A Small Kayak Ditch Kit

 A few months back I did a presentation for the Mid-Coast Flyfishers on building a Ditch Kit or Ditch Bag for kayaking and small boats.  The kit can easily be scaled up or down to suit a variety of situations and conditions, but I had a couple goals in mind when I put it together.  Goal 1: Follow Dave Canterbury's 10 C's of Survival as a guide. Goal 2: Try to utilize as much gear already in my collection as I can. Goal 3: Keep it small and light enough to fit in the MTM box that's been looking for a new purpose.  Most of these products were things I already had on hand that just needed to be pulled together into kit form, but should be able to be obtained readily and fairly inexpensively.  The use case I envisioned for this kit would be along the lines of becoming stranded on one of the many spoil islands we have in our area after kayaking, or perhaps having to seek shelter to wait out a storm.  Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Here's the list of Dave Canterbury's 10 C's of Survival and what I used to fill in each category:

C1:  Cutting Tool: Fixed Blade Knife Maratac Compact R4A (Ready 4 Action) Fixed Blade

C2:  Combustion: Fire Kit of Striker, Ferro Rod, Lifeboat Matches, Bic Lighter (I keep mine wrapped             with Gorilla Tape and Waxed Hemp cordage)

C3:  Cover: Space Blanket

C4:  Cordage: Paracord (A hank of about 10' minimum is what I prefer to keep on hand)

C5:  Container: Whirl-Pak Bag (Holds a liter of water, but can be packed down to about the size of a lip         balm tube)

C6:  Compass: County Comm

C7:  Cloth: Cotton Hankerchief

C8:  Candling: Small flashlight (In this kit, I went with a peanut-style flashlight for it's small size.  It's a         backup to the slightly larger light I keep in my EDC. I also included two Snap Light chem light            sticks.)

C9:  Cargo Tape: Gorilla tape on lighter

C10: Combination Tool: Leatherman

A few other things I added to round out the kit and make it more "mission specific" are:

    A physical map of the local area (state map as placeholder, but better than nothing)

    A personal (and personalized) first aid kit

    A small snack and hydration bag

    A small personal hygiene kit

    A spare signal whistle

    A small ham radio or backup communications device

    A pack of water purification tablets

43rd Annual Sunnyland Antique Boat Festival -- 23 March 2024

 Our day started out pretty soggy, with some fairly heavy rain falling on the banks of Lake Dora at the seaplane port in Tavares, Florida.  Fortunately, the  rains subsided and we were able to walk amongst  some of  the most incredible wooden boats I've ever seen gathered in one place.  The Sunnyland Antique Boat Festival is reputed to be the largest festival of antique and wooden boats in the entire  eastern United States!  There were definitely more boats presented than we were even close to be able to see!  Every imaginable boat type was represented, from tiny little wooden racing boats and canoes, to massive, multi-engined luxury launches!  This turned out to be a great day for us, an excellent day for a show and I really look forward to going back again next year.  In the pictures that follow, I tried to give a good overview of what was there.  There's no way I could photograph and share everything, so if you're interested, I encourage you to go next year!  I know I'm looking forward to the next one! 

I hope you're all doing well!
Tight lines, Fair Winds and Following Seas!
    -Nick

One of many small racing boats!

These little boats really rip across the water!

If I had the room, this big Cargo Canoe would have been a fun restoration project!

A beautiful, wooden skiff in the For Sale area.

A bit of time and elbow grease is all it would take!

1964 Century Resorter fully restored and ready to hit the lake!

Even the gators like wooden boats with classic Johnson outboards!

Wouldn't it be fun to flyfish out of one of these classics?

Such a cool race boat with a gorgeous vintage outboard!

Just such a classic look!

Talk about a dream boat!  Beautiful, big Chris-Craft!

I really like the lines on this Lyman!

A closer look at the Evinrude on the back of the Lyman!

There was also a decent Swap & Sale section of the show with some eye catching recycled water ski Adirondack chairs!

Pelican International Wins the “Boats and Watercraft” Category -- 18 July 2024

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pelican International Wins the “Boats and Watercraft” Category with the 

Wilderness Systems Tactical Pro 128 at ICAST 2024

Orlando, FL – July 18, 2024 – Pelican International is proud to announce that the 

Wilderness Systems Tactical Pro 128 fishing kayak has won the best “Boat and 

Watercraft” award at ICAST 2024, the premier destination for sportfishing manufacturers 

and dealers. This prestigious honor was presented during the New Product Showcase 

Industry Awards Reception held on July 17, at the Orange County Convention Center. 

