Mounting a GoPro

I'm looking for a way to mount a GoPro to the bow of the kayak, facing forward.  I'm thinking I want it to be just a few inches (4 - 6 in) above the deck, so the surfboard mounts wouldn't be my first choice.

Has anyone mounted a camera up in that area?  Any ideas on ready-to-use mounts on the market?  Got a DIY suggestion?

I've used the suction cup mount like that without issues

I put one of the mounts on the bow of the kayak and then I clip in the flex arm that comes with the clamp. You can take the clamp off then directly mount the flex arm onto the bow...It allows you to move the camera all over the place to get multiple angles but it's fixed to the yak. I still have the floaty back door on just in case though...

I put one of the mounts on the bow of the kayak and then I clip in the flex arm that comes with the clamp. You can take the clamp off then directly mount the flex arm onto the bow...It allows you to move the camera all over the place to get multiple angles but it's fixed to the yak. I still have the floaty back door on just in case though...

I'm having a Dumb Monday... what type of mount?  One of the suction mounts?  Sorry.

They included a couple of mounts with the 3M sticky back when I bought my GoPro (black edition). I peeled it off and stuck it right to my bow. I also have one in the rear as well. Then you can just clip the neck that bends into the mount on the bow. The bendy neck with the big clamp is a very cool mount and I would highly recommend buying one. I think you can buy a package of those sticky mounts at REI or wherever. Hope that helps.

Thanks.  We got a suction mount and one flat and one curved 3M sticky mounts in the kit.  Will go chasing after the jaws clamp and gooseneck.  And we'll keep the cameras securely tethered to the hulls.  Just in case.

Thanks.  Appreciate it.

I also just bought the shotgun mount for the camera...I took a piece of dowel that was about 5' long and attached the camera to it (like on the barrel of my shotgun) and had it dangle out the rear of the yak about 5" above the water...When the seals follow me they come up for air right behind the yak next to the camera - I got some pretty good footage doing it this way and it was funny as hell. The fur bags will follow you if your back is turned to them so I thought I would try this way. I am still trying to edit it then I might post it...Of course I might be taking my life into my own hands by putting up a video of seal footage on this site! 

If you're going to use a 3m adhesive, I hope you have a floaty back on your camera in the event that the adhesive fails! I've heard some horror stories. It's cheap insurance.

Also, KK...do you have a youtube channel?

Does anyone use the head straps or the chest straps and what do you think about each  of those?

I've used the head strap and I'd give it a luke-warm "it's okay".  It doesn't feel as secure as I'd like it to feel, but it didn't fall off or shift around when I was walking.

I haven't used the chest strap.  A friend has one and never uses it because the harness gets in her way.

If you check YouTube, there are a number of videos showing how folks have attached the quick clip that comes bundled with the head strap to baseball caps.  I'm in the middle of making a hat and clip mount, except I'm adding a tether made from PowerPro to the hat...

If you're going to use a 3m adhesive, I hope you have a floaty back on your camera in the event that the adhesive fails! I've heard some horror stories. It's cheap insurance.

I'm plan to tether the camera to a pad eye.

If you're going to use a 3m adhesive, I hope you have a floaty back on your camera in the event that the adhesive fails! I've heard some horror stories. It's cheap insurance.

Also, KK...do you have a youtube channel?

Yeah the floaty back door is a must and thank God I bought it because within one week it was in the drink on the north fork of the Coeur D' Alene floating downstream. Really good thing to have. My Youtube channel is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaPWMc0m4xBEf-cHIHY94bg
I have also used the clamp to clamp the camera right onto my Scotty extension arm and that worked pretty good as another option for a mount. Now all I need to do is catch more fish to post and I'll have it made!!! 

How about a Yakattack Mighty Mount and a Panfish Portrait?

https://www.austinkayak.com/products/6121/YakAttack-PanFish-Portrait-Camera-Mount-for-Mighty-Mount-Systems.html?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Shopping:%20ACK%20PLA&scid=scplp288965&gclid=CNHzsYuivMMCFZSEfgodf3kAaQ/

Tinker,

What kind of Kayak do you have?  I like the Ram mounts, as they are secure.  The Gopro adhesives are ok but not reliable, in my opinion going through the surf, etc.  If you have a hobie, you can get a 1"ram mount that screws into the sailing mast hole in the front, and a ram extension arm that will be long enough to see over the bow of your kayak, and close enough for you to reach it.

If not a hobie, Ram sells a few low profile mounts that can be screwed down and not be in the way.  And for me, even with the Ram mounts, I still have teathers on my cameras, FF, etc, just in case you have one of those OS moments.

Does anyone use the head straps or the chest straps and what do you think about each  of those?

Most of my videos are using the headstrap.  I like the perspective but I have very little footage of "me".  I have toyed with a few ideas and I use the rail clamp mounts on a pole.  Foam pool noodle over a section of the rod and it fits my rod holders, factory and my other mounted ones.