Fishing muskies in a canoe??

[bassboy]

I have fished bass very effectively in my canoe using a trolling motor and I am wondering if I am kidding myself thinking I could land a muskie in the canoe. Does anyone have any experience or think it will be an effective way to fish them. I intend on fishing only the smaller waters so wind, waves, etc won't be a factor. Just wondering on figure 8'ing and landing the fish. Thanks for your opinions.

[microbus]

I think it would be very effective for trolling and fishing them in spring when they're shallow. If you have a wide canoe and would just want to bring them boatside, pull the hook, and let them go, you should have no problem.

Elwood Brehmer

[Chris]

I fish from a canoe all of the time. A bit of finesse and care is needed when landing a musky in a canoe , but it can be done and without harming the fish. We have a beckman net and use it as a holding pen, we usually cut the hook out as it saves some time. The last thing you want is a hook with a musky on one end and you on the other, especially in a canoe(Learned that one by experience). Once you get the fish unhooked it is not to hard to lift the musky out of the net. You should see the looks we get from some fisherman. Hope this helps

[Hilltopper]

That is how I fish the rivers in my area.....has worked well so far. I usually have my youngest son along to boot. My canoe is 15 feet..square stern...with 50 lb stern mount trolling motor. Have not had any problems. Most of the time use a water release and don't take them out. Good luck !

[Cast and blast]

I have fished many of the metro waters from a canoe. I found it to be very productive and FUN! Especially the city lakes that are not as fun to get a boat onto, a canoe is really the way to go! You are pretty versatile as far as moving quietly and easily. Wind is a problem at times. But, if you have a trolling motor and the willingness to explore, fishing from a canoe can teach you a lot! Don't stand up all the time however, the canoe will teach you that!Cast-n-blast

[DonGillham]

Hi,

You could also try a stabelizer for you canoe, but they are kind of pricey, I think $150 at cabelas.

thanks,
Don

[Slugchucker]

My ultimate sport is to one up a musky from a canoe and try my luck out of a float tube! Could anything be more exciting than that? Someday!

[Jason Schillinger]

I fish with my friend Don Kempen out of his Gruman canoe, and it works. Just have to be careful with two dudes aboard when casting and leaning the same way. Also fun when netting fish as my dad found out last Aug. when he fell overboard netting a greenie for me. Luckily it was deep and he didn't hit his head on anything.

[jlong]

I've used a canoe on lakes, and have found that you are best off fishing with lighter tackle and remain sitting. Boatside releases (no net) have been the best. Pictures are difficult, but doable if you are careful and have a partner. The make the fish look huge too considering you are sitting and the head and tail are wider than the boat!

I'm like Schillinger, and most of my river experience has been from a Grumman Sport (basically a double wide canoe) and it works nicely since it is more stable and you can stand if you are careful. If the current is strong, perhaps consider going to shore to land the fish?

Good luck and have fun. Getting into hard to reach places with a canoe can be very exciting and rewarding.

jlong

[musky66]

caught a 30 pounder in my new 17 foot starcraft that I would have had to kill to get a release in my old 14 foot aluminium cartopper....

[musky66]

>I have fished bass very effectively in my canoe using a
>trolling motor and I am wondering if I am kidding myself
>thinking I could land a muskie in the canoe. Does anyone
>have any experience or think it will be an effective way to
>fish them. I intend on fishing only the smaller waters so
>wind, waves, etc won't be a factor. Just wondering on
>figure 8'ing and landing the fish. Thanks for your
>opinions.
need a bigger boat for bigger fish?