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Product Reviews Real Opinions from Real World Users DVO Rating - 1 Poor - 10 Must Have
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Product Reviews Real Opinions from Real World Users DVO Rating - 1 Poor - 10 Must Have
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One More Cast...
Time spent FISHIN'
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I feel the Shak-E2 head is the most
innovative and universal head design to hit the fishing industry in years, its
unique design allows the baits to be displayed to the fish in the typical
horizontal presentation. When the bait falls and comes in contact with the
bottom, of the body of water you are fishing, the unique football style head
design allows the bait to land in the upright (stand-up) position every time,
just like their Evolution jig. The fulcrum system on the bottom of the
Shak-E2 allows you to drag the bait across the bottom and when it stops,
it rolls forward and centers itself into the stand-up posture. The Shak-E2 head
also allows the angler the option to rig the bait weedless (for heavy cover
conditions) or exposed hook (for open water conditions).The recessed hook eye
deters snags. With a super sharp Mustad hook, it comes in five (5) different
sizes 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, and 1/2 oz, for all kinds of fishing. It can be
utilized for also for mat fishing, skipping docks, bed fishing or flipping heavy
cover. It comes in the three (3) most popular colors-Black, Brown and
GreenPumpkin. There are four (4) amazing Shak-E2 heads per pack for around $5.
The Kayak Fishing Video by Mark Zimmerman
The Kayak Fishing Video is a video hosted by kayak fishing expert Dennis Spike from www.kayakfishing.com The DVD had segments for techniques, gear selection, water safety, outfitting your kayak, accessory installations, and catching big game fish. I’m constantly trying to learn new information via the internet, videos, magazines, books, and people about kayak fishing. I was really impressed with the introduction. Dennis gives a clear purpose of the video which includes techniques for both beginner and experienced kayak fisherman.
The video first looks at outfitting your kayak. He recommends a sit-on-top model and goes on to talk about the essentials of what’s needed by giving a brief review of each item at the end of each video clip. Dennis shows in detail how to mount a fish finder. I wish he would have talked more about the other ways people could mount a fish finder, and about other models available. He makes a point to say it is primarily used for locating structure which is so important to every fisherman.
Dennis broke this video in smaller segments to address the vast amount of information. The packing of the kayak segment was informative. He talked about the importance of dry bags and what to pack, as well as how to deploy a drift sock. Dennis does a great job discussing and demonstrating all the possible items needed out on the water and where to store them. Examples include dry bags, bait buckets, rod holders, net, and tackle boxes. I can’t stress safety enough when it comes to kayak fishing, and the host does a nice job talking about necessary safety items such as first aid kit, whistle, VHF Radio, and cell phone. A method for strapping down your kayak for transportation was demonstrated and he did make an excellent point about tying down the kayaks independently instead of together for safety reasons. The segment on paddles with a lifeguard was very informative. They discussed types of paddles, size, and technique to use on the water. Another segment talked about Wetsuits and PFD’s. They recommend wetsuits and Coast guard approved PFD’s. The back floatation should be high so it does not interfere with the high back seat of the kayak. Dennis makes the point most people who drown do not where their PFD’s. A very important safety point he makes is that it should be worn at all times and not just in the surf zone. In addition to Wetsuits and PFD’s, they talked about tides and resources on the internet to help people decide when and where to make a surf launch. This led into the segment on surf launches. I found this info valuable. They talked about and demonstrated how to get your kayak through the surf zone which can be so intimidating even in small surf. Dennis points out to come to the beach with only your kayak and practice launches and landings to get comfortable. The segment on accessing your gear on the water was excellent. Most people want to straddle the kayak and move up, but he says you get more stability by hanging your feet over the side and slide towards the front or rear of the kayak. Practicing rocking the kayak from this position will help you get comfortable with the rocking motion of the kayak. He also does a nice job demonstrating the technique for getting back in your kayak should you fall out. The catching the bait segment may not have applications in all fishing environments especially if you are fishing in New Jersey. Again, techniques demonstrated such as drift fishing may look different in East Coast waters. He did a great job talking about trolling which is such an effective technique in salt or freshwater on the east coast. It was especially exciting to see the host hooking into Dorado while trolling.
