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I haven't been by the forum for awhile and was surprised to find this thread pinned and still going.

Since my original post when I talked about float tubes and canoes, I've purchased another canoe. I bought an Old Town Pack 12 solo. I was looking at kayaks and nearly pulled the trigger on a Tarpon 120 after talking with Smallmouth on this forum. However, when I tried it out I was not fond of the cockpit seating. (Not intended as a criticism of those who do like it.) That put me back onto considering canoes. When I was in Sportsman's Warehouse one day I had the salesman get one down for me. I bent over, hoisted it up nearly effortlessly to my shoulder and carried it down the isle. 32 pounds. After many years lugging and dragging my old Coleman Ram-X I decided that lighter would indeed be better. I fish most of the time by myself. I went home and did my "due diligence" in research. Many found the boat "tippy" but indicated that lowering the seat fixed the problem. So I ordered one. First time I took it out I did indeed tip it over, though it was more operator error than the fault of the boat. I was fooling around at the dock and got the bow up on the shore. Anyway, now the seat is lowered and I have an L.L. Bean Seat Backer (recommeded by someone on this forum). The canoe is now quite stable. I did get a set of outriggers for it just in case. These work very well except when it comes time to embark or disembark. Then it's a little tricky.






Anyway, I'm in the process of outfitting it for fishing. I have a clamp on fish finder, a kayak paddle, a Sit Backer seat, a dry box for wallet, cell phone, and keys, and a kayak crate for tackle storage. I'm in the process of mounting a two anchor system on it (bow and stern).

I had it out last week on a little pond in what was a shake down cruise. I took along the 3 weight and some poppers. I think I stopped counting bluegills and tiny bass after about 50. Worked like a charm.

~z