Packing For Overnighters.

[Forsythian]

I'm with Hank on the battery powered Christmas lights... I've not brought my lantern on an overnighter for a couple of years now. Those little LED strings are really versatile.

[LittleRedFisherman]

I don't disagree. But I float on a 17 ft barge too. Not a play boat.

Chief, my Coosa is getting a Complex. I hear what your saying though, if I really get into going on overnight trips, may wanna look at a canoe.

They are one in the same to me. If I'm floating and fishing I might as well be camping too and for that I'm going to need some real food.

And there should be a law against sleeping on a gravel bar without a campfire.

I'm there with ya Fly, wanna eat decent out there. The best catfish I've ever cooked was on a river bank, as well as the best hot dog. Something bout a campfire, if I'm taking the Coosa, probably take a saw for wood, and charcoal for backup.

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Hank, I have a DEEP aversion to radios on the river, period. If my partner or partners insist upon a radio, that'll be the last time I go with them.

That's the kind of stuff I want to get away from as well, when I'm on my favorite stretch of the Eleven Point, and my phone won't work, I love that. Only exception might me right now, as I'd like to hear a little of the Cards in the Playoffs!

[joeD]

If you are spending one night on the river, then I guarantee you won't need 99% of the stuff mentioned above.

PS: Make no mistake, there is nothing less refreshing than filtered river water. It's just an excuse to use a water filter. Which you don't need.

PSS: Pretty soon, your trip will be about taking stuff, using stuff, instead of fishing. Tread carefully.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Chief, my Coosa is getting a Complex. I hear what your saying though, if I really get into going on overnight trips, may wanna look at a canoe.

Tell her not to take it personally. I am just not a fan of the yak. Others are very passionate about them.

I like packing all the other stuff everyone mentioned too. I knew though, that you were limited on room and were only going to be out over night and that your emphasis was on fishing not camping. I think some missed that.

Have a great time, give us a report, and post a bunch of pics!

[LittleRedFisherman]

If you are spending one night on the river, then I guarantee you won't need 99% of the stuff mentioned above.

PS: Make no mistake, there is nothing less refreshing than filtered river water. It's just an excuse to use a water filter. Which you don't need.

PSS: Pretty soon, your trip will be about taking stuff, using stuff, instead of fishing. Tread carefully.

There is a lot stuff mentioned I probably won't use on my first trips, but good ideas for future consideration. I am basing my first trips more on fishing, I don't wanna go bare bones, or extravagant either, somewhere in between hopefully!

Tell her not to take it personally. I am just not a fan of the yak. Others are very passionate about them.

I like packing all the other stuff everyone mentioned too. I knew though, that you were limited on room and were only going to be out over night and that your emphasis was on fishing not camping. I think some missed that.

Have a great time, give us a report, and post a bunch of pics!

Since this topic, I've talked to my father in law, ( who has an old, but huge grummen canoe ) about floating possibly the Buffalo, it's not to far from where they live. I'm already talking about stuff he can haul...lol

[Coosa]

I just got done last week with a 3 day 2 night trip in my coosa. I have done a few of these now and the hardest thing I have come across is cooler space. Other than that never really an issue with room. One thing I did do that helped save a lot of space is I bought an instant pop up tent. It folds up to a 28" circle and fits right behind the seat perfectly Now if I could just figure out how to bring my dog Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

[Terrierman]

Kayaks are great for day trips. The dog and I strongly prefer canoe or jon boat for overnighters. I camp heavy too, normally bring full sized cooler, lawn chair, folding table, a good sized dry box for food, stove, lantern, cooking gear etc. The soft stuff goes in dry bags. I sleep on a base camp therma rest in a semi-rectangular bag in a Timberline 4. Don't care for being cramped. Usually put up a tarp over the table area to help keep the dew and any sprinkles off. Somebody above mentioned taking a chainsaw in cool weather. Guilty of that too.

I'm way more about the whole river camping experience than ever being focused totally on fishing. I've taken three day 8 mile float trips.

[Coosa]

5 gallon buckets with tight lids work great - will float just in case, keeps bread and chips from getting squashed, keeps clothes, radio, etc. dry, makes great coffee tables, makes a great tackle box, sleeping bag and pillow fit perfectly - I carry two, one for tackle/sweater/wet suit/bug spray/misc. and one for stuff I absolutely want to keep dry.

Five gallon buckets are good but he mentioned being in a kayak. They won't fit

[Al Agnew]

Yeah...I gave my original list because that covers just about everything I'd possibly take. I pare it down as needed on various trips. No doubt it would have to pared considerably if using a kayak. No way I'd WANT to take a kayak on a multi-day float, especially if fishing is a big part of it, because once I got all the stuff in and on the kayak, it wouldn't leave room for my five rods and big box of tackle

[Woodland Artisan]

... One thing I did do that helped save a lot of space is I bought an instant pop up tent. It folds up to a 28" circle and fits right behind the seat perfectly

How does that throw-tent work for you? I've seen one 2 other people on hikes on the AT using them but didn't get a chance to talk to them about it. Does it handle wind well? They're easy to setup ("just a throw") but how about getting them back into the pouch? I've been wanting to try one out but since I rarely do a tent, I haven't justified it to myself, yet.

It's light and compact except that it's just awfully wide. Really terrible, I believe, for hiking in rough terrain with a wide sail on your back. Probably not too bad for kayaking but I'm sure it'd capture a lot of wind. Could it possibly be made to go into a smaller circle?