Final impression: Overall I felt this video did an excellent job addressing the major topics for the kayak fisherman. Beginners as well as the experienced kayak fisherman can benefit from watching this video. There are a few things I did have concerns about and I’m assuming there is a very good explanation for it. One, it bothered me that many of the water shots were done with the host either not wearing a PFD, or it was not zipped. He stressed in the video that a PFD should be worn at all times, and most people who drown are not wearing a PFD. So, it puzzled me why he would not follow this advice. In addition, there was no mention of drysuits as an alternative to wearing wetsuits on the water. That may be because in California, wearing wetsuits is the preferred method. I also found the segments on catching bait and techniques for fishing from the kayak not as meaningful because the techniques on the video are not as readily used on the east coast. Finally, I would recommend this video to anyone looking to get into kayak fishing, or someone looking to brush up on some kayak fishing skills. Everyone needs to keep in mind that all the techniques demonstrated in this video will not be applicable to your fishing situation.
Delaware Valley Outdoors Rating: 8 out of 10
Evolution
By Harold “Howie” Range While on one of my annual fishing trips to Stirling Lodge in Newboro, Ontario Canada, I was able to try the new Evolution “Finesse Plus” Jig produced by Megastrike Inc. The finesse style was just perfect for the cover and structure in the clear water of Newboro Lake. It dropped through the branches of blown down trees and weed pockets with ease. It would also just scoot across the numerous stone and gravel bottoms.
The finesse jig comes in three different sizes 3/16, 5/16, or 7/16. It also comes in various different colors, my favorites are green pumpkin, halloween, and of course black/blue, however their bayou craw (black/blue/chartreuse) is also nice. Another neat feature I noticed is that the skirt stands out more than other jigs I use and doesn’t fall backwards as much when moving it. I one down fall is the cost for a pack of 2 jigs, cost about $10. I guess that is because their jig is made out of tin not lead. Hey if the jig helps me catch fish like the one picture, its well worth it The worm was also had Megastrike attractant on it DVO Rating 10 out of 10
by Mark Zimmerman One of my favorite things about fishing is landing the fish. You’ve experienced the take, fighting the fish, and now you get to see the fish you’ve only imagined to that point. This could be a 12 inch smallmouth bass, or a 30 pound striper. At the same time, this is also one of my least favorite things to do while fishing. First, fish will jump around while you are trying to grab them to take the hook out. Fish are extremely slippery and this can be a difficult task. In addition, your hands will get slimy. Eventually, you will either get a hook or a spine from the fish in your hand. If you are really unlucky, your prize catch will end up back in the water prematurely because you dropped it. Hence, there is a solution.
Advantages: low cost $15 to $30 and free shipping, ease of taking glove on and off, ease of clean-up, Velcro attachment, gripping ability, made in the USA. Disadvantages: Practice time to get use to landing fish with the glove, not puncture proof. Overall: I felt the glove had some definite benefits for fishing from a kayak. If you don’t like slimy hands, fin pricks, and want to land your fish quickly without fear of dropping it into the water, the glove is for you. Although it had some disadvantages, the advantages definitely outweigh them. DVO Rating: 8 out of 10
You can find out more information at their website at http://mysite.verizon.net/fishoff3/ Fishoff Products LLC Fishoff Glove 301-574-4672 Gear Keepers for all your tackle needs.
