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fishing in a canoe

3K views 26 replies 14 participants last post by  tim peterson 
#1 ·
does anyone go out in a canoe or a kyack - moved here from N.Y. and being retired i quickly got bored so bought a yak but last week i got a canoe - when i`m by myself in the middle of a lake ALL IS GOOD WITH THE WORLD at least my little part of it
 
#6 ·
Down here in the deep south we use a pirogue mostly. Not much different than a canoe, but usually smaller. I haven't been in either in years, to hard to get in, and out of, anymore. Still, every time I'm in a store that sells them, I start wanting one myself.
 
#7 ·
Did it for decades, in a canoe that is, and still do. I've kayaked a lot but as I only fly fish the canoe works better for me. I have fished from my kayak but I like them mostly for white water...well, that's a "used to"....sold my white water boats 12-14 years ago. These days I like them for pleasure floats. They're both special craft....love 'em.
 
#10 ·
Years ago I was full of spit and vinegar. Made a makeshift wooden frame to mount a fiberglass chair in my 12' aluminum V-hull. All I had to do was slide the wooden frame with seat over top the fixed boat seat and I could rest my back on the fiberglass seat while catching spring time crappies. A little electric motor powered me across the lake. It was cold enough I had to wear a snow suit over my clothes (including long johns) to fight of the chill of the still winter winds. I went to a far shore and began my first drift, letting the wind push me across the lake. I hadn't gone very far, drifting sideways, when the boat hit a stump in the water. Within a millisecond the boat rolled back, dumping me and the seat into the water. I just "rolled" out. Seconds after hitting the water I sank. I could feel the water being absorbed by the snow suit and could see the boat floating above my head, getting further and further away. My insulated boots finally hit bottom (I'm guessing 10 feet) and my first thought was from my boy scout training. Stoop down, and then push with your legs! I shot through the water and was able to reach up and grab the stern of the boat, then pull myself up to gasp for air. As cold as the water was, it was truly difficult to get that lung full of air. The shore was about 35 yards away, but the wind was pushing me away. I struggled to swim to the shore pulling the boat, when a man in a canoe sped to my rescue. He grabbed the bow rope and pulled me to shore. From there I began bailing and realized my battery was dead and I was truly freezing. Thankfully a man was in mid lake with a motor boat and both the man in the canoe and I hailed him over. I bailed enough to ride in the boat and he pulled me to the ramp. Soaking wet I loaded the boat, and made it to a little liquor store up the road. The clerk acted like he had never seen a soaking wet man undress by his pot bellied stove before. The bottle of brandy probably didn't help, but I didn't care. I don't think I warmed up to normal for a week.
I tell you that to tell you this. When out on the water, pool, pond, lake, bay, or ocean, wear a life jacket. Stuff really happens quick out there.
 
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#11 ·
funny yesterday i was out in MCKINNEY lake and i went to the very end where it seems use to be a woods and now was all stumps and a lake with the stumps sticking out a couple feet - well i diddn`t see it but i hit a stump and it almost capsized my canoe there was a guy in a motorized jon boat after i yelled a few times he came and SLOWLY we went to where i was safe but there was a time i thought i was goin over land was about 50 yds. away also but the water was warm little scary - plus swimmimg i probably would have hit more stumps
 
#12 ·
I had a Chris Craft speed boat breakup on me and sink about 200 yards from shore. This was back in the 1970's. It sunk to the bottom and we had to swim to shore. The boat split right down the center.
 
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#14 ·
If you haven't rolled a canoe, a pirogue, or a kayak, you just ain't out there much in one. These craft are easily over turned, as your center of gravity is high in relation to the boat. Wearing a life jacket in one of these is almost a must, but a bit uncomfortable. I don't, but then cold water isn't a problem down here in the south. It gets cold, but cold enough to kill you. I've always been a good swimmer, and the only times I ever worried about being in a small boat was during duck hunting season, wearing chest waders. I don't think a life jacket would help if you roll a boat in deep water with chest waders on.
 
#15 ·
started yaking and canoeing last july must of been out 50 times - i go out a lot - haven`t swamped it yet and i know i should but i don`t have a vest - i can swim and i ask the GOOD LORD to,watch over me - one thing i`ve got to say it`s a good place for a QUIET TIME TALKING TO GOD
 
#17 ·
I fish from a kayak a lot. I have a 13' Wilderness sit on top, on flat water you could fall out but turning it over would take some work, it's very stable due to a pretty shallow keel. Works great for casting plugs or still fishing. One tip, use a lanyard on your paddle or carry a spare.....
 
#18 ·
And don't lean over to pick up something from the bottom of the lake, river, or stream.
 
#19 ·
When I was a boy scout (four score and 50yrs ago), we had to learn how to upright a swamped canoe. I'll stick with my jonboat i've had since I was 10.
 
#21 ·
I have two John boats, best thing out there for a day of fishing!
 
#20 ·
#24 · (Edited by Moderator)
I used to have a Grumman 17' canoe which I used to fish and camp. Now I have a 18' Mako center console. Too lazy to paddle.
This guy lives in my town. I have fished at that same spot.
http://www.aol.com/article/2015/05/...tmlws-main-bb|dl25|sec1_lnk2&pLid=-1430894767
How long did he have the fish on the line before he landed it? That is an amazing catch. I've watched videos of kayak fishermen catch tarpon, sailfish, and sharks from their little craft, and it is amazing to watch!

I like the looks of that area.The only thing that photo needs is you and me in it headin' out.
That would be Caddo Lake two years ago. The water is up now, and the lake is closed due to all the rain we've received. My John boats are powered either by trolling motor, or an old 9.9 horse Evinrude motor, with elect. start.
 
#26 ·
Carver, In his TV interview I could swear he said 7 minutes but it was probably more like 70 minutes. I've caught them that big before while offshore and it takes forever just to get them off the bottom. They rarely run but try to go the bottom where they can cut you off by getting in the rocks or wreck.
 
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