ICAST, the world's largest sportfishing trade show, showcases the latest innovations in 

gear, tackle, accessories, and apparel, and the ICAST awards set the highest standard in 

the industry, coveted by all.

“This award is the gold standard in our industry—it's what everyone strives for. Winning 

the “Best of Category” award underscores our commitment to excellence and innovation 

in designing high-performance watercraft for anglers,” said Scott Byers, Wilderness 

Systems’ Product Manager at Pelican International.

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition for the Wilderness Systems Tactical Pro 128,” 

said Marc-Antoine Montbleau, Marketing Manager at Pelican International. “This award 

is a testament to our team's dedication to pushing the boundaries of design and 

functionality to deliver the best possible experience for our customers.” 

The Wilderness Systems Tactical Pro 128 kayak stood out among an impressive lineup of 

competitors for its innovative features and superior performance. Designed with 

competitive and pro anglers in mind, it offers cutting-edge fishing technology, pre-ran 

power wires, optimized storage, a motor mounting plate, and unparalleled stability, 

making it highly customizable to meet the needs of professional fishermen.

For more information about the Tactical Pro 128 and Wilderness Systems’ complete 

lineup, please visit confluenceoutdoor.com.

About Pelican International:

Pelican International is a world leader in the paddlesport and outdoor industry. Renowned 

for exceptional quality, innovation and expertise, Pelican has become the foremost global 

authority in the design and manufacture of kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, stand-up paddle 

boards (SUPs), fishing boats, and watersport accessories, while also offering a diverse 

range of outdoor equipment.

EGO Kayak Fishing Nets -- Press Release 2 Jan 2024

 Good morning Folks,

  Here's a new press release I received from the folks at EGO introducing some new kayak-specific fishing nets.  Check it out and I'd love to know your thoughts.

   Hope you're all doing well, make it a great day!

