It is not every day that we make the decision to purchase a fishing canoe, thus it is not a simple undertaking. Furthermore, because it is not one of the most widely performed sports in our nation, it is difficult to locate qualified candidates. A canoe is a more or less little watercraft that is propelled across the water by our own body weight and power. The design of canoes is distinctive, and the ends are rounded, despite the fact that there are many different types, including inflatable, fishing, wooden, professional, for excursions, with two oars (inflatable boat), canoes, convertibles, individual, with aluminium oars, removable, kayak, with pump, with padded seats, adjustable, Canadian canoes, Indian canoes, competition canoes, and so on.
For more of our suggestions on choosing to buy fishing gear, take a look at the popular links: Fishing Kayaks, Fish Finders, Spinning Reels, Fishing Hoodies.
Quick Answer: The 9 Best Fishing Canoes For 2023
- Intex Excursion 366 Inflatable Boat
- Old Town Sportsman Discovery Solo 119
- Bestway Hydro-Force Koracle
- Bestway Hydro-Force Treck Inflatable Boat
- Intex Explorer Pro 200 Inflatable Boat
- Cambridge Kayaks Manta Single Kayak
- Sun Dolphin Mackinaw SS Canoe
- Sevylor Inflatable Colorado Canoe
- Mad River Adventure 14.0 Canoe
Here is an overview of the features of our top 3 choices. In addition, Our buying guide will also help you find the best choice for yourself.
Best Fishing Canoes
| Intex Excursion 366 Inflatable Boat | Old Town Sportsman Discovery Solo 119 | Bestway Hydro-Force Koracle | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
|
| Material: | Polypropylene | Three Layer Polyethylene | PVC 75%;ABS 3%;PP 12%;POM 3%;AL 3%;Others 4% |
| Weight: | 55.2 Pounds | 56 Pounds | 19.86 Pounds |
| Features: | Designed with heavy-duty, puncture-resistant PVC | Breathable seat with lumbar support | Inflatable backrest for ultimate comfort while fishing |
 | | |
Fishing Canoe Reviews
#1 Intex Excursion 366 Inflatable Boat
This model is 366 centimetres in length, 168 centimetres in width, and 43 centimetres in depth. A maximum weight of 600 kilos is supported by this structure, which can accommodate 5 people. In addition, the vinyl used in its construction is quite durable. The floor of the boat is inflatable and ribbed, which provides significantly more stability. In order to guarantee that everyone on board feels comfortable during navigation, she is outfitted with two inflatable chairs with backrests and a central inflatable bench.
Furthermore, as if all of this wasn’t enough, this model includes numerous optional features such as: four fishing rod holders, four oar holders (two on each side), a tool bag, two carry handles welded to the canvas at both ends, a guy rope that surrounds the boat, couplers for mounting the bracket as well as the Intex outboard motor, and a guy rope that surrounds the boat and couplers for mounting the bracket and the Intex outboard motor (the bracket and the motor are sold separately ).
Pros:
- Four fishing rod holders.
- Durable vinyl.
- Inflatable chairs with backrests.
Cons:
- Paddles are not big enough.
#2 Old Town Sportsman Discovery Solo 119
The Discovery 158 is followed closely by the Old Town Sportsman Discovery 119, a single vessel that was specifically developed with fishing in mind.
In reality, it has some fundamental characteristics with the Sportsman kayak line, such as the ability to utilise a double-bladed paddle and a contoured, completely adjustable kayak-style seat, among others.
Because of this, it is unquestionably one of the most comfortable fishing canoes available, and it has padded armrests, gear trays, and a shell storage compartment.
There are also adjustable foot braces to further secure this kayak-canoe hybrid, which offers a roomy hull that can accommodate fishing boxes, coolers, or even your four-legged companion that is with you on your adventure.
A total weight capacity of 354 lbs makes it suitable for hunting and fishing, while the shallow arch hull delivers an all-around performance experience in calm seas. It is available in two sizes: small and large.
Pros:
- There are built-in cup holders.
- The color scheme is good.
- Ventilated seating.
Cons:
- None.
