Kayaks?

[Flyflinger]

Just curious...why do you want a kayak instead of a canoe?

I solo fish alot and I don't bring alot of gear. I wanted something I could paddle upstream by myself and then float back to my car. Plus they just seemed funner.

[Flyflinger]

I solo fish alot and I don't bring alot of gear. I wanted something I could paddle upstream by myself and then float back to my car. Plus they just seemed funner.

You do however bring up a great question, which one is the better option Canoe or Kayak? I must admit the only canoes I have used have been those great big hunks of alluminum that you rent at the float trip places. I have always hated them for fishing....great for drinking beer in....but thats about it.

Are there good fishing canoes out there?

[eric1978]

You do however bring up a great question, which one is the better option Canoe or Kayak? I must admit the only canoes I have used have been those great big hunks of alluminum that you rent at the float trip places. I have always hated them for fishing....great for drinking beer in....but thats about it.

Are there good fishing canoes out there?

Good plastic solo canoes are nothing like the aluminum beasts you've experienced. Gavin mentioned the Wenonah Vagabond, the solo I wish I had, but they're around a grand. Old Town makes a couple solos, the Guide 119 and the Pack, which are both cheaper. And there are others.

It's an endless debate...which is better, canoe or kayak? And it always boils down to a matter of preference. But for me, a canoe is a better choice first and foremost because of its versatility. If you decide you want to do an overnight and pack the necessary gear, you can. You'll be hard-pressed to do that with any kayak, unless you're an extreme minimalist. Also you can take more rods and tackle than in a kayak if you are so inclined. Don't forget dry bags and all the other incidental stuff that's convenient on the river. No problem finding a place to put it in the canoe.

They can be as light or lighter than kayaks, especially if you pay the extra money for Royalex.

They're more comfortable to me. You sit higher and have more ability to move your legs around.

You have a better line of sight for fishing and for navigating tricky spots on a river.

Some canoes are faster than others, so if you plan to do a lot of upstream paddling, you should consider that, and look at longer, leaner canoes. Some canoes cut through the water nicely, some paddle like barges. Some canoes track better than others, some are more maneuverable. But for any kayak you are considering, there is most likely a canoe that will paddle as good or better...at least if we're talking about crafts that are appropriate for angling and taking it easy on our small rivers. Yes, of course most kayaks are going to outperform most canoes in whitewater, but that's not relevant to most Ozark streams.

You stay drier in canoes. That doesn't matter much in July, but in March or November it's important.

Canoes are easier to modify. If you don't like the seat position or the seat itself, yank it out and put a different one in.

There are other considerations, but I'm too tired to think of them right now. I'm sure someone will chime in soon and start giving you reasons why kayaks are better.

[Flyflinger]

Good plastic solo canoes are nothing like the aluminum beasts you've experienced. Gavin mentioned the Wenonah Vagabond, the solo I wish I had, but they're around a grand. Old Town makes a couple solos, the Guide 119 and the Pack, which are both cheaper. And there are others.

It's an endless debate...which is better, canoe or kayak? And it always boils down to a matter of preference. But for me, a canoe is a better choice first and foremost because of its versatility. If you decide you want to do an overnight and pack the necessary gear, you can. You'll be hard-pressed to do that with any kayak, unless you're an extreme minimalist. Also you can take more rods and tackle than in a kayak if you are so inclined. Don't forget dry bags and all the other incidental stuff that's convenient on the river. No problem finding a place to put it in the canoe.

They can be as light or lighter than kayaks, especially if you pay the extra money for Royalex.

They're more comfortable to me. You sit higher and have more ability to move your legs around.

You have a better line of sight for fishing and for navigating tricky spots on a river.

Some canoes are faster than others, so if you plan to do a lot of upstream paddling, you should consider that, and look at longer, leaner canoes. Some canoes cut through the water nicely, some paddle like barges. Some canoes track better than others, some are more maneuverable. But for any kayak you are considering, there is most likely a canoe that will paddle as good or better...at least if we're talking about crafts that are appropriate for angling and taking it easy on our small rivers. Yes, of course most kayaks are going to outperform most canoes in whitewater, but that's not relevant to most Ozark streams.