     Tight lines,

         Nick

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE A Kayak Angler’s Best Friend Five EGO landing nets that make kayak fishing more fun and rewarding. Caldwell, ID (January 2, 2024) – Kayak fishing has grown over leaps and bounds over the past decade and a half with vessels growing from once simple, sit-inside boats to sit-on-top, miniaturized bass boats with all the bells and whistles of professional tournament rigs. And while it’s easy to get caught up in outfitting today’s ‘yaks with sophisticated electronics and accessories, it’s absolutely critical not to forget about the essentials…like a reachable and reliable landing net. Good thing for Idaho, USA-based fishing accessories designer and manufacturer, EGO Fishing, who’s been there listening to kayak anglers’ needs since the start of this on-the-water craze.  “The thing we identified early on talking with kayak anglers is our nets had to be lightweight, unobtrusive, and easy to handle in confined spaces. So that’s exactly what we came out with,” says EGO Fishing CEO/Founder, Grant Corbett. Corbett continues: “Space is limited fishing out of kayaks, so a net designed for this kind of fishing has to slip easily into either a built-in rod holder or one in a crate, which many kayak anglers use. Typically, it seems like a majority of kayak anglers like to store the net in a rod holder right behind the feet for easy access when catch a fish.”  EGO S2 Slider Compact PVC Net The #1 Selling Net With Kayak Anglers Corbett says his number #1 selling kayak net is the EGO S2 Slider Compact PVC Net (72013), which has extra reach, a common request from kayak anglers for landing fish farther from kayaks. “The net handle extends from 18” to 36” and its hoop size is 17” x 19” which means you can still land some pretty decent-sized fish from a good reach, but it’s not so bulky, cumbersome, or a nuisance in the kayak. It weighs under two pounds,” continues Corbett.  The EGO S2 Slider Compact PVC Net is comprised of PVC material for ease on fish and healthy releases. Plus, the woven fabric is tough for toothy fish to cut through, a consideration for kayak anglers fishing salty backwaters, off-shore areas, and northern latitude freshwater full of toothy critters.  EGO WADE Medium Black Rubber Net Other Popular Kayak Net Options Besides the top-selling EGO S2 Slider Compact PVC Net, EGO Fishing’s wade fishing nets were designed to do double-duty for kayak fishing, both in standard and blue camo Kryptek design, all with an 11-inch hexagonal-shaped handle for strength and easy-to-hold fish landings, an 11-inch elastic tether, and 17” x 19” net hoop.   The EGO WADE Medium Clear Rubber Net (71268) and EGO WADE Medium Black Rubber Net (71266) are both great options for any angler looking to invest in quality for just over $75. The EGO Kryptek WADE Medium Rubber Fishing Net (75268) in Clear Rubber and EGO Kryptek WADE Medium Rubber Fishing Net (75266) in Black Rubber are both favorites with kayak anglers around the globe.  A Serious Kayak Angler’s Testimonial Northeast, Florida-based pro tournament kayak angler and former guide, Rory Gregg, many Top 10s on the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour and is very critical about the gear he uses. “EGO Fishing started sponsoring the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour about 10 years ago, and that’s when I was first exposed to their kayak fishing nets,” says Gregg. “Since day one, it’s all I’ve used.” While Gregg has fished about every kayak and wade net EGO offers, his favorite is the EGO S2 Slider Compact PVC Net. “I like that the handle extends our super-far for solid fish grabs, as well as its hook-snag-free netting, the fact it floats, and the large hoop. It’s perfect for chasing the ‘Grand Slam’ down here of redfish, speckled trout, and flounder but works great in freshwater, too.” But Gregg also recommends the benefits of EGO Fishing WadeNets for other kayak angling use.  “If you’re a novice kayak angler or looking for a smaller net, EGO Wade nets are a great solution. They fit well in the hand, there’s a clip and lanyard you can attach to the kayak, and even if it falls out of the boat, they float so you can pull the the net right back in,” concludes Gregg.  EGO Fishing Kayak Net Construction When it comes to kayak net construction, EGO fishing utilizes aluminum, corrosion-resistant stainless steel parts, and polypropylene-injected molded parts, besides the obvious netting materials composed of clear and black rubber, PVC, nylon, and coated nylon. While all materials have their place, given the photo-catch-release nature of most kayak fishing tournaments, clear rubber mesh helps preserves fish slime coating for healthy release and resists hook snags for faster fishing. And some anglers like black rubber mesh, which is also very soft on the fish’s slime-like coating and fins, too—and will not knot up when being used.  Hassle-Free For Dealers & Distributors On the retailer and distributor side, this modular design makes shipping easy. The net head/hoop/netting ships in one box and the handle in another, eliminating the need for a giant box like what’s required when shipping fixed-handle fishing nets. Cardboard costs go down; shipping cost is reduced; and, box damage is almost non-existent, often a problem with large landing net boxes getting caught in conveyors. Then, once in the dealer or distributor space, the separate handle and hoop/netting boxes require less storage space than standard giant, one-piece net boxes. Note to Retailers EGO is committed to your store, offering FREE custom fit modular displays for an EGO landing net assortment. The display is proven to improve the net selection process, while bolstering sales through the instant availability of S2 Slider accessories and multiple hoop sizes.   View Online Version ABOUT EGO Fishing Fourteen years ago, we set out on a simple mission – to develop a better fishing landing net solution that addressed the many functional and performance problems that existed with the traditional products. What started out as a small landing net company has now grown into the innovation leader in the fishing net and accessories category of the sport fishing industry. EGO products are sold at most major sporting goods retail chains and are carried by a large network of distributors and independent dealers in the United States. Distribution has also grown internationally to include countries such as Canada, Russia, South Africa, South Korea and Japan.

Newport Vessels 2023 Flash Sale

 Good morning Folks,

  I received an this email last night from my buddy Andrew with Newport Vessels running down the Flash Sale that they're having right now and wanted to pass it along!  I've been running a Newport trolling motor on my boat and, while I unfortunately haven't been able to put all that many hours on it yet, I've been very impressed with it when I have gotten out.  You may remember in my ICAST coverage that I spent some time in their On The Water booth and the show booth, but they had run into a spot of bad luck with a shipper and had very little info at the time.  But, hey, if you're interested in an electric motor for your kayak or outboard for a small boat, now might be a good time to take advantage of the Flash Sale.  Just an FYI, it looks like Andrew included some affiliate links in his email, I appreciate you clicking them to navigate to Newport, but totally understand if you'd rather find your own way.

  I hope you're all doing well!

    Tight lines and have a great day!

       -Nick

  

Hi Nick,

Know you're always on the lookout for great deals on outdoor + fishing gear, and happy to share the scoop on Newport's flash sale - featuring 20 percent off the best-selling NK180 Kayak Motor and NT300 Electric Outboard, plus more savings and free gifts happening all this week. 

Here's the quick rundown of savings and gifts for your readers to shop on Newport's site, available through 12/16 while supplies last:

Free Newport gift card with every purchase:

• Spend $100, receive a $50 Newport gift card 
• Spend $500, receive a $100 Newport gift card
• Spend $1500, receive a $200 Newport gift card

Featured Deal: Newport™ NT300 Electric Outboard Motor  (Skimlinks)

 

IMAGES • MSRP $1,199 Sale price $959.20 (20% off)

Delivering lightweight performance in an ultra-quiet, energy-efficient 3 horsepower equivalent (3HP) electric outboard motor, featuring flexible power options (choose the Newport 36V30 or 36V40 Lithium Battery), brushless direct-drive motor, field-oriented control technology (FOC), digital throttle and LCD screen. 1300w of peak power, 66 miles of est range, a top speed of 6.5MPH, and 30 hours max run time.

