Category Archives: Equipment

What Causes Fishing Kayaks To Flip Over

If you have been kayak fishing for any length of time, you have probably flipped your boat once or twice. If you are just getting started in the sport, you are going to want to make sure that your gear is attached to the fishing kayak with lanyards so that when you do flip your boat, you are not going to lose anything in the water. You can also prevent flipping over the boat by understanding how so many anglers end up in the water when they’re out trying to enjoy the day.

Being Uncomfortable On The Boat – If you are on a boat that is too small for you, or that wasn’t designed for kayak fishing, you run the risk of having tip overs happen more regularly. Fishing kayaks are designed with wide specifications to help keep this from happening, but if you are jerky in your movements, you can end up flipping the boat very easily.

Large Waves And Boat Wakes – If you are planning on fishing in the ocean, or where large boat wakes are going to be present, you also run the risk of having the boat flip over. When large waves and boat wakes are present, you are going to need to be aware of the direction that they are coming at you, in order to offset your weight on the other side of the boat.

Gear Situated On One Side Of The Boat – While you are loading your fishing kayak, you want to avoid loading it all to one side of the boat, or situating the heavier portion to one side. If you lean to the same side while you are on the water, you could potentially flip the kayak. You can avoid this by loading your gear onto the kayak evenly, and by being careful when you are leaning over to one side or the other.

Basics Of Sit On Top Kayaks

Oh, those wonderful days of lake or ocean fishing in an old rowboat with oars that kept slipping out of the oarlocks. Actually, back then most of us never heard of a kayak let alone used one for fishing. Today, sit on top kayaks for fishing is the rage, not only for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, but the whole family as well.

Modern kayaks today come in different shapes and sizes to cater to various water sport activities.  There are whitewater kayaks which have a short and wide hull profile for stability and maneuverability.  The ocean or touring kayaks are slender in shape and built for speed.  Recreational kayaks are a hybrid of whitewater and touring kayaks.  This model is aimed at the general consumer market and is versatile enough to use for fishing or just a great way to spend time outdoors with the kids on the weekends.  These craft are made of polyethylene or fiberglass materials which make them very durable and light.

Recreational kayaks come in two configurations, sit on top and sit in kayak.  Sit on top kayak is a popular choice for fishermen due to accessibility, stability and transportability.  The two seat version, or tandem kayaks, are geared toward casual paddlers.  They are great for leisure water activities around ponds and small lakes.  Used kayaks are a great way to get into the sport and will not break the bank.  The best way to know which kayak fits you most is to test it out on the water if possible.

However, before you hit the water, it is highly recommended that you take a few kayaking lessons and always go with someone else with more experience.  Practice your kayaking skills in calm water like ponds and harbors.  If you are planning to paddle on the ocean, ensure to familiarize yourself with the tide chart and weather report.  Always wear your PDF while on the water and dress for the weather.

Tips for Buying Your First Pair of Bird Watching Binoculars

If you are interested in bird watching and don’t have binoculars to help you out, you are definitely missing out on quite a bit. When you buy a quality pair of bird watching binoculars you no longer to squint trying to see what exactly you are looking at or climb up a tree to get the best view. You will be amazed at what binoculars can do for your hobby and they don’t have to cost a fortune.

Many people avoid buying binoculars because it can be confusing with all the different styles and models available. Some people also assume that a good bird watching binocular will cost you several hundred dollars but that is not true at all. The thing to remember when buying binoculars is that they all have two numbers which can tell you a lot about them. The first number is the power of the lens while the second is the field of vision or how much area you can see through the lens. So, for example, the Bushnell Falcon 10×50 would mean it has a power of 10 magnification and it has a 50 millimeter lens.

When looking to buy bird watching binoculars you need to keep a few things in mind such as how fast you focus on an object. Some of these products will have instant focus levers and buttons that make the job of focusing so much easier. You don’t want to miss seeing a bird flying away because you can’t focus your lenses properly.

Another thing to consider is the weight of the binoculars. If you like to bird watch for several hours at a time you don’t want to get a heavy pair that is gets too heavy for you to have around your neck or to even hold. Look for lightweight options so that you can use them for longer periods of time.

