For 2017 MTI Adventurewear an American personal flotation device manufacturer released the new Neptune Auto Inflatable Life Jacket. With comfort and safety in mind the lightweight Neptune auto inflatable PFD is able to be worn in comfort all day long. Being a flat water PFD the use in kayak fishing, hunting, and touring is to be its main use but can also be used in power boating as well. The PFD is a one size fits all with 29 lbs of buoyancy!

Use:

After purchasing your new MTI Neptune PFD be sure to follow the instructions on the attached card thoroughly. You will need to arm the inflator device prior to use. If you fail to arm the device the PFD will not be buoyant in an emergency. Although there is a oral tube for manual inflation it will not be useful in the event you are unconscious.There are three ways to inflate the PFD. One is as is mentioned the manual oral tube. The second is the manual jerk tab which will activate a pin that will pierce the CO2 canister. The third is the automatic bobbin which when immersed with water will dissolve the chemical in the bobbin after a few seconds and release the pierce pin opening the CO2 cylinder.

Arming the PFD:

It’s necessary to arm the device prior to your experience on the water and disarm it when not in use. To arm the inflator device find the CO2 canister in the left side under the tab tat says “Cylinder for Arming”. You will find it wrapped in a plastic bag with instructions. Arming the PFD is pretty simple. Push in the CO2 canister while holding the lever arm to retract the bayonets. Turn 1/8 clockwise turn and the indicator will turn green. If it stays red then you will need to purchase a rearming kit. The Kit is model #V86000-84204Z which includes CO2 Canister and new bobbin.

When the PFD is not in use you should disarm the CO2 canister. This is important since you don’t want the PFD inflating during normal maintenance while cleaning or an accidental pull on the jerk tag while storing. When you clean your Neptune be sure to remove the cap and bobbin. Water will degrade the bobbin and make it fire therefore a rearming kit will be necessary.

The cost is US $159.95 msrp

For more info visit the MTI Adventurewear Website

Live. Love. Life [Jackets].

It’s a good idea to Take A Free Online Paddle Sports Safety Course every year! A certificate will be awarded if you pass the test! Education about the rules of the road on the water are designed to create a safer experience paddling. Many people don’t realize how dangerous paddle sports can be. Unfortunately every year people are seriously injured or die due to inexperience and not knowing simple guidelines  to keep them safe. These paddle sport rules were created specifically to keep people safer and aware.

Whats Required?

It is not required for a paddler to take and pass a boater safety certification course & exam.  However passing the exam is required prior to piloting a motor boat in most US states.  This also applies to motorized personal watercraft or a jet ski. All states requirements vary between horsepower and length of vessel. Typically any motorized craft is subject to checking your state laws to find what is required.

What the paddle sports safety course entails:

I found this course to have some very important information. I recommend for you take the time to go through it. You will find the course has integrated audio so you can listen or read along. Doesn’t get any simpler than that.

The course covers:

1. The boat
2. Boating Equipment
3. Trip Planning & Prep
4. Marine Enviroment
5. Safe Boat Operation
6. Emergency Preparedness

Free Online Paddlesports Safety Course:

http://www.boaterexam.com/paddling/

Remember always wear your PFD!

Wrap Up 5th Annual CBKA Tournament September 10th 2016

Another Chesapeake Bay Fishing Tournament in the books. For me it was great to be out on the water with my kayak after two and a half months due to relocating and my truck having mechanical issues. Living now in South Eastern Delaware it was a pleasure to have half the driving distance to the venue on Kent Island Maryland. This was my third year to be present at this beautiful venue.

Preparation:

It was the first kayak haul for my new 2016 F150. I took the Friday off from work which worked out as I was able to get my new truck bed cap installed at the ARE Dealer, Trick Trucks in Millsboro DE. Previously had removed the Thule rack in anticipation of installing it on the new cap asap. It took me around an hour to drill and bolt on the rack to my new cap. It was now pretty set for kayak hauling. I loaded up and let around 3:50 PM to arrive at the venue around 6:00 PM.

Arrival:

Upon my arrival meeting up with Joe Hostler. Checked in and received my captains bag stocked with goodies. Then awaited the captains meeting. After sitting trough that went to the field to set up my tent. The day was a scorcher at 95 degrees and high humidity. As the sun set during the potluck dinner which I provided some tuna mac with crab salad. All of the potluck food brought by others was excellent as always. Joe’s mac salad was amazing along with various other items such as jalapeno poppers, chicken wings, and a crab mac & cheese dish.

As the evening set in the temperature leveled at about 86 degrees as the humidity shot through the roof. The conditions were not the best to be camping but made the best of it. Sat in the truck air conditioning for a bit. Finally going to the tent around 12:00 am. Some of the guys were still up hanging out and apparently were until around 3 am.

Tournament Day:

The morning came fast. Sounds of alarms and others waking from camp. It was still dark but not for long. I went over and met Joe at his cabin grabbed some coffee and rigged up a few rods. We were probably the last to launch but it worked out because driving to the drop in was simple. Rather than loading up the kayaks and walking then there on kayak carts. Hitting the water we immediately started fishing for bait. In these areas Spot are an excellent source of bass bait. Spot can be gathered using a small 1/0 Octopus hook a small bit of weight and a fish bite or small piece of blood worm.

After about a dozen or so spot and catching small white perch at the same time we trolled over to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in search of solid fish marks on the chart plotter. By this time the wind had kicked up from the southeast and it was rocking and rolling out there. Live lining for bass was non eventful after a few hours. The stripers just didn’t seem to cooperate on the live bait.

Attempted trolling for hours catching one small striper around 17″. We went back at catching perch with an attempt to place in that category but could only manage fish up to 8″. We fished the entire time and missed the weigh in but were sure we had nothing that qualified for placing in the tournament anyway. It was a great day to be out on the water doing what I love the most.

The awards ceremony commenced and as always is very well put together. A representative from the make a wish foundation was present and spoke a little bit about the charity followed by a tear jerking video of a boys wish to take a trip on a US aircraft carrier. They really do amazing things for these kids whom unfortunately endure a lot of pain and suffering. This is what we do it for!

If you have never attended the Chesapeake Bay Kayak Anglers tournament come next year and check it out. Hang with a bunch of friendly kayak anglers.