Tips on how to not lose things in the lake

[Byang98120]

I was kayak fishing yesterday and dropped my new phone into the lake. Couldn't recover it and it's gone forever and no way to get it replaced.

 

Any tips on how to prevent losing things in the water? Recommendations for drybags, phone cases, etc?

[fin]

I remember a really nice tether someone posted in the  Latest Tackle Purchase Thread (Bait Monkey Victim Support Group) but I wouldn't know how to go about finding that comment.

[Finessegenics]

Following this post because I am also looking for a case/bag like this for my phone, wallet and keys

[fin]

 

[Nelson Wormefeller]

I use ziplock freezer bags. Test in kitchen sink to see how much air to leave in to ensure floats.

[jr231]

I have a water tight hard case, I believe it's Plano about 8"long I keep my phone wallet and keys in. Tether it to the kayak and it's good. I bought it off tackle warehouse years ago. 

 

I recommend packing light on the kayak! The less you bring the less you can lose. 

[Fallser]

Generally, I have my phone with me when I'm fishing, either from shore, wading or boat.  I wear BDU/Cargo pants/shorts and it stays in one of the cargo pockets, in a small dry bag I brought for it, I think at EMS(Eastern Mountain Sports).  I do not take pictures with my phone when fishing, and don't I answer it.  I have a water-proof camera which has a loop attached to it that I can slip over my wrist to take pictures.    My car keys and wallet go in the other cargo pocket.  If I'm wading I'll slip them into a zip-lock bag and put them in my fishing vest.   

 

[Finessegenics]

13 minutes ago, Yeajray231 said:

I have a water tight hard case, I believe it's Plano about 8"long I keep my phone wallet and keys in. Tether it to the kayak and it's good. I bought it off tackle warehouse years ago. 

 

I recommend packing light on the kayak! The less you bring the less you can lose. 

Can you link it? Or do you know the model number?

[jr231]

10 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

Can you link it? Or do you know the model number?

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Plano_Guide_Series_Waterproof_Case_1450/descpage-PL1450.html

 

This is actually the exact one! Price has gone up just like everything else. But what's your peace of mind worth !? 

[Zcoker]

Get tethered! No matter what you do or how you think to avoid it, if something is not secured in a kayak you WILL loose it in the drink, sooner or later. The tether kit I got was from Amazon, a six pack coiled high quality tethers with great clamps. My phone has a waterproof case and it is tethered. All things likes scissors or pliers, anything I use for the fish like measuring board, even my rod holders in the rear of the yak as well as my running light attachment for night trips, all if it gets tethered. Just the other night, opps, my phone finally dropped into the dark water and thank goodness it was tethered! Fish jumped while I was measuring it, knocking it out of my hands. That was the first time after years....Just an example for folks that think it cannot happen -- it's not a matter of IF but a matter of WHEN! 

[gim]

I use an otter box for my wallet, phone, and keys, etc.  Its hardened plastic and its about the size of a small dinner plate.  It has a rubber gasket and it also floats.  Wasn't too expensive.

 

Sunglasses get a neck strap if they have any significant value.

[Bird]

Pelican cases are very nice.

[MN Fisher]

I got two of these - one has my med-kit in it, the other is for phone, wallet, keys, etc

7x7x3.5, so plenty of room. Polycarbonate so pretty rugged

https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Products-Watertight-Large-Dress/dp/B00CJIBBJU/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2CRQR0GAZILGI&keywords=WATERPRoof%2Bbox&qid=1654023591&sprefix=waterproof%2Bbox%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-6&th=1

[casts_by_fly]

my phone is either in the latched dry hatch or in my chest pocket (either in bibs, a vest, or some other shirt I'm wearing) and always zipped.  The only time it comes out is when I go to take a picture of a fish.  In that case, I always have a routine- net fish, secure net under foot, put rod in holder, unhook fish (if trebles), take phone out/turn to photo, set it on the floor, pick up fish held over boat, pick up phone held over boat, take picture and phone gets put away.  I don't take pictures of every fish but my phone is either in my hand or below the top edge of the boat all the time.

