failed me but they can be pricey. I managed to find a B ball mount for the end of the rod (camera end) and I have the rest of the components needed to mount the camera. I wish the remote would work for the underwater camera but I read somewhere that it won't. Do you change any of the settings for underwater shots? In the little underwater video I've done I just left the basic settings as is and it seemed to be acceptable.

I'm looking into using one of my GoPros for some underwater video while I'm in my kayak, I have taken some but I had the camera mounted on a selfie stick that I held but that obviously won't work while fighting a fish. I was curious if anyone has rigged something up for a camera mounting. My first thought was to use a Ram Mount B ball in a surface mount rod holder and then to a transducer mount. See photos below for a better description. I realize that I'll have to fab up a camera mount on the arm. Any and all ideas will be entertained.

Good video. Another item that is often overlooked is a blunt tip dive knife. It needs to be readily accessible and can be used to cut oneself free of anchor lines or fishing line in an emergency. This is more of a kayak scenario. I have mine lashed to the shoulder strap of my PFD.

It's not my intention to bring solace to the grieving family. In the final analysis, nothing will truly bring them comfort. They will always carry that void in their hearts. My personal hope is that maybe someone might reassess their safety protocols and maybe another family won't have to endure the pain of losing a loved one.

THIS is so very important to consider. It could be a very significant hazard to add to the equation.....

That's #10.

I think some folks are assuming that we will always be in control all situations and the reality is that's not always the case. For instance, regardless of the vessel, a medical emergency, be it a momentary blackout, a cardiac event, low blood sugar, or similar survivalable events take control of the situation away from us. Lose consciousness and take a swim with a PFD on tilts everything in your favor. It's not 100% and won't ever be but I'll wager that the outcome could be much more favorable.

No helmet? Borrowed from A-Jay, this sums it up so very well.... (thank you) "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."

I think we can all agree that nothing in life is perfect. Any safety system won't protect you 100% although they do stack the odds greatly in your favor. Also note that if one doesn't employ a safety system and things go horribly wrong, there are concentric rings of impacts that do radiate outward affecting many people. It's not a decision that only affects the individual.

Admittedly, I'm a safety Nazi. Safety is not an arena where one can economize in or ease up a little. Yep, I've made some poor decisions in my youth, but I was fortunate to be in a good Scouting program and took their motto to heart. As I got older and wiser, I began to understand the true value of being prepared. As far as I'm concerned, one can't compromise safety. Forget hindsight. Foresight is what needs to be developed to anticipate potential hazards & problems so that they can be addressed in the most effective way possible.

I'd like to add one item as rebuttal to the personal freedom argument. Not wearing a PFD not only affects the individual but it spins off from a rescue operation to a recovery mission. This effects all the responders. More time involved, additional risks they may encounter, rescue resources that could be best used elsewhere, and the heartache the members of the family endure while the body is recovered. At the end of the day, the one who chooses to not wear a PFD can impact many other people. Just an observation, but it seems that the dominant paradigm focuses on the "me" and not the "community". Pretty sad in my book.

A great many people mistakenly believe that: 1. They are immortal 2. They are exempt from the laws of classical physics. 3. Accidents always happen to "the other guy". 4. They are incapable of making errors. 5. They mistakenly believe they'll be able to put one on in the event of an emergency. 6. They are too uncomfortable. 7. They are really good swimmers. 8. It makes them look fat. 9. It doesn't look cool. Those are some of the basic lame excuses for not wearing a PFD. I'm sure plenty more could be added to this list. All are without merit.

I don't feel comfortable without it.

Although the information is still somewhat sketchy, there are 2 items that stand out and one can speculate about them. It "sounds" like they went out in some pretty rough weather and if that is true that is the first mistake. Now the search has shifted to a recovery, it sounds like PFD's weren't in play. If so, that's mistake #2. Here's the link to the story..... Search for teen brothers.... The facts are in short supply but whatever is found to have happened, it illustrates how fast things can go sideways and then compounded by errors in judgement. Be smart and be safe.

Rivets hold securely but are a PITA to remove if it is needed. I'd guess that you'd need well nuts for a #10 machine screw.

The above resonates true to me. Science is one of the foundation's building blocks and the art is how we put our individual spin on the science. Several other points require clarification. Science is not absolute. It is fluid and always changing as our knowledge base & technology changes. The art component is how we interpret the science. Adding another category and moving away from art, we can experience a "spiritual" component. Standing on the science and art, we'll make a cast and at the speed of thought we'll be one with the rod, reel, line, lure and even the air in which it slices through. Call it a Zen moment or whatever you wish to catalog it as. And then the retrieve becomes an extension of yourself and you bring life to a lifeless lure to make the magic happen. There's a communion, a oneness to us, our gear, and the environment....