Kayak vs Canoe fishing

Why is kayak fishing so popular but not so much canoe fishing? I've owned a couple of big boats now and have a procraft 201 combo Ill be hitting the water with soon but just decided on a canoe as my next paddle craft after renting one to try.

I've had 2 man pond boats and loved them, had a pescador and have used a few other gals and wasn't blown away by fishing out of them... Lack of space for equipment and inability to move around much, and lack of ability to bring a friend or dog all lead to me preferring a variety of 2 man pond boats for small water fishing.

But I didn't want another vehicle to register, or maintain, I was craving the maintenance free fishing and ease of a kayak again but instead I went with a buddy and rented a canoe for the day at Tyler State Park... And I can't for the life of me figure out how I ever got sold on kayaks?

I'm picking up a canoe Saturday morning, an old town Saranac 146, and I am beyond excited. It weighs the same as a kayak but has 3 seats, 2 with backs, all 3 with storage compartments... Rod holders and paddle holders... I can comfortable take 5-6 rods on board without even getting really creative... 750lb capacity and sub 80lb weight?

Are canoes a lot more popular than I previously realized or is everyone missing out? I get the unsinkable nature of a sit on top is attractive, but if you don't go out in rougher water anyways, and don't enjoy wet rides... What does one give you over the other?

I am so excited to be paddling again. I even prefer the single paddle to the double. Is it just that sit on top kayaks and double paddles look spiffy? Is the canoe silhouette and single paddle not hip enough for the plastic navy?

I'd love to hear opinions and feedback. This thing perfectly marries the joys of paddling, fishing without giving up all of my equipment, or the ability to bring a friend or my dog with me.

It's whatever floats your boat, literally. I've had a BassTracker boat, canoed a lot, especially in Arkansas, and now have two SINKs. I like the kayaks better than the canoe times. I don't see any canoe makers going out of business, so they are still selling.

I've been missing out a long time. I was really missing a smaller boat for little lakes and ponds but the 2 man boats are a bear solo to drag in and out of truck bed, and if I'm hitching up a trailer it'll be my big boat, why get that involved for so many sacrifices? The kayak was awesome and I would totally own one just for the purpose of paddling for fun, but I hated fishing from it... When your arms are your only motor fishing beyond drifting becomes a challenge, this was much improved for me in the kayak with both more room to move things around and also more easy manipulating a single paddle for quick adjustments rather than a huge double. I was always constantly terrified I would be diving overboard after rods and tackle on the kayaks. In the canoe, there is enough room for a typical floorboard worth of tackle strewn about after a day of tough fishing, including the horde of rods you need to throw it all.


I really just had no idea too. I hope I'm not the only one! I was surprised to not see more high end fishing canoes though... Probably some room in the market for an innovator from any of the established brands. I would love to see one fully rigged out for bass duty. I may have to try my own hand at it with this one.

Mulholland, I have both. I own what I believe is the premier fishing canoe, a Meyers Sportspal, mine the S-15 model which has the square stern for mounting a trolling motor back there. And, I have a Native Propel 10.

Differences I've noticed:

1) the canoe is MUCH easier to stand in. Another "Brad" and I went out one day, it became really windy on Wheeler Branch but I stood up and used my trolling motor at near full speed to cross through the waves back toward the little island standing the whole time;

2) it holds tons of gear and it doesn't need to be specialized. A big cooler works just as well as a blackpak;

3) Two big men can fish out of it effortlessly.

4) Downsides are a vessel this big requires a trailer in most cases, and, for me, the biggest objection is canoes don't hold position well on water. They are like leaves blowing across the water. You will need some anchoring ideas. And, canoes are great for floating down rivers in light currents, but the fishing canoe versions (the bigger wider ones) are not as efficient when paddling - less speed, less turning ability, etc., on open water.

The general pros for a kayak are there are models that are light and relatively easy to get to the lake, on, and off the water and back home, so great finesse vessels. This is, of course, if you select a smaller one. A PA 14 would have the same issues as a big canoe.

