Hey gang. Any tips on good "floatees" for my small equipment? (camera, pliers, etc?). I'm thinking pieces of pool noodle and zip ties, but a retail solution would be fine too as I'm not that handy.

Thanks. VJ

Hey VJJ.....I was thinking of those foam fishing rod floats....about 1" in diameter with a slit down the length and two pieces of Velcro to secure it to your rods...

It could be used on other pieces of gear also.....

Also, Swimming pool noodles are great for that kind of stuff!!
I did a "Search" for you, but could only find this one:

topic16858.html?hilit=rod%20and%20floats

Anyway....you get the idea.....JYJ

Vinny, I found a waterproof camera float strap at Gander Mountain for 10 bucks, The Brand is chums http://www.chums.com/category/water-sports-keychains/product/camera-float

The only problem is you don't know if the float is enough to float your camera until you try it. It floats my fuji, so idk if that will help or not. You can always return it if not.

They also have one at Best Buy for $20.00 but I think it's for the olympus camera's, but amazon has one for the Canon http://www.amazon.com/Orange-Floating-Strap-Powershot-Waterproof/dp/B001USYGJW/ref=pd_sim_p_6

As for the pliers and such I would use Pool noodles or what JYJ suggest work well and are a nice clean solution. I use the xtools pliers, which are nice but if you can find the ones with the medal nose I would go with those but I heard they don't make them anymore .

For fishing rods I have used these floats and they work well. I also typically have my rods strapped down with rod leashes in the yak.
http://reviews.basspro.com/2010/16517/reviews.htm
http://www.hobiecat.com/support/pdfs/ka ... _14-15.pdf

For most of the other items like pliers, boga grip, hook remover, camera etc... I usually use the orange floats sold at Strike Zone or Gander Mountain. Attached is a link to one that is similar to mine.

http://paddlershideaway.com/FLOATING-AC ... 68653.aspx

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Except for your rod/reels, I would suggest that you actually test to see if you float will keep you valued item at the waters surface. I purchased a lip gripper, and the sales person told me to get "this" float to prevent me from losing it. After getting it home, I dropped it in the pool, just to make certain I would get it back if I ever dropped it overboard. I quickly found that the float had just enough floatation to keep my lipper standing upright on the bottom of the pool. I had to upgrade to a larger float. Good luck.

Hey Vini,

Did you ever fix this problem? I just saw this post, Do you have a tackleshop down that way or some docks where commercial fisherman hangout. I use those doughnuts like the commercial fishermen use on the edge of their nets. Just in the smaller version. They work awesome are are cheap. This is a pic of the one on my camera with a nickel in the pic to show you size. This has saved my camera many a time. I have a bigger one on my Boga Grips. If your interested and don't have a tackle shop local I can look up the place I got mine on Big Pine Key and they sell stuff online ship etc.. I think they cost like a $1.00 or maybe $2.00.

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Good quick solution, Chappy!!! Anyplace in JAX to get them locally???
Thx...JYJ

PS: Anyone have ideas on some very small float to attach to your sunglasses trap??
Just in case they "happen" to fall in...should not have to be very big to float them...Thanks!!

I've got some glasses keepers that are made of something like surgical tubing that has a pretty good grip on the paddles, and they include a miniature float like Chappy showed. I don't remember where I got them - a promo from something, maybe a POker Run or tournament somewhere. I look to see if there is a name on it. Also, I use those keychain floats - you can cut half of it off. (Also makes a fair emergency scupper plug!)

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Tadpole
Tarpon 160
Hobie Quest

"It seemed like a good idea at the time."

Hey Tadpole....Good suggestions, and I'll look in my 6-8 Captain's Bags from previous tourneys to see what may be "hiding" in there....also liked the keychain floats, so I'll check my junk drawer!! LOL!!
Thx...JYJ

John, Dude at B&M sold me a couple of those net floats a few years back, dont know if they have them all the time tho.
Theres a shop on St. Augustine Rd (between Emerson and Univ.) that sell Crab traps. The have any size net float you want.

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After extensive, diligent, and scholarly research, there is NO evidence that life should be so serious.

U14.5

T120

Ive seen many people use an empty water bottle and some paracord.

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Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths.

John,

I've heard of people using a wine cork to float their sunglasses. They just slide it to the middle of their "Croakies" or whatever brand of sunglasses leash you use.

Ben

P.S. When I first saw the title to this thread I thought someone needed insurance for their tools! I'm an Allstate agent so "equipment floater" is a term we use often!

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OK Drifter 12'
Northeast Outfitters Canoe 14'

Strike Zone has those donut style floats in a couple of different sizes.
I work at a hospital and medical equiptment frequently comes packed in high density closed cell foam. I just carve it down to size and insert a small zip tie through it.

I have my Boga and my pliers are each attached to a coiled cord which is attached to the kayak. My camera is in a waterproof case and floats so no cord is required. My net floats. I don't bother with the rod floats. Know that one day I am going to lose a reel combo.

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Hey Mr. johnjax, I purchased a inexpensive Chums made sunglass float device from our man at All Wet Sports. It slides ride over any type of retainer. I use the Cablz, and it works awesome. Once I slid the Chums floater onto my Cablz, I simply droped them into my bathtub, and Bingo, my new Pablo Beach Ocean Waves floated big time on top of the water. The Chums sunglass floater was less than $10.00 I believe. cobra52 I also know for a fact, that if you can find a friend that has access to the Mayport Navy base, at the Recreation building, they many different types of gadgets and fishing aids there, including neat small items like fish to stick on top of your radio atennae, large flourscent fishing bobbers that fit snug over your trailer ball hitch, etc. Lot's of neat items, super cheap.