Fishing Canoe

[jdavis]

I just bought a 16' Mohawk Intrepid and now I am ready to outfit it for some summer smallmouth fishing.

Is there anyway to add a trolling motor without a motor mount?

Do you have to make any special accomodations to protect the battery in a canoe?

What other modifications have people made?

[Wayne SW/MO]

You can mount it over the side, but it can work the side a lot. I would use jumper cables to put the battery to the front. You can find various mounts on E-bay at better prices than factory models. If you think you'll use the motor alot, thats the best choice, or you can build a mount out a 2x4 and some angle from Lowe's or Home depot.

You would probably be better off getting a few trips under your belt before you make many modifications. The exception might be an anchor. Buy a 3# dumbbell from Wal-mart and tie a rope to it, then run the rope through a pulley held with a length of rope to the back handle, tie it off at the thwart or the seat.

[jdavis]

Thanks!

I should probably mention this boat will be used as both a solo and tandem. Any modifications will need to suit both applications. Also, I want to make sure most modifications are easily removable for transport and storage. I don't want to turn it into a lunker.

[bclift65706]

I would start out basic and as you use the canoe if you see room for impovement then improve

[Guest]

Deleted

[creek wader]

It's a little late now, "water under the bridge" so to speak. But, if I was interested in investing in a canoe to use a trolling motor with. I would look real hard at a square back canoe. ie;

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131649

or

http://www.directboats.com/20ba160sqstc.html

or

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/se...86474-Gifts.com

There are many makes and models in various sizes and price ranges. Just a thought to anybody else interested in mounting a trolling motor.

[Gavin]

I have a trolling motor mount that I got from Old Town..works great but kind of pricey..You will need to register your canoe and motor if you want to run a trolling motor. If you dont register, you run the risk of a ticket. If you dont have a statement of origin from the manufacturer you will need to get an inspection and affidavit from a Water patrol officer before you register the boat and motor with Dept of Revenue.

Anchors...I run a drag chain out the back of both of my canoes..I built a brackets out of wood and use an anchor lift and lock that I got from bass pro. Anchor is simply a chain wrapped with duct tape..slows the boat and keeps the bow pointed down river so we can get a few more casts in...

.Thinking of running one out the front this year..a window sash weight, a couple eye hooks. a small roller, and a a jam cleat should do the trick..Keep an knife handy when running an anchor. Heres a ling to a pick of my solo from a couple weeks ago. Anchor bracket is on the back but I dont have the anchor installed. Remember to keep a knife handy with the anchor deployed. Cheers.

http://nesselrode.com/fishing/DSC_7297.jpg

[Wayne SW/MO]

Never tie an anchor to the seat or thwart! The anchor should only be tied to the front or end of the canoe, if you try to anchor in fast water it will make the canoe extremely unstable. Preferably you would want a pulley system so you won't even have to stand up to reach it.

Well you have to tie it somewhere or you'll lose it. It can have the pulley on either end, and I prefer the rear on my canoe to avoid the rope tangling on something too dicey to reach. I don't have plastic seats in my solo, so I simply tie it next to me on the cross brace of the seat. I do a simple overhand using a loop so I can release it with a tug, and if it doesn't in an emergency its close enough for me to cut. I find that pulling into calm water and anchoring in shallow water helpful. Its not a good idea to anchor in a heavy flow period, no matter where the anchor drops from.

Whether I'm in my yak or my solo, I always have a sharp knife on my vest. That way I can cut rope, fishing line, branches or anything else that might want to hold me where I don't want to be.