Choosing a Camera for CPR Tourneys

If you fish in kayak tournaments, Catch, Photo and Release (CPR) is not a new concept. It’s also not such an easy task. The taking of the picture can often be the hardest part of the day. Choosing the right camera can help ease that burden.

Some tournaments allow cell phone pictures but you have to provide a cable, have to have battery left over after eight hours on the water (who gets that?) and it has to be high enough quality. When $1,000 or more is on the line, I don’t want to risk it.

The things I like in a camera are simple but often not thought about. Look them over and see what you might be missing.

Night Portrait Mode

Probably the most often overlooked, night portrait mode is made for shooting close shots when it’s dark. Have you ever caught a fish before first light or during a night tournament only to have the picture be whited out or too dark to qualify? Night Portrait mode will fix that. Giving just enough light to show the fish and the board, it controls the light emitted from the flash and gets the picture you need.

LCD Screen

I like a two inch or bigger screen on the back of the camera. This allows me to see the pictures well and quickly without a ton of zooming so I can verify if the shot is good or I need a retake. It also serves as a big viewfinder for lining up the shot.

Wide Lens

A wider lens means an easier time getting the whole fish in the frame and less having to raise the camera way above your head and get a shot. Look for something in the 20-22mm lens rather than the traditional 28mm.

Burst Mode

Fish move. You need a good picture. A fast shutter and capturing 6 pictures per second will help get a clear shot of a moving target.

SD Card

Most computers are equipped to take an SD card. Find a camera that is too. Worst case scenario you can get a MicroSD card and an adapter. The last thing you want to do is carry a bunch of cables and disks around with you so you can weigh in. Ease your mind and get a camera that uses SD.

Battery Type

This one is often overlooked and can work either way but needs to be planned for. Cameras that take AA or AAA batteries will burn through them fairly quickly, especially if you are using the LCD screen. Carry spare batteries with you at all times.
The other option is a camera that uses Lithium Ion batteries. These will run a lot longer than AA but often spares are very expensive. If you make a pre-tourney checklist and charge your camera the night before, you’ll be good. Just make sure you charge it. You will almost always catch that kicker fish right after the battery runs out.

Waterproof, Resistant or Dry Pack

You can buy cameras that can get a little wet or even some that you can submerge but you will pay more. A more price friendly option is to put your camera in a clear dry pack. If you do this option, make sure to take a few test photos to check quality before tourney day.

Pro Tip: Add Flotation
Add some form of flotation to the camera. Fish flop, cameras drop. Don’t lose your win because of it.

I don’t sell cameras but have owned quite a few. These are some cameras that have performed well for me or someone I know spread across some different price ranges. Also, don’t forget to check clearance aisles, EBAY, and pawn shops for even better pricing.


Under $100

Sony - DSC-W800

Manufacturer's Statement: This incredibly easy-to-use camera slips right in your pocket, ready to capture a memory at a moment's notice. Get close to faraway subjects with 5x optical zoom, then snap gorgeous 20.1MP photos or record beautifully detailed HD video. Your pictures will come out crisp and clear thanks to the professional-grade Sony lens with Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization. For even more fun, enhance your stills and video with built-in creative effects like Toy Camera and Pop Color. Or try Beauty Effects to adjust skin tones, remove blemishes and even whiten teeth-it's perfect for portraits.


Under $150

Canon PowerShot ELPH150 IS

Manufacturer's Statement: Some events are just too important to trust to the image quality of a smartphone camera. For those times, slip the ultra-slim, brilliantly stylish PowerShot ELPH 150 IS camera in your pocket. With the 10x Optical Zoom, you can reach right into the action to frame a shot just the way you want it, without blur or loss of resolution. The camera's 20.0 Megapixel sensor captures even the smallest details with superb clarity, naturally vivid color and beautiful luminosity. When you enlarge and print frame-worthy moments from weddings, important celebrations, vacations and more, the result is truly impressive: images that not only preserve your memories, but render them with all the lifelike, emotive nuance of great photography. For all its sophisticated imaging capabilities, the PowerShot ELPH 150 IS camera is extremely easy to use. Smart AUTO ensures you'll always get the best shot by automatically selecting the perfect camera settings for 32 shooting situations, so you can focus on capturing the moment. And Intelligent IS keeps photos and videos clear and steady, controlling camera shake even at the long end of the zoom.




