Brock P

The Nucanoe looks pretty nice. Might see if the local dealer will let you try it out and see first hand for yourself if it will work for you. Have you looked at the Wilderness Systems Commander 120? I bought one last summer and love it. It's light enough I can throw it on my shoulder and carry to/from the truck and it has a pontoon hull that makes it more stable allowing you to stand and fish. I've even stood and paddled down river in it once in mild rapids on Elk to see what it would do and it did just fine. Still I mostly fish sitting down, but its nice to be able to stand if you want (especially when I have to retrieve lures from the trees). It also has 2 seat positions, so when I get tired I can move up to the captain's perch which makes it feel like a canoe. It's agile enough that I can work my way upstream and float back down if we aren't able to shuttle. I bought mine from riverjim.com in Buffalo, MO where I could try out several different kayaks there on site and the Commander was by far my pick but he didn't have the Nucanoe to compare against. Not sure if he still does it, but when I bought mine he was taking 20% off MSRP. Like others mentioned though, a narrow 16ft Jon boat is hard to beat, especially if standing is your main goal. Just depends on what waters you are fishing if its practical or not.

Staying at Point Royale there is a great access point you can use to get to Taney. We've stayed there before and it has easy access to wade fish that section (just remember you are in the slot zone so check out the regs for lure restrictions and if you plan to keep what you catch). Another option for you is to put in there with your kayak and float downstream. It's a pretty nice float from there to Branson Landing if you don't mind a little paddling once you hit the slow water (around 6 1/2 miles). If the family wants to shop that works out nice since they can meet you at the boat ramp in the city park (just South of Branson Landing) to pick you up. Or you could make it a shorter float and have them pick you up at Cooper Creek CA. Another thing we do a lot with our kayaks is drop the shoppers of the family off at the landing and then put in and fish around there until we get the call they are ready to leave (best way there is to go shopping in my opinion). If you decide to go to Crystal Bridges, check out Roaring River State Park on the way there. Very scenic and has hiking trails and trout fishing too. Have a great time!