self photography

[Sharp]

having recently brought a DSLR and learning to use it in manual i was wondering how i would go about getting the best pictures from self photography. All of my self photography will be when im out fishing and would like to take a trophy shot before returning the fish. Ive been doing this for years using a bridge camera (set on auto) a tripod and an air release system. Im considering keeping the bridge camera solely for fishing and keeping the dslr safe at home, however i might sell it to fund a new lens for my 500d. If im taking the dslr i obviously wont have time to keep checking my pictures are perfect as i will need to return the fish asap so would i be best to leaving the camera set in auto? im not after award winning photos, good clear shots with myself and the fish in focus would be fine. Also a lot of the shots will be taken in moonlight, ive only ever used the built in flash on a camera, and as im led to believe that is far from ideal and looking back at my night shots a lot are bleached and sometimes light is reflecting from the fish, assuming buying a flashgun is the way forward can anyone recommend one for this purpose?
Finally, what lens would i be best using? i have a 50mm f/1.8, ef-s 18/55 f/3.5 - 5.6 and an ef 75 - 300 f/4 - 5.6, im guessing the 50mm but being a complete noob i felt i should ask :bonk:

Thanks

 

[chad]

Take your miss with you them she can take the photos lol

I would say 50 mm a nice lens and you can open the app to 1.8 so will let as much light in as possible

For your dusk shots

 

[MWHCVT]

I can't find it right now but I remember in a John wilson show he did a piece on taking a photo when on you own, if I remember rightly he would set the camera up at the start of the day and focus on a set point in front of the camera, he would mark the position to stand or kneel depending on preference and the sort the exposure all before even catching a fish, finally he had I believe a trigger (pressure switch) on the floor to fire the camera

Hope this helps

Matt
MWHCVT