Well, hello from Hamilton

[ROMMEL]

Greetings all,

I'm an OFF newbie but have been fishing since back in the stone age in Hamilton. I've been an on-shore fisherman on the Grand River forever. I used to put on my waders but they don't fit anymore :blink: I usually am extremely busy working a regular 9 - 5 job and some extra work nights and weekends so I can never get out on the water lately. However, I just recently put together a 11.5' inflatable with a trolling motor and am dying to get out to try fishing with it with my 4 year old. Yes, hi Aurora! :grin: Any tips or pointers as to where we can use this safely and effectively? I'd love to get into larger species as I always ended up in York (on the Grand) under the bridge there, if anyone knows where I'm talking about. Basically, a very shallow area that has a lot of Smallmouths, Sunfish, Cats, Mooneye, Suckers...so, Walleye, Trout and Salmon would be refreshing.

Anyway, if you took the time to read my spiel, thanks in advance for...whatever. Happy fishing!

 

[hammercarp]

Hello and Welcome.

 

[kaministiquia]

Howdy!... I've used 2man inflatable boats from Walmart for years to fish stocked lakes for specks deflated they fit into a 5gal pail along with an acordion type air pump and some campers rope and a small flip flop anchor.
Add a ultra light telescopic spinning rod/reel/trout net/ haversack/some hooks/splitshot/spinners/slipbobbers/etc...place all of the above in a Forest Fire Fighters Hose Pack like the ones used by the MNR.
Using this set up I am able to climb mountains and cross lakes while carrying a fairly light load and traverse the bush using a gps w/necklanyard.
Good luck on your fishing adventures! :-D

 

[Sklazinga]

Greetings fellow Hamiltonian!

I don't get much occasion to do anything other than shore fishing, but my first thought regarding inflatables and fishing was an image of reeling in and hooking your boat!

I'm pretty new here myself, been on only a few weeks, but I've nothing bad to say about this online community! Everyone seems friendly and willing to give advice, help out, and swap stories!

 

[ROMMEL]

Howdy!... I've used 2man inflatable boats from Walmart for years to fish stocked lakes for specks deflated they fit into a 5gal pail along with an acordion type air pump and some campers rope and a small flip flop anchor.
Add a ultra light telescopic spinning rod/reel/trout net/ haversack/some hooks/splitshot/spinners/slipbobbers/etc...place all of the above in a Forest Fire Fighters Hose Pack like the ones used by the MNR.
Using this set up I am able to climb mountains and cross lakes while carrying a fairly light load and traverse the bush using a gps w/necklanyard.
Good luck on your fishing adventures! :-D

Wow, that's great advice! Thanks for this! However, unfortunately my boat (also from Walmart) is the Intex Seahawk 4 - 4 man inflatable. It's not THAT heavy but heavy enough that I wouldn't want to be carrying it, along with a trolling motor, deep-cycle battery, anchor, paddle and fishing gear, over any mountains, lol! But I'll definitely keep that in mind whenever I'm not feeling too lazy to paddle anywhere. I'll have to hit-up one of my in-law fireman for that pack though. Good idea.

Thanks again, that was great.

 

[ROMMEL]

[quote name='S Klazinga '83' timestamp='1343242465' post='232299']
...my first thought regarding inflatables and fishing was an image of reeling in and hooking your boat!

I'm pretty new here myself, been on only a few weeks, but I've nothing bad to say about this online community! Everyone seems friendly and willing to give advice, help out, and swap stories!
[/quote]


Hey there!

Yes, that was my initial concern about inflatables too. I originally bought the boat just for use at a cottage on Georgian Bay, strictly for boating but found that it's made with a much more rugged material than you would find in say a kid's toy. Also, it has three separate chambers so you could actually still keep afloat on just one, just in case.

I'm currently modifying it: I'm adding a carpeted wood floor, navigational lights, swivel seats, fish-finder, sun-shade (maybe next year), and a small aerated live well (definitely next year).

I needed a transom for the trolling motor but couldn't see spending about $100 for something that I could make myself, so I did with PVC pipe for under $15. Works awesome, probably better than a store-bought one and is more collapsable. My boat is rated for up to 880 lbs. so having all this gear and two fisherman won't dent a thing as long as I keep smart about the weight of my materials.

Right now, I'm using an old cooler that doubles as my battery box and seat for now.

I'll probably post up a photo of it for a laugh soon.

Anyway, thanks for the reply and concern.

 

[kaministiquia]

Wow, that's great advice! Thanks for this! However, unfortunately my boat (also from Walmart) is the Intex Seahawk 4 - 4 man inflatable. It's not THAT heavy but heavy enough that I wouldn't want to be carrying it, along with a trolling motor, deep-cycle battery, anchor, paddle and fishing gear, over any mountains, lol! But I'll definitely keep that in mind whenever I'm not feeling too lazy to paddle anywhere. I'll have to hit-up one of my in-law fireman for that pack though. Good idea.

Thanks again, that was great.

No problem I picked up the Forest Fire Fighter Hose Packs up in Thunder Bay @ Milani Outdoors (Tent & Awning Co.) they make them for the MNR and they run about $100.00.
They are a extra heavy canvas pack with extra wide straps made for the bush country they can carry all of your gear in one shot and they last for ever if looked after properly.
You should be able to find a manufacturer in Southern Ontario and be able to pick up a Stocked Lakes list from the MNR of lakes in your area as well by visiting an MNR office near you.
Take Care!

 

[ChaseChrome]

Greetings all,

I'm an OFF newbie but have been fishing since back in the stone age in Hamilton. I've been an on-shore fisherman on the Grand River forever. I used to put on my waders but they don't fit anymore :blink: I usually am extremely busy working a regular 9 - 5 job and some extra work nights and weekends so I can never get out on the water lately. However, I just recently put together a 11.5' inflatable with a trolling motor and am dying to get out to try fishing with it with my 4 year old. Yes, hi Aurora! :grin: Any tips or pointers as to where we can use this safely and effectively? I'd love to get into larger species as I always ended up in York (on the Grand