Kayak Or Canoe?? 2024
MikeOGNR reply :
Hi guys I have a question. If you had to choose between a sit in fishing kayak or a fishing canoe which one would you choose??
Jim McC reply :
Neither. A sit on top kayak is best for fishing. Since you mentioned sit in kayak, I assume you will be fishing alone. A sit on top kayak is also much safer if you should fall off of it or tip it.
moguy1973 reply :
Depends on what you are wanting to do. If you like day trips where you'll just be hauling your fishing equipment and maybe a small cooler for water/soda/beer a kayak is great. But if you are wanting to do 2-3 day trips a solo cano can't be beat. They hold a lot of stuff and can be paddled with a kayak paddle if you so wish...
Kayaks tend to be slightly cheaper than canoes also...
Not_Here reply :
On 8/17/2012 at 1:59 PM, Jim McC said:A sit in kayak is also much safer if you should fall off of it or tip it.
you mean sit on top?
J Francho reply :
I prefer a stand on top kayak 
Darren. reply :
Having fished canoes, I now choose kayaks.
But I've actually got what is considered a hybrid, the Native Ultimate 12.
I had a sit-on-top yak and liked it a lot, but missed some of the "roominess" I had with my canoe, and the ability to stand in it (which was mandatory for me).
It was between the Wilderness Systems Commander or the Native Ultimate. I went with the Native for various reasons having sat/stood in both.
Now if you're gonna be in big water and have the possibility of getting swamped, go for a SOT with scupper holes for drainage. There are a lot of fishing SOTs out there to choose from in all price ranges.
If standing is priority, your choices narrow and price goes up.
Hope this helps.
MikeOGNR reply :
Ok well i really just want a small boat to fish out of so i can go to different lakes and other areas does that help I am not looking to do 2-3 day trips
J Francho reply :
Get some seat time in Ride 115. It's one of the best all around boats for the money.
Darren. reply :
On 8/17/2012 at 10:28 PM, MikeOGNR said:Ok well i really just want a small boat to fish out of so i can go to different lakes and other areas does that help I am not looking to do 2-3 day trips
That's what I was after, too. Started out with a cheap ($350) fishing sit on top from BJ's Wholesale Club. Then graduated to the (on sale) U12. I pondered pond boats and all that as well.
I transport it on top of my car. Now the U12 is heavier and I had to build a trolley to transport it across distances, but it has been well worth it for me. My fishing has been more enjoyable. The stability of the boat is amazing allowing me to stand freely. And being a kayak/canoe hybrid, the customizations are different than with a SOT....
Not trying to sell you on the U12, these are my experiences, preferences. To each his/her own.
Go to a good kayak store and see for yourself. If you can take some on demo runs, do it.
Lots of good brands to try out.
MikeOGNR reply :
Okay another thing is I will be fishing sometimes with friends but at other times buy my self is there a canoe for under 400 that can do that???
Darren. reply :
On 8/17/2012 at 10:51 PM, MikeOGNR said:Okay another thing is I will be fishing sometimes with friends but at other times buy my self is there a canoe for under 400 that can do that???
Sure, look here at the Coleman Scanoe (has a square stern for mounting a motor).
ClackerBuzz reply :
i fish both. canoe's are more stable, have more room to stretch arms/legs/back, and you can spread ur gear everywhere, fit coolers with lunch, can take a buddy out, have option to add a trolling motor for bigger bodies of water, has oar locks so i can paddle easily (like a row boat). the wind blows my canoe a lot more b/c the sides are higher so i need a slightly heavier anchor. if given the choice i would fish my canoe exclusively (i cant fit it into my apartment so i had to buy a kayak that would fit up the stairwell). i like the canoe for full day fishing trips. i can stand up to fish, stretch, or take a nap...i never need to go to shore.
my sit in kayak is more close quarters, solo use, paddles faster, better for tight or shallow streams with rocks/obstacles. the kayak is great for half day/quick fishing trips. i can't stand up in mine so i usually paddle to shore during the day to stretch and eat lunch. both are same load on/off my car. if you want to take a buddy sometimes get a canoe. anythings from dicks or sports author is fine for a 1st canoe. also check ur local craigslist for 'radisson' or 'sportspal' canoes. they are made for fishing, constructed from lightweight aluminum like airplanes so they are very light (but dent so no white water rafting), have oar locks for rowing, and the floors are lined with foam to buffer noises like moving around or dropping a lure. http://www.castlecraft.com/sportspal_wide_transom_canoe.htm
good luck and let us know how you make out.