#3 Bestway Hydro-Force Koracle
This choice is great for those who want to spend the day on the water because it includes a paddle, a pump, and a patch. This lightweight canoe is designed for quick and simple assembly, and the supplied Air Hammer hand pump makes it simple to inflate the canoe. Aside from that, it offers an adjustable seat and backrest, which adds to the overall comfort.
Ample storage space is provided for storing food as well as other items of value in the home. With this purchase, you will be able to navigate the water with ease, thanks to the fins on the bottom of the vessel. These are detachable, allowing for convenient and compact storage. It is simple to use as well as to store.
Pros:
- Storage space is good enough.
- Lightweight.
- It can be assembled quickly.
Cons:
- The fishing rod holder is not that great.
#4 Bestway Hydro-Force Treck Inflatable Boat
Relaxing, fishing, or sailing on calm waters are all possibilities with this awesome fishing canoe. It is equipped with an inflatable backrest for optimal comfort when fishing, as well as an oar for manoeuvring through water. It is constructed with three air chambers to provide more buoyancy and safety. An adult should be able to utilise it because of its large, expanded dimensions of 270 centimetres long by 100 centimetres broad.
Pros:
- Excellent buoyancy.
- Inflatable backrest.
- Good comfort.
Cons:
- The bottom fins may fall off when you are on a big surf.
#5 Intex Explorer Pro 200 Inflatable Boat
This Intex Explorer Pro 200 inflatable boat ensures that you may have a completely new summer experience. As standard, it comes with everything you need to inflate and use the inflatable to its full potential. It measures 196 by 102 by 33 cm and can sustain up to 120 kilos of weight. A vinyl-based substance with a thickness of 0.35 mm is used to construct it. Aside from that, it can accommodate up to two persons (two children or one adult and one child).
As a result of its bright orange colour and sports images, it is easily noticeable from a distance. It features a frame welded to the canvas on the edges, which is used to hold the two oars (which are provided) and prevent them from slipping out while in use. It also has a grab rope around the boat, three air chambers (one of which is an auxiliary chamber), a rapid inflation and deflation valve, a handle in the bow, and a repair patch kit as standard equipment. The Explorer Pro’s floor is made of inflatable material for increased comfort. Children under the age of six should not be allowed to use this product.
Pros:
- Excellent color schemes.
- Good quality material is used.
Cons:
- The legroom is not that great.
#6 Cambridge Kayaks Manta Single Kayak
All audiences and ages will like this choice, which emphasises enjoyment and relaxation. Due to its exceptional stability and performance, it is highly recommended for use in the sport of fly fishing. It is composed of LLDPE, which is the most durable and impact-resistant plastic available, as well as being UV resistant and resistant to fading. A UV inhibitor has also been added to the LLDPE plastic during its manufacture so that your kayak does not degrade in the sun. Kayaks that are less expensive are unlikely to have it. An adult may go on this boat with additional luggage, and it has a weight capacity of 130 kg. It weighs 22 kilogrammes and has length, breadth, and height measurements of 280 x 82 x 36 cm, respectively.
Pros:
- Highly durable.
- Exceptional stability and performance.
- UV resistant.
Cons:
- Expensive.
#7 Sun Dolphin Mackinaw SS Canoe
Despite the fact that Sun Dolphin is best known for producing affordable kayaks for beginners, they also have a handful of easily accessible, easy to paddle leisure canoes in their large inventory.
With a square-stern design on this 15.6-foot ship, you can easily install a trolling motor for uncomplicated exploration and fish hunting. It has a two-horsepower rating, making it an excellent choice for fishing enthusiasts.
The canoe’s hull is made of UV-stabilized polyethylene, which is sturdy and durable. It has three comfort-molded seats, each of which has a built-in drink container for convenience.
The middle seat even has a beverages cooler hidden beneath it, and a dry storage hatch may be used to store your personal things and valuables throughout the flight. Aside from that, rod holders are featured, and the boat has a maximum weight limit of 800 lbs.
Pros:
- It is ideal for families.
- Highly durable.
- Affordable.
Cons:
- You might feel it to be a bit heavier.
