One thing I've recently tried which has made my shots much better is to use "Sports" mode on my Optio. It's a faster shutter speed and keeps my shots from being as blurry as they are when I just use plain "Green" mode. Now, about your actual question.. I do just what you do; hold the fishies out at arm's length and hope.

Oh.. get a strap for that Optio and attach it to yourself or your kayak.


My Optio takes some pretty good photos of flies if I put it in macro mode and use a tripod and good lighting.

Enjoy!