Hey all, I’m planning to run a small weekend river line this year, probably 3-4 dozen traps. The river is relatively shallow and not that wide. I’m looking for a canoe or something similar that will be suited to this situation. I don’t want a 15’ or 17’ canoe due to this being a solo line that requires a long drag/carry into the put in/take out points. Preferably something in the 12 or 13 foot range would be perfect. The line will be for beaver/otter/muskrat/coon. Not many beaver on the river so it’s not like I need some crazy high weight capacity.

I’m looking at an Indian river otter right now on marketplace. It’s 12 ft, 39 inches wide, weight capacity of 600 pounds. The only issue is it’s a square back canoe with a flat/tunnel bottom. This line will be ran by paddle only, no motor, so I’m worried this boat will be slow and paddle like a barge. Any experience with this boat or something similar? I would also like to be able to take it to the New river in the summer and fish out of it. The new is a pretty quick river with rapids so you need a fairly agile canoe. Thanks guys!

Old town has some nice ones.

I was looking at the discovery 119. That looks like a good option. 500 lb capacity and it only weighs 50 pounds. Looks like it would paddle a lot better than the Indian river otter

I'm looking at the Discovery or the Next.

I had a next and wasn’t the biggest fan. It was fine to do float trips with but I wouldn’t want to trap out of it. Cramped inside layout, more of a kayak than a canoe. It does paddle good though. One of my buddies has the sportsman 119 and it’s great but when we get in the rapids he takes on a lot of water because the sides are cut very low. And it only has a 350 lb capacity.

Looks the regular discovery 119 is the way to go. Looks a lot roomier and sturdier than the next and has an additional 150lb of capacity over the sportsman. I figure 220lb of me, 200lb of critters, and 100lb of gear will put me right at the limit of the sportsman.

im looking at getting a discovery 119 too. nice creek boat it looks like

Yeah I think it might be the best commercially available option, just looking for others with experience in other brands too before I bite on one.

Speaking of creek boats, I also had a creek boat m98 that I ran this river line out of for a season. It did great for hauling gear and being light but it was the slowest boat I’ve ever tried to paddle. I could run the line in half the time with a kayak. That’s why I was weary of the flat bottom style Indian river canoe

I have a 13` square stern Golden Hawk Canoe, 38" wide with a a keel. It paddles fine.

With all that steel you plan on setting…your going to need a biggah canoe. This 16 foot old town will hold north of 1200 lbs….but it weights 75 pounds…Not a problem for a young strapping lad…..

A square stern canoe is fine as long as your not in any sort of decent current. The water will back up against the stern and cause you to not have good "brakes".

I think you're asking an awful lot out of a small canoe. To be faster you typically give up some stability and capacity.

Awesome, thanks!!



That is a beautiful canoe!! I could never toss a mudball coon in that!

I have went through several different boat and canoe styles doing just what you are planning. I too thought a 12 footer would be perfect but using it I found it to be too hard to keep straight and not very efficient to paddle. Admittedly I don't have the best paddling technique so that may have been it. I bumped it up to a 15 foot aluminum and it worked great. 15' is still plenty light to portage and drag over obstacles and you can fit in some skinny water with it.

How do you haul it? Trailer?

I have paddled an old town 133 and thought that was too much for 1 man, I guess my paddling techniques are also off! To be fair, the places we go on the New river are a little dicey in a canoe. Two sets of class 3 rapids. Molly Osborne shoals and Penitentiary Falls.

I probably am asking way too much of one boat, I should probably have a larger canoe for the slower river I plan to trap and a kayak for floating the New. The discovery 119 is the closest thing I can find to a happy medium

I have a 14’ 6” Wenonah solo canoe and would not go shorter. If you ever have to paddle against the current or across a lake you’ll be wishing for something less than a 39” wide canoe.

Paddle more canoes, see what you like. There might be a club near you and you could paddle more canoes or a shop that has a try it before you buy it day. You’ll find one you like but don’t imagine you like or hate something before you try it.

a lot of good shops on the water will let you paddle their boats or have rental stock, I would suggest you bring some weight and see how you like the canoe and then the canoe with as much weigth as your trapping gear will be think about a catch some 30 pound beaver and 20 pound coon add up quick

a good PFD and Paddle will be universal you may want those first

I’ll have to look into finding a dealer of some sort around here. Probably better off to go up to the mountains around the new river, paddling is a much bigger deal out that way.

As far as paddles and PFD’s and kayak carts and all of that I’ve already got it. I own a couple kayaks and have owned canoes so I have all of the goodies, just looking for that boat that will fit all of my needs, if it exists

You have some of the nicest (and very cool) gear. The canoe and the muzzleloader that you have posted are awesome.

Thanks for the kind comments. I use a couple of these “Swiss Water Bags” when paddling alone . I fill them up with water and lay them up front. And if you have a bunch of critters at the end of the trip….you can just empty the water bags …and they lay flat and take up no room.

That is a great idea. Nessmuck, how far are you from Brielle, NJ? Might have found a good deal on a Wenonah there