Have you ever experienced the prey of smallmouth bass through canoe fishing? If not, you will learn some basic but essential things related to fishing from a canoe in this article. Whether you experienced this fishing method or just starting out, this guide is perfect for you.
Canoe fishing is quite an incredible and eye-catching activity. It is breathtaking when you see smallmouth redfish chasing the fishing lures in saltwater. Hence, it will definitely be an amazing experience for you to try out this fishing technique.
The fun of catching fish will become double when you know all the tips and tricks, methods, and essential gadgets. We’ll cover all these points in this post. So, keep reading.
Canoe Fishing: Overview
Canoe fishing means fishing while sitting in a lightweight and portable boat. In this type of fishing, you require the use of a trailer (known as a roof rack). Most beginners and professional anglers consider it as an ideal method to find various fishing school spots.
For this purpose, you need to have suitable canoes and all-important gadgets. The reason behind its popularity and rating are those features and modifications that attract many of us.
Why Canoe Fishing
Besides the convenience of large boats, you will be amazed to know that the current canoe models are comfortable and incredible to use. These models consist of compartments for gear storage, spacious and relaxed seating, and several holders for fishing rods.
Some canoe models also come with electric base trolling motors, which consist of the back. It is a highly demanding feature in canoes because the electric trolling motors are only present in big boats. Especially for beginners, canoes are proven as easy to launch and also for transport.
All these features make canoe fishing full of fun and the choice of many anglers. So, you can try canoe fishing if you have not been into this sport so far.
Primary Advantage of Canoes
The significant advantage of canoes is that you can take them to a place where no other big boats can reach. Besides this, in some countries, the legal permission fee for the boat is not compulsory while buying a canoe.
But keep in mind, every country has its own rules and laws related to the legal canoe permission. So, always know and follow these laws.
Tips to Canoe Fishing
Remember these helpful canoe fishing tips to have a memorable fish catching experience when fishing through a canoe. These include:
Approach Target Quietly
While fishing through a canoe in shallow clear water, always approach the target sites calmly and quietly. If the situation is opposite to this, like loud noise can scare off your prey. As a result, they suddenly move away from that spot.
That’s why do not create any disturbance and prevent your canoe from hitting with a paddle. Make sure to fish at a place where no one has visited for at least 6 hours.
Cast Close to Vegetation
If you want to do canoe fishing at various points, you need to do spool trolling behind the canoe. By doing this, you can easily prey on different fish species like walleye, trout, and northern pike.
After finding a better-expected spot, if there is any vegetation structure, make sure to cast near it. It increases the chances of catching more fish. But one should follow those tips which can keep them safe from any accidental happening on the water.
Gadgets to Bring
After knowing about the essential tips, now you need to understand crucial gadgets or equipment for canoe fishing. Besides the canoe fishing rig, some other gadgets include:
Release Tools
These are a set of tools used to minimize the chances of death. It involves the handling of prey for some time and then releasing it steadily. Some essential and known release tools include:
Lip-Gripping Tools
Lip-gripping tools are used to keep you away from the fins and sharp teeth of fishes by locking the fish jaws. So, it is clearly for your safety and is a must-have gear.
Circle Hooks
They lure the fish and can be removed easily from fish after ingestion. It has pointed turns which give it a circular appearance.
Dehookers
Dehookers, as the name indicates, are releasing tools. They help the anglers to unhook prey when in water.
Pliers
Pliers are quick tools that you should always keep in your hand. They include needle-nose pliers portable to hold the shanks. They help in making the unhooking process convenient.
Rubberized-Mesh Net
Rubberized-Mesh net is used to intact the fish with a slime coat to prevent any bacterial or parasitic adherence.
Rods
The rods are also essential gadgets for canoe fishing, a vital part of the entire fishing process. The angler has to sit in the same position because of limited space, which requires optimal length.
In this way, the optimum length, which is considered best, lies between 6 and 8 feet. The most used and best fishing rods include:
- Ugly Stik Elite
- Redbone Hurricane
- Fenwick Eagle
- Dobyns Rods
- Cadence Fishing CR5
- Abu Garcia Ike Signature
- Shimano Solara
Reels
After selecting the right fishing rod, the time comes when you need to choose the fishing reel. Most beginners and professional anglers like to use a spinning reel. The reason is that it is compatible with canoe fishing species.
Moreover, it is good while you have to maintain a balance between rod and fish. On the other hand, the size of the reel depends on the length of the rod. For example, if you are supposed to use a 7 feet long rod, it will not go well to use a smaller reel.
Lines and Leaders
In canoe fishing, you need to have durable lines and leaders to catch your prey. You are going to catch smallmouth fish, so nylon-made fishing materials are suitable to use. For this purpose, anglers can take into account the use of monofilament fishing lines.
It includes all the essential features like flexibility, durability, and anti-abrasion. The most common lines used are monofilament, copolymer, fluorocarbon, and braided lines.
Besides this, the second most used fishing line is a copolymer; it has a monofilament coating and provides good knot strength. As compared to monofilament, it is thin in appearance.
Some other fishing lines and leaders include fluorocarbon and braided. The reflexive index of the fluorocarbon fishing line is equal to the water. So it becomes completely invisible to the fishes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a canoe good for fishing?
Canoe fishing is considered suitable for shallow flat water because it provides a stable and balanced fishing experience. It would be best to have fewer gadgets, so handling, launching, and transporting are convenient.
How do you fish when canoeing?
You can do fishing while on a canoe by keeping it tight and having vertical lines. In this way, you need to use heavy-weight jigs. Likewise, keep the tip of the rod at a high position.
Can you fly fish from a canoe?
Often there is no possibility to fly fish from a canoe. But in some instances, you can.
What is the most stable canoe?
The most stable canoes, according to our research, include:
- Sea Eagle TC16 Inflatable Travel Canoe.
- Old Town Guide 160.
- Old Town NEXT.
- Lifetime Kodiak Canoe.
- Swift Algonquin 16
- Wooden Boat USA Red Canoe
- Wenonah Spirit II.
Bottom Line
After going through the canoe fishing chapter, you need to consider the essential tips and tricks while canoeing. Among other gadgets, never forget to place an emergency kit that includes medicines or bandages.
They are compulsory to cope with any injury. The lake where you are fishing can have any small or large predator which can harm you. If you have queries in your mind, let us know in the comments.