#8 Sevylor Inflatable Colorado Canoe
This thing stands out for its spaciousness, stability, and comfort, among other qualities. It comes with a detachable fin and is quite manoeuvrable. Boston valves are included, which allow for quick and easy inflation and deflation of the scuba tank. Rowing, fishing, and strolling along a river are just a few of the things that may be done with it. It is intended for use by two people at the same time. Its luxurious, adjustable seats are detachable from the vehicle. For increased safety, it features three chambers that are isolated from one another, and its robust polyester cover protects the kayak from erosion from the sun and salt water from the sea. This kayak is lightweight and portable, and it has received an overall rating of 3.9 out of 5.
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable.
- Luxurious adjustable seats.
- Polyester coating to save it from sun.
Cons:
- The overall space is not designed well.
#9 Mad River Adventure 14.0 Canoe
Mad River Canoe began as a small operation in the early 1970s and has grown into one of the world’s premier canoe makers – as well as the first company to use Kevlar as a crafting material in the industry.
The Adventure 16 model has a weight capacity of 960 lbs and is constructed of a sturdy polyethylene material with little rocking and a shallow-arch hull design.
This results in an extremely pleasant balance of smooth tracking, speed, and stability. In addition to the main seat, it also contains two cushioning seats with adjustable backrests.
Featuring plenty of storage capacity, this 16-foot-long ship is suitable for both family vacations as well as fishing and hunting adventures, and it can even be modified to be used with a trolling engine if you so choose if you like.
Pros:
- It is very low on maintenance.
- The quality of the materials used is good.
- There are cup holders available.
Cons:
- It is priced on the higher side.
How to Choose the Best Fishing Canoe
When purchasing a fishing canoe, there are a few factors you should take into consideration.
Materials
Canoes are usually constructed from one or more of the materials listed below, or from a mix of these elements:
Wood
Wood, without a question, is the most beautiful and appealing of all the materials used in canoe construction, and it has survived the test of time when it comes to producing these crafts.
Unfortunately, because it is so prohibitively expensive, we have opted to exclude such boats from this particular study in order to save time.
Aluminum
With its combination of light weight and durability, aluminium makes for a superb canoe material, capable of withstanding everything the climate throws at it.
This includes exposure to the sun, as aluminium provides excellent protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
An aluminium canoe, on the other hand, will ultimately dent and ruin, and repairing them may be a difficult task.
Thermoplastics
Thermoplastics, which are arguably the most popular of all modern boat materials, provide a plethora of advantages.
They are extremely robust and corrosion-resistant, as well as being quite strong and dependable, and they are also highly cost-effective to make.
They are normally heavier than all other materials – with the possible exception of wood – and will decay and fade over time if kept out in the sun for an extended period of time.
Fiberglass
Canoes made of fibreglass composites will function admirably on the water, with exceptional speed and agility.
They’re also lightweight and come in a range of forms and patterns to suit your needs.
The disadvantage of fibreglass is that it is arguably the least lasting of all canoe materials, and it may become expensive if you need to make frequent repairs to it.
Kevlar
Possibly more usually associated with special forces and Batman than with canoes, Kevlar is a super-strong material that is around 25 percent lighter than fibreglass, all while claiming remarkable performance figures across the board in all applications.
However, as you may have guessed, it is the most costly canoe material available – except from wood, of course. You’ll also discover that they’re not as widespread or readily available as other materials, such as thermoplastics.
Weight Capacity/Occupants
Canoes have several advantages over kayaks, the most significant of which is that they are unsurpassed for family outings. Depending on the style of canoe you have, you may be able to fit the entire family without raising an eyebrow.
However, before making your decision, make sure you know how many occupants/paddlers a canoe can securely accommodate on board. Alternatively, if a tandem canoe is capable of being navigated single, you can do so if that is your preference.
In addition to taking into consideration the amount of space available for people, you must ensure that the canoe has a sufficient maximum weight capacity, which is the amount of weight it can bear before it begins to take on water or become dangerous.
Canoes, on the other hand, almost typically have a significantly larger weight capacity than kayaks, making them suitable for longer expeditions with a lot of supplies and people on board.
Length and Depth
In general, canoes are longer than most ordinary fishing kayaks, but the depth between the gunwale and the canoe floor is where you’ll notice the most of the difference between them.
