What is a good canoe to bass fish from.

[kybassangler]

Looking for good advice on what to look for in a canoe for fishing. I have a Bassboat but, I also would like to have, a small craft for packability in small lakes and streams. I'm 6'1" 250 lbs and my son will also be along he's about 50 lbs. So I tink I should get one that would hold 500 lbs or better and a lot of stability. Anybody with experience with such craft. Thanks.

[Cajun1977]

pm avid ,he fishes out of a canoe so he could help you out

[Gatorbassman]

A wide one.

[Travlin_Man]

Consider a Gheenoe , they wont' capsize like a canoe.

[burleytog]

Take a long hard look at Old Town.

I fish a Discovery 169 and it is as stable as any canoe I've ever been in.

 

[bassboy1]

Quote

Take a long hard look at Old Town.

I fish a Discovery 169 and it is as stable as any canoe I've ever been in.

 

Ditto that.  Most durable too.  Love the discovery editions.  I just picked up an aluminum 17 foot Grumman, so we will see how that goes.  But, this increases our fleet to 1 working fishing boat, two project boats, and one canoe.  So, it may be a while.  

[twors]

I really like what Native Watercraft has to offer....their adding several new models to cover practically everything it seems. I have a really nice 1548 MV jon that I've built up but thinking of adding a Ultimate 12 to my collection come next spring.

http://www.nativewatercraft.com/

[joe bag o donuts]

Just as an added precation regardless of which canoe you decide to buy you might consider a set of these.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0001464011360a&navCount=2&podId=0001464&parentId=cat601235&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat21276-cat601235&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601235&hasJS=true

[Travlin_Man]

Purchasing a canoe and then spending another $200+ just so you and your fishing gear aren't dumped overboard, seems illogical to me. The Gheenoe was invented because someone got tired of getting wet.

[mdntridr]

I just bought a 13' Adirondack fiberglass canoe.  It easily holds 2 adult males plus gear, but is small and light enough for me to get it on to my roofrack without assistance.  Be sure to get something with a good full-length keel and get the widest canoe you can find.  Mine is shaped like a football and it's perfect.

Greg

[kybassangler]

Might have found one to trade a guy out of. Looks to have some good qualities. Lots of room, place to put motor.

[bassboy1]

Looks a lot like the square stern version of my Grumman.  Looks to be either a 16 or 17 foot.  I can tell you, that they are great boats.  We thought highly of them even before we had our canoe or our 12 footer.  The square stern is nice.  I wish ours had that, seeing what we would mainly use it for.  

[AnglerNFuego]

Consider a Gheenoe , they wont' capsize like a canoe.

Do you have a Gheenoe?  I'm also looking to invest in a canoe.  I've been looking around and have been very impressed with Old Town.

[hotspringsbass]

The Canoe in the pic looks good. I have a 17ft aluminum canoe that is perfect for two people I have had 3 in it for just river riding. The square stern will be perfect for the sm elec. TM. I would suggest getting a couple of stadium style seats to strap to the metal seats in the boat. I got mine a wal-mart less than 15$ and they give you a backrest that will help on the long trips. They also have sewn in pockets and drink holders to keep your extras from rolling around in the bottom.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/comfortstore_1962_50155732

[Travlin_Man]

AnglerN,

  I have had a Gheenoe since 1980. I wouldn't trade it for four canoes. I can sit on the gunnel and it won't capsize. I stand up and fish without any instability.

[Guest avid]

Gheenoe's are fantastic.

But they are heavy.

with my bum shoulders I can lift my 57lb Old towne osprey 140 into the back of my p/u. no problem.

I use the stabilizers which weigh next to nothing, and fish standing up all the time, with no instability at all.

I have a SIDE MOUNTED 55 lb thrust thrust MK vector 55 3x. that weighs 44 lbs.

Anyone who is "not impressed" with old town canoes.  doesn't really want a canoe.

[Lard_Bass]

I have a 12 foot Radisson Canoe (called Sportspal in Canada) that weighs only 34 lbs.  There is a similar version made by Meyers Boats called Sportspal in the U.S.  As you can see, both companies share similar names of Sportspal in their respective home countries.  Sportspal in the U.S. is made a one sheet of aluminum while Radisson is made of welded sheets.  I need to disclose this because if you google Radisson you'll see they make Sportspal but it is not the same Sportspal you'll find at sporting good stores in the U.S which is more expensive.