You stay drier in canoes. That doesn't matter much in July, but in March or November it's important.

Canoes are easier to modify. If you don't like the seat position or the seat itself, yank it out and put a different one in.

There are other considerations, but I'm too tired to think of them right now. I'm sure someone will chime in soon and start giving you reasons why kayaks are better.

YOu bring up some very valid points. I think you have helped to shift my thoughts towards a canoe. I hope someone chimes in with a kayak preferance so I can weigh them out. Thanks for the insight.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Good plastic solo canoes are nothing like the aluminum beasts you've experienced. Gavin mentioned the Wenonah Vagabond, the solo I wish I had, but they're around a grand. Old Town makes a couple solos, the Guide 119 and the Pack, which are both cheaper. And there are others. That's true, but the are a little more money, at lest for royalex types.

It's an endless debate...which is better, canoe or kayak? And it always boils down to a matter of preference. But for me, a canoe is a better choice first and foremost because of its versatility. If you decide you want to do an overnight and pack the necessary gear, you can. You'll be hard-pressed to do that with any kayak, unless you're an extreme minimalist. Also you can take more rods and tackle than in a kayak if you are so inclined. Don't forget dry bags and all the other incidental stuff that's convenient on the river. No problem finding a place to put it in the canoe.

I think more than preference, its the waters you fish. A 12' Sot or Sit will run off and leave a solo when traveling upstream. As for overnight, I don't see much difference in space between my 12'Tarpon and my solo 13' neither is going to be comfortable with a case of beer onboard. As far as rods go, neither can carry that many as far as I'm concerned, I can only watch so many tips when things get tight.

They can be as light or lighter than kayaks, especially if you pay the extra money for Royalex.

No doubt lighter, with most canoes in the 40# range and 12' kayaks in the 60# range, but 10' SI kayaks are very light and as light as solo's. The 10' have their place, more economical than either of the two larger crafts and I think they are a good choice for creeks, especially where you have to buck some brush. they do suffer from room and aren't much better than a solo going upstream.

They're more comfortable to me. You sit higher and have more ability to move your legs around.

Not to me, in fact the 12' SOT allows a little more comfort overall. You can hang your legs over the side and sit with your legs in the water. I would be swimming if I did that with my solo.

You have a better line of sight for fishing and for navigating tricky spots on a river.

[b That's true, and can be handy at times, but you also make yourself more visible to the fish in clear shallow water.]

Some canoes are faster than others, so if you plan to do a lot of upstream paddling, you should consider that, and look at longer, leaner canoes. Some canoes cut through the water nicely, some paddle like barges. Some canoes track better than others, some are more maneuverable. But for any kayak you are considering, there is most likely a canoe that will paddle as good or better...at least if we're talking about crafts that are appropriate for angling and taking it easy on our small rivers. Yes, of course most kayaks are going to outperform most canoes in whitewater, but that's not relevant to most Ozark streams.

The problem is that "longer leaner" canoes are heavier and not designed for solo paddling. This puts a lot of limitations on them in other ways for the solo fishermen.

You stay drier in canoes. That doesn't matter much in July, but in March or November it's important.

No doubt, but again, I prefer my 12" SIT in colder weather. I wear neoprene's to stay dry and its the one craft I know won't surprise me with a swim.

Canoes are easier to modify. If you don't like the seat position or the seat itself, yank it out and put a different one in.

Very true

There are other considerations, but I'm too tired to think of them right now. I'm sure someone will chime in soon and start giving you reasons why kayaks are better.

I'm trying. The bottom line is its very dependent on where you spend most of your time and how. For me a small creek with the possibility of some portages is the place for a 10' sit in kayak. It easier to handle when bucking brush and will carry what you need for most day trips. If I'm putting in at accesses and traveling upstream, I prefer my 12'SOT, if I can get close to the water. If I'm not going to far from the access and I think there may be an obstacle, than its the solo. Floating downstream, its generally the solo that I want especially on a long float. The bottom line is that they are all interchangeable and what you choose should match up with the style of fishing you do most often. You can get by on other waters with any of the above. I'm not addressing anything beyond the solo fishermen who haunts creeks and rivers. If you add a partner, long camping trips or any special baggage, its a whole new ball game.

