On a new moon night I was wading through a back bay is search of a rock to perch on, when the buckle of my surf belt went POP!  Luckily, I still have rapid reflexes and was able to grab my belt before my two plug bags, plugs, pliers, knife, lip gripper/scale, and camera became artifacts in Davy Jones Locker. The brand of the belt shall remain nameless.

When I got home that night, the surf belt went into the rubbish and I went online to order a new surf belt.  After a comparative analysis of several belts, I ordered the MAK Surfcasting surf belt.

In order to take off the belt, you must press the two side knobs and the middle button on the buckle at the same time and then separate the two ends of the belt, which are held together via industrial strength velcro.   I field tested this triple locking system while moving heavy furniture. The belt never opened under load and it actually gave me some back support.  Impressive!

I really the belt’s stiffness.  The belt naturally forms a circle; to go against this natural form requires an un-natural amount of force.  This belt is also incredibly strong.  I have not performed an scientific experiment to measure it’s strength; but, if I had to “hang on for dear life”, I would want would to be holding onto a MAK surf belt!

I used the belt recently on a commando trip to Block Island, RI and it exceeded my expectations.  From Drakes Island, ME to the Other Banks, NC, this is my belt of choice.  At $39.99 USD, this belt is good insurance for $800.00+ of gear.

On my first fishing trip to Cuttyhunk Island I used a light that clipped onto the visor of my hat.  The light had three green blubs.  The first night that I turned the light on, I was on a remote part of the island under a black sky.  Those three little green bulbs were so bright, that boats must have mistaken them for a light house!  I did not catch any fish that night.  The next day, a friend from S-B showed me the light, pardon the pun.  I now use a neck light:

The main advance to using a neck light is stealth.  The light is always pointing down and not towards the water, which spooks fish.  The mouth piece helps me to hold the flashlight so I can un-hook a fish or change my presentation without hooking myself.  The mouth piece also helps me to direct the light beam, which is more difficult to do with my hat light (or head lamp).

I build my neck lights using quality materials that are inexpensive and easily accessible:

1. Princeton Tec Rage flash light
2. Athletic mouth piece
3. 1/4” Vinyl tubing
4. Electrical tape
5. Red permanent marker

To build your own neck light:

1. Secure the mouth piece to the flash light:

2. Measure and cut a section of vinyl tubing such that the Princeton Tec flash light will hang mid-chest (e.g. 38”).  Then secure the two ends of the vinyl tubing to the sides of the flashlight via electrical tape:

3. Color the plastic lens of the Precision Tec flash light using a red permanent marker.  Alternatively, you can purchase a red lens cap or red bulb, but I have found this technique to work equally well.