ClackerBuzz reply :
On 8/17/2012 at 10:24 PM, J Francho said:I prefer a stand on top kayak
great photo francho. who snapped the pix the fish?!
J Francho reply :
Lol, my buddy, from another kayak. The jig actually landed in his lap.
Jim McC reply :
Since you now say you want to be able to seat 2 people, I'm changing my answer to a canoe.
moguy1973 reply :
On 8/17/2012 at 10:24 PM, J Francho said:I prefer a stand on top kayak
Is that an 11' or 13'? I've tried standing in my 11' OK and it's not real stable once I go to make casts.
bigdawg74 reply :
i got a pelican 15.5 on sale at the beggining of summer for 399.00 at canadian tire. it is perfect for me the wife and 2 kids and also a few times a week by myself. i love it. it is stable and fits loads of stuff.
Marty reply :
Bassmaster mag had an article on small boats some months ago. One of the points they made was a canoe might be better for those who like to bring a lot of stuff and have it spread out in front of you. I'm in the latter category and have a wide, stable canoe. There are some disadvantages (one of them was mentioned above, getting blown around more), but as the saying goes, you have to take the bad with the good.
NoBoatLance reply :
I've never fished out of a kayak but i did most of my fishing, as a kid, from a two person canoe. I couldn't even tell you what kind of canoe it was but it was perfect for the job. Enough room for gear, food, drinks, a buddy, and YOU. Dont know if i could sit on my butt and fish for hours.
Michael DiNardo reply :
moguy1973, not trying to steal J's thunder but it is an OK PBG. That is an awesome pic.
Mike
moguy1973 reply :
Ahh. Longer and wider than my trident 11.On 8/18/2012 at 12:34 PM, Michael DiNardo said:moguy1973, not trying to steal J's thunder but it is an OK PBG. That is an awesome pic.
Mike
ClackerBuzz reply :
On 8/18/2012 at 3:48 AM, J Francho said:Lol, my buddy, from another kayak. The jig actually landed in his lap.
remind me not to fish around you till i'm done having kids!
HeavyDluxe reply :
On 8/18/2012 at 3:48 AM, J Francho said:Lol, my buddy, from another kayak. The jig actually landed in his lap.
You're supposed to use a different kind of worm as a trailer, you know...
J Francho reply :
At least I didn't set the hook.
(null)
Fishing Rhino reply :
Here's another possibility. You can stand in it. I have. That means just about anyone can. Plenty of room for gear, and very stable, though it is possible to fall out of it without shipping water. Don't ask how I know. It is heavy at 118 pounds, but 44 inches wide.
http://www.dicksspor...ductId=12634053
MikeOGNR reply :
That thing looks perfect
Goose52 reply :
On 8/17/2012 at 12:45 PM, MikeOGNR said:Hi guys I have a question. If you had to choose between a sit in fishing kayak or a fishing canoe which one would you choose??
Really, only you can answer that question. Some types of small watercraft (canoes, kayaks, bass raiders, float tubes, pontoons, inflatables, etc.) are perfect for some people. No one type of small watercraft is perfect for all people. In selecting whether you want to get a canoe or a kayak, you need to make a list of your needs, and then determine which craft is the better fit for you. Some of the factors to consider:
- Stabililty and standing capability (moving around, landing fish, another person or kids or dogs in the boat, standing to fish, etc.)
- Cargo/gear storage (how much stuff do you want to take)
- Inboard storage & handling (canoe) versus handling things in your lap or over the water (yak)
- Seating position (usually, but not always more upright seating in a canoe vs. legs-out in yak - have back problems?)
- Vessel weight (how much can you lift/transport)
- Transportability - to the water and possible portaging (do you have a truck, trailer, going to car-top, need to portage, etc.)
- Ease of paddling
- Will you want the capability to motor it?
- Manueverability
- Type of water (lakes, streams, white water, etc.)
- Number of people in the craft
- Stay mostly dry or don't mind getting a bit wet
- Length of voyage (couple hours or a couple days)
- Etc.