I'd say go the canoe way if you fish with a buddy and need to be in the same boat, do bigger trips like camping out, fish certain sorts of places. Go kayak if you are planning to solo, pack lighter, get on and off the water easier.

I am going to split the difference next time, get an ATAK 120 I think. I don't want ANY mechanical stuff: no trolling motors, no pedals, nothing to grease, no rudder cables that could snap, etc. So, paddle it will be for me. I will likely lose the magnificent "holding water" I have with the Propel's forward and backward pedaling, but...

The ATAK 120 will still allow me to stand and fish, it paddles fast and can be used in grassy water, nothing to grease, can load it in the back of a truck bed with an extender. I don't want to haul a trailer anymore, either.

Something for everyone between canoes and kayaks!

Brad

I started in a canoe with my father over 30 years ago. We did a lot of fishing but more expedition paddles. What i have learned is canoes take more skill,,,not saying kayaks dont take skill but a canoe is as a rule of thumb less stable, can hold water, righting a flipped canoe is much more difficult than a sit on top kayak. Wind effects you a lot more also. Imo canoes are way better than a tandem kayak and generally make more sense on long paddle/camping trips. I am now in a viking reload that reacts much like the canoe we had when i was a boy. Its great to paddle, i love them both and will always do one or both for the rest of my life.

Not to repeat what all has been said, because I think y'all pretty much covered it, but for me, the biggest advantage a kayak has to a canoe (strictly for angling purposes here) is when you're dealing with wind on an open body of water. Especially when you're fishing solo. Outside of that scenario, a canoe can work as good, or better.

Canoes get the nod with two people.

One guy, I go kayak all the way. Canoes are tippy IMO.

I can stand in my jackson Big Rig no problem, doing so in a canoe makes me nervous.

The answer lies within one word you used in your original post ... "prefer". It's all about preference. Kayak fishing isn't for everyone. Heck, there isn't even one kayak that fits all kayakers.

I like to fish small waters, especially rivers and the kayak helps me navigate easier and stand. I used to stand a little in the canoe but it was not really a stable option. Plus, with my kayak I'm not dependent on having a partner to fish with.

I've paddled or floated something to fish from since I was a kid starting out in an inflatable two man raft in the mid 60s. It did the job to get off the bank, was lightweight, and made fishing more enjoyable. Next up was the innertube, very stable, not very roomy, but got me off the bank. Later came small boats, canoes, and more modern tubes and sit inside kayaks. It wasn't until I moved to south Florida and was introduced to an abundance of different types of water to fish... from fresh water lakes and creeks to the salt water mangrove tunnels, open ocean flats, to the deep blue sea that I realized the sit on top kayak was the only one craft that could get me safely and efficiently to any of them in windy conditions.

The sit on top kayak to me was the ultimate craft for fishing. Its biggest advantages was that it was self bailing, low windage, and very stable, as you sit below the waterline. It didn't hurt that it was also cheap, less than a thousand bucks with upgraded seat. Once I had proven to myself that I could take it out in the worst conditions and climb back aboard in the event I overturned, I have never considered any other craft superior for fishing so many different types of waters and conditions.

I've got nothing against canoes as many of my fishing buddies have gone to some of the more modern offerings and hybrid kayaks, but if I can only choose one for many types of water in windy conditions, it is the sit on top.

+1

I learned to paddle in an old Grumman aluminum and won't ever say I disliked the canoe for fishing or paddling. However today's sit on tops give me freedom the canoe never has especially when fishing.

I like both canoes and kayaks. What my WS Commander 140 gives me over a canoe is a much lower wind profile and superior stand up and cast stability. Pair it with a light weight straight shaft carbon kayak paddle and I can paddle while standing and stalking redfish.

I love a canoe on a nice small lake. I love paddling a canoe with a canoemate up forward. I don't like canoes in the wind if I'm handing it solo.

I fish with friends sometimes. We almost always bring our own craft. I will fish with someone in the same small boat or canoe, but it's fun to be able to go,where you want to go without consulting your boatmate.