Under $200

Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 16.0 MP Digital camera - Silver

Manufacturer's Statement: Outdoor adventures spice up the lives, and the TG-850 is the perfect camera for preserving the memories. A super-wide lens takes in more of the beauty. A sophisticated sensor/image processor combo ensures vivid image quality. And features like a 180 degree flip LCD, time interval shooting and pro-quality video make the TG-850 as refined as it is rugged. Whether you're heading to the ends of the earth or just the end of the hiking trail, the TG-850 is up for the journey. Water doesn't affect it. Falling out of your pocket won't faze it. Cold? No problem. You know how sometimes you can't decide whether to bring your camera? With the TG-850, you don't have to think twice.


Under $300

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5

Manufacturer's Statement: The rugged, waterproof and WiFi-enabled LUMIX TS5 compact adventure camera delivers go-anywhere flexibility with state-of-the-art imaging performance. Unwire your creativity with WiFi technology that allows you to share your pictures instantly from your smartphone. The LUMIX TS5 is the ultimate tough camera, so no matter where you find yourself... diving with sea life, hanging from a mountain, or exploring the winding alleys of a foreign market... you will take the best shot possible without worrying about your camera. Waterproof to 43 feet, shockproof from 6.5 feet, freezeproof from 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and pressure resistant to 220 lbs, the LUMIX TS5 really is the tough-man of the compact camera market.

Tournament to Take On Childhood Cancer

Throughout the country, the popularity of kayak tournaments is growing. Through the growth and participation come great opportunities to give back to the community and sometimes mankind.

April 5^th is one such day.

The Beavers Bend Kayak Classic benefitting Families Fighting Childhood Cancer will be held April 5^th, 2014 at Broken Bow Lake, Oklahoma.  Broken Bow is an excellent fishery that should be in full swing by April.

A little about FFCC:

"Families Fighting Childhood Cancer (FFCC) is a branch of Oklahoma Family Network that provides support for families who have had a child diagnosed with cancer.

FFCC connects families based on the age and diagnosis of the child. Families are connected with local and national resources, including a support group in Tulsa. Training is available to help the families care for and advocate for their child.  In addition to providing support for families, opportunities are available to get involved with raising awareness and funding for childhood cancer research.

Oklahoma Family Network/Families Fighting Childhood Cancer has been honored to be a Turn Tulsa Pink sponsored charity in 2012, 2013, and 2104. Turn Tulsa Pink does fundraising to support ALL people with ANY cancer.  They choose local charities that provide resources and support to people affected by cancer and the funds they raise are split between the charities.  Because of this funding we have been able to provide the support group and the Christmas Party.  This also provides many opportunities to have fun and raise awareness while also building community with the families while attending Turn Tulsa Pink Events.”  from the FFCC website

A note from Amy White of FFCC:

OKC Kayak is hosting the event and Jeff Hillhouse and Chris Thomas are coordinating.

First Place (based on 80 entrants) will win $3,000. Second place gets a new Hobie Outback and the Big Bass winner will win a Jackson Big Rig.

A participant drawing will also be held which each person is entered into with a paid entry fee. Those prizes include a Wilderness Systems Ride 115 as well as prizes from Werner, Astral Lowrance, JD Rods, SuperNova Fishing Lights and more.

A percentage of every participant’s entry fee will go to FFCC and additional prizes have been donated to be raffled with all of that money going to the charity.

Don’t own a kayak but want to fish the tournament? OKC Kayaks will be renting kayaks that day so you can fish.

Maybe you are new to the sport and just want to check out some kayaks. OKC Kayaks will also be doing demos while the tourney is going on.

The entry fee is only $100 if you register by March 28th or $125 the week of the tournament. Registration closes Friday, April 4th at 5pm. Please call 405-23-KAYAK to confirm your registration if you wait until the 4th to register.

To learn more about Families Fighting Childhood Cancer you can go here: http://familiesfightingchildhoodcancer.com

To register for the tournament and for more details go here: www.beaversbendkayakclassic.com

Please go out and support this worthy cause and help fight childhood cancer.