Kayak, Canoe, Small Craft Fisherman - opinions solicited

Post by **gordy28** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:06 am

Hey there,
So - for the past few years I have always had the benefit of doing most of my summer fishing in Haliburton at my brothers cottage.
The cottage has been sold, and it looks like I am on my own in terms of continuing to fish on a regular basis this summer and beyond...

I am really interested in looking at getting a small, portable fishing vessel to fish smaller lakes around Southern Ontario - thinking Kawarthas, Haliburton and around the GTA (Bellwood Lake, Puslinsch Lake etc).

I have considered three options:
Fishing Kayak - have been looking at the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 and the Ocean Prowler 13 - concern would be stability and mobility - trolling, fishing weedlines etc)

Fishing Canoe - have been looking at the Pelican Bayou or the Old Town Predator (I have fished quite a bit in a Pelican and enjoyed it - main concern is weight as I suspect I will be fishing solo a lot) - but I really liked using it with an electric trolling motor for trolling and or cruising a weedline

Car topper - name a brand - thinking a small car topper aluminum (e.g Tracker Guide Series 12 Lite model) with a small horsepower engine - like the idea as I am used to fishing in a small aluminum etc - challenge again is mobility - average boat weighs 150+ pounds - fine if I am trailering but I was hoping to get by without one

I have a Ford Ranger pickup - so I should be able to accommodate all of the above boats in terms of traveling with, accessing water

Basically -interested in hearing others thoughts, etc about the above options - this is new to me, so I don't think I have an predisposed preference

Cheers
Gordy

Post by **Todd B.** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:13 am

Gordy,

You might also consider inflatable pontoon boats (i.e. Outcast, WaterSkeeter). The larger models typically have motor mounts, anchors and space for gear/coolers. Some models are also equiped with casting platforms.

Cheers,
Todd

Post by **bucketmouth** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:42 am

I'd say kayak (I'm biased, lol) if you're looking for stability and mobility. Way more maneuverability and more comfortable to fish from than a canoe IMO. If kayaks are on your list I'd definitely try a SIK and a SOT before buying to see which one you prefer.

I drive a Ranger too, no probs hanging a canoe or kayak out the arse end. I never could fit my 12' cartopper in 'cause it's a flareside

Don

Post by **YakAttack** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:31 pm

some quick observations I've had:

I fish from a kayak and it's a lot of fun, can be done for hours without getting uncomfortable. After you rig it for fishing, it's like your sitting in a cockpit. You can access places that are difficult to access with a trailered boat -- access points are any non-private properties on the water. Mine is only 10' long -- it fits inside my minivan.

Canoes: can bring a partner which is nice. But my knees get stiff after a while, and my back gets sore. Not as stable.

Cartopper w/ motor: Same comments as for Canoe except more stable, and nice to have motor for trolling.

Post by **Mossman** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:49 pm

Take a look at the portabote. Here's the website for the distributer in Ontario.

http://www.ontarioportableboats.com/

They are much stabler than a canoe or kayak and far lighter than a small aluminum.

Post by **Salar** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:02 pm

I'd go with a 9' or 10' inflatable pontoon boat (Outcast or Waterskeeter) and a 36lb thrust electric trolling motor. Add a Fishin' Buddy fish finder and you're set. The pontoon boats are light, portable and comfortable to fish in.

Cheers,

Salar.

Post by **joco** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:13 pm

KAYAK ALL THE WAY.

did i say....................KAYAK.

can beat it.

comfortable....stabile...rigible etc.

take a look at some kayak fishing site.you will see what i meen.

if you ever want to try my kayaks no prob.

if you want to cover a lot off water or cover it faster =kayak

joco

Post by **Mr. T.** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:16 pm

There's also the Frog Boat.

http://www.onefrogtwo.ca/home_en.htm

Post by **bucketmouth** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:21 pm

joco wrote:rigible etc.

Dude, I chat with ya all the time and even I have to go to the dictionary on this one

Post by **beeman** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:07 pm

If you are going to portage into smaller lakes, from other lakes, a lightweight canoe may be the ticket. In my experience they are easier to carry than the kayak, but the kayak is a bit more stable in the water and a bit faster.

Post by **joco** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:45 pm

hi bucketmouth..

rigible.....men you can RIG IT more then a canoe.

man did i just invent a new word..?

i have been inventing new word for the past couple years in here..

i got 3 canoe and 3 kayaks.......i fish frome both a lot in the past years.

since i got the kayak the canoe did went mutch into water..why...

faster.more stabile.more comfortable more fun etc.

dont get me wrong.canoe as it place in camping.

inflatable as there place in very small water

kayak are just the way to go...dont have to get a huge ones to. and you can follow your budget.

there some frome 359$ to $$$$...

they are all good.it depend what you want and what use you got for it.

the best try the most that you can try..

there some demo days at all kayak shop..its free. and you can try deferent ones.

joco.

Post by **karma** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:20 am

I have a Porta-Bote and love it. I can load on the SUV myself once it's folded up -- weighs 70lbs. I also got the wheels so I can set it up anywhere and then role it down to the water by myself with all my gear already in the boat. My 40lb Minn Kota does just fine moving me around for the day. The main thing Porta-Botes have over inflatables is that they don't spring leaks and you don't need to deflate them afterwards.

Post by **sparky** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:04 am

I have a canoe, kayak and a small plastic jonboat, and the kayak is my choice about 95% of the time. It's comfy, stable, easy to paddle and just more fun and less cumbersome than the other boats.
I have a 10-1/2 foot SIK. If I were buying an additional boat I might get an SOT for warm-weather, midsummer use only. But really, an SIK is better for Canada. Dry, warmer and far more comfortable, lighter to carry and quicker and more nimble to paddle.
If I could have only one boat, it would be a sit-inside kayak.

Post by **zarbat007** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:11 am

I have this inflatable boat:

http://platinumgalleria.com/intex-infla ... 3-diag.jpg

Seats 4 people, large, You can even sleep in it.

I plan to get a trolling motor boat for it later.

Post by **ACJC** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:01 pm

I would suggest a Sportspal aluminium canoe. They are light, very stable, and affordable. I have a 14' with a square end which I use with either a 2.5 hp gas engine or an electric motor. This canoe is very light - aprox 44 lbs. I can portage or lift it on the roof of my SUV by myself - my usual fishing partner (my son) is only 9 so I'm used to moving it around myself

Another advantage is that we can fit 3 people in this canoe (when the wife comes along) with a bit of space left over for the cooler and some other required stuff.
The only disadvantage with these canoes is that they are hard to row compared to fiberglass boats. This isn't an important feature for me because I use an engine - hey I like fishing not rowing;)

Hope this helps you out.
Have a good season - if it can finally start (when the snow is going to go away)