The Lunchbox Paddle Park was invented in 2016 by Charlie “LunchBox” LaBar prostaffter of Eddie Line Kayaks and The Kayak Fishing Store. The original concept came from using gear tracks a T bolt and a Yakattack RotoGrip Paddle Holder to offset the paddle holders from the track area. Stowing the paddle away has always been a challenge on many kayaks. Now with the new track mounting V grip style paddle holders the paddle will lay across the entire length of track. This unfortunately renders use of the track useless for mounting any additional accessories.

About:

The LunchBox Paddle Park arms are fabricated from 1/2″ black starboard. The plastic is very rigid at this thickness but is soft to drill for adding paddle holders and other accessories. They are track mounted using a T Bolt and plastic knob. This allows them to be stowed easily for kayak transport. You can mount the YakAttack RotoGrip™  or any other V style paddle holders to the arms.

The Paddle Park can also double as a ParkNPole Holder! If you have ever tried to stow a YakAtack ParkNPole you know how awkward it can be.  Simply add on the YakAttack ParkNPole Clip Kit with Anti-Pivot Mounting Base and Security Straps to the center of the arms. No more shoving under bungees trying to get  it out of the way of your paddle stroke. Neatly stowed at the gunnel and easily accessible.

The Paddle Park Use:

The Paddle Park first of all has the ability to be track mounted on the gunnels of a  kayak. Most fishing model kayaks come standard with these tracks from the factory. The paddle parks are designed to position the paddle holders offset of the gear tracks. The paddle park allows for quick and easy access to your paddle while keeping it out of the way from the remainder of the tracks for mounting other accessories. The system is handy for stowing the paddle all day on peddle style boats or motorized kayaks where the paddle is not needed 90% of the time.

Most of all I really like the ease of stowing and accessing the paddle. A simple lift from the Rotogrips and your ready to paddle. Align the paddle in place, push down and the paddle is locked in and stowed.

The paddle park stows while traveling. You can simply rotate the Paddle Parks to align with the kayak. This way they are not protruding. The Paddle Parks are easily transferred to other kayaks with gear tracks installed on them.

Customization:

Changing out Hardware:

Furthermore I decided to countersink 1/4-20 bolts into the starboard to give a flush mounting of the RotoGrips. The Paddle Park is not countersunk from the factory. You can swap out the Plastic Knobs with Screwballs. This also allows the mounting of additional RAM Mount accessories. These include camera mounts a fish finder mount etc.

Adding a YakAttack Park n pole mounting kit is a great option. In addition you can stow your parkNpole right next to your paddle for easy access.

The Paddle park can be used with other manufacturers paddle holders such as:

Native Cam-Lock

Rail Blaza G-Hold

The Paddle Park is only available at The Kayak Fishing Store

A necessary piece safety gear for kayak fishing open water is a Marine Very High Frequency (VHF) Radio. Personally I have had great experience using a Standard Horizon Handheld HX209 VHF Radio. The MTI Dio F Spec PFD has a built-in pocket for the handheld VHF. Along with the VHF radio I like to use an external microphone/speaker. The radio fits inside a zippered pocket designed with a built in antenna port allows it to protrude through the pocket. Attatching the mic to the shoulder strap of the PFD easily allows monitoring the radio along with keying up to speak. The external mic is submersible which works best for us kayak anglers. The speaker/mic also has a clip making  it easy to keep on my shoulder area. it is necessary to access the radio only when switching channels and changing the volume.

Marine Radios vs Cell Phones:

Marine radios are the primary device for on water marine communication including distress. Cell Phones are primary land based communication devices that contact land based telephones. So they both have their own uses. A Marine Radio is able to be heard by anyone in ranged dialed into the same frequency.  A cell phone is a person to person connection which will not enable assistance from other vessels in the area.

That being said, they are not comparable since they both do different things. A VHF Marine Radio is best for on water use due to ability of multiple vessels hearing your transmission. This greatly reduces arrival time for assistance.

HX290 Features

• Floating
• Submersible IPX8 (1.5 meters or 4.92 feet for 30 minutes)
• Slim form fitting case
• Selectable 5 and 1 Watt transmit power output
• Supplied with a 1140 mAh Li-ion battery, AC and DC chargers and a charging cradle
• Glow-In-the-Dark strip
• Huge channel display
• Optional speaker microphone or headset capable
• All USA, International and Canadian Marine Channels
• Programmable Scan, Priority Scan and Dual Watch
• NOAA Weather channels and Weather Alert
• Key lock
• Squelch level on display
• Low battery indicator
• Preset key used to recall up to 10 favorite channels
• Optional FBA-42 Alkaline battery tray available
• 3 Year Waterproof Warranty

Great features of this model VHF radio are the Key Lock for in pocket use. The additional external mic ability. Rechargeable Li-ion battery. Weather alert.

Manufacturers website http://standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=43176D11CC8DF3B49149D8AF658C0CC3&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

Gear Review: Boga Grip w/ YakAttack T-Reign

One of the most commonly used tools for landing fish of all types is the Boga Grip. Although typically not in a kayak anglers budget one should be. Granted the fish grips are budget friendly and they float. However I’m sure the fish grip user has lost and struggled with more fish that the boga grip user.

Made in the USA from high quality stainless steel the Boga Grip cannot be matched. The one handed operation is necessary while fishing from a single person platform such as a kayak. Wile securely holding the fish by its mouth the boga grip allows wiggling flopping and spinning causing less damage to the fish. Also featuring a scale that can weigh fish up to 60 lbs depending on the model.

The boga grip is engaged by the angler pulling back with their fingers to open the clamp. When released the spring action closes the clamp and the weight of the fish actually holds the clamp shut with its weight and the fish is secured. The spinning and angle of the clamp is designed to allow the fish to flap and spin freely. Allowing this motion actually causes less damage to the fish. To release the fish simply pull back with your fingers and the fish is loose!

The Boga grip is a great aid for handling a fish to remove hooks and align on a measuring board. Once the fish is clamped in the odds of loosing the fish are pretty slim. On the kayak its a great idea to leash everything that does not float. In that kayak fishing world there is a slogan. “If you love it leash it.”

Personally too many leashes get in the way on a small platform such as a kayak. The YakAttack T-Reign Surface Mount Retractor is the solution for this. The package also includes a mounting solution for the boga grip. You can also use the GearTrac mounted Retractor solution along with the mounting clip (call to combine these items). The T-Reign is a retractor meaning its 36″ Kevlar chord leash will self stow inside the housing automatically. No winding or cranking. Its spring loaded. When you put your Boga Grip back in its mounting clip the leash will automatically retract! If you do not want to leash the Boga Grip a float can be easily attatched.

Boga Grip maintenance is minimal. Like all other gear a rinse with fresh water after use is recommended. Just keeps it clean less gritty for functioning smoothly and properly. You can use a light machine oil or silicone to lube it up for. A small amount on the trigger pin, prong pin and connecting rivets.

The Boga Grip is a winner for the kayak angler.

• Made in the USA
• Ease One Hand Operation
• Built In Scale
• Durable and corrosion Resistant
• Ergonomically Comfortable
• Foam Grip
• Prevents Damage to Fish
• Leash Tether or Float Addition
• YakAttack T-Reign and mounting clip