Bass Fishing Forums - Canoe + Trolling Motor = Bad Idea?

little_stephen

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Skinny Water Ohio Bassin'

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
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Canoe + Trolling Motor = Bad Idea?
May 3^rd, 2009 at 9:21pm

So, I'm about to jump into the world of canoe purchasing....... my tax refund came in! and i was wondering..... how bad of an idea is it to try and put a trolling motor on a canoe? Ive seen some good pictures of homemade trolling motor mounts that consist of a piece of bracing bolted to the support bar behind the rear seat. they extend outward, and have a piece of wood mounted vertically that the motor clamps onto.....

is this a stability issue? i fish from the canoe standing..... if im looking at tipping over ten someone let me know!

im also not sure how to set up an anchor system that will allow me to fish and still move without too much trouble by myself.......a two anchor system would be ideal so im not drifting off my spot. & at one point the idea of a hand cranked winch crossed my mind... but i dont know!

just if anyone has any good ideas..... let me know.... the only thing thats set in stone is im finding a way to get that trolling motor onto that canoe and im going to try and get small portable fish finder as well.

and no.......... sadly i dont have the canoe picked out yet. but im assuming it wont be a flat stern..... but none the less..... lets have the ideas!

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"Give me lilypads, bass, braided line on my reel, a pack of horny toads, and some jigs and I'm in heaven!"

New Home Lake!!!! Wyoga Lake. Cuyhoga Falls/Stow, Ohio
(It's tiny but its home now!)

-2009 List-
Lakes Fished: Sippo Lake, Nobles Pond, Mogadore Resv., Atwood Lake, Wyoga Lake
Personal Records: 18 Inches, 16.5 Inches

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snapshotmd

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abingdon, md
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Re: Canoe + Trolling Motor = Bad Idea?
Reply #1 - May 3^rd, 2009 at 10:20pm

I've gone down this path before and here is my take on it.

I put a 30# thrust TM on my Coleman canoe. Built a removable transom and an anchor attachment for the bow, and used a fishfinder.

I would ultimately recommend trailering this rig upright. This way you could permanently mount stuff and forget it. I used to cartop this and it was a hassle due to the setup and teardown. I had a problem with trimming the canoe (the forward end would be considerably higher than the rear). The battery really needs to be completely on the front end of the canoe. I had the FF transducer mounted on the TM. As far as the anchor, I had one self-locking pulley mounted on a removable platform on the front end. The anchor line needs to be contained somehow, perhaps use a hand winch or something. Anchoring in the front worked well for me, except for the line management. I just tried coiling the line in a bucket. I would also recommend guides along one side for the anchor line to keep it out of the way.

Once everything was setup it worked rather well. I no longer use a canoe as I bought a used boat. Much happier fishing with this than the canoe.

Since you haven't gotten your canoe yet, I would highly recommend getting a used jon boat, TM, and trailering it. The main point is if you put a TM, anchor system and FF, set up/tear down is going to be an issue. It will grow old quickly. If you're going to leave it on a trailer, you may as well get something more stable, like a jon boat.

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CGH

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Houston Texas
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Re: Canoe + Trolling Motor = Bad Idea?
Reply #2 - May 3^rd, 2009 at 11:28pm

I have a 17 foot Aluminum Canoe with 30 inch with. Very stable
I taken it out on day trips to fish but never fished from it with a motor.

I fished from it the first time today with a motor. Covered a lot more water, Only used one anchor, Two would have been better. I had planed on using a 41 # MG Brute 12/24 TM but I went with an old 25# Shakespeare trolling motor for the first power trip. I'm glad that I did for I'm sure that 41 # would have thrown my canoe around like a rag doll. I was very surprised as How well the little Tm push, dragged MAN Handled the Canoe. 3

I didn't make any kind of fancy mount for the TM, I just place a 2x4 between the clamp and the side of the canoe and it worked well, after i found the sweet spot for it. Only thing I didn't like was turning. Not sure if it was due to the Keel on my canoe of the spot which I mounted but it was not easy to turn it around quick. But it would do fine on large turn but you would end up father away from where you were trying to get to at first.

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Fishing Rhino

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Westport, MA
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Re: Canoe + Trolling Motor = Bad Idea?
Reply #3 - May 4^th, 2009 at 3:39am

I got a new canoe yesterday from the local Dick's.

Old Town 15 4 sportsman with a square stern. Marked down from 750 to 500. Canoe says Old Town. Owners materials say Rogue River by Johnson Canoes. May be a subsidiary.

Used it yesterday with a trolling motor a friend brought.

Worked well, but you have to be a contortionist. Literally painful to reach behind while looking ahead.

I don't like side mounts (never used one), but for sure, it would be physically more comfortable.

When I get my own trolling motor, it will definitely have a foot operated remote.