Gear Keepers By: Mark Zimmerman Have you ever dropped something accidentally? I think it’s safe to say that every one has dropped something accidentally during their lifetime. Unfortunately for kayak fisherman, dropping something accidentally may mean an expensive piece of equipment ends up at the bottom of the lake or ocean. We sit very close to the water and because our kayaks are only 30 inches wide, dropping a piece of equipment often means losing it. I’ve known people who have lost lip grippers, pliers, and tackle boxes. There is an extremely high need for a product that will reduce or even eliminate the potential for losing a piece of equipment if we get clumsy. So, what can be done to resolve this problem? One option is to tie one end of nylon cord to everything you don’t want to lose and the other end to the kayak . Obviously, this is not a practical solution. Envision the amount of rope that would be laying in your lap waiting for entanglement. There is a better solution. Gear
Keepers are retractable gear attachment systems made by Hammerhead Industries
located in Ventura, California (http://www.gearkeeper.com/index.html).
They make retractors that can be used for a variety of situations and
they say that the retractors can be used in saltwater environments.
The two models they sell are retractors and security tethers.
The retractors are made to retract/suspend gear or devices, which means
it is strong enough to retract the items weight.
Security tethers are primarily used to prevent loss or damage to gear or
devices, but it is not intended to retract the item’s weight.
They have the advantage of longer extension and less spring force.
When not in use the gear must be secured with a belt clip, holster, or a
pocket.
The company suggests ways to choose a retractor to meet your needs. Special application packages have been created to match your application needs. For example, cell phones, pliers, and flashlights. If your application does not come in a specific package then Hammerhead Industries suggests the following:
So, how does kayak fisherman take advantage of the retractors? I tested seven Gear Keeper applications for the sole purpose of kayak fishing. First, I tested the RT3-4613 which I attached to my lip gripper (Boga Grip). This 24 oz retractor retracted and suspended the weight of the lip gripper. The RT3-0032 has a 12 oz retraction force and can be used as safety tether for the lip gripper. I really liked this application. I use the lip gripper frequently, especially when fishing in saltwater. I’ll never have to worry about losing my lip gripper ever again. I highly recommend this application. Also, I used the 24 oz retractor for the backpack I use for my fishing equipment. The weight in my pack was heavy due to the hydration bladder which I carry in my backpack. Therefore the 24 oz retractor had trouble retracting the weight of the pack, but I don’t have to ever worry about losing it. In addition, I used this application as a safety tether with the two dry bags that I carry in my crate located behind my seat. Again, I highly recommend this application if you carry a back pack or dry bags.
Pliers are a must while fishing. The RT2-0041/RT2-0031 Medium Force (6 oz) is excellent choice for pliers. Here is a tip for where to store the pliers when not using them. I attached a fanny pack to the back of my seat. The pack has a pouch on each side for a water bottle. I found this an excellent place to keep the pliers when I’m not using it. The other end of the retractor is attached to the milk crate. You may find better ways to attach them to your kayak such as deck loops. In addition, a lanyard (AC0-0902) can be added for flexibility.
Another application I found very helpful was the Pin Mount safety tether (RT2-0021) which I attached to my PFD. I attach fishing line clippers or a safety whistle using this application. I really liked this application for ease of access. Anytime I needed to cut my fishing line, the clippers were right there. Again, I did not have to worry about losing the clippers I dropped it.
A VHF radio is a must have item if you fish in saltwater. Therefore, you definitely don’t want to risk losing this highly expensive and highly priced piece of equipment. The RT3-4653 18 oz. Retractor is perfect for the size VHF radio’s we use, and it will suspend the weight of the radio. Attach one end of the retractor to your PFD, and the other end to the radio. Then, clip the radio to your vest, or put it in a pouch or pocket located on your PFD. Once again, I highly recommend this application.
The last application I tested is for a knife. This is a must have safety item. I recommend a knife with a quick release sheath. The RT2-0020 Low force (3 oz) safety tether (or RT2-0040) was perfect for this application. I attached one end of the retractor to the knife handle, and the other end to my PFD.
I am very impressed with the Gear Keepers for kayak fishing. It’s amazing how many headaches I avoid every time I use these products. I’ll never have to worry about getting tangled in rope tethers, or losing any of the gear I attach to the Gear Keepers. They are extremely easy to use, and appear to be built very well. I’ll never be caught out on my kayak without Gear Keepers. You can find the link to their website on the column to the right or earlier in this review. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. I give this product 5 out of 5 paddles. DVO Rating 10 out of 10
The Kayak Fishing Video Review By: Mark Zimmerman Format: DVD
Full Review Coming Soon.