The depth of a canoe may have both positive and bad effects on your overall experience in it.
High-sided vessels will be able to accommodate more gear while also protecting you and your equipment from the elements, including waves and splash back from the ocean surface.
Although you are less vulnerable to being buffeted by the wind, tracking may be difficult and physically exhausting when attempting to traverse any distance.
When it comes to length, a longer canoe will provide greater storage room for items as well as the ability to carry more people (as mentioned above).
Also similar to a kayak, longer vessels provide better tracking, faster paddling, and make long distance paddling easier, but they sacrifice manoeuvrability in the process.
In general, longer canoes are preferable for many journeys, while shorter canoes are preferable for calm river fishing or any situation where you may meet a large number of obstacles to navigate.
Beam/Canoe Width
It is basically the width of the canoe’s hull at the waterline, at its broadest point, that is measured by the beam.
On calm, flat water, the broader the canoe, the more stable it will be, so choose one that is wide enough. Aside from that, the more gear and equipment you have on board – such as one of these fantastic kayak fishing coolers – the better.
Your speed will be significantly slower, and it is quite possible that the ship may become stuck in turbulent waters at the first hint of choppy weather.
Narrower canoes with a thin beam are better suited to manage waves and are also easier to paddle than wider canoes.
Narrow canoes, on the other hand, are typically regarded inappropriate for fishing and general pleasure, unless you plan on battling rapids and/or going moderate to lengthy distances.
Hull Shape
Similar to kayaks, canoes are available in a range of various hull forms. The performance of your canoe will be determined by the type you pick as well as the conditions you paddle in.
Flat — Hulls with flat bottoms are manoeuvrable and have a high level of primary stability. They are frequently the favoured choice for many kayak fishermen because of how solid they are while making standing casts in calm seas.
However, they are not as robust as other hull designs, and they are also the slowest of all hull types when compared to other possibilities. With addition to this, they are exceedingly unpredictable in even the smallest amount of wind.
Arches that are too shallow – If you’re looking for an all-arounder with a good balance between speed and stability in calm circumstances, consider a shallow-arch hull.
While this shape is more stable than the flat-bottomed version, it will become tough to paddle as the white caps start rolling in.
Shallow-V – The shallow-V (also known as a semi-round) canoe hull shape is the most adaptable of all canoe hull types. It has outstanding ultimate stability, as well as strong speed and tracking performance, which is especially important in choppy water.
However, because they tend to be on the tippy side, they are not particularly well suited for fishing in calmer rivers and lakes, and landing a catch may prove to be a difficult task, particularly when compared to a flat hull.
FAQs About Fishing Canoes
What is the difference between a fishing kayak and a fishing canoe?
While kayaks and fishing canoes look similar and mimic body shapes, they are not the same. Kayaks are typically smaller and have less storage space than canoes. Canoes designed for fishing have plenty of space in the hull and can even accommodate two or more people. Most kayaks stop at tandem fishing kayaks, so you won’t be able to bring the whole family. Finally, a fishing kayak will use a double-ended paddle. Canoes use standard single-blade paddles. Both are similar in design, but don’t have the same benefits and features.
What is the difference between a regular canoe and a fishing canoe?
In general, a canoe designed for fishing will have a flatter hull than a regular canoe because stability is important when transporting catch. A stable canoe should have a flatter body than a regular canoe so it never capsizes in the calmest waters. Finally, a canoe made for fishing should have storage facilities for all of your fishing gear in the shell of the canoe. This means you can keep your gear organized and safe, even in rainy weather.
Final Thoughts
A fishing canoe can make your fishing trip more enjoyable and successful. You can fish in new and exciting areas and turn your fishing trip into a real adventure. Different types of canoes allow you to fish alone, with friends or even with family. However, buying a fishing canoe can be quite confusing if you are a beginner or have never purchased a fishing boat before. And in this article, we have reviewed the best fishing canoe options for you.
I hope you have found the best fishing canoe for yourself after this tutorial. If you would like to comment, notice that the article content has not been updated in time, or suggest a fishing canoe I have not included, please use our contact form to stay in touch.
Good luck on your next fishing trip!
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