With most of my fishing being done during the week with working weekends, I have hundreds of pictures of fish across my lap. I have been trying to figure out a way to mount a camera without anything being in the way. All the posts on mounting camers have been great and they all work, but I wanted something simple. With working on a Broadway play in NYC I have access to plenty of material and tools so the cost for my project was zero. I have a Tarpon 120 and made it work for this kayak but I can use the same arm for my Heritage also. I started with a 1/2 inch piece of conduit with a 90 degree bend in it. I then made a bracket from a piece of aluminum stock with a 3/8 bolt sticking up and used a bunch of 3/8 nuts with the hex heads rounded off to fit into the conduit. The arm is mounted along side the kayak with the camera being just over my left sholder. I just hit the shutter with a 10 second delay and push the arm out and he camera is about 3-5 feet away from me with a nice shot from the side. I went out this morning to try it out and it worked great, the only thing is I didn't catch anything to take a picture of, but I got a couple shots of me without a fish.. I am not sure how to make a slide show so I am sorry for the long post. The first picture is the bracket I made attached to the kayak with the conduit on.

Here is a picture of the nuts rounded off to fit the conduit. I have a 90 degree elbow with a couple set screws that keep the conduit attached, and can be taken off in seconds for transport.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: msgdan,

Here is a picture of the threaded rod that supports the arm.

Here is a shot of the arm pushed out with the camera attached. I can swing the arm out to several different spots and the pictures all came out great.

Here is a picture of the arm with he camera attached when I am not using it. I tried today and it didn't get in the way at all. It just rests on the cleat on the side of the kayak when I was paddling.

And here are the results... I was really hoping for a fish to be in the picture but it just didn't happen.

I am sure I may have to make a few small adjustments but I think it is going to work fine. The real test will be with a 25 lb. striper, a 12 lb. bluefish or a nice northern pike. Any feedback would be appreciated.

NICE
Near the pivot point is that a safty leash in case it pops off? or a stop to keep the arm from overswinging to the bow? or both?

the shots look good. If the arm is not in the way of paddling, I think you have another winner!

Pat, that rope is "just in case", I can pretty much just swing the arm into position and if its not in a good spot I just push it with my paddle. There is nothing holding the arm on the post, but it would take a lot to come off.

Wow, the pics came out great!!
The river looks a little high

great outfit.

those it work with a remote..or you have to be realy fast and push the timer and run for it.. .

job well done.

nice to see people doing some great riging.


thanks for sharing.

joco

This message has been edited. Last edited by: joco,

here is mine camera mounth..

dont have to be far away.to take fish pict i think.

but like the ideal off long way..i could put an extra 16inch arm behind my camera mounth.

but i like to be closer..i dont have a remote for those camera i just push the timer and take a pict.,,,,but i could had an extra 16 inch behind on a tube like.mm you got me thinking.mmmm

joco

again thanks for sharing..

we need more off those riging report.

joco

This message has been edited. Last edited by: joco,

msgdan, thanks for sharing.

Dan
You are one hell of a handsome guy ... now try smiling next time!
Steve

Thanks Steve, but that was a smile!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed the "smile". Maybe your onstage friends can help ya out there.

I like the swinging arm. I like the angle it puts on the camera, it's a welcome change from the standard angles. About how long is the arm? Did you experiment with other lengths? Did you learn any tricks about aiming the camera?

Lefty, yes I did try different lengths but when it was a little longer it would be in the way of my rear rod holder. I made the length just long enough that it does not get in the way of my paddle stroke, clear of the rear rod holder and close enough so that I can use the controls for the camera. As far as the camera position, I inserted a wooden dowel inside the conduit and drilled it out and put a double threaded lag and screw that fits into the camera. I have marks on the conduit so the camera is in the same position each time.

msgdan, I might have missed this, but when you have completed your photo, how do you get the arm back to the side of the kayak, it looks too far out to reach for it.