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by Mark Zimmerman
My number one concern prior to fishing in my kayak is safety. Kayaks are not very visible to people in boats, especially when they are moving at high rates of speed. What can be done to make you more visible? I was excited to test out a product made by “Be Seen Wear.” It is a flag you can attach to you kayak for added visibility. The company states “Unlike the pennant and novelty flags on the market today, our number one goal at Be Seen Wear was to design and produce a flag that would help you be safe and seen.” The flag is 13” X 13” and the color is a highly fluorescent orange and yellow with a reflective silver stripe through the center and edges. I tested it a few times while fishing in both fresh and saltwater situations and was very impressed with the added visibility it gave a kayaker while on the water.
You have a few options when deciding how to mount the flag. One way is to rig a pole with the flag and attach it to the kayak. The other option is to attach it to a fishing rod that you are not using. The flag has a Velcro strip built down one side of the flag. All you do is fold it over the rod. It’s that simple. After using this flag I would definitely recommend it to anyone looked for added safety while on the water, and give it 4 out of 4 paddles. DVO Rating 8 out of 10
You can find out more information at their website at www.beseenwear.com
Personally, I’m always looking for creative and practical ways to store the gear on my kayak. As a rule of thumb I want it to be stored in a way so it is easy to get to, and I won’t lose it. Sounds practical enough, right? I’m also looking for simple ideas that get the job done. When Sportsgear USA asked me to check out their Tofino Guide Vest and Scout Pak for kayak fishing, I saw another great opportunity to simplify things. Sportgear is based in Canada, and they have a simple mission; To design and build gear that enhances all your outdoor activities. Sportgear.ca is the parent company to a number of brands, of which the most renowned is Tulli. Over the last two years Tulli has steadily grown in popularity as they now have a number of quality solutions that really cater towards fly and salmon anglers. This performance gear includes chest packs, reel slings, stripping baskets, and now pontoon seat bags. The Tofino Guide Vest is not a PFD but it is a clever vest that fits over your PFD to hold flares, a knife, strobe, first aid kit, note pad, sunscreen, ditch kit, etc. Light weight, hi-vis mesh construction with a YKK zipper. Its low profile cut has six strap adjustments to fit over contemporary PFD designs. Also, it has an extra large rear pocket that can accommodate a small hydration system and gear. Finally, the vest has one center waist belt for a custom fit. Initial Impressions: I felt strongly the vest could be a real asset to the kayak angler. I never fish without wearing my PFD, and mine has limited amount of storage space built into it. I was a little worried that it would feel bulky. This vest has four pockets that had ample amount of storage space for lure or fly boxes, VHF radio, clippers, pliers, cell phone, or camera. Most of these items I must keep in a dry bag or stored in one of my kayak hatches. The vest also has a very large storage pouch in the upper back region of the vest. The material of the vest appeared very sturdy and well made. The high visible orange color is an added safety benefit. Features: · Six adjustable web straps for contour body fit. · Heavy Duty, Hi-Vis Mesh Fabric with main YKK Zipper. · Two high front chest pockets for GPS or Marine Radio and Mic. · Two waist pockets for flares with outside webbing attachments. Fitting the vest over the PFD: One thing you need to make sure is that you have the correct size. The vest needs to be significantly larger than your PFD. If you wear a large PDF you will want the XL size of this vest. Once you place it on and zip it up, you can use one of the many adjustable straps to secure it. It was actually very easy to do, and the fit was very good. It was not bulky at all. The other added benefit is that the mess construction will enable your body heat to escape therefore keeping you comfortable while you are on the water. On the Water: Filling up the pockets with my gear was very easy. Even sitting in the kayak was very comfortable. The vest did not ride up and it fit perfectly over the PFD without movement. One thing I immediately noticed however was the two large bottom pockets sit somewhat below you hip. This creates a significant problem once you are seated in your kayak. There is no access to the two lower pockets once you are seated in the kayak because of where they are positioned. The two upper pockets are much smaller, and I can fit as much gear into them as I do the PFD I currently wear. This was very disappointing. I had a difficult time trying to figure out what I could use the large pouch on the rear of the vest that would be practical on the water. In the end, I could not find a practical use for it while on the water.
