Anyone regularly fish from a canoe?

[franklin]

gfen wrote:

As a non-swimmer who wants a watercraft, I'd thought about canoes and kayaks with the outriggers on them... So, since someone here has actual experience...just how stable is a canoe with a set of them? Could one person effectively operate and fish out of a canoe with a set without fear of hitting the drink?

I've owned a number of canoes and kayaks over the years. (I think there are three or four kayaks and a canoe in the garage right now.) I would not suggest a kayak to a non-swimmer. On the other hand I would think a canoe would be a good choice for someone with kids. You also get to move around a bit more in a canoe. I have to beach the kayak every so often and get out and stretch. I have a tandem kayak but was scared to death of taking my kids when they were little. If you go the kayak route get one with a more open ****pit.

The scanoe idea floated on the thread is a good idea if you would plan on using a trolling motor to assist. One of my brothers has a scanoe with a 3 HP air cooled engine. It flies. I have a 14 foot traditional canoe and a 1.5 HP air cooled. Regular canoes with offset motor mounts are somewhat unstable and don't track well. I've also used electric trolling motors in small canoes and find the battery weight can be an issue.

One thing with canoes is that they catch more air than a kayak so on a windy day on a lake you can get moved around a lot. Sometimes it's not all that much wind and you still blow down the lake in a hurry.

I've tried outriggers on a friends canoe and they do work well. They increase stability quit a bit but also increase wind resistance. So if you are fishing to a rising fish it can get frustrating. I carry a small anchor on mine.

My personal choice is a 12 foot kayak but it fits my body style at 6' 2" 180#. (If you look at kayaks check the weight limit. Many have a limit of 220# or so.) In a few years I may not be able to take sitting in it for very long at which time I'll look for a 14 foot kevlar canoe.

 

[franklin]

Chaz wrote:
The only time I fished with a fly rod from a canoe I found it very difficult just to cast from a sitting possition.

Agreed. Can get frustrating. You have to lower your expectations and go with what you can get.

 

[TimMurphy]

franklin wrote:

Chaz wrote:
The only time I fished with a fly rod from a canoe I found it very difficult just to cast from a sitting possition.

Agreed. Can get frustrating. You have to lower your expectations and go with what you can get.

Dear franklin,

As someone who is accustomed to casting and fishing out of a float tube I think an upright seated position will be a marked improvement.

I think that regardless of the canoe I purchase I will add a set of outriggers and a trolling motor. The added security to me will be worth the trade-offs. Most of the fishing I will do will be on lakes and the motor will be used primarily to cross wider parts of the lake and to troll when I feel like it.

Thanks for all the suggestions and feedback,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[franklin]

TimMurphy wrote:

franklin wrote:

Chaz wrote:
The only time I fished with a fly rod from a canoe I found it very difficult just to cast from a sitting possition.

Agreed. Can get frustrating. You have to lower your expectations and go with what you can get.

Dear franklin,

As someone who is accustomed to casting and fishing out of a float tube I think an upright seated position will be a marked improvement.

I think that regardless of the canoe I purchase I will add a set of outriggers and a trolling motor. The added security to me will be worth the trade-offs. Most of the fishing I will do will be on lakes and the motor will be used primarily to cross wider parts of the lake and to troll when I feel like it.

Thanks for all the suggestions and feedback,

Tim Murphy 🙂

You have likely been out on a lake at the break of dawn to experience that calm water often found on a summer morning just before the sun strikes the ground enough to set the air currents in motion. There is nothing like gliding into a still cove in a kayak or a canoe, birds and wildlife undisturbed by your quiet approach. I think you will enjoy it Tim!

 

[steliejim]

A question on the scanoe. For the guys that use it for a stream, is it safe to wear waders in one? With a wading belt, of course.

 

[franklin]

steliejim wrote:
A question on the scanoe. For the guys that use it for a stream, is it safe to wear waders in one? With a wading belt, of course.

I don't see a problem on calmer water. Always wear a life vest if you do. I would not wear them on any flowing water with any depth. I do adjust my safety considration based on water and air temperatures. In cold water and cold air I play it safer.

 

[steliejim]

I was thinking along the lines of the East Branch Delaware or the Big Pine above the canyon. Any thoughts?

 

[TimMurphy]

Dear Jim,

The East Branch is a relatively slow moving river though it does have some deep holes. Wear a PFD and just pay attention to the depth of the water where you are getting out to fish and you shouldn't have any problems getting out to wade.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[gentleshepherd]

I just sold a Metz Grizzly saddle for $350. I put it up last night and had people e-mailing me to put it up for a buy now. I wasn't sure what to do so I wrote numbers on a sheet of paper and drew$350 so I did and gues what IT SOLD!!!! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130536759183 Now If I can only sell 1 or 2 more like that I can buy my kayak!!!!!!!!

 

[chuckytown]

Bring an anchor when fishing lakes because the wind will blow you.