Kayak_Fish_Camp

Hello All, About this time last year I was looking into something more comfortable, larger, and more stable than my kayak so I might be able to stand up in it and add a trolling motor, etc. Initially I was looking into an Old Town canoe but based on what I saw on these forums I discovered Sportspal. I was even more surprised to learn the factory was right here in Michigan. Anyways, I found a S-14 used but in mint condition for $300. I drove 3 hours one way to get it and that same evening I had it out on the water in the canals of Gibraltar. I'd like to thank Brad Reid for sharing his photos and setup. When I saw him sitting in lawn chair as well as standing in his Sportspal it helped convince me that this was the canoe for me. He shares the photos like this post and I've seen several other users who post similar stuff in several other posts. This video really sold me on the stability and amount of gear you can take with you. Not that I need a ton of stuff but it's nice to see how you can utilize all the space. I just wanted to thank those who share their expertise, photos, and videos. It really helps the next person coming up and looking to discover something new to enjoy the outdoors. I couldn't be happier with the Sportspal. It was everything I saw people posting about it in these forums. It really helps to post your setup photos. Please keep sharing! Thank you. Here's my idea... Since 90% of the time I fish alone I am thinking of putting a platform/deck from the front thwart to the bow of the canoe. The platform would kinda be what you see in jon boat to bass boat conversions and would sit on the front seat just below the thwart and go all the way to the bow. I'd have some rod holders and storage doors. I think it would keep things clean and provide more surface area and hide my battery and gear. Anyone ever do something like this?

I looked into several brands and went and sat in many of them. I was looking to do the same as you: camp and fish with kids, family, and dogs. At 60lbs, I think the perfect size is the S14 Sportspal by Meyer. I picked one up used for $300 but they are normally upwards of $1K. It came with a trolling motor mount, a custom-built wheeled dolly, 2 paddles, and a small removable middle seat. Here's a google photo album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/7TpUSim19YZX6WZR8 It's big enough to put wife and small child/dogs in it easily. It's by far one of the most stable canoes I've ever used. It floats in barely any water. I can move it easily with the wheels you can see in the photo album. Getting it on the truck roof is a bit tricky because the bow wants to ride the rooftop until the foam pad kicks in to support the weight. That said, it is super easy to load when not needing to put it on the roof and just in the back of the pickup on a slant up towards the truck cab. I've had it out quite a few times since getting it. Currently, I am prototyping a "canoe console" that will sit in front of me and store my tackle boxes and a few other things I am attaching like rod holders, drink holder, and possibly some tool holders. The idea of this is for it to be very portable and have everything I need for fishing. Drop it in and grap my rods and I can be out fishing with everything I need. I don't want anything mounted permanently because of needing to take kids and dogs on occasion. You can see it at the bottom of the photos. I really love the sportspal canoe for fishing and stability. I plan to add a trolling motor later this summer and will be selling my kayak soon. This is just so much more comfortable with the leg room and seating. Plus it's so nice to not have everything sitting on my lap in a little kayak.

I just picked up a Meyer's Sportspal S14 for $300 used. What I like most about it is the length and open feel. It's so wide that I feel very stable even when moving around or standing. Of all the canoes and kayaks I was able to look at the Sportspal seemed to be the best for an all around hunting and fishing canoe. It floats in hardly any water and is fairly light but awkward to carry when trying to load it on top a truck etc. Once off the truck I can easily carry it on a shoulder or balance it on my head while walking. It paddles very nicely but will require an anchor in heavy winds if you want to stay put. So far I have been very pleased in my purchase. Since you are limited in file size, here is a photo album for it I started. https://photos.app.goo.gl/7TpUSim19YZX6WZR8

We camp for 2 weeks over the 4th of July at Otsego Lake. Great campground. Lots of fun out on the lake tubing

I just signed up and was filling out my profile today and what did I say in my description..."love fishing topwater but looking to use spinnerbait and chatterbaits this summer". So this post is perfect and why I joined this forum. I am looking for ideas in murky to low visibility spinner colors. Am I just looking to get white?

Hello All, I guess you can say I love the sport of fishing and the relaxing time on the water. I'm not in it for competition or anything like that. I camp all summer and so kayaking and fishing are things to do while out and about traveling all over Michigan. I love fishing top water lures and this year I am going to get into spinners and chatterbaits. Mostly, I fish the Huron River and any lakes near our campgrounds. This summer I plan to do more fishing around the docks of Gibraltar and various canals off the Detroit river.