How to Rig Canoes for Fishing
Fishing from a canoe can be rewarding. Canoes are simple, lightweight and relatively inexpensive. The emerging popularity of small-boat angling has led to a merging of some of the best traits of canoes and kayaks into fishing kayaks or canoes. Along with this new breed of boats has come a new group of specialty fishing products just for canoe and kayak fishing.
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Things You'll Need
- Canoe
- Paddles for each paddler, plus one extra
- Comfortable seats
- Rod storage holders
- Anchor (3 to 5 pounds), with nylon line
- Fishing net
- Rod holders
- Ice chest
- Gas or electric motor, if desired
- Marine battery, if desired
- Life jackets for each person
- Fishing rods, reels, tackle box
Instructions
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1
Install comfortable seats in the canoe. Consider the amount of padding in the seat, comfortable back support, water proofing and heat retention in the sun. Seats styles and costs range from inexpensive stadium seat pads to specially designed canoe seats in the hundreds of dollarrs.
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2
Install rod storage holders to protect your valuable fishing poles and to keep the canoe well organized. If the canoe design allows, attach rubber-style storage holders from a sporting goods store to the canoe ribs using plastic zip ties. This gets the rods out of harm's way.
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3
Purchase a tackle box that will fit under the seat of the canoe. When it comes to canoes, smaller is better. Buy a small anchor, (3 to 5 pounds should be sufficient) and attach it to the canoe using a lightweight nylon cord long enough for the depths you intend to fish. Wrap a long elastic chord around a seat or tie down and tie it to the handle of a small fishing net.
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4
Install rod holders that will hold the fishing poles while fishing and paddling. Simple rod holders that clamp to the gunwales are inexpensive and easy to relocate as needed.
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5
Decide whether you will use an electric motor or depth finder. If so, install a deep-cycle battery in a waterproof carrying case. (See tips below.)
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6
Purchase a small ice chest that will fit underneath the second seat. Now you have a spot for drinks, food and keeping the worms cool.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Every person on the canoe is required to have a life jacket. Spend a little extra to buy quality, comfortable life jackets that you would be willing to wear. It could save a life.
The batteries to run an electric motor or depth finder can be heavy and require a fairly large canoe to accommodate them. However, they do allow for using a motor to cover long distances rather than paddling. There's also the benefit of keeping the hands free. If you already have an electric motor share the battery with the depth finder. If you choose either a gas motor or no motor, depth finders are available that run on smaller 9-volt batteries. They are effective, but tend to use a lot of batteries.
If you are looking to purchase everything, including the canoe, several companies offer special canoes and kayaks designed and set up for fishing. (See the resources section below.)
Always wear a life jacket.
Know and obey all fishing regulations for the area.
