Self photography solutions in a kayak

[Lunker]

I finally bought my first kayak yesterday (will post some pics tomorrow). I enjoy taking photos with my catch, and was wondering how others get around fishing solo and getting good pics.

Obviously with today's nice camera phones and timers its a simple concept but in action while on a kayak while handling fish it isn't as simple. And I hate the "selfie" type shot from outstretched arm. I was looking at some products like this

And figure that's the best option, but figured there are probably some creative options thought up by the more experienced...let's hear them!

Thanks in advance

[Bryan P]

Hi Lunker- Thats cool you bought a kayak, your going love it. I love to kayak fish and I made my own camera mount for my kayak. There are lots of DIY videos out there that are some cheaper options? I will post a link below of the mount I built, maybe it can help you out. Take care!

http://youtu.be/KD74UE0eu_w

Camera view

[BTL]

I bought a Scotty rod holder extension arm, and put a camera mount on it. It plugged into the rod holder base in the front of my kayak.

I also did another but it's hard to explain without pictures.

[MN Shutterbug]

I finally bought my first kayak yesterday (will post some pics tomorrow). I enjoy taking photos with my catch, and was wondering how others get around fishing solo and getting good pics.

Obviously with today's nice camera phones and timers its a simple concept but in action while on a kayak while handling fish it isn't as simple. And I hate the "selfie" type shot from outstretched arm. I was looking at some products like this

And figure that's the best option, but figured there are probably some creative options thought up by the more experienced...let's hear them!

Thanks in advance

I have one of those and they will hold a lot of weight and wrap around almost anything.

[Duffman]

It's tough getting shots of yourself with a fish when alone.

I have a smaller version of the above joby camera mount.

It works, but it's always tough setting the timer and getting the focus right when you are trying to get a quick pic and then release the fish.

So I'm thinking about getting a GoPro with a remote for this year.

Mount it on the front of my solo canoe facing backwards.

[leechlake]

my kids taught me to take a video with my phone rather than attempting a photo. You can then take a screen shot from the video, it's worked pretty well for me.

[BTL]

my kids taught me to take a video with my phone rather than attempting a photo. You can then take a screen shot from the video, it's worked pretty well for me.

I've done that! Maybe next time it will be on purpose

[leechlake]

BTL-

my dad lives on a small duck sloughy lake up by Walker. Pretty good walleye fishing early on. I caught a 29-1/2 inch walleye and while planning on releasing it I wanted a good photo. Luckily I had a cooler in the boat and filled it with water put the fish in and headed the short distance to shore.

My dad was 84 years old then. I went in and got him out of the house and with his walker he headed to take my photo. The man had only used 110 cameras until they no longer offered them. He now uses 35mm disposables, a large upgrade. Once he got near the dock I took my iPhone out and had him practice taking pictures of a tree before I got the fish out. It wasn't going well but I figured it was time to get the fish back into the lake so I'd roll the dice.

I got the fish out and my dad put the camera up to his eye like he needed to look through a view finder. There could have been some swearing and frustration coming out of my mouth. After a bit I brought the fish to the water and released her. Now it was time to see how dad did.

He took almost 20 photos by accident; first was the sky, my leg, the ground, he then took a video somehow, and then back to the ground...I was deflated. Final photo was this:

[MN Shutterbug]

Well leechlake, it's nice to see your dad came thru for you. It just took a bit of practice.

[Lunker]

Love the story leech, and great pic. Thanks for the suggestions all.

[BTL]

Good story and a nice final pic. 21st one is the charm!

[mainbutter]

I have a gorillapod style camera mount like you have in your pic. In general, I like it, but it isn't as secure as I'd like it. I have a little difficulty finding a good way to get it to mount on the middle thwart, but can eventually get it balanced for a few shots. I have to reset it every time I catch another fish I want to take a pic of.

It's a MUCH better solution than selfie-style pics, but a camera mount that is more "installed" with hardware than using wrap-around legs might be a solution I'd recommend. I'm still in the market for something, but that's on hold while I'm no longer living in MN and don't get to canoe much.

For actually using a camera that is mounted, taking screenshots of video is a dang good option, but I always just set up my camera on burst mode w/a timer. I press the button, it waits 6 seconds, and then takes 10 pics once a second. Also I can set it to take a pic w/flash for night fishing which is nice, can't do that with video.