Fishing is a way of life for some people. If you fall into this category, or even if you’re just a casual fisherman, you may be interested in the unique opportunities that a fishing canoe can provide. A canoe is a perfect way to unwind and an accessible way to get out on the water for everyone. The best fishing canoes on the market are reviewed in this article. First and foremost, let us address any concerns you might have about fishing canoes. Let’s begin with the basics.
What is a Fishing Canoe?
A canoe is a narrow, lightweight vessel with pointed ends and an open top that is paddled by one or more seated or kneeling paddlers facing the direction of travel with a single-bladed paddle. Canoes labelled as fishing canoes will usually have three main features: stability, comfort, and fishing accessories. Since you’ll be sitting in one place for long periods of time in a fishing canoe, stability is a top priority. Many of the canoes achieve this stability by having a broad and flat base. These features are complemented by comfort, which begins with a comfortable seat. Seats with backrests and ergonomically moulded designs are available in a variety of choices.
A good fishing canoe is also equipped with a number of features that make the trip more enjoyable. Built-in fishing rod holders, storage compartments, cupholders, and coolers, as well as plenty of space for tackle boxes and supplies.
Both of the above characteristics combine to build a fishing-friendly canoe. The most critical feature, however, is whether or not the canoe meets your needs, which we’ll explore next. Have queries regarding How to Choose Boat Propellers? Check out our guide on Boat Propellers to know more about how to choose the right boat propeller with all the necessary info.
4 Key Factors to Look for Before Buying Fishing Canoe
You may be wondering how to choose from all this variety before moving to the reviews section, which contains our favourite fishing canoes. In this segment, we’ll go through the most important factors to think about when selecting your ideal fishing canoe.
1. Size (Beam, Depth, Length)
The first consideration should be size and dimensions. The size of a canoe has a big impact on its performance. In general, you should understand the canoe’s length, width, and depth.
There are various factors that affect performance, but in general, larger canoes are more stable. This is particularly true for canoes with broader bases and flatter bases. There is, of course, a trade-off, since larger canoes are less flexible and manoeuvrable.
Larger canoes have the obvious benefit of being able to carry more people. Longer canoes have more seats and can carry more weight, which is perfect if you aren’t looking for a solo fishing trip. It’s worth remembering that this would have a huge effect on portability. Smaller canoes are smaller, making them easier to carry from one place to another.
Overall, canoe efficiency and whether or not the canoe can promote your ideal fishing experience will be influenced by size and dimensions.
2. Fishing Accessories
A fishing canoe, of course, should be fitted with features that make it more available to the average angler. Rod holders, cup holders, coolers, and extra space for tackle box storage and supplies are among the features. When sifting through fishing canoes, keep these features in mind.
These features add weight to the canoe and reduce manoeuvrability and portability, but they also provide an additional level of convenience that most anglers prefer.
3. Stability
This was mentioned briefly earlier, but it’s such an important aspect of a fishing canoe that it deserves its own part. The most important thing to look for in a fishing canoe is stability. This is due to the fact that too much fishing involves simply sitting down, changing your seating position, and trying to remain as still as possible.
A large, flat base provides the most stability. Pay attention to the width of the gunwale, which is the width of the boat at its widest point. Take note of the flatness of the base as well. A flat base is less suitable for speed, but it provides much more stability.
4. Comfortability (Seats and Legroom)
Last but not least, it’s a matter of comfort! The consistency of a canoe’s seats has a huge effect on its comfort. The biggest thing to consider is whether or not the seat has a backrest. This makes a significant difference for all-day use, especially while fishing. The seat’s design is also significant, with various mouldings, padding, back supports, and other features. Aside from that, make sure there’s enough legroom in each seat so you can stretch out for long periods of time.
Top 3 Picks
5 Cool Fishing Canoes
We’ve outlined the best fishing canoe in the reviews section. Obviously, the best fishing canoe for one person could not be the best for another. As a result, we’ve included a wide range of options on this page. There’s a canoe for every angler here, and they come in all shapes and sizes.
Old Town Discovery Solo – Best Overall Choice
The Old Town Discovery Solo Sportsman is our top pick. Simply put, this canoe is built specifically for fishing. There are a lot of things we might say about it, but here are a few: For instance, it only weighs 56 pounds, making it incredibly lightweight and simple to transport. This also allows it to float across the water, allowing you to quickly get to your favourite fishing spots. Its strong base also contributes to its overall stability.
The fact that it’s lightweight doesn’t make it any less tough. It has a three-layer closed-cell foam hull surrounded by layers of high-density polyethylene. It also comes with a range of fishing-specific features. Two flush-mounted rod holders, built-in cupholders, behind-the-seat storage, and additional armrest storage are all included. It also includes a personalised tackle box!
It has a contoured, thermoformed, flexible kayak-style seat for comfort. Padded armrests and flexible foot braces are also included. This is, in a nutshell, the ideal canoe for solo fishing. It’s fully equipped with everything you’ll need to reach the water in style and comfort. It’s an expensive option, but we believe it’s well worth it. What are the best GPS systems for your boat? Read through to find out.
Pros:
- Portable, agile, and stable – great handling and smooth control.