Final
Results: Initially, this is a product that had a lot of upside for the
kayak fisherman. It was made very well, and is highly visible on the
water. Unfortunately, this product has significant flaws which will not
enable it to be a useful tool for fishing from a kayak. Two large
pockets are unusable because of location, and the two pockets that you
can are small and can only be used for a limited amount of fishing
gear. It may have other applications though, such as surf or jetty
fishing. It is very comfortable and is adjustable so it can fit over
any type of clothing. I’m going to add on here about the Scout pak. It
is used for
search & rescue or field hunting. There is simple front unit to carry
your binocular, field notes and gear. It fits over your jacket and
keeps all your daily essentials in one center pocket. For a fisherman,
it means it can carry lure and fly boxes as well as a few other small
items, and is easily adjustable to fit any body type. Again, this
project is probably better suited for wade or shore type fishing
environments. It is made of the same material as the vest and comes in
the same fluorescent orange.
7 out of 10 paddles for shore fishing
Scout Pak: 8 out of 10 for shore fishing
Scout Front Pack Full Review Coming Soon.
For the rugged traveler, the easy to grip NEO is ideal for use in cold and windy conditions. Easy to use with gloves, lighter flame is able to withstand 30-50 mph (50-60 km) winds. The NEO features a steel wire safety lock, metal lighter parts, adjustable flame and a see-thru fuel window.
Full Review Coming Soon. Paddle Saddle
Seat By: Mark Zimmerman Have
you ever sat on plastic for hours at a time?
If you fish from a kayak, the answer is yes.
Whether you have or not, you can imagine the discomfort one could
experience after paddling and fishing for long stretches of time.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a product that could make our kayak
fishing experience more comfortable? There
are many models of add on kayak seats on the market.
Some are more comfortable than others, and they come in many styles.
Attaching the seat to my kayak was very easy. It went over the top of my built in high back seat (wilderness systems tarpon 120). The seat is secured with a couple of clips. I found the non-skid backing very helpful. The seat did not move very much while I was fishing or paddling. The first thing I noticed about this seat was how comfortable it was. The gel molds to your body, and provides a lot of support. How long will this comfort last though? I was on the water for about 9 hours during testing, and I felt the seat met the challenge. I’d say I was almost as comfortable at the end of the day as at the beginning of it. There was one problem that I observed with the seat. Once the seat becomes wet, it remains wet. During the summer months, this is not a big deal, but on a cooler day, you may feel some discomfort. This may not be an issue for many people however. Overall, I was very happy with this seat. I would definitely recommend this product for someone looking for a simple way to add padding to their kayak seat. It’s comfortable, and provides a tremendous amount of support for those long days on the water. Check out their website at www.yakpads.com. I give the Paddle Saddle 4 out of 5 paddles. DVO Rating 8 out of 10
Aloksak
Dry Bags By: Mark Zimmerman Kayak Fishing is not a dry
activity. Even under the best
conditions, the probability of getting wet is extremely high.
Many items we bring with us such as wallets, cell phones, digital
cameras, film, batteries, remote keyless entry devices, food, GPS, and maps need
to be kept dry. Therefore, we have
a direct need for a reliable product that has the capability of keeping those
items we dry while we are in our kayaks. I
think I have found such a product.
There are several benefits to
these bags. First, they are durable
and safe. It is made of the same
material that is used for children’s teething rings.
Second, they are fully recyclable, and with fewer bags used, it is less
likely to pose a hazard to wildlife. The
bags are intended for long-term use and then recycling.
