Just recently bought a Wenonah MN ll from an outfitter this year. Looking to see what you all do to deck out your canoes to make fishing better/easier. Depth finder, rod holders, bait/tackle organizer? Just looking for ideas to deck out my new canoe with any accessories you guys enjoy using. Thanks!

This is what I usually do.

AmarilloJim, that is a pretty sweet set up. That is exactly what I am looking for! Couple questions, what brand are your rod holders and what two tools did you use on the end to clamp that board to your canoe?

Same question for Amarillo - who makes those rod holders?

(I've been going with a clamp on the gunwale, setting rod on that....pretty fancy, I know :) )

The clamps are Spring Creek. Don't know if you can get them anymore but you can make your own. The rod holders are Tite-Lok. They make a clamp on model as well that I modified and attached a transducer arm and a mounting plate for a sonar. I would put some wood between the clamp teeth and a Kevlar canoe though.

Light weight seats with back.

Simple rod holder. I used to just clamp mine on. Remove when not in use.. same with beverage holder.. shoot your transducer thru the hull.

Glue in tie anchor points

JacJohnson: "AmarilloJim, that is a pretty sweet set up. That is exactly what I am looking for! Couple questions, what brand are your rod holders and what two tools did you use on the end to clamp that board to your canoe?"

Those rod holders are great for walleyes, but not as good for deep trolling like for lakers they just aren't stout enough.

HowardSprague: "Same question for Amarillo - who makes those rod holders?


(I've been going with a clamp on the gunwale, setting rod on that....pretty fancy, I know :) )
"

My favorite

mcsweem: "

JacJohnson: "AmarilloJim, that is a pretty sweet set up. That is exactly what I am looking for! Couple questions, what brand are your rod holders and what two tools did you use on the end to clamp that board to your canoe?"

Those rod holders are great for walleyes, but not as good for deep trolling like for lakers they just aren't stout enough. "

I've caught hundreds of LT with them without issue.

AmarilloJim: "

mcsweem: "

JacJohnson: "AmarilloJim, that is a pretty sweet set up. That is exactly what I am looking for! Couple questions, what brand are your rod holders and what two tools did you use on the end to clamp that board to your canoe?"

Those rod holders are great for walleyes, but not as good for deep trolling like for lakers they just aren't stout enough. "

I've caught hundreds of LT with them without issue."

Ok I just had problems with them when I was trolling at dipsy at 75'. Maybe I'll try again I think they are laying around still on one of my shelves thanks

A dipsy will definitely put more force on a rod holder but as long as it is attached securely shouldn't be a problem. Have you considered lead core or an inline weight? You could use lighter equipment that will do double duty for other applications. I don't think I would want to bring the heavy rods required for dipsys. I use this set up to fish 60' deep with no problem and I use the same rod that I would cast cranks or fish blade baits.

The Tite-lok rod holders are very strong and importantly, light - but not too light too make them too weak for the job. I mentioned this on this forum several years ago but rod holders tend to be 'regional', in that if a particular rod holder is not available in your local store, other brands are purchased, but for the most part I'm betting that if people had a choice of ALL available rod holders, could pick them up and review them personally, compare build quality, weight, strength and price, most people would choose the Tite-lok holders. But of course scotty etc and others make great holders, just a tad too heavy and bulky for me.

As for trolling deep, I think snap weights really are the way to go in canoe country - just the ease of taking them off and putting back on depending on trolling and depth requirements as you move around the lake. Also a big factor is that they give much less resistance than a dipsey when paddling. If in a motorized boat a dipsey is great, especially as you can send then off to one side etc and turn it into a diving planer board. Still everyone has their preferences and that's what its all about, getting what works for you and your situation personally.

Moonman.

Another advantage of an in-line weight is that you can speed up or down to vary depth fairly quickly. Of course the flip side of that is if you slow down to land a fish your partner needs to know this.

HowardSprague: "Same question for Amarillo - who makes those rod holders?


(I've been going with a clamp on the gunwale, setting rod on that....pretty fancy, I know :) )
"

I use that exact same clamp! Great minds......are warped in the same direction :)

The less, the better. Remember that you have to portage all that stuff.

Jackfish: "The less, the better. Remember that you have to portage all that stuff."

That's no fun. I was just about to recommend some downriggers!