Newport™ NK180 Kayak Motor  (Skimlinks)

 

MSRP $999 Sale price $799.20 (20% off)

Newport's 1.8HP brushless electric kayak motor delivers excellent efficiency and extremely low noise with a direct drive design geared specifically for kayak anglers to stay out longer, get there faster, and catch more fish on fresh or saltwater. 

Newport™ Bluetooth Lithium Batteries  (Skimlinks)

36v30ah MSRP $949 Sale price $806.65 (15% off)

24v50ah MSRP $929 Sale price $789.65 (15% off)

Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to discuss. I’m happy to help!

Cheers,

Andrew

Exploring Lake George

Checking out a small craft launch on Florida's second largest lake. This is a stunning spot and, according to the internet (so it must be true!), home to the largest concentration of bald eagles outside of Alaska! Wonder how the concentration of bluegill measures up?

I'm itching to get the kayak back in the water!

I'm itching to get the kayak back in the water! I've got some maintenance to take care of and a few upgrades I'd like to try. What have you done to prep your fishing kayak for the season? Any products you'd recommend or would like to see me try? Let me know!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B8_wiNPhwfj/

Outcast Sporting Gear - IFTD 2019

Outcast Sporting Gear has finally released their own inflatable kayak! Designed after years of experience with inflatable drift boats, belly boats and pontoons, the IK Angler is packed with proven features and design!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B3r9NbVBH0H/

Johnny Boats, ICAST 2019

Built for guys that just want to fish, Johnny Boats are a cross between a kayak and a john boat! Available fully optioned, including a 3 horse outboard, for under $3000. The Bass 100 model, in base configuration, will retail around $900!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzx9w14Bg4r/

Wilderness Systems Patrol 120, ICAST 2019

This is the new Wilderness Systems Patrol 120. 12' long, 38" wide, weighs 80lbs and has a capacity of 450lbs!!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BzvPpUrBbWo/

Had a great late afternoon paddle yesterday. No fish caugh, but lots of wildlife observed. . #Kayak #kayaking #kayakflorida #kayakflyfishing #saltwaterflyfishing #PaddleFlorida #paddling #flyfishing #TheSuburbanAngler

Had a great late afternoon paddle yesterday. No fish caught, but lots of wildlife observed.

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BxmuHzGhaWS/

Testing out a new seat...

Testing out a new seat set up for my kayak. So far I'm pretty happy with it, I just need to figure out a better way to mount it. I'm hoping to put a lot of miles on and land a lot of fish in this kayak this year, so keep an eye out for various improvements I'll be making for 2019!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BsIigB7jOG6/

The Suburban Angler Top 9 2018!

Here's The Suburban Angler Top 9 for 2018! My apologies for a light year, I'm going to work hard to make 2019 much better! What would you guys like to see in 2019?

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BsBobxSDWNF/

Dead River Launch

Rental kayaks and launch at Lake Griffin State Park!

Adventure Medical

I had to spend some money in my FSA last month, so I decided it was a good time to update and upgrade my first aid kits. I ordered three kits from Adventure Medical. The yellow is the Ultralight and Watertight .5 that'll be shared between my sling pack and kayak bag. The blue is the Mountain Series Fundamentals kit that'll stay in the truck. And, the Orange bag is the Sportsman Series Grizzly that I'll keep in the camper. I always feel better having a good FAK handy!!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BpMifJEH8Ce/

I'm still counting down to IFTD and ICAST 2018

I think I might've missed a couple days, but I'm still counting down to IFTD and ICAST 2018. For day 17, this is a hybrid kayak from the folks at Diablo Paddlesports! So may features on these awesome boats were built with flyfishers in mind. Love how clean you can get that deck!!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BkXssD9HKbT/

Broke camp

Broke camp just as the sun was coming up this morning.

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf64aCcFTSS/

Last night's bow view

Last night's bow view was of Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in North America! .

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2trH3Nu

"How do you guys transport your kayaks?"

@t0tallydan posed the question this morning "How do you guys transport your kayaks?". This is how I do it, and it works very well!! It helps to be able to hold the kayak over your head for a few minutes to load up!!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2oWS9Y6

Gorgeous Weekend Ahead!

It looks like we've got a gorgeous weekend ahead. We're going to try to get on the water and hopefully fool a fish into eating a fly! Hope to see you out there!!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2e2EE2j