Kayak Camera Mounts

By Peter Hinck

Example of camera positions. Pick one or two that work best for you.

Taking photos and videos from paddle craft has always been a challenge. Many great catches go unrecorded, leaving you with only a story. With new camera mounts on the market, getting that perfect shot is easier than ever.

There are many ways that you can set up a camera: front, rear, head and pole mount. Each has its own advantages. Some anglers use one camera and others have up to four mounted on their kayaks. A kayak with a track system allows an angler to move a camera to get different angle shots.

Front mounted cameras are great for capturing the action during the fight, as well at showing you with your catch. The camera should be far enough away so it can capture you with a fish but not too far that you can’t get to it. Optimal distance will be determined by the angle and how wide of a lens you have on your camera. The front mount is also great for capturing good audio of you.

Rear mounted cameras are great for over the shoulder shots that show you and the action of the fight, like a jumping fish that has been hooked. Most of the time the camera is on a long boom that allows you to get that over the shoulder shot. You can also move the camera out along the kayak to get a shot of you in the kayak. Most of the time the rear mount is located on either side of the kayak and a foot or two behind you.

A head mount fits on your head and is great when shooting video of sight fishing, casting to fish, showing the strike, jumps and runs of your catch. When using this mount try not to jerk your head around and keep your eye on what you want recorded. Check with your camera manufacturer for a head mount for your style camera.

Pole mount is great for getting underwater shots of your catch. Cameras with fish eye or very wide lenses are best for getting that underwater shot. The pole can be one piece or adjustable with a camera mount on the end. Three to six feet is a good length for a kayak pole and will allow you to follow the fish in the water.

Lights, Camera, Action

So many photos, videos and fish are missed when we try to get that great shot while a fish is on. It is not easy to do when you are by yourself in a kayak. It needs to be second nature to you and that takes practice. Set up your kayak in your yard with all your cameras in place as if you were fishing and go through a dry run.

Act like you are fishing and make sure you can turn your cameras on and off. If you are using a timer, set it and try taking photos and or videos. Hold up something the size of the fish you want to photograph and take a photo. Try all the angles and keep turning the camera on and off and listen to the sound the camera makes. Many cameras make a certain sound when turned on and off. Now take the camera and download the photos and videos. Look to see if you are getting the shots you were looking for. Go back to the kayak and make any adjustments to the camera mounts if needed. Do this until you get the shot you are looking for and you feel familiar with the camera. The true test will be when you hook up on that fish of a lifetime and you try to get that on video.

Remember, practice the drill until it is second nature. FS

First published Florida Sportsman December 2015