I'm old and forgetful and have learned to start writing things down instead of relying on my memory. It seems like every time I get on the water I left something behind that I REALLY need. Do y'all ever use a list to go over what you need to bring along?

No but I keep telling myself that I am going to start doing that. Just one more thing to forget!

Ditto...

I made up a list on Notes on my iPhone. When I'm preparing for a trip, I copy the list to a second "note" ... then delete each item as its packed. That way ... when the "new note" is blank, I'm done ... but I still have my list to use next time.

I will also edit the "new note" to include/exclude items needed for that specific outing.

that's a great idea but I have been known to forget the phone

before planning a trip. I gather all my equipment into one central location where i can see it. my deal is when i don't see it, i don't remember to bring it along. i used to have my paddle hidden in the back of my garage, no more. it is in plain eyesight i wont forget it from now on.

I do like SleepingTiger but my problem is forgeting to add something to the list or pile of gear and then remembering when it's too late.

I start a list for every event as soon as I book it. Every trip is different in some way.

I keep all my chit in a tub or small locker .So it goes like this
Kayak
locker
motor (paddle)
rods

loaded done ready to roll in 5min . now important to air out locker after fishing !!!

My list is typically broken down into two sections: Kayak Stuff and Fishing Stuff.

The Kayak Stuff list remains pretty constant, main exception being if I am going to be hauling the yak over a long enough distance to warrant bringing my cart.

The Fishing Stuff list is what varies significantly. I used to just have a hob-gob of stuff and would take it every trip (and always added a little to it each time). Soon I found my tackle probably weighed as much as my yak!!! (exagerating, but you get the idea) In addition to the extra weight, I think that it also served to hinder my fishing.

To the extent possible, I now plan each trip based on what I'm targeting and what (hopefully) will work for that body of water. Makes me much more efficient and confident on the water. When fishing new water bodies, I splurge a little to be on the safe side, but still try to minimize as much as I can.

Now ... I have yet to yak-camp, but hope to take care of that little oversight this year. Already working on a different list for that.

I don't remember ever forgetting anything

I make a list on every trip ... then I run to Academy and drop $50 on new stuff I think I need ... crazy

I'd like to suggest a great app to help with lists!

It's called EverNote and it is a cross platform application for note storage and sync in the cloud. This means that you can install it on every PC that you use and your cell and you can create and edit notes from any location and they sync up!

So, you can hammer on your list from the office and when you get home in the afternoon to load up your gear, you pull out your trusty smartphone and bam, there's your note ready to go.

There are browser plug-ins for IE/Firefox/Chrome that let you snip parts of websites and paste them into your notes, images included and that's handy for compiling a "trip note" with a map, conformation/reservation numbers, and maybe an itinerary.

The service is free with a generous monthly cap on note creation (based on data size, not number of notes) and there's no way a normal person would over run the limit with text only notes in a month.

Win/Mac/Linux iOS/Android comparable.

Easy, I just keep everything in my kayak trailer.

I use Evernote, it's pretty handy.