I had the Radisson for about a year.  You can see the specs here:

http://www.bwmarineproducts.com/pointed_canoes.htm

It has been a fantastic canoe.  I can load it on my car and carry it by myself since it is very light.  It is very wide (38 inches) and completely stable with stabilizers / outriggers (thank you Avid for that recommendation) and the sponsoons (foam bars attached to side of canoe).  I stand up in my canoe almost all the time.  I went out with a buddy last weekend and loaded it up with gear.  My buddy who also has a canoe was amazed by the stability of the Radisson as we dealt with the wakes of many power boats.

I got some seat backs and mounted a fish finder and rod holders to the outrigger cross beam.  Every time I take it on the lakes, people are amazed by the little bass hunter that I have.  It is rigged up with a 30 lb thrust trolling motor (trolling motor bracket is included with the canoe plus oars too!).  

So what are the downsides of the canoe you ask.  I would never take it down a rocky river.  The aluminum is too thin.  I have run into submerged rocks and stumps and while it dents, it has not punctured (if it ever does, you can buy some JB Weld cement to fix it up quickly).  I mainly fish lakes so fast moving rocky water is not a problem.  

The other is downside is if you really want to "canoe" I don't think this is a great canoe to paddle.  It is very wide for stability.  Its tracking capabilities do not bug me since I mount it with a trolling motor almost all the time.  Also, the key to maintaining the weight distribution in this canoe is to put the trolling motor battery at the front of the canoe (a marine extension cable is only $15).  

I found my canoe in an off-season fall sale for under $500.  Other canoes that I looked at such as the Wenonah Heron were going to run me $900+.  I could've gotten a used canoe on craigslist but the problem with most canoes is weight.  A lot of cheap ones out there weigh 75 lbs +.  Even the lightest kevlar or royalex canoes would weigh 50+ lbs.  You can find some used Sportspal or Radisson canoes out there but they are tough to find.  I found one once and it was gone once the listing was posted.

 

[kybassangler]

I just found something on the internet that looks kinda cool. Its called a nucanoe sposed to be unsinkable.

[Lard_Bass]

Looks like a kayak.  What's the difference?  

Also, can you stand up in it?  You probably need outriggers if you do.

[kybassangler]

you can put a trolling motor on that one. sposed to be unsinkable, standupable, and untipable.

[kmost]

I know you said you want a conoe...BUT.... You might think about a pond prowler sold by bass pro.. They have a small one that will fit in the back of your truck and one man can carry it to the water...

Happy fishing from Me and my Dog.... ;D

[Marty]

Even the lightest kevlar or royalex canoes would weigh 50+ lbs.

That's on the high side. Both the Wenonah Fisherman and Heron weigh 36 pounds. They're very expensive but that light weight doesn't come for free.

[bassn4life]

i agree with a gheenoe.  they are amazing.  I had a buddy lose his pole in the lake and i jumped in to get it.  I climed right back in over the side of the boat and it didnt capsize.  I am 215lbs and for it not to take in anywater or flip, it says a lot.

[Lard_Bass]

Even the lightest kevlar or royalex canoes would weigh 50+ lbs.

That's on the high side. Both the Wenonah Fisherman and Heron weigh 36 pounds. They're very expensive but that light weight doesn't come for free.

my mistake.  I meant to say many Royalex were 50+ lbs.  Kevlar is definitely lighter but more $$$$.  Also, I have been told that Kevlar is not as durable as Royalex.

Anyone looking for canoe specs, I used this site to compare quickly:

http://www.adventuresports.com/product/oak-orchard/canoeinventory.php

Also, maybe you should consider a porta-bote:

http://www.porta-bote.com/

I have read great reviews about this portable boat.

[Marty]

Kevlar is definitely lighter but more $$$$.  Also, I have been told that Kevlar is not as durable as Royalex.

I think you're right on both counts. I've been told that Royalex is virtually indestructible and I know Kevlars cost twice as much.

But I bought a Kevlar (Wenonah Fisherman) this spring. I felt I had no choice, as it had to be ultralight or I couldn't buy anything. At my age there's no way I can carry around and hoist onto a roof rack a 55# boat.