Kayaks?

[Wayne SW/MO]

I'd like to ask you guys with the kayak hatches how easily you can grab the rods when they are in those hatches? Maybe most anglers don't fish the way I do...but I want all my rods instantly reachable.

I've never bothered trying to fly fish sitting in either, even with a 10' rod. Many rivers aren't that suited to a fly rod in my opinion. When you consider that most fish holding banks are a jungle for a fly rod, its not worth it on many rivers.

As far as the solo vs kayak argument, you don't give up a lot using either, granted there are some areas where one shines over the other, but when you consider everything, one will outshine the other for an individual.

I own both and while I probably use my solo most often, I can't say I'm ready to get rid of my kayaks.

No one has mentioned using either on a lake, probably because there is no comparison between a SOT and a solo, the SOT wins hands down.

[bcfish]

look at this link

nucanoe

[eric1978]

look at this link

nucanoe

Those will be a barge to paddle upstream or through slack water, and the 12 footer is 77 pounds...pretty heavy. Otherwise they look okay. I'll stick with a traditional canoe.

[RSBreth]

Those will be a barge to paddle upstream or through slack water, and the 12 footer is 77 pounds...pretty heavy. Otherwise they look okay. I'll stick with a traditional canoe.

I saw one of these about a month ago. I paddled over to look at it and yeah, it looks like a barge, too.

I think somewhere around 50-pounds for a solo craft is max.

My tandem canoe doesn't weigh that much!

[Al Agnew]

I haven't fished the fly rod all that much from the solo canoe, but I do know the biggest drawback for me is managing the excess line. While I can keep the area in front of me pretty clear of stuff to hang up the line on, it invariably gets tangled around the canoe paddle. And if I put the paddle down somewhere out of the way of the line, then it isn't as easy to grab for quick course corrections.

If I could solve that problem, though, the fly rod could be used pretty effectively, depending upon the type of fly you're using. You'll always have a problem trying to fish stuff slow and deep as the canoe or kayak is drifting. But if you're fishing things like popping bugs or other surface or near surface flies, you're usually able to get in several casts with the fly rod before the craft gets turned too far sideways or backwards as it drifts. Being able to pick up the fly after five feet or so of retrieve and instantly make the next cast, instead of having to reel it all the way in, can make it quite effective. However, making the kind of long casts you need to make on the really clear streams and manage retrieve, picking up line, and making another long cast requires more talent with a fly rod than I'll probably ever have!

[Stoneroller]

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/1582/Native-Watercraft-Ultimate-145-Solo-Angler-Kayak.html

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/2711/Wilderness-Systems-Commander-120-Angler-Kayak.html

here are a couple of hybrid options. basically rotomolded canoes, but with some angler specific features.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Wow, 74# and that much money doesn't really look like a craft I would be interested in. I assume that its a double hull? You can buy a 17' canoe that weighs around 60# and that would be a better choice< I would think, for something that can haul a reasonable load.

[rps]

"Wow, 74# and that much money doesn't really look like a craft I would be interested in. I assume that its a double hull? You can buy a 17' canoe that weighs around 60# and that would be a better choice< I would think, for something that can haul a reasonable load."

I own the shorter Native Ultimate 12. It is 55 with the seat in but less if you yank it out first. (Easy) It is rotomolded and the bottom is almost catamaran shaped for stability. No it isn't the lightest. If I had to hump it up and down hills or make ugly portages, I would want something else. If I wanted to make long multiple night trips, I would want something else. For one day recreation and fishing floats on Kings River, Crooked Creek, or the Elk, where access is water side and a drag is measured in a few feet, they are excellent.

After owning a jon boat, a small Lowe bass boat, a Tuffy, a Supreme river boat, an Express center console, and now a tiller steer Alumacraft, as well as a Discovery 169 and my present yak, I say with authority: No single water craft is perfect. Instead, you try to match what you want to do and how you want to do it with what is available and what you can afford. Al Agnew's rig looks great, especially for what he does. RSB's Pack suits what he does.

Guess maybe there is more than one right answer?

[RSBreth]

No single water craft is perfect. Instead, you try to match what you want to do and how you want to do it with what is available and what you can afford. Al Agnew's rig looks great, especially for what he does. RSB's Pack suits what he does.

Guess maybe there is more than one right answer?

Exactly!

I think people need to really try out as many different models as they can, think about what their needs are, then buy. Even after that your idea of "the perfect solo fishing machine" will probably evolve as you gain on the water experience. I just get annoyed that when folks think solo they automatically think kayak. It may be the right choice, but not even including solo canoes as an option is a mistake.

[Wayne SW/MO]

rps I guess I'm just not seeing an advantage. It appears to be a canoe with a different bottom, but the "pontoons" mean more surface are which equals more drag. I'm not sure that initial stability, which I assume is the main advantage, would be worth it. Personally I don't mind the lack of initial stability as I do the lack secondary on a small paddle crafty. I don't see the kayak in it?