I fish alone most of the time and recently got a small digital camera to keep on the boat. How do you guys get a decent picture of yourself holding a bass before you release it? I was thinking of a stand or small tripod? Your thoughts?

I set my camera on the pedestal seat in the front of my boat (perfect height) and use the timer feature on my camera. (Canon Powershot A630)  

Read your manual.  You probably have the option of zooming after the pic is taken.  If so, then all you have to do it get yourself in it then do the cropping later.  Practice a few times in the garage.

I actually had to build a little box to put my camera on.

I took a small tripod with me on the last trip.  I had it all set up read for action.  Too bad there was no action! :'(

I may do this again.  I've got a Canon A85 with the self timer.  The problem is making sure you it's in focus on you before taking the picture.  You need to aim the camera at something close to where you will be so when you push the button and get into position, you and the bass will be in focus instead of out of focus.

Practicing is a great idea.  Your camera should have a self timer on it.  If not, take a picture of the bass next to something like your reel, tackle bag or something to establish a sense of scale.  

I fish alone most of the time and recently got a small digital camera to keep on the boat. How do you guys get a decent picture of yourself holding a bass before you release it? I was thinking of a stand or small tripod? Your thoughts?

I would say anything that you can set your camera on. A tripod wouldn't be my first choice, but maybe it would work for you. If your camera is pre-attached to the tripod, you will have to get your hands on it and set it up for the self-timer, then get it into position. If it's not pre-attached, attaching it could be problematic while holding a fish, not to mention the extra time it would take.

In my case, I fish from a canoe and the only place for a camera is on the yoke just 2.53' in front of me. Setting the camera flat will cut off my head, so I rigged a plastic gizmo which allows me to set the camera at an upward angle. But whatever you do, take some test photos before you catch any fish so you can be sure that you'll get in the picture when it really matters.

Pick up a "Bottle Pod" in the camera section at Wal-Mart. It's less than $3

Works best on a bottle with a stable base, such as a quart of 2 cycle oil.

Careful with tripods in a boat!

I just use the front seat.

Careful with tripods in a boat!

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: :-[

i use a sony cybershot...i found it in a car when i worked at the rental car place...no one ever claimed it so i kept it(sweet deal too, its nice and it retails for $600)   anyway, i also found this in a rental car....different car than the camera...i almost threw it away then realized what it was...it works great..the can of dip is just for size reference...the little legs are flexible and can be put in any position...i usually put it on the hood of my truck and just adjust the legs so it is level...plus it is compact and fits nicely in my box....plus it works great on my desk when downloading the pics on to my PC...my camera has an auto focus and timer setting, so i am always in focus when the picture is taken...here is a pic of the little tripod

Front or back seat depending where the sun is with the timer feature...  Though, I about had a heart attack one time, watching my camera slide off the front seat pad unto the deck.  

I fish alone most of the time and recently got a small digital camera to keep on the boat. How do you guys get a decent picture of yourself holding a bass before you release it? I was thinking of a stand or small tripod? Your thoughts?

I'm suprised Avid hasn't chimed in yet.......

I have a Canon A640 which I like, but it is difficult to do self-pics. It does have a delay timer, but you'd have to leave it on all the time or set-up the timer each time you are ready for a picture   And the shutter trip doesn't have a screw in adapter hole for a flex-trip cord   Things I never considered when I bought it. So, I purchased an inexpensive tri-pod and practiced setting up the timer, again and again. Now I'm getting fairly proficient in accomplishing the picture, but I sure do wish I'd have known about the timer thingy and shutter trip before I bought it! I'd have elected to go to another camera for sure!

Crest,

Check deep in the camera menu's for a setting to not have your camera reset when off.  I am not sure it will be there or what Cannon will cal it, but my Olympus Stylus 770sw has it.  I can have it remember what the last setting was open start up or always start at the standard setting.  But I don't get to choose the standard setting.

Good thread.  I am gona look into that bottle pod and or the mini tripod.  Seams ideal.

I take a few pics.....

I use this camera.

I mount the camera on this tripod and both lie on the boat's deck behind me with the tripod collapsed.  When I catch a 3+ lb Bass, I hold the Bass in one hand and reach behind me and raise the two and spread the tripod's legs, turn the camera on, bring the 2-inch vari-angle LCD facing me(so I can see what the camera see's), press the timer button, and then take the pic(s) with the wireless remote that comes with the camera.

Usually work's pretty good....

Also works on land too.  I just tilt the tripod's mounting base slightly upwards.

Dan