Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Hawg Trough Improvement

After using the Hawg Trough for a couple of years now, I looked back through my Kayak Wars stats and realized that it's helped me measure and photograph well over 4 hundred fish (including the ones that were too small).  It makes documenting the catch quick and easy.  It's accurate and the numbers show up well in the photos.  It hardly weighs anything, which is great on a kayak, and it stores easily.


However, it does not float.  Last week, I had a fish thrash while it was on the board and normally I can keep control of it, but this time it went over.  It sank slowly, but I was not able to get to it in time and down to Davy Jones' locker it went.  After I caught the next fish, I forgot what it was like trying to measure a fish without it (besides the monster Red Drum and Kow Stripers).  I ordered a new one the next day and started thinking of ways to not lose it.  A friend of mine suggested a retractable cable, and although it's a good idea, I couldn't logistically find a place to attach it to without getting in the way and/or slowing me down.

When I got it in the mail, I saw on the back that there were two groove and the light bulb came on.  I got a roll of 1/2" x 3/8" strip foam insulation and some glue from the hardware store...


...and crammed it into the two grooves...

Ta Daa!
Bath tub tested!  Good to go!

The Hawg Trough is available at Hook1 Kayak Fishing Gear.

4 comments:

  1. Very inventive! I will have to keep that idea in mind when I'm fishing from my yak. Thanks.

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  2. Good idea Rob - another one that works is a 3/8" wooden dowel rod. You cut it to length and it snaps right in without any adhesive required. Although I would still go your route and use some form of adhesive - that whole paranoia thing. It was great fishing with you again last night. Had a blast! Now I am craving my first tog!!!

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  3. Thanks Chuck. I figured the foam would be lighter so I went with that.

    Good fishing with you too.

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