"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:40:53 -0500, Boater
wrote:

I wouldn't go canoeing or kayaking in waters where there are lots of
other boats, especially large powerboats. When we lived in Florida, I
saw canoes and 'yaks swamped/tipped a couple of times by passing
powerboats. No one was hurt, but they could have been.

Where I canoe, there really are no powerboats of consequence, just
canoes and rafts, the river isn't too wide, and in many places it is
only waist deep. Or less. Perfect for a klutzy canoe guy like me.

I love the river there because the water is crystal clear much of the
time, the river bottom is spectacular and the banks are both rural (with
cows) and heavily wooded. Very pretty.

Sounds nice. I'll reconsider canoeing/kayaking where there's wakes.
But whenever I canoed if you never tipped, you weren't having enough
fun. And if we tipped too much, it was no fun.
Cold water canoeists/kayakers don't see it that way though.
Come to think of it, there was very little boat traffic off the
fishing pier this year, which might be why it was the first time I saw
a kayaker out there.
Maybe a fifth of the boat traffic I've seen in past years.

--Vic





I fished out of my canoe years ago. May do it again next year, as buddy
wants to put together a canoe trip like the old days. My canoe has been
hanging in the garage for a lot of years unused. I fish out of a kayak at
times. Out west we even go out in the ocean, and launch through the surf.
Couple weeks ago, I fished out of a Ocean Kayak Dive Kayak at Pt. Arena, CA.
They are a fairly old yak now, but very stable and I am a 6'4" 240# guy.
Lost the biggest fish, one was most likely a 30# class ling cod and it
ripped off line with the drag buttoned down, and got in the rocks. I fish
light tackle. Got a 30" (probably 10#) ling up to the boat and it let go of
the swim bait. They are noted for clamping on to a fish you hooked or a
lure and not being really hooked. Landed a 22" ling, 2" undersized. Lots
of 2-3# fish. They land 70-80# thesher sharks from yaks, just takes awhile
while they tow you around and tire out. Buddy has a Scupper Pro that I have
used, but is for smaller people. My hip bones hit the side on the yak. He
has a Hobie Outback that you can either pedal or paddle. I am looking to
buy a used one myself. I have an OK Agean tandem. Fished a lot out of that
while with the wife, but rolls very easy with just me. The sponsons are to
high without extra weight. I have fished a lot in Mission Bay, San Diego
out of a Hobie Sport. Also a pedal yak, but only 9' and is really too small
for me. Lots of work making headway. Look at the bigger yaks and test
drive a couple. Rarely, if ever hear of a yak being rolled by a wake. But
these are sit on tops and the wider ones are very stable. You can sit on the
side depending on your size and the width of the yak.
http://www.plasticnavy.com/ will give you a lot of insight on yak fishing.