- Very comfortable thermoformed seat.
- Rod-holders, extra storage, and custom tacklebox.
- Very portable at only 56 pounds.
- Spacious hull with a wide, stable base.
Cons:
- Quite expensive.
- Only suitable for one person (solo).
Old Town Discovery 158 Canoe
Here’s another canoe from Old Town with a top-notch build. We really like their canoes, as you can tell from our appreciation for the canoe immediately above. This is a tandem choice that is ideal for fishing with friends, family, or children.
It’s a long, stable, and tough canoe that can be used for anything from fishing to hunting to canoeing. It’s made of three layers of highly durable polyethylene and features standard nylon web seats that are very comfortable.
This is a conventional canoe design that is designed to last. It has a great ability to cut through the water, making it remarkably agile for such a large canoe. It’s perfect for fishing with other people. Are marine binoculars helpful in boating? Check out right away
Pros:
- Solid, durable, and agile canoe design.
- Three-layer polyethylene design.
- Stylish camo finish.
- Comfortable webbed nylon seats.
Cons:
- No rod holders.
- More of a jack-of-all-trades canoe than a specifically designed fishing canoe.
Pelican Explorer Canoe
The Pelican Explorer is up next. This is a well-designed fishing canoe that was created with tandem fishing trips in mind. Above all, this canoe was built to be a relaxing ride. With a width of 97 cm, it provides extra stability for a comfortable ride and all-day trips. Although it only has two back-rested chairs, it comfortably seats three people.
It has a lot of features that make it an outstanding fishing craft. Two big, comfortable seats with solid backrests that can be folded down when not in use. Vertical rod holders are also included, as well as a built-in cooler in the middle. Overall, it’s a well-built, robust, and versatile fishing canoe with a lot of useful and functional features.
Pros:
- Wide base for extra stability.
- Made of RAM-X impact-resistant material.
- Comfortable seats with folding backrests.
- Built-in vertical rod-holders and cooler.
Cons:
- On the heavy side (90 lbs.)
- Not the fastest or most agile canoe.
Lifetime Kodiak Canoe – Best Budget Choice
For those on a budget, the Lifetime Kodiak is the perfect canoe. This is a good fishing canoe for a reasonable price. It isn’t the most sophisticated canoe on the market, but it has the features that anglers like. The blow-molded, high-density polyethylene design is the key reason for its low cost. Although this isn’t the most manoeuvrable canoe material, it is extremely sturdy and can even be used with an electric motor.
This thing is specifically aimed at serious anglers in terms of fishing. It has three ergonomically moulded seats and a large, flat base for added stability. At the back, there are centralised rod holders and storage options. Overall, while it isn’t the most expensive canoe on the market, it has all of the essential features for a day on the water. Are you searching for the best fish finders with GPS? Check out these from Garmin.
Pros:
- Fishing Features: Comfortable seats, rod holders, and storage options.
- Wide base for extra stability and all-day relaxation.
- Extra durable with high-density polyethylene material.
- Rated for use with an electric motor.
- The price is right!
Cons:
- Not the fastest or agile canoe.
- Relatively heavy – 96 lbs.
Sun Dolphin Mackinaw Canoe
This is a fantastic canoe that comes at a reasonable price. At first glance, the product appears to be a little expensive, but upon closer examination of its features and build quality, you can see that the company is charging half the price of its true value. When you take your friends or family into the river or lake for fishing or adventure, the canoe will ensure their safety. As a result, it is reasonable to assume that Sun Dolphin Mackinaw is a worthwhile investment.
We closely examine the characteristics of a canoe while examining it. Cup holders are included with the canoe. So, when you or a passenger is paddling, you can keep your favourite drink safe on any table. The canoe’s designers have done an excellent job of designing it and optimising it for high efficiency. Three people may be carried in the canoe at once.
In the meantime, it has food storage and fishing rod holders. The canoe, on the other hand, is a little heavy. As a result, transporting it from your car to the river can be a difficult task for you. Scratches are also common on the boat’s body.
However, when you weigh its drawbacks against its benefits, you’ll see that the Sun Dolphin Mackinaw is a decent purchase. This family-sized canoe is extremely stable, making it one of the best canoes on the market today. Sun Dolphin Mackinaw is a fantastic canoe because of its endurance, performance, and safety features. Looking for the Boat Fenders? Check out our Buyer’s Guide on Best Boat Fenders to know more.
Pros:
- 15.6 foot-long hull provides sufficient storage space.
- Can hold three anglers.
- A stable hull that’s easy to paddle and fish from.
Cons:
- Pretty heavy at 95 pounds. Don’t count on carrying this one solo.
- Bow and stern handles are not user-friendly.
- Plastic seats offer the bare minimum in comfort.
Final thoughts:
Thank you for taking the time to read our guide to the best fishing canoes. The Old Town Discovery Solo canoe is our personal favourite. We believe it contains all an angler needs. Fast, compact, stable, and completely equipped with fishing gear.
However, we want you to make the best decision possible for yourself. Browse our selection and use our buyer’s guide to find the canoe that’s right for you. Good luck with your fishing!
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