Noise reducer / lure holder ... and a welcome knee saver too!

While the ability to be quiet is one of the beauties of a canoe, a little startling noise now and then happens. Fishing (in boats) as a kid we'd often be quiet as possible and coast or drift into, oh say lilly pads or whatever shallow area we wanted to fish on a still day. Catch something or not, after an unacceptable period of inactivity, we'd start up the motor, take off with a big wake and rip through the area a time or two and fish it some more. More often than not we'd wake something up. Our theory was we'd get the bait-fish moving to a different/better hiding place or interested in something littler than them that they just couldn't resist and in turn something would go after them. Basically, sometimes it doesn't hurt to rattle the food chain occasionally.

i like the foam on the siderails of the canoe idea. for the quick lure access i have a method i prefer much better. i dont like having hooks dangling free when i dont have to because its the things you dont expect that always hurt the most. i made a little board that my rod holder is bolted onto. that board is secured to the crossbars of my canoe with 2" wide industrial velcro. that stuff is amazingly strong. i have my pliers, tape measure, and a small plano box 4"x8" (dunno the exact size, the smallest one they sell thats large enough to hold large cranks) that i have velcro on as well. the little plano box velcros to the underside of the rod holder assembly so it is secure and out of the way. any lures you intend on using go in the box. i keep all my trolling cranks in one of the small velcro equipped boxes for the trip in and out.

my main tackle tray is a plano 4700 double layer which is packed to the brim. i leave that in my pack during the portages because its too bulky and heavy to move in and out of the pack. i drilled a couple holes in the little support braces and have it on some paracord with some quick snaps. when i go out fishing for the sake of fishing, i loop the paracord around the crossbars so the tackle box hangs straight down. when i need it, i pick it up on my knees and take what is needed. by hanging, it doesnt make any noise and doesnt clutter the bottom of the canoe. my legs are short, so it doesnt get in the way.  just be sure that you snap both lids... its no fun picking up all the stuff...

Great Idea
But like most great ideas, it's been advised/pointed out before.
Probably in the Gear/Fishing sections.
I've done it for years as have others and I'm pretty sure we have some pics somewhere of members canoes outfitted that way.

It's worth repeating though. Even if noise isn't a concern, having a place to hang your lures out of the way rather than lying in the bilge or tangling with your gear is a plus in itself

I don't worry much about noise.  Don't make a lot, but dont worry about every little bump.  I remember in the old days people would whisper while fishing.  Taken to ridiculous extremes where the boat makes more noise in the water than people on the boat do.  Shhhh!  You'll spook the fish. 

Being quiet is a good practice not needing any justification.  Noise to me is pollution.



Clutter is a much bigger item.  I've been the guy with a bunch of lures & a tipped over tin of worms in the boat.  The only solution is to put stuff away before the lure hits the water.  Then there's the nitty-gritty of what's a good system.

I have a small tackle box.  Plano flat box about 6"X10"X1" & a Granite Gear thwart bag.  The only items in the bilge of my canoe are paddles and my knees, maybe a water bottle rolling around.

I have heard about using a styrofoam cooler.  It doesn't work for my needs, but if you don't portage a lot then this may work for you.  Hang lures off the styrofoam inside the cooler.

I did a search and couldn't find any matches, so I thought I'd take a chance and share an idea I came up with a few years ago.
Two things that always bothered me when fishing were noise and clutter, so I came up with a simple idea that resolves both issues.
Cut a few pieces of foam pipe insulation and place it over the side rails where you typically lay your paddle, and another piece on the stabilizer crossbars the entire width of your canoe. I have a Souris River Quetico, and the 7/8" ID / 3/8" WT foam works great for both areas. If you purchase the type with self adhesive, it fits perfectly around the 1" crossbar and requires no additional taping to keep secure. For the siderails I don't use the adhesive type, but rather opt for a few 10-12" pieces that I can slide up and down the rail for use as a rod rest when trolling, or a paddle rest when casting.
As far as lures are concerned, I like having a few of my most popular close at hand and not have to rummage through my Plano's every time I make a change. As you can imagine, the foam on the crossbars (or short pieces attached to the small stabilizer bars near the bow and stern) make an excellent place to temporarily hang a few of your favorites for quick, silent access.