partschaser09 wrote on May 1^st, 2012 at 6:41pm:

To Snow Dog and Kingfisher -- the best web info providers I've found: Thanks for your contributions.  Do you have some tips for solo canoe fishermen?

I'm assuming you're talking just general fishing advice for solo canoeists here.

I do recommend a portable depthfinder.  You'll probably find that you do quite a bit more trolling than tandem canoeists as that's the easiest way to fish from a solo when it's windy (short of finding a wind-protected spot to cast, which may or may not be where the active fish are).  Depthfinders will keep you from snagging up as much, which can be a major PITA in a solo canoe in the wind.

I also recommend a rod holder (see below).  It allows you have more freedom of movement in the canoe to keep yourself comfortable and stable.  It also keeps the rod well out of your paddling radius by moving it forward and upwards if you attach the holder to the gunwale.  Plus it's easier.  One less thing to worry about.  Your rod is in your line of sight but not in your way.

Casting works well if you can set up a proper drift (in the wind) or if it's calm enough to allow you to stay relatively stationary.

Anchoring does NOT work well in the wind, which is where you'd most likely be tempted to deploy it.  Tying it off amidships where you can reach is dangerous, and attempting to move back to the stern to tie it off is to invite a quick dunking.  Your body needs to stay in the wide part of the boat.  The narrower the canoe is where your body weight lies and the higher off the water your body weight is, the easier to flip, and the ratio of tippiness increases exponetially, not arithmetically, as you move up and/or to a narrower part of the canoe.

Landing a fish is also tricky.  The bigger the fish, the trickier the task becomes.  A fish grabber or a net of some sort helps a lot.  I prefer fish grippers as they allow for faster releases.  Bring the fish into the canoe with you, especially if it's large as leaning over the side isn't a good idea.  Get the fish's weight in the middle of the canoe and keep your own weight there.  I've landed fish in the mid-teens solo with no problem this way.

Barbless is a help when solo, not a hindrance.  Faster releases.  You'll catch plenty so if a few shake off at the boat, no biggie.


Quote:

How about some rod holder designs?

I like this one:

  (You need to Login or Register

It's easy to get the rod in and out of the holder and the top part can be inverted easily and screwed back down for portages.  But plenty of designs work.  I use a small piece of spider mat to cushion my hull where the clamp cinches down on it.  Once my rodholder is clamped on, it doesn't get removed until the trip is over.


Quote:

I'm on a May 31 outfitted  :dankk2entry at Stanton and we only have 3 in the party.  I've been practicing with a kayak paddle, but seem to be wet all the time.

I'm a single-blade guy, so I can't help here if you are determined to double-blade.  I think when fishing, a single blade is best anyway but maybe that's just me.  But ya, I'd suspect drip rings would help you out a lot when double-blading.

Hope this helps, or if you are looking for more specific tips, fire away.  :)