Once you answer those questions based on your own capabilities and needs, you'll come closer to chosing either a canoe, a yak, or a hybrid. All are great watercraft in their own ways, you just have to find the best fit for YOU.
I faced the same decision as you are tying to make now but I was open to all types of small watercraft from float tubes up to bass boats. The best solution for ME, was a heavily accessorized canoe. I only fish my local, small (1.5 to 201 acres), no-wake lakes. Some of these lakes don't have boat ramps. I needed something car-topable without a special rack, modular, very light weight, with as much capability as possible. I wanted stability so I could stand and fish all day, lots of inboard storage, motorized, and little to no maintenance. I didn't want to have to buy a truck or other tow vehicle, I didn't want to consume a garage bay or driveway space with a boat and trailer, didn't want high expense and high maintenance, and didn't want to use gasoline power. Taking everything into account, I ended up with a canoe, trolling motor, and outriggers for stability.
Jim McC reply :
On 8/18/2012 at 9:51 PM, Fishing Rhino said:Here's another possibility. You can stand in it. I have. That means just about anyone can. Plenty of room for gear, and very stable, though it is possible to fall out of it without shipping water. Don't ask how I know. It is heavy at 118 pounds, but 44 inches wide.
http://www.dicksspor...ductId=12634053
I was looking at this on Dicks' website, but it doesn't give much info. Is the floor flat? What do you think of the build quality? How did you mount the seats? That's pretty similiar to the Old Town Predator SS150, but MUCH cheaper. Thanks
Fishing Rhino reply :
On 8/30/2012 at 5:07 AM, Jim McC said:I was looking at this on Dicks' website, but it doesn't give much info. Is the floor flat? What do you think of the build quality? How did you mount the seats? That's pretty similiar to the Old Town Predator SS150, but MUCH cheaper. Thanks
I got the seats and swivel mounts at BPS. The swivels are mounted on 1/2" plywood that is the width of the seats and long enough to nearly reach the sides of the canoe. They are secured to the existing seats with ratchet straps. You may need to shim up the front or back edge to suit your own comfort. I used 1 1/4" square stock the length of the plywood and fasted it with screws. If you look at the photo carefully, you can see the ratchet straps at the end of each plywood panel.
I use the birch plywood that has thin layers. You can find it at Home Depot and probably Lowes. The Depot carries it in 2 foot by 4 foot pieces. It is more stable than the typical 1/2 inch plywood with fewer plies. It does not have voids in the inner layers, so it will hold screws well. Other types, except for marine plywood, is likely to have voids where knots fell out, and those areas with voids cannot dependably hold screws. It is called Baltic birch.
The build quality is what you would expect in a cheap boat. The hull is formed from a single piece of plastic, and the boat is quite "flexible". The seats add some stiffness. But it's a case of you get what you pay for. My thought is that it's good value for the money. Mine is four years old, and still functioning. At the moment that means it cost me 125 dollars per year. At the end of five years, it will work out to 100 dollars per year.
For the sake of discussion, let's say I sell it at the end of this year for 200 dollars, that will mean it cost me 60 dollars per year for fishing. How can you beat that?
Goose52 reply :
On 8/30/2012 at 8:54 AM, Fishing Rhino said:My thought is that it's good value for the money. Mine is four years old, and still functioning. At the moment that means it cost me 125 dollars per year. At the end of five years, it will work out to 100 dollars per year.
For the sake of discussion, let's say I sell it at the end of this year for 200 dollars, that will mean it cost me 60 dollars per year for fishing. How can you beat that?
I love value-based logic! 
A-Jay reply :
I've been fishing from the Old Town Predator square back for 5 seasons now - love it.
Suits my needs well.
Very Stable and holds a lot gear, more with some modifications.
A-Jay
Fishing Rhino reply :
On 8/31/2012 at 12:35 AM, A-Jay said:I've been fishing from the Old Town Predator square back for 5 seasons now - love it.
Suits my needs well.
Very Stable and holds a lot gear, more with some modifications.
