The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

I am putting together a canoe fishing rig. My area has lots of small lakes and rivers, so I plan to be out on them this year. So far I have an Oldtown Sport 14 (Had it for a few years), and this week I have gotten a Minn Kota 30Lb thrust motor, deep cycle battery, and a battery box with circuit breakers built in. I also picked up a nice new charger, and found my old side mount motor mount. I have yet to come up with a roof rack for my 4Runner, but this shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Does anyone else here fish from a canoe? Any tips or hard learned lessons?

No, but I saw a guy flip one once by leaning over a bit too far. Him and all his gear into the lake, I nearly messed myself laughing, too bad video cameras back were the size of a cinder block and weighed as much or I could make money on that clip.

What JYD said. Your center of gravity is different and depending on how much weight is in the canoe (AND WHERE IT IS) can effect how cross winds push you around. Ask me how I know.

Mill......size does matter!!!!!!

Don't end up like Spencer Tracy in that old move with the fish tied to the side of the boat!!!



And get one of those new water proof cell phones......We love photos here!!!! (especially upside down ones!)

I am loving all of the votes of confidence. Actually my canoe is wider than most and more stable. I am more worried about running the battery down and having to paddle back.

millman wrote:I am loving all of the votes of confidence. Actually my canoe is wider than most and more stable. I am more worried about running the battery down and having to paddle back.

More stable than other canoes doesn't say a hell of a lot...

Every few years I build a 8' wooden boat out of two sheets of plywood ( 0ne each 3/8" and 1/4") It is great for one person. Two gutsy people can fish out of it. I mount wheels on the top of the transom and can push it, or pull it, like a wheelbarrow. It is stable and light enough for one old man to handle. It cost more to paint it than to buy the other materials, but you can build one complete for $150.00.

The maiden voyage will be filmed? What about a flat bottom row boat? They seem pretty stable, and they make them out of lightweight aluminum.

SA1911a1 wrote:

millman wrote:I am loving all of the votes of confidence. Actually my canoe is wider than most and more stable. I am more worried about running the battery down and having to paddle back.

More stable than other canoes doesn't say a hell of a lot...

Every few years I build a 8' wooden boat out of two sheets of plywood ( 0ne each 3/8" and 1/4") It is great for one person. Two gutsy people can fish out of it. I mount wheels on the top of the transom and can push it, or pull it, like a wheelbarrow. It is stable and light enough for one old man to handle. It cost more to paint it than to buy the other materials, but you can build one complete for $150.00.

That's an excellent idea. Something simple and similar to the pirogue wooden boats all across south Louisiana. The wheel on the bow is a fantastic idea as it could be moved on dry land easily.

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The outrigger is a pretty good idea. This is the canoe that I have. http://www.samsclub.com/sams/ot-sport-1 ... /187741.ip You can see it is wider than normal. I have used this for a few years with no motor, and I haven't flipped it. I used to have a 16 foot Grumman canoe, and went over in it on most trips.

The outrigger idea is good. I personally have never had any luck fishing out of a canoe on rivers or lakes. Too much time fighting the wind and keeping the canoe under control and pointed in the right direction for my taste. Personally, if I were going to have a one man vessel with trolling motor capability it would be a cataraft pontoon boat. I have one for river fishing, and it is like fishing out of a lawn chair. The only problem I have for river fishing is finding someone else to fish and shuttle with. I love my Triton bass boat, but the cataraft makes it so easy to float fish it's not funny. To me a canoe is for leisurely float trips, and a total pain in the ass to fish out of.

The Creek Company makes a great line of cataraft pontoon boats. https://creekcompany.com/home.php?cat=254

Here's my best friend running a Class 3 in his.



Here's mine. Mine is a Creek Company ODC 915 (which has been discontinued years ago). Diamond plate rear deck with trolling motor attachment block. I also have rod holders for when I need to row without trying to lose a rod.

Here's a close up of my best friend's Water Skeeter. They make great pontoon boats too.

If I want to go fast and fish in comfort, it's more work, but this does the trick too. I caught that flathead catfish on a square bill crankbait while I was bass fishing.