Lastly, realize that you may have to negotiate on some aspects of your binoculars. For example if you want a higher magnification to see birds up close and personal you may have to look for a pair that doesn’t have as wide of range. On the other hand if you want to have wide angle binoculars you have to remember that the magnification or power may not be as good as some of the higher priced models.

If you are still having trouble looking for a quality pair of bird watching binoculars that doesn’t cost you a fortune you may want to see if you can get a recommendation from other bird watchers. If you belong to a bird watching group, an outdoorsman group or some kind of bird watching forum online ask other people what model they are using. This is probably one of the best ways to find a pair that works well and will have you enjoying your hobby all day long.

Essential Equipment For Family Holiday Camping Trips

Most families have been camping together at one time or another. For some it was a first and last time. Not everyone enjoys the outdoors. But for those families that do take to the natural world of camping they tend to find every opportunity to get outdoors again. Holiday seasons are particularly popular times for family camping trips. The ease of making arrangements while school is out and the range of activities on offer from Park Rangers is inviting. The key to any family camping adventure is to make sure you have all the necessary equipment to enjoy all weather conditions and to be comfortable away from home.

Of course the most essential part of any camping equipment inventory is a tent. There are tents to suit every family, as well as single person or twin hiking domes. Depending on the size of your family and your tent you could find a tent that one person could carry while hiking. Alternatively you could find a secure structure that you could leave up while you spend the day exploring the trails. Large family tents commonly have two rooms that both open onto a corridor down the center. This in turn has two openings at either side. The advantages of corridor tents is that they avoid letting dirt and sand into the sleeping quarters. There are other, slightly smaller tents, with only one room that have an entry ‘foyer’ where you can come in and take off your shoes comfortably before going into the main sleeping areas.

Apart from a tent you’ll also need some warm sleeping bags that are going to stay dry in any weather. Because of the advances in technology most sleeping bags easily fit the bill. Unless you are planning a snow camping expedition a standard sleeping bag should be sufficient. Also, make sure you have good quality packs for hiking, a quality cooking stove and utensils, a tarpaulin to create shade and possibly a fold-out table and chairs. It is also advisable to invest in a fully stocked first aid kit. Because you are going to be away from emergency services it’s essential to make sure you can respond to any injuries with first aid. Finally, it’s advisable to have some old towels, fuel, ropes, torches and a radio.

Unfortunately, camping equipment can be an expensive investment, particularly for families on a tight budget. In my experience if you want to build up a good supply of quality equipment (it’s always best to buy something that will stand the test of time rather than save money and run into maintenance or replacement problems later on) you should discuss as a family the idea of each member of the family devoting their gift giving and receiving to building up a camping inventory for 24 months. Everyone can buy some things and contribute this way and with Sear’s coupons and several stock-take sales during this time you’ll have a great supply of equipment in no time.

Reasons to Own a Biometric Safe

When it comes to guns, safety should always be considered. Even with a gun safe, you still worry about your children getting in the safe or losing it should you be robbed. Sometimes a wall safe for the home is just not enough. However, advances in technology have given us a biometric gun safe. These new safes are the new technology making our homes safer and putting our minds at ease.

A biometric gun safe is also known as a fingerprint safe that is a small safe usually used for handguns. What makes this safe a biometric safe is the type of lock that is on it. Biometric gun safes are also called fingerprint gun safes for good reason. This is because the lock on it works by fingerprint access only. It allows only the people whose fingerprints are programmed into the memory to gain access to the safe. Manufacturers have made it quite simple for you and other people that you would like to be able to program your fingerprints into the memory. When you want to open the biometric gun safe you just simply put your finger to the sensor pad, and the memory reads your fingerprints.

Reasons to own a biometric gun safe are quite simple. This type of safe allows you to have the type of security you want. Only those whose fingerprints that are stored in the memory are able to open the safe. This means that your children cannot get into it, and strangers cannot as well. This type of safe also allows you to get access to your weapons quickly. You won’t have to take the time to enter a code or find a key. This type of safe allows you quick, simple access. Just think if you are in a hurry because someone is threatening you you may not be able to think straight. It would be harder to even think about or remember a code. These are a few of the reasons that a biometric gun safe is one of the best safes for the home.