A-Jay
http://www.bassresou...attach_id=19745
I'm pretty sure this canoe is the same as mine, that I got from Dick's. It says Old Town on each side at the stern, and the paperwork says Johnson's Canoe by Old Town. (Not the canoe in my avatar, which I also bought on sale at Dick's)
I was just looking at the photo of your canoe again. You've got more stuff in there than I have in my Z-8. Do you need a giant shoehorn to wedge yourself in between all that gear?
rb56 reply :
On 8/17/2012 at 10:51 PM, MikeOGNR said:Okay another thing is I will be fishing sometimes with friends but at other times buy my self is there a canoe for under 400 that can do that???
i don't know if you have an academy sports near you, mostly in texas i think. they have a website though and i went with their pelican 15.5 canoe after looking at kayaks. both were new to me having had fishing boats, bass boats, i was looking for something to just paddle along the shore with to fish. i saw the pelican and at $279 when i bought it, it's the best price on the net compared at some sites for $600 +. i went with the canoe because of others with me at times. i've added a trolling motor, a depthfinder, anchor locks and i know there are better boats out there but for the money, this does what i want.
http://www.academy.c..._-1?N=670789616
Michael DiNardo reply :
On 8/17/2012 at 7:15 PM, moguy1973 said:Depends on what you are wanting to do. If you like day trips where you'll just be hauling your fishing equipment and maybe a small cooler for water/soda/beer a kayak is great. But if you are wanting to do 2-3 day trips a solo cano can't be beat. They hold a lot of stuff and can be paddled with a kayak paddle if you so wish...
Kayaks tend to be slightly cheaper than canoes also...
Where are you shopping and what canoes and kayaks are you comparing? I find this to be just the opposite.
Mike
moguy1973 reply :
On 8/31/2012 at 10:47 AM, Michael DiNardo said:Where are you shopping and what canoes and kayaks are you comparing? I find this to be just the opposite.
As with most things prices vary for everything...
There are a lot of high quality canoes such at Wenonah's that cost well over $1000 for a 14' solo canoe, but then again there are 12' Old town Disco's that cost around $600. Same with kayaks though, there are 12' sit on tops like the BPS Ascends that cost around $500, or you can get Jackson's that cost $1000 or more...
Generally speaking though from what I've seen kayaks tend to cost less than canoes...
A-Jay reply :
On 8/31/2012 at 1:09 AM, Fishing Rhino said:I was just looking at the photo of your canoe again. You've got more stuff in there than I have in my Z-8. Do you need a giant shoehorn to wedge yourself in between all that gear?
Yes ~ but I think you've got me there with the 30 count rod rack.
A-Jay
Fishing Rhino reply :
On 8/31/2012 at 12:33 PM, A-Jay said:Yes ~ but I think you've got me there with the 30 count rod rack.
A-Jay
It's only nine in the canoe in my avatar. I have a similar bolt on rack for my wider, square stern canoe that holds eleven. The avatar canoe would have been better with a rod or two less. They are a bit jammed together. Eleven works fine in the larger, wider canoe.
Those were designed when I had just gotten back into fishing. Now, four years later, I only take three or four rods with me, and that's all I carry on the deck of my Z-8, when I'm fishing my "home waters". When I go somewhere unfamiliar, I'll up that by one to three rods, with different baits.
If I fished tournaments, where time is of the essence, and I knew what I was likely to be fishing, I'd have two or three rods at the ready, rigged alike to save the few minutes it would take should it be necessary to retie.
A-Jay reply :
On 8/31/2012 at 5:31 PM, Fishing Rhino said:It's only nine in the canoe in my avatar. I have a similar bolt on rack for my wider, square stern canoe that holds eleven. The avatar canoe would have been better with a rod or two less. They are a bit jammed together. Eleven works fine in the larger, wider canoe.
Those were designed when I had just gotten back into fishing. Now, four years later, I only take three or four rods with me, and that's all I carry on the deck of my Z-8, when I'm fishing my "home waters". When I go somewhere unfamiliar, I'll up that by one to three rods, with different baits.
If I fished tournaments, where time is of the essence, and I knew what I was likely to be fishing, I'd have two or three rods at the ready, rigged alike to save the few minutes it would take should it be necessary to retie.
I hear ya - I'm fishing 9 out of the rack I built into Old Ttown and I like having multiple rigs at the ready.
A-Jay
Goose52 reply :
4 to 6 rods for me...the back of my canoe looks like a porcupine with only that many....
Fishing Rhino reply :
On 8/31/2012 at 8:05 PM, Goose52 said:4 to 6 rods for me...the back of my canoe looks like a porcupine with only that many....