I had a canoe, if there was any wind and I was not tied up of anchored I was getting blown around.

kayak does not catch the wind like a canoe and is way easier to maneuver. I will say that having a partner in the canoe holding you in place so you can focus on fishing is nice but I rarely have a partner. Wish I still had my canoe. I want both

There are many canoes that you can stand in. I had a dagger legend...that thing is a boat dock. It was made for white water or fast rivers. Super maneuverable but doesnt paddle fast...ever. it held like 1000 lbs. Canoes are like kayaks in the way you can get them for very specific tasks. I also had an old town guide. I could also stand in that with ease it was a very general purpose canoe. Great boat. I think an advantage canoes have over kayaks is portaging. One man carries a canoe. From the center over your head resting on your shoulders. This makes rougher terran easier than a cart.

You don't need extender with 12' (and even 14') kayak. I have crewcab truck (i.e. smaller bed) and it fits just fine, only thing you need is a red flag/rug. It literally takes 5 mins to launch or get off water.

Kayak is considerably more stable, if you flip it -- it is easy to get back in. Way less affected by wind. IT doesn't need trolling motor or any other stuff (just paddle and seat, which is often part of the yak already). In terms of gear all you need is 1 rod, 1 very small bag of lures (in cold weather I simply carry few jigs and lures in my pocket), 1 soft cooler from bucees (which fits limit of reds, flounder and still has space for trout), optional net, fish grip with pliers (in salt water), sonar (in freshwater). In terms of ice -- get small bag if fishing for half day or big bag if fishing full day in summer. You can't get lighter than that.

You could also throw kayak around, it requires no maintenance and you don't care about dragging it over shell or rocks. My current yak is Pescador 12' and I love it -- my second yak is 14' Malibu Stealth with trolling motor, it hangs on the wall for almost a year now (simply too big and heavy).

P.S. Tandem kayaks simply make no sense -- the fact that ppl buy them puzzles me to no end...

Care to elaborate? My tandem is fantastic to take out with my daughter. Allows me to paddle and her fish, low profile to the wind, and still easy to manage solo. Streamlined enough so only 1 person needs to paddle and move across the water with ease. Plenty of storage like any other sit on top kayak, maybe a bit more as I have space in the middle for a cooler and still have space in the back for my crate, gear etc.

I guess that makes no sense to some people and puzzles them to no end.

C.M. those are some strong opinions ya got there bud!

1) All YOU need may be 1 rod 1 lure and 1 backup but what YOU need ain't the same as everyone else... Hence the entire "milk crate" aspect of fishing paddlecraft.

2) Tandem kayaks are for tandem paddling, or one person just cruising along as the other paddles and fishes, or taking your dog with you. They have many incredibly obvious uses

3) a 6-8ft bed isn't properly supporting a 12+ ft kayak in most peoples consideration. I have an avalanche that will inhale an entire pescador 12' with the middgate and tailgate down not even need a red flag, and I still wouldn't put my 14' 6" canoe in without the added support.

4) canoes don't need a trolling motor either, just paddle and go?

Speaking/thinking/hearing in absoluteles is dangerous business, try to keep an open mind and heart. Happy paddling

I feel like people just think that canoes are less stable because they don't understand them... You can kneel and paddle a canoe on its side... They have secondary stability too its just meant to be used in calm water on most of the general purpose canoes by design. I find them to be a bit more "handicapable" to paddle personally with my shoulder issues, I can't paddle a kayak the way I can a canoe with my back and shoulder personally.

As for wind... All I do in paddle craft is drift fish mostly so, drift sock, drag chain, or anchor either way is usually in play when I had my kayak I just used a smaller sack, lighter chain, and tiny anchor that worked lousy coz you couldn't fit or carry bigger on a kayak at a certain point.

The canoe just offers me all the function of my big boat with nine of the upkeep, and a nice bit of exercise, and forces me to cover water more thoroughly like all smaller pond boats and such do.

I have a canoe and two kayaks, and use both of them for fishing, but if I have to paddle against wind I take the kayak. Canoe is great for down river floats or still water. Kayak is the "all water" sport utility vessel.

