On The Fly Gear
September 2026
Photos by Jimmy Jacobs.
One of the growing trends in fly fishing is anglers taking to the water in kayaks. That has added more fly casters to the ones already using boats for fishing on big rivers, lakes and bodies of saltwater. Obviously, this opens vast expanses to the places where fly anglers can ply their favored form of fishing.
On the water you don’t always have a cell signal.
This new found freedom on the water does come with one drawback when it comes to safety. Huge numbers of such anglers are dependent on their cell phones for communications, whether it is checking the weather while fishing or even calling for help in an emergency. But there has to be a cell tower within reach to use those devices. Those are not always available, especially when you get your kayak out on the brine. Charter captains know this and have the back up of marine radios.
Cobra has introduced their Bluebound 150 handheld marine radio that is an affordable option for all anglers. This compact unit is easily stored in even the smallest of boats and offers the same outreach for help found in larger, more expensive units.
The Bluebound 150 hand-held marine radio.
The Bluebound 150 is a hand-held VHF radio that was engineered in the United States and designed to provide safety through preparedness for emergencies on the water. The unit has a selectable power range of .5, 1 or 3 watts, with each setting expanding the range to which you can reach out. It also features IPX7 waterproofing to handle wet environments or even being submerged. Additionally, it has an orange-colored core for visibility and it is buoyant enough to make it float.
Cobra has added a large, clear LCD screen with easy-to-use interface for quick at-a-glance use. Even in adverse conditions, the unit’s high output speaker makes it audible. Those functions allow you to contact 12 separate weather channels, ensuring the best options for knowing what kind of conditions are headed your way.
The Bluebound 150 comes with belt clip, wrist strap and five rechargeable AAA batteries. Those batteries supply up to 11 hours of power for the radio. Additionally, you get a 12-volt to USB-C charging cable to recharge the batteries.
The Cobra Bluebound 150 is the kind of gear that you may never need in a true emergency, but one that had best be at hand if such an event occurs. Meanwhile it can help you plan your outings in confidence and a sense of safety.
The Bluebound 150 has an MSRP of $99.95. For more details visit the Cobra website by clicking here.
