Is a canoe for you?

Is a canoe for you?

There is an emerging waterborne revolution underway. While many fishing enthusiasts are getting bigger, more powerful and expensive fishing vessels, there's another class of anglers who are now considering going the other way. They want the options of stealth, some comfort, a closeness with nature .But above all, they want a craft that is affordable. Thus there is a growing legion of anglers who are seriously considering some sort of paddle craft. And the canoe can be an excellent choice.

By Kevin Fenn

In the paddle-fishing world, there is much debate as to which is better - a kayak or canoe. Since I preach paddle fishing a lot, both types of craft personally appeal to me. However, today we will examine the many virtues of fishing out of a canoe.

First, we should explain that canoes have been around about as long as kayaks. Originally, they took many different forms. For example, the Indians used the dugout canoe. Everglade hunters and trappers used very long, skinny canoes known as "Glade Skiffs" to push pole their way around. Today we use canoes for everything from fishing to hunting to good old-fashioned playtime on the water.

One of the main reasons I would advise someone to get a canoe over a kayak is cost. Canoes are not as "trendy" as kayak are these days and, therefore, rarely costs as much. The price of a typical canoe can run from $399 to $999 dollars, depending on its size and the material it's made of.

Of course, there are pricier canoes that weigh 37lbs and are 20' long with a substantial cost of $1,500-4,000.00. Needless to say, these are a joy to paddle. But hey, those are not the best things to use for in-shore angling. Often the best buys in canoes are the ones you can pick up at a yard sale or in the classifieds; you can often pick up one of these for under $600.00, without feeling guilty and worrying about upsetting your spouse.

Another reason to consider a canoe is the fact that you can take company with you on your fishing excursion. Some of my best fishing days in a canoe are with my family, having that feeling of gently gliding along while being at one with the water.

Canoes are also easier to load on your vehicle and get in the water than kayaks. Pick up the canoe, place it on the water, run back to the truck, grab the rods and go! As an added bonus, if you’re planning a long journey, canoes can take on huge loads of gear. I for one am looking forward to an Everglades paddle fishing trip this winter, and plan to do so out of one of these great paddle craft.

Canoe design set the standard for most modern skiffs. And advances in technology have made this classic vessel even better.

Square stern canoes allow the angler to add power (motor) and give stability, especially if you like to push pole. I also might point out that square stern canoes are best for poling or power only, not paddling! Double-ended canoes are awesome if you intend to add a small trolling motor or to paddle. If you plan on doing a lot of paddling in a canoe, get a kayak paddle. Having a paddle on each end is much more efficient than the classic single-ended canoe paddle.

Probably the best part of getting a canoe is putting your own accessories on it. Just as I recommend for kayaks, it's better to custom rig the canoe to suit your needs rather than buying one with a dealer version of a "fishing package". My personal favorite brand is a 16-foot, square stern American Eagle. What makes mine different are the pleated seat cushions, push pole clips, poling platforms, cup holders, rod holders, two flush tackle trays and a bottom coat of line-x (truck bed liner). After adding all this stuff, my canoe has begun looking like a flats skiff. When out it in this deluxe canoe, all attention was on me.

I hope you find some of this information helpful if you are considering the purchase of a canoe. These stealthy vessels have a lot going for them. And remember that cooler weather pushes fish into hard to reach areas, but not out of the reach of a canoe. So get out in your canoe and catch another memory.

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