Canoes & Gondalas are good taking the kids, family or ol whats her lips down the river or through the canals.


If u flip em, your in trouble though. Sit on top kayaks r easy to a up right and get back on canoes, not so much. A big advantage a canoe has over a yak however is capacity. You can take everything u need and then some in a canoe. Yaks are faster and more suited for single person fishing IMO. If u pack lighter and smaller a yak still make more sense for individuals. Some groups often use both yaks and canoes for longer trip & like Christain says where portaging will be done.

Milk crate is overhyped. It certainly appeals to packrats who buy every lure out there expecting to use them all. After you learn the area and "figure it out" you'll find yourself using literally 2-3 lures. It is also one more unnecessary thing you have to carry around and not forget to take it with you.





Ok, I'll elaborate:
- casting is plain dangerous for guy sitting behind
- both have to agree on where to go next, you have to agree *when* to go fishing next
- too big for one (probably ok for small water with little or no wind)
- when fishing freshwater (e.g. crappies) you tend to maneuver all the time to keep yourself on the spot (above brush/hump/etc)
- when fishing inshore you tend to move all the time to find fish -- check that point, check that cove, chase those birds
- standing up, taking a leak

all these tasks are way easier in single-seater. Independence on water is one of kayak selling points. I know two ppl who bought tandems against my advice -- both kayaks are gathering dust right now. Their partners lost interest and it is too much of a chore to drag that beast alone.

In case of kids (unless they are too small) you are still better with individual yaks -- they'll have more fun and you'll cover more water. But I am pretty sure you have another opinion about this ;-)


mine 5.5' (with tailgate down) supports it just fine, both 12' and 14'


Here you go -- chalk it into kayak vs canoe column :-D


Don't feel upset just because some random dude on internet prefers something different than you.


Explains your position. And yet, I doubt you'll risk taking your canoe out into Galveston bay on a windy day. Kayak is just more "universal".


Yep, when it comes to maintenance both yak and canoe are better than a boat.

One thing I like about canoes and my commander kayak (with the bench seat) is that you sit a little higher than in most kayaks.

I've always carried, years and years, several models, all 13-14 foot kayaks in a regular bed truck tailgate down without extenders and have never had an issue. Think about it. You've seen roof top mounts with even less support than a truck bed without the extender.

I like paddling a canoe with a partner, especially if I'm in the stern. You can even stick another child in the middle on many models. I have never enjoyed a tandem kayak with a partner. Maybe with a small child it could work. Two adults in a tandem is just a version of hell for me. But we are all made differently. I put my kids in their own kayak as soon as I could. Once in a while, I stuck one of mine in the kayak with me, but gave them no paddle.

I've handled a canoe solo. It's doable. You can go to the middle of the craft or move forward to handle a headwind, but I find the Commander much easier to handle solo in any wind versus any canoe I've ever been in. Standing is a must. Any craft must be easy to stand in. Part of that equation is being seated high enough to get up and down easily. Canoes and the Commander works for this. The bench seat on the Commander makes the difference. Who cares if the kayak is stable enough to stand and fish if you have to climb out of a well to stand up?

Do you need lights around your canoe if it is motorized?

Lights are needed on anything motorized or not after dark .

Thanks a lot!

I disagree. I found only two situations when you need standing:
- sightcasting reds in marsh -- you can still catch them while sitting, but it is 10 times harder
- taking a leak while being too far from any ground (middle of bay/big lake)

There is also fly fishing, of course. I don't do it -- can't say much about it. All other types of fishing (that I know of) practiced in Texas don't require standing up.

P.S. Sitting higher is a trade off -- either sit higher or get more problems with wind and stability. So, it is nice, but really optional. And not having it improves experience in other areas.

You can toss a fly rod just fine sitting down.

