Latest Industry News

Hawg Trough hack for kayak fishing

Posted on
There’s nothing worse than paying your tournament entry fee, paddling out to your spot and kicking your Hawg Trough measuring board into the drink, then watching it waft out of sight. Now you can’t measure and photograph your catch, and unless a fellow competitor has one you can borrow, your day is done. <br><br>A while back, we showed how to pack some insulation foam into the back to make the trough float, but now we feel a couple of 5/16-inch dowel rods work better. For one, they’re easier to install; for another, they make the plastic board sturdier and harder to break when measuring fish.
There’s nothing worse than paying your tournament entry fee, paddling out to your spot and kicking your Hawg Trough measuring board into the drink, then watching it waft out of sight. Now you can’t measure and photograph your catch, and unless a fellow competitor has one you can borrow, your day is done.
A while back, we showed how to pack some insulation foam into the back to make the trough float, but now we feel a couple of 5/16-inch dowel rods work better. For one, they’re easier to install; for another, they make the plastic board sturdier and harder to break when measuring fish.
1. Slide the dowel into the back and snip it to size with a side cutter.
1. Slide the dowel into the back and snip it to size with a side cutter.
2. After sliding the dowel into place, lay a bead of silicone into the backside slot. Press the dowel so ­silicone oozes up the sides.
2. After sliding the dowel into place, lay a bead of silicone into the backside slot. Press the dowel so ­silicone oozes up the sides.
3. Now add another bead of silicone to waterproof the other side of the dowel. Repeat the process for the other side of the trough.
3. Now add another bead of silicone to waterproof the other side of the dowel. Repeat the process for the other side of the trough.
4. You now have silicone-­encased dowel rods that will resist water and last a long time.
4. You now have silicone-­encased dowel rods that will resist water and last a long time.
5. One last hack. Tournament photo judges will love you if you draw a line with a Sharpie at the base of the Hawg Trough wall. This helps them see if the fish’s nose is touching.
5. One last hack. Tournament photo judges will love you if you draw a line with a Sharpie at the base of the Hawg Trough wall. This helps them see if the fish’s nose is touching.

Related