Thanks to my brother-in-law, I'm in need of a new water trapping rig. I'm sure it has been discussed before, but what does everyone prefer? This will be used on a river for the most part.

Flat bottom ok. A sport canoe is much more stable then a canoe; plus it can handle a motor. Depending on your situation, some of the new fiberglass duck boats might work.

Just my opinion, if you are using it on a river of good size, that being if you can't wind up and throw a rock across it you will be better served by a 16 foot or bigger flat bottomed boat.
Cricks as we call them here are better served by a light outfit you can portage around the numerous log jams.

Zim

SkyeDancer,

Grumann Sport Boat is a SUPER trapping boat. All I used for my waterline on the Croux, before the Feds stole it. It flys with a 6 HP on the back. Not a lot of people know about these boats except the folks that have one of want one. Had two, but gave one to my brother.

If you get one, unbolt the 4 oarlocks and it will slip right in between the reeds/cat tails.

Not made anymore... My granddad told me, "If you like something, buy two of them, because if it's any good they'll stop making them." I bought 'em cheap and made money when I sold them.

Canoe is a broad term ranging from flat bottomed to full round, heavy rocker to flat, keeled or not, long and narrow to short and fat, transom or not. Then there's pirogues which in many cases are superior to canoes. Also consider the hybrid designs like the gheenoe/riverhawk and sport boats. Generally I'd steer you away from canoes in general and towards a flatbottomed jon or riverhawk unless you commit to learning the handling of a canoe. If jon go for as wide a beam as possible and no shorter than 12, 14 better.

I need something I can load/unload myself and will fit in the box of my pickup. Not a huge river, no rapids or anything. I also want something stable for safety reasons. If a canoe, I would want it to be a wide one with a square stern for a trolling motor. I know canoes can carry more weight, so that is a plus. I was looking at a "Radisson" canoe, but they want more than I can spend.

I had a Grumman 19' square stern. I loved that thing. Used it in large rivers, small cricks, and some pretty hairy water. Never had a problem. It was pretty much flat with a keel. Very stable. I've had two of us and a moose and a half plus gear and never felt over loaded. I think it weighed about 114 pounds. Used it with a 6hp or a 9.9.

You couldn't get me in a jon boat less than 18 '

Look at the McKenzie sport 18 ....square stern canoe....

I have a Grumman square stern. Duck hunted and trapped out of it. Carries a lot and stable in rough water.

I have used both and they each have there positives and negatives. I have used a 17' aluminum canoe with a side mount 55 lbs trolling motor and also just paddled. If money is a concern, a used 17' aluminum canoe can be had on craigslist for 2-300 bucks most anywhere in Michigan. I have hauled 30+ coon with that size canoe and had no problems besides the fact once you get going it doesn't want to slow down. A jon boat with a 4-10 hp motor is quite a bit safer and faster. If you have to portage the canoe saves a lot of work compared to the jon. There is some value in quietly paddling down the river checking traps, it can't be beat!

Questions arise.

1. Will you be working sets downstream, then head back upstream to the vehicle/trailer?

2. Average depth of river? Width of river?

3. Can you run a standard outboard on this river without hitting rocks, stumps, gravel bars, etc?

4. Length of trapline on this river?

5. Access to the river: landing, rough landing, launch off a bank, what?

6. How strong is the current? Can you easily paddle back upstream?

7. Probably doesn't have much to do with choice of rig, but what are the fluctuations in water level like? Quite a bit? Or maybe an inch drop every other day or so without any rain?

8. How many traps do you plan on checking on a run up/down the river?

There's a start.

Keep an eye on those weekly swap and sell magazines if you have one in your area. Ours is normally riddled with all types of watercraft this time of year and they are usually going cheap.

10-12ft flat bottom with a mount trolling motor on the back to push you up and down the river/creek. Easy to load and unload, plus stable in the water.

Muskrat-
#1- no. Setting from upstream, downward. I don't have an outboard motor.
#2- average depth= 4'-6'. Average width= 50'(?)
#3- yes, but I don't have one.
#4- about 7 miles on average (on the water. River has many sharp curves/bends)
#5- I park on the road, have to carry the boat and all my gear down the bank and launch from there. I come out of the water in a similar way.
#6- not terribly strong, but could not paddle upstream very far.
#7- not much fluctuation without rain/major snow melt.
#8- quite a few. Mostly rat, mink and coon sets. A few beaver and fox/coyote sets thrown in.
Hope that helps.

The boat my brother-in-law sunk for me was a 10' flat bottom. It worked great, wished it would hold a bit more weight though. Just not sure if that's what I should get again.

Coleman scanoe. 86lbs I think an just under 14ft.

Keep your eye on those Craigslist adds for a used sportspal canoe if you can find a square back one you have hit gold I have a 13 foot and a 16 both bought used one for 350 and the other for 400

I don’t think you could tell rn one over except on purpose or through sheer stupidity

I had a Radisson, didn't like it on a lake, you blow like a leaf on a pond, too light. On the river the aluminum is too thin and can puncture pretty easily. Next boat for me is a short flat boat that fits in my tacoma

Pirogue, French for flat bottom canoe. I have had a 10 footer for 25 years and a 12 footer for 15. Me, Traps, and a 100 pound dog and we cruise. Mine is very similar to this model.

http://bayourapidesfiberglass.com/Products_Critter_getter_pirogue_duck_hunting_alexandria_La.html

Ok ask yourself this . If a 12 yr old kid had to go across a river in dead of winter which would you put him in. Flat bottom boat 100% of the time. Think about safety . Which one are you more likely to dunk with......