That brings up a memory. In my lobstering days, this time of year we were fishing on Cox Ledge, and the dropoff at its south edge. Party boats from Montauk and Point Judith would take their charters there to fish for cod. Some of these were big boats, 80 feet or more. Fishermen lined up side by side along both gunnels. We nicknamed them the Porcupine Boats because of all the rods dangling over the sides of them.
NMarotta28 reply :
On 8/17/2012 at 10:24 PM, J Francho said:I prefer a stand on top kayak
How much did you pay all together for this beauty... Man i'de love one of those. 
Anything beats off the shore fishing
J Francho reply :
Around $1200.
Jim McC reply :
On 8/18/2012 at 9:51 PM, Fishing Rhino said:Here's another possibility. You can stand in it. I have. That means just about anyone can. Plenty of room for gear, and very stable, though it is possible to fall out of it without shipping water. Don't ask how I know. It is heavy at 118 pounds, but 44 inches wide.
http://www.dicksspor...ductId=12634053
I recently saw this canoe at Dick's, but I didn't like the fact that the bottom was not flat. It's what they call shallow arch, correct? Is there much difference in stability in this hull and a flat hull like the Scanoe at Dick's? Thanks.
Fishing Rhino reply :
I'm not sure that "shallow arch" is a design feature. There is no reason I can think of to have a "hook" in the keel. It has a plastic tube in the keel which I would assume is to stiffen the keel so it does not belly up or down in the middle. In spite of that, the canoe is comfortable, and can take a pretty nasty chop head on. To me, it's a cosmetic thing more than a structural weakness.
There is one possibility for that shallow arch. With the bow and stern deeper in the water than they would be were the keel straight, the boat will hold a course better, and will not have the tendency for a breeze to spin it like a saucer. The canoe in my avatar has a straight bottom with no keel. The wind raises holy heck with it, especially gusty swirling winds. I've had it anchored and the wind has literally swung it around the anchor in shallow water.
The square stern is much nicer to fish from. It's the same length, but more stable, and has more room for gear. Nothing wrong with the paddlin' canoe. It's just different.
Jim McC reply :
Thanks Tom. This is the canoe you have, correct? http://www.dicksspor...4413993.4417832. This is one I'm considering, but I'm wondering about the stability. How would you describe the stability, sitting and standing? I would use a trolling motor with it and trailer it. Is there a bow eye on front to attach to trailer strap? Thanks.
Nashua Nev reply :
canoe for me, but i have both. i have pulled my canoe 3/4 of a mile thru the woods i keep the wheels on if it is not too weedy. and pop them off it is weedy.
i can stretch and stand up in the canoe or have room for another person.
my kayak is only about 35 lbs so i can throw it on my shoulder but i find my shoulders hurt after an hour or so of fishing from having to hold them up higher. i also feel i see the waters surface better from the canoe as i and the canoe sit so much higher up above the water.
this is my canoe when i fish alone.
temp and depth finder, anchor ,paddles , padded seat troller and battery , lots of room for stuff including 5 rods (i buy a new cheap one every year when they go on clearance) spinner , crank , rage craw, zara spook or black jitterbug , top water weedless white mouse are usually what i have on . , also the net for big pickerel or pike, i dont use the net for bass
Fishing Rhino reply :
That is the canoe I have. It is quite stable. I can stand and cast without any problem of it feeling uncomfortable. Having tried it, I still do most of my fishing while seated.
Jim McC reply :
On 9/24/2012 at 3:05 AM, Fishing Rhino said:That is the canoe I have. It is quite stable. I can stand and cast without any problem of it feeling uncomfortable. Having tried it, I still do most of my fishing while seated.
Thanks Tom. I'm sending you a PM.
rb56 reply :
On 8/17/2012 at 10:51 PM, MikeOGNR said:Okay another thing is I will be fishing sometimes with friends but at other times buy my self is there a canoe for under 400 that can do that???
i have this pelican 15.5 and usually am alone and have had my brother go and i love it. i also have an 80 pound hound so he can go too. the canoe is not top of the line or one of the best. it is well made, a few things came up but nothing major. i added a transom and a minn kota, it came with a kayak paddle and it will scoot. i'm in the process of adding a dash now that is removable. it weighs about 70 lbs. and i load mine on a rack on my pickup. i don't know how academy sells it at this price, look else
where and it's at least $400 plus.
http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_242901_-1?N=670789616
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