I grew up in upstate NY and used canoes exclusively as a kid and later as a teenager and young adult. I even taught canoeing in summer camps while in college and the only kayak I had seen was a sit inside kayak with an eskimo in it...so the thought of using a kayak over a canoe never crossed my mind...until I came to Texas 30 years later.
I've been fishing out of kayaks in tournaments for the past 10 years and for tournament fishing...there is no comparison between a canoe and a sit on top kayak...especially if you get one with a mirage drive or one of the other pedal variations. In addition to hands free fishing...which is a no brainer...a sit on top kayak is a much more capable fishing machine than a canoe, much better in big water with huge waves and windy days with the built in self bailing scupper holes, built in depth finder installation systems are a huge advantage for a tournament fisherman and the adjustable seating in kayaks is superior to anything I experienced in a canoe. The few advantages of a canoe...ability to carry camping equipment, portaging, weight and for use in shallow rivers are of little use to me as a tournament fisherman. Like all boats...the key is the intended use. If you don't plan to use your canoe in large, rough open water lakes on windy days in tournament situations...then I'm sure you'll be perfectly happy with a canoe. For me...a canoe would be almost completely useless and like going back in time and I can't imagine getting blown around a big lake with depth finders hanging off the side of the canoe and trying to dig equipment out from all the water that would be coming in over the sides of the canoe...but to each his own.

Standing is a must for me. I fished sitting for years, but enjoy fishing and casting from a standing position much more than sitting. You can definitely cast a fly rod from a sitting position and sight fish while sitting. I just remember when I first stood up while stalking redfish it was an "ah ha" moment. From that point on I wanted to remain standing. Of course I sit sometimes, you can get tired of standing for hours, but it is hard for me to imagine getting any canoe or kayak that doesn't offer good stability while standing.

The pedal drive mavens can't imagine giving up that hands free option. I get that. I can't pedal a Mirage drive without terrible knee pain. Some folks like SINKs over SOT kayaks for various reasons. We don't all have to drink from the same pitcher of Kool-aid. All my kayak buddies sit while they fish and none use a fly rod. It's all good. I'm not trying to convert them or anyone to a particular way. Perhaps there are folks that hadn't considered standing and fishing so for them I opine on that alternative.

Yes, like I said, if you want to sighcast reds in marsh -- standing is very important. You can't really see them far enough while sitting. I've been there. But if you do any other type of fishing -- it is optional.

I can stand in my Pescador 12' and push my self around (it is very unstable and requires me to balance all time), but laying down paddle and picking up a rod is next to impossible. But, if I tie paddle to kayak and drop it in water instead of trying to settle it in the kayak -- it should work work.

I started in a canoe, too.

Canoe pros
*A good two man canoe costs less than a tolerable two man kayak.
*Generally easier to stand in.
*Easy to add and transport pontoons.
*Typically carry more gear more easily. Has higher weight limit.
*Flip it over on land and it's a shelter.

Solo kayak pros, and why I went kayak
*An acceptable kayak costs less then an acceptable canoe.
*Easier to paddle solo.
*Solo kayak weighs less than standard canoe.
*Smaller and easier to transport.
*Scupper holes.
*I've flipped a canoe. It's a bath tub.

All said, I want a canoe again for two person and camping adventures. A kayak is great for one person traveling light. I believe a canoe is best if you're going two or three up and want to carry gear. Yes, there are kayak barges out there. Bang for the buck, I think a canoe beats a kayak in that role.

I've owned a couple of canoes and five sit on tops in the past and I finally settled on a Wilderness Systems Commander 120.
It's the best of both worlds for my type of fishing. It handles the wind more like a kayak and I have plenty of space for easy to reach gear, and I can handle it with ease loading and unloading.

One other thing comes to mind: hybrids.

Really, our fishing kayaks have morphed away from what was once a traditional kayak. SUPs would be yet another hybrid between two antecedents.

So, if you take a look, for example, at at Native Ultimate Propel, it is really much closer to a canoe than it is a kayak. As a matter of fact, I can't think of anything that would qualify it as a kayak.

Some of the Diablo kayaks are more or less hybrids between a canoe/kayak and a SUP.

And, on it goes.

Brad