Dio F Spec PFD

As US Coast Guard Type III certified and a required piece of kayak fishing gear MTI Adventurewear’s latest Fishing PFD the MTI Dio F Spec Review is incredibly comfortable! Its high back is ideal for sit on top kayaks with high seat backs for maximum all day comfort. It has ample amounts of storage. Fishing from a kayak canoe or any small platform you always need all of the storage you can get. With 3 pockets the storage is ample. Personally I keep my digital camera in the  right side pocket along with a pocket knife. The pin reinforcement is a great idea for pinning retractable leashes to the PFD without tearing the nylon fabric. These leashes are great for small tools such as pliers line sippers and small folding knives. Its high visual gray color and added reflective strips makes you exceptionally visible when out on the water during the day and night.On the left pocket face there is a sleeve with a Velcro strap to house your fishing pliers. On the face of the right pocket is a bungee which I usually clip a leash or stow my boga grips. One thing I really love is the Zip up. It totally beats out straps and clips. Left Pocket for radio. I added an external mic speaker on my hand held radio for ease of use and so I could stow it in the pocket at all times. Downside is the radio is not waterproof anymore.   Right two Pockets includes a fly pad for your fly storage. A work bridge for tying and anything else you would need a flat surface for.  Above the right pocket is a leather patch area for pinning retractable tools such as line cutters. The PFD is endless in what you can store within it.

You will not be uncomfortable or hot wearing this PFD as its mesh breaths your body feel the breeze in the summer for maximum coolness in the summer heat.    

Get to your local MTI dealer and try it on! I recommend it. If you dont know where to try on MTI PFD’s check out their website at www.mtiadventurewear.com.

A touring paddle for kayak fishing?  Why not? The low angle of the Aqua-Bound Spindrift enhances your time fishing saving you from fatigue on those long days of paddling. The low angle paddling style is most common while touring kayaking with a low sweeping stroke that is semi-circular. This paddle stroke will allow for longer time paddling during your fishing trips with overall less fatigue.

Whats the difference between a low and a high angle paddle? Well one is longer with a narrow blade and the other is a short fatty. As mentioned above he low angle stroke is more of a low sweeping stroke meaning to maintain a consistent speed. The stroke is less responsive than the high angle but is effective in saving energy on long fishing trips.

The high angle paddle is shorter in length with a wider blade.  The high angle paddle stroke begins and ends with vertical entry and exit from the water hence the high angle of 45 degrees. This style of paddling is meant to generate the maximum thrust due to the straight line path therefor quickly gaining greatest amount of speed. Paddling this style will cause more fatigue due to the high rate of strokes.

Aqua-Bound Spindrift Carbon:

The Spindrift Carbon is one of many top of the line style paddles offered by Aqua-Bound. It has become of my favorite paddles of all time due to its versatility and comfort. The Carbon fiber paddle is incredibly light due to its carbon fiber resin and foam core compression molded blades coming in at an overall weight of 24 oz. The telescoping (Plus) ferrule is an excellent option for paddlers with adjustable high low seating or multiple kayaks. It does add a few ounces but with the added option to set the paddle length +/- 15 cm is incredibly handy. The current Spindrift Carbon Paddle I have tested length is 235 cm collapsed and adjusts to a maximum of 250 cm. Due to the feature of the telescoping ferrule the paddle has a infinite feather angle. You may set the feather angle to keep you more comfortable while paddling. To adjust simply twist to the left to loosen and right to tighten.

My Experience:

Using this paddle is great for areas of medium current speed tidal zones. Although it may take you a few extra strokes to get going once your going the ease of paddling is great! My recommendation in high wind and strong tidal zones the use of a high angle paddle so you have the added catch and speed for areas you may want to move fast. The paddle is well woth the investment and will last years of paddling and fishing!

The paddle has held up well for its first season. Trying not to push off of rocks and gravel there is not many marks in the finish. Although a little dirty the paddle looks new and is in great shape. Never store your paddle assembled remember when done paddling especially in salt water to break it down into 2 pieces and rinse it off. This will ensure your paddle never fuses together.

Stock Paddle Stats:

Ovalized Shaft:

The option for the telescoping ferrule is available.

More Info at Aqua-Bound.com follow the link below!

http://aquabound.com/kayak-paddles/performance/spindrift-carbon

Image from http://blackdiamondequipment.com/

Over the years of night fishing and early morning to day fishing I have used many different headlamps. Only one has stood out beyond the rest. The Black Diamond Storm!! The storm was created for outdoor enthusiasts mainly for hiking and camping. I feel being in a marine environment was the ultimate test. There are a few musts within a headlamp needed for kayak fishing.

1. Must be waterproof
2. Must be bright
3. Must be operable with one hand
4. Push Button On Off Operation
5. Must fit head snugly
6. Has to be light and comfortable to wear
7. Needs Red light options
8. LED is BEST
9. Good Battery Life

Previous headlamps were not waterproof. Some died just from being rained on. Others well the salt eventually corroded the insides. I have owned filament light bulb flash light style and LED styles the LED is the best.  LED is much brighter than the standard filament light bulbs.  The diode also lasts longer. Some were turned on by turning the lens others were push button. The push button is much better for 1 hand operation.

After 5 or six different headlamps I had a coupon for a local Eastern Mountain Sports store. I went in just to use the coupon on someting kayak fishing related but wasn’t sure on what. Once in the store looking around i came upon the Black Diamond headlamp display. Realizing my current headlamp had just died the morning prior I became very interested. Looking at the package it stated the headlamp was indeed waterproof. Now almost sold reading more about the features it has a RED lamp option and 2 bright light options.  One being 2 white single power LED’s which give a good general flood of light for doing most tasks and a bright “Quad Power LED” in the center . The Quad Power is very bright and acts like a spot lite. It shines for a range of 70 m or about 230 feet. The brightness is perfect for tieing knots and de-hooking fish.  The single power led’s light is a max of about 7 m or 23 feet which is good for general tasks and saves battery life. All lighting modes are switched using a single button. Holding the button down dims the light levels (in older models). Pressing the button quickly will go from on to strobe and pressing slowly will switch the light modes.

New models have a function called power tap technology. Simply by tapping the side of the headlamp the brightness levels will go up or down within preset intervals.

The storm also has a waterproof rating of IPX7 which is water tight 30 meters below water for 30 mins. This was a key feature for myself as a kayak angler. Another great feature is the included power meter which will show green yellow and red for status of battery life when the light is turned on. The weight of the entire headlamp is minimal at 3.9 oz making it comfortable to wear all night long. The MSRP of the headlamp is $50.00 and well worth the price. The current one i have has lasted 3 years so far. If you do not use the headlamp very often do take the batteries out as they may leak over time damaging the inside of the light.

For more information on the Black Diamond Storm Headlamp check out the Black Diamond Website here!