 

I don't really use tethers on much of anything else.  I have my clippers tethered, but that's a hangover from where I used to keep them vs now.  My rods have a strap for the horizontal rod holder that I'll use getting in and out of the boat or if the waves kick up.  My seat strap clips through my tackle bag strap, so worst case that isn't going anywhere.

3 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

Following this post because I am also looking for a case/bag like this for my phone, wallet and keys

 

If you're not really using them on the water then a basic drybag from Amazon for $10 is plenty.  We have one that we take diving and other water sports for just that purpose.  Drop things in, wrap it up, and clip it off to something.  Its never leaked on me.

[TnRiver46]

No way to get it replaced? Well in that case, now you have nothing to worry about 

[Bluebasser86]

I use this when I'm kayak fishing.

https://www.scheels.com/p/the-protector™-phone-tether-3.0/68871357342.html?store=&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-daUBhCIARIsALbkjSZVysWHf1Z2uCntlxc_fs6nXhtIu-qmCvNAKaylzXuuFZQesyVBehUaArvNEALw_wcB

[Bankc]

I use a Plano Model 3440 for my wallet, keys, and used to have my phone in there.  It's tight fit for all of that.  You may need to go up a size, depending on the size of your stuff.  I've since switched to just keeping my phone in my pocket, since it's water resistant.  That way I can keep a log of my catch.  I'm not really worried about dropping it, since my kayak is wide.  

[mrpao]

I put my phone into a freezer ziplock bag. My wallet and keys in another. I also write my name and phone number on the bags. I put my house phone number on my cell phone bag also.

 

I usually only do this when i wade fish in rivers. If i drop it, it floats. If it get swept down stream, hopefully someone finds it and contacts me. I can also access my phone through the ziploc bag to check my texts and emails. Unless i get a call or need to take a picture, i dont even need to take the phone out of the bag.

[Trox]

I've learned that when I start getting into a rush with things, things start going overboard... 

[NYWayfarer]

My phone is in a Catalyst brand case. The model is the Influence and it has what they call the Crux system for attachments like a tether or a floatation device for your phone.  I have both but use the tether the most while kayaking. 
 

 

[PressuredFishing]

11 hours ago, Byang98120 said:

 

 

Any tips on how to prevent losing things in the water? Recommendations for drybags, phone cases, etc?

I tie a string to a small hook hanger I glued to the back of my phone case when on a small yak, longterm to not loose stuff on a yak take maximum of two rods and a small backpack of stuff.  I absolutely cringe seeing guys with 4+ rods and have seen a few tip over even in calm conditions loosing half+ their equiptment. Bank fishing I only take one, if a new lake two maybe, kind of cracks me up seeing guys huffing 4+ rods on the bank ad well, then when they fish they put their rods down to cast and then when they move pick them all up again.

[throttleplate]

go to wallmart and get this, i use mine to keep lures in and have 4 of them for phone and other stuff.

[Jmilburn76]

I use a Rogue phone tether that's attached to my PFD. My phone is waterproof and in a Otterbox. Worth every penny!  https://www.roguefishing.co/products/the-protector-phone-tether-3

[purpurite]

I use a Plano Stowaway box, 3440. It's water-tight, and it fits my phone and GoPro batteries and cards and keys, if I don't put them in a center console on the yak. Best part is that it floats if it falls over.I use a Plano Stowaway box, 3440. It's water-tight, and it fits my phone and GoPro batteries and cards and keys, if I don't put them in a center console on the yak. Best part is that it floats if it falls over. It's like $5 at Walmart.

[Finessegenics]

21 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

On 5/31/2022 at 11:10 AM, Finessegenics said:

Following this post because I am also looking for a case/bag like this for my phone, wallet and keys

 

If you're not really using them on the water then a basic drybag from Amazon for $10 is plenty.  We have one that we take diving and other water sports for just that purpose.  Drop things in, wrap it up, and clip it off to something.  Its never leaked on me.

 

It's for a kayak. I'm more concerned of keeping them safe in case I ever flip. A tether and waterproof box should do the job though.