Third, they are soft-sided. This
means they adapt to your space or gear. ALOKSAK bags come in many
different sizes. They come as small
as 5” x 4”, and can be as large as 12” x 44”.
In addition, this company sells what are called splash caddy’s which is
a combination of nylon waste packs and shoulder bags. Inside, the splash caddy’s come with ALOKSAK bags to
protect the contents. Splash
Caddy’s come in different sizes such as a 12” x 12” map case or 7” x
6” dipper-mm. I had the pleasure of testing
these products while kayak fishing this past weekend. I used the Dipper-MM for my digital camera which I kept
secured to my rod holder, so I could have easy access to it. It was quite windy, and plenty of water made its way into the
kayak and onto the splash caddy. The
bag did its job perfectly. Not one
ounce of moisture was detected in the bag or the camera by the end of the day.
I want to add that I had the camera out of the bag many times during the
day. I also tested the Navigator
splash caddy. I used it for a map
of the sedge islands behind Island Beach State Park where we were fishing.
Once again it performed perfectly. One
of the features I want to highlight is the ability to roll the splash caddy to
make it smaller and store it in a backpack when not using it. At the end of the day, all I needed to do is rinse the splash
caddy to get any saltwater off it. Last,
I used the 12” x 44” bags to store dry clothing in the front hatch of my
kayak. Some water routinely gets in
the hull of the kayak, and once again the bags performed perfectly.
My clothing remained dry the entire day. Most electronics such as digital
cameras GPS’s can be used while protected in the ALOKSAK.
Digital cameras can be used underwater as well.
I have not tested this feature however. In addition to being watertight,
the bags offer airtight protection for metals, food storage, and electronic
equipment above sea level. Other
uses for these bags are as ice packs, and they can be blown and used as a seat
cushion or pillow. Another item
this company makes is O.P. SAK odor proof bags used for food storage.
It is rated a biohazard bag by the U.S. Government. Here is a link to their website. It is a very user friendly website, and offers a lot of great information. We also have link on the kayak fishing page in the right hand column to their website: http://www.watchfuleyedesigns.com/index.cfm Here is a link to their online store: http://www.watchfuleyedesigns.com/index.cfm?do=search I am very impressed with the performance of these products, and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a product to keep their electronics and valuables safe while kayak fishing. Please look for these products on an upcoming kayak fishing show here on Delaware Valley Outdoors. DVO Rating: 10 out of 10
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Shak-E2
Jig
The
jig is actually designed to have the hook stand up when slack is put into the
line. I didn’t believe it at first, until I was able to see it for my own eyes,
when I was fishing clear water in about 6ft depth. It was simple incredible. I
had my jig tipped with a 3” worm. When I would drag the jig over the
rocks/gravel the worm would lay down and appeared to crawl along the surface of
the rock/gravel, once stopped the worm would actually stand end up and wave back
and forth with the movement of the water or twitch of the rod tip. This is when
I had most of my strikes. Another thing I noticed is that most of the fish I
caught got hooked in the roof of their mouth.
The
Since
I'm a kayaker I was anxious to take a look at the glove’s application on the
kayak. I was able to attach the glove using the Velcro to the side of my
kayak. I placed it near the side handles so I had easy access since it was less
than an arms length away. Since the glove remains open because of the metal
insert, I found getting the glove on and off very easy. It was a little awkward
tying to grab my first fish with the glove. I tried to grab the fish while it
was still in the water and the fish slipped through the glove several times. It
was not until I lifted the fish out of the water that I could grab it
successfully. This is not necessarily a bad thing. You just need a little
practice. After catching and releasing several more fish it became much
easier. This is when I began to see the gloves usefulness on the kayak. I can
see the glove being helpful for catching Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass,
Pickerel, Bluegills or Sunfish, Striped Bass and Flounder. 
beseen
Kayaking Flag
Tofino
Guide Vest 
Azen
Neo lighter
I
had the pleasure of testing a kayak seat made by Yakpads (
Watchful
Eye Designs located in Park City, Utah makes ALOKSAK storage and transport bags.