SURVIVING THE BATTLE
As a full-time fishing addict, I am constantly searching for innovative products that improve efficiency, comfort, and organization on and off the water. As consumers in the fishing industry, we see a lot of gizmos and gadgets that may be used once and stuffed in the corner of the garage. Every year I find some new winners that have proven to improve my fishing game and have been battle tested on the road and on the water.
If you follow my YouTube channel or social media platforms at all, you’ll have seen the portable heated lunch box in action. After a 9 event Bassmaster schedule last year, I consumed an unspeakable amount of gas station food and dry sandwiches. Before this year’s tournament season kicked off, I did some troubleshooting on how I would eat healthier, more enjoyable, and more affordable meals while on the road and in the boat.
THE SOLUTION!
This thing answered my call. For 35 bucks on Amazon, I now have a way to re-heat meals I prepare before events and road trips. These 12 volt lunch boxes plug right into a factory 12V socket on the Lund, and in about 30 minutes you’re good to go. This was an especially nice treat in a recent bass tournament on Falcon Lake, where a tin foil wrapped breakfast sandwich was like a God send to our frigid hands.
Of all the head turning gadgets in my boat, the Rapala Compact Line Remover has got to be one of my favourites. There really isn’t much to it at all; it’s a battery-operated line stripper that dumps your entire spool of old line in a matter of seconds. Every time I pull it out near a fellow tournament competitor, there is always a look of shock and awe, followed by the question “where can I get one of those?”. It’s a huge time saver for re-rigging, and lets you control your “linesplosion” to a more contained device where it can be disposed of in a more environmentally friendly manner.
TRUCK TOPPER TOPS THE LIST!
Last, but not least, on my list of battle tested fishing gadgets is something that I field a lot of questions about; my Project M Truck Topper. This truck capper is made by Four Wheel Campers; a truck camper company based out of California who have a big following in the overland community.
They make a lot of different truck campers, but Project M is the one that caught my eye. Unlike slide-in or flatbed truck campers, this one installs on the rails of your truck bed and allows full use of your truck bed, while still providing a gigantic sleeping area.
This thing has helped immensely for fishing trips away from home. I can still pile in all of my tackle and equipment for the road and have the freedom to sleep comfortably anywhere I am in the world.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have it tricked out with factory options like solar panels, a lithium, power station, extra thermal barrier, outdoor LED lights, roof and wall gear tracks, and an enclosed canopy, but the base model comes pretty well equipped for the fraction of a price of a traditional truck camper. When I’m not on the road, I treat the project M like a regular truck topper and fill the truck box with tools, material, and whatever else I usually use a truck for. It comes in at under 500 pounds, so the difference in fuel efficiency is marginal.
In the pursuit of perfecting my fishing adventures, I’ve come across some remarkable tools and innovations that have truly elevated my experiences on the water and beyond. From tackling the grueling Bassmaster schedule with a trusty portable heated lunch box that transformed road meals into moments of comfort, to the efficiency and envy-inducing ease of the Rapala Compact Line Remover, these gadgets have proven indispensable. Each year, I discover new champions that not only streamline my routines but also withstand the rigors of tournament life.
As I continue to share these discoveries on my platforms, I hope fellow fishing enthusiasts find inspiration in adopting tools that enhance their experience on and off the water. The journey to perfecting our angling pursuits is a perpetual one, driven by innovation and the pursuit of that next big catch.