Hey Yall, I have long admired those that didn’t have to spend two hours after fishing cleaning a boat so when I got the chance to get a canoe I jumped on it. Here is my problem, It’s a 13 ft tandem canoe, but I’ll probably be fishing alone most the time. From what I understand a solo paddler needs to sit closer to the center. So I could use the canoe backwards, because the front seat is closer to the center, but still not perfect, or sit on the cooler which is right in the center, but a little high.
So what say you? Any other ideas or tips would be much appreciated.
Don’t sit on the cooler as you want your center of gravity as low as possible. Yes, when you fish on a tandem canoe you want to turn it around and sit on the front seat which is closer to the center. If the front comes out of the water too much it can be hard to steer. If that happens, you might need to add some weight to the front (your cooler in the pic should do the trick).
Also, you should get some strap on seat backs. Makes it much more comfortable having something to lean back against.
When I am in my canoe or kayak, I always wear my life jacket with a whistle in the pocket.
You should have a spare paddle or a strap on your paddle in cast you drop it in the water and it floats way before you can grab it.
What local guy said & get a milk crate rigged up for your stuff. Do a search - good ones on there with rod holders and all. I’ve got a 14.5’ guide canoe. With cooler in front and gear in mid, I can still sit in the back seat. My seats are molded. You can swap pretty easy they way yours are flat. Also get you a cajun anchor. Picture this routine - go to promising spot - stick you cajun - drop a crab net or two over the sides - start casting. Pull nets and crabs each time you swap spots.
stiffy canoe pole, use cooler as platform. get a Action Packer and a few drybags for storage, Scotty rod holders- have DolphinD @ Timeout set u up…he’ll have more ideas. we have a canoe in Alaska that gets pounded pretty good and we installed RamX?? or something from REI as a keel guard, which would protect it from oysters/dragging over low water…and fuzzy dice of the bow
Try Dicks Sporting goods in West Ashely. They have them starting at around 200 bucks. They are just the basic ones and you will have to outfit them for fishing.
F.Y.I. All last week the Kayak rental on Shem Creek (Opposite to Reds Icehouse)had a dozen or so Kayaks in the parking lot along Coleman Blvd with a big sign the said Kayaks and gear for sale. (All used, so probably cheap $$$)