[eric1978]

Couple points, Wayne.

C'mon buddy, you know there's more room for gear in your solo canoe than in your Tarpon. My solo is a foot shorter than yours, and I can very comfortably carry all my fishing gear, camping gear for an overnight or extended trips, and more than a case of beer, plus water and food for several days. Also, if you have shorter rods (which I prefer for canoe fishing), all the tips can remain inside the bow and under the gunwales...mine do, and I have no worries about snagging them on brush. That's always going to be a problem on a kayak.

As far as weight, yeah the 10' sit ins might be as light as Royalex solos, but they're very limited in gear capacity and they track horribly and spin like a top. Plus they paddle upstream or through slack water as poorly or worse than most solos. When I say "long and lean," I mean long and lean for a recreational canoe, like the Vagabond. I'm not talking about a touring canoe that has very little initial stability.

[Wayne SW/MO]

. For me a small creek with the possibility of some portages is the place for a 10' sit in kayak. It easier to handle when bucking brush and will carry what you need for most day trips.

As for the 10' SI. I can't argue against any of your points, but don't forget you can often buy the for $300, of a little more. For guys that fish small creeks and/or want to pack them in the back of a pickup, they have their place and fish small streams with tight places they work well. Then there's Ollie who fishes everywhere in a 10' Pam.

As far as the 12'SOT and camping? I agree the solo has a little more room, but you can pack in and on a SOT. Even when I run in a full size canoe I don't carry water, a big tent or much food that isn't dehydrated. I do seem to manage to carry a lot of worthless stuff, except for a big cooler. I don't have any problem with 2 6'3" baitcasters and a 6'6" spinning rod in the 12'. As far as going upstream, my solo walks almost as bad as my 10'. The lack of a keel or runnels and a slight rocker means it doesn't track all that well, it is agile however.

I think the choice depends on where a person spends most of their time and how they fish.

[flytyer57]

As for the 10' SI. I can't argue against any of your points, but don't forget you can often buy the for $300, of a little more. For guys that fish small creeks and/or want to pack them in the back of a pickup, they have their place and fish small streams with tight places they work well. Then there's Ollie who fishes everywhere in a 10' Pam.

As far as the 12'SOT and camping? I agree the solo has a little more room, but you can pack in and on a SOT. Even when I run in a full size canoe I don't carry water, a big tent or much food that isn't dehydrated. I do seem to manage to carry a lot of worthless stuff, except for a big cooler. I don't have any problem with 2 6'3" baitcasters and a 6'6" spinning rod in the 12'. As far as going upstream, my solo walks almost as bad as my 10'. The lack of a keel or runnels and a slight rocker means it doesn't track all that well, it is agile however.

I think the choice depends on where a person spends most of their time and how they fish.

If I had a choice to make, I would look at the type of fishing I do most. For me it is day trips. A sit on top yak is my best choice. If however I were to do a lot of overnighters instead, I would want a canoe. Once I buy that yak, I can always rent a canoe for an overnighter.

[eric1978]

Once I buy that yak, I can always rent a canoe for an overnighter.

Or you could buy the canoe and never rent anything.

[flytyer57]

Or you could buy the canoe and never rent anything.

Eric, why are you so dead set against yaks? You have a bad experience in one?

I have never done an overnighter, and I don't plan on doing one anytime soon. I enjoy my current sit on top yak so much that I am going to soon buy a better one. I like how easy it can be to get off of it and wade fish. I like hanging my feet over the side and fishing when I take it out on the lake. I'm sure I can go through shallower water than any of your canoes. I also believe my yak can take a wave better than a canoe. Sit on top yaks are much more stable than canoes. Do you ever read about people taking canoes out on the ocean to fish? No. They take yaks. If I were to fall off the yak for some reason, it's much easier to get back on than it is to get into a canoe.

For a day trip on the water, a yak is much better than a canoe. Long journeys like Louis and Clark demand a canoe. Or a touring yak.