Right Tackle

Fisknat Steelhead Pontoon Net
www.fisknat.com
(253) 538-1084
Price: $118
In a world filled with rotomolded plastic and carbon fiber, Fisknat nets are functional works of art. Each one is produced by hand in Tacoma, Washington, by artisan Bob Nelson. The frame on our test net was an attractive blend of three laminated hardwoods. The net itself is 100 percent rubber material. Rubber nets are extremely gentle to fish and allow you to catch and release a fish with as little handling as possible. We tested the Steelhead Pontoon over a period of two months. The sight of a silver salmon being eased toward the boat on a moody Pacific Northwest day and being brought to hand by a beautiful handcrafted wood net completed the experience for us, and allowed us to return the fish to the water unharmed.

Simms Dry Creek Duffel
www.simmsfishing.com
(406) 585-3557
Price: $200 for size large
A drybag is a drybag. As long as it keeps your gear dry, it is doing its job. One challenge that drybags have had, however, was that they were long and deep. Getting something out usually meant digging to the bottom. Simms wisely took the drybag and turned it on its side, and then oriented the opening the long way-instant large opening and no more digging. At first we were skeptical about the durability of Dry Creek's fabric. Instead of the bomber material that rafts are made from, Simms opted for 420-denier polyurethane-coated nylon. After having one of our Labs sit on it during a three-day float trip, all skepticism was put to rest. The large size is way too big for decked boats; however, we found that it was the perfect "daylong take-everything bag" when lashed to a sit-on-top kayak's rear cargo area, or in a fishing cat. With a shoulder strap, the Dry Creek would make a superb travel piece for visiting areas with more precipitation than sun.

Garmin 250C Fishfinder
www.garmin.com
(800) 800-1020; (888) 442-7646
Price: $371.86
Nothing takes the mystery away from a day of fishing like a fishfinder-especially one like the Garmin 250C, with its color monitor, icons, and programmable sound effects that signal fish. Nothing paints a better picture of what lies beneath. We spent an afternoon drifting over a dropoff that went from 9 to 50 feet of water. It was like watching a video game in our boats. So many fish-yet none were interested in anything that we threw at them. I guess that's why it's called fishing, and not catching. A waterproof housing for a small 12-volt battery is available for the Garmin 250C. The housing acts as a console and fits between your legs in most canoes and sit-on-top kayaks. We found the unit slightly more difficult to use in decked boats. The transducer-that piece that picks up signals-can be mounted on the outside of the boat's hull, where it does create some drag. After a little experimentation, we found that the transducer would pick up signals right through the boat's hull material, making external mounting, and lost efficiency, a nonissue. If you do go with the 250C, be sure to study the owner's manual. This is a powerful, feature-packed unit, and if you don't do the requisite studying, you could find yourself spending more time punching buttons than paddling or fishing.

> Now that you've seen the accessories, take a look at the boats. Read our fishing kayak review here.