Back to the canoe. If you're going to stand, this canoe will do the trick. My other Old Town canoe, same length, nine inches narrower, and more expensive would be very tricky to stand and fish from.

The square stern has a keel, a somewhat semi-vee compared to the other's absolutely flat bottom. When I stepped into it, I was surprised at how stable it was compared to the other.

Downside. I did paddle it in some places. It's like a barge compared to my old canoe. Some type of power other than paddle alone is strongly advised.

It also draws 2 or 3 inches more water.

Smoother ride. The keel keeps it on line better than the older canoe.

It's all about trade offs and compromises.

Fishing alone, without power, the older canoe is better. With another person, in bigger ponds, or for more "comfort", the new one is the winner, hands down.

It all boils down to your personal preference.

Some folks love their kayaks. I cannot get comfortable in one.

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Regards, Tom

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Marty Been Posting A Long Time Offline I love bass fishing! Rochester, NY Gender:	Re: Canoe + Trolling Motor = Bad Idea? Reply #4 - May 4^th, 2009 at 8:07pm Quote: It's all about trade offs and compromises. To me, that is the very essence of buying/using a canoe. I chose the roominess and stability of extra width and gave up paddling efficiency. That works for me and the places I fish. I've not had an interest in a motor.
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A-Jay

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Northern Michigan
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Re: Canoe + Trolling Motor = Bad Idea?
Reply #5 - May 4^th, 2009 at 10:22pm

I have the Old Town Predator model. It's a square back, 40" beam, 15'4" long. I made a few modifications so it works for me. The 55lb Minn kota does everything I ask it to. I won't win any races, but it gets me in and out of all the small to medium size lakes that I fish. I tow it on a trailer. Very convenient. Easy to load and unload by myself. For small waters without ramp access I use a boat cart.
A-Jay
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Bassin_0502

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Delaware
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Re: Canoe + Trolling Motor = Bad Idea?
Reply #6 - May 5^th, 2009 at 11:13am

I had a 17' Coleman and used an Old Town mount borrowed from a buddy for a MinKota 40lb motor. Moved along well enough, but pretty uncomfortable turning around to manage the tiller as Fishin Rhino earlier pointed out. I could never stand in a canoe, with or without motor, 295 and a high center of gravity just wouldn't work that well! Also as pointed out by snapshotmd, I topped it on my F150, quite a pain in the butt to do alone, also scratched the top of my cab doing it. Tying bow and stern lines, getting the little foam cushions on just right, all in all a pita. I bought a 10' Pelican Bass Hunter and would never look back. I can pop that baby in the bed of the truck and in minutes be on my way. Good luck whichever way you go!

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djs fishing

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New Hampshire
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Re: Canoe + Trolling Motor = Bad Idea?
Reply #7 - May 5^th, 2009 at 7:57pm

No real right answer here.
Several problems that people mentioned I had originally also.

It is a pain to load on a vehicle. I have a trac rac on my truck. Tell the people you want a front higher than the back to keep it off the cab. A trailer is a nice option also.

As far as the front lifting up and balancing the weight. Turn the canoe around and sit in the front seat. It centers you in the boat better. Not an option if you have a transom model.

I stand all the time in my 14' 42" beam canoe. It is pretty darn stable.
They make a mount for the motor that goes gunnel to gunnel and get a motor with an extending handle to help the reach issue mentioned.

Anchors - I use a chunk of steal (like an old window weight) if works well. Boat position is difficult with one anchor but position the boat were the wind puts the rest of the canoe were you want it.

As mentioned many times it is a personal thing. I would love a bass boat but my canoe is 14 years old no maintance and I am on and off the lake quickly. I fish all small water so this works for me.

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Fishing Southern New Hampshire and Maine.

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Dave T. Junior Member Offline Smallie hunter here! NE PA Gender:	Re: Canoe + Trolling Motor = Bad Idea? Reply #8 - May 11^th, 2009 at 5:50pm A-Jay, That really is a sweet setup. However, you really need to take more rods.
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A-Jay

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Re: Canoe + Trolling Motor = Bad Idea?
Reply #9 - May 11^th, 2009 at 11:41pm

Dave T. wrote on May 11^th, 2009 at 5:50pm:

A-Jay,

That really is a sweet setup. However, you really need to take more rods. Smiley

That's a good one - Dave T.
Here's another good one (I caught today )
And I only used 1 rod to catch her . . . . . .
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South FLA Senior Member Offline S. Florida Basser Here :-) Palm Beach Gardens Gender:	Re: Canoe + Trolling Motor = Bad Idea? Reply #10 - May 12^th, 2009 at 5:31am A Jay, That canoe you have would also make a great duck boat! Topic: Down here in Florida Gheenoes are very popular and surprisingly stable. Try looking if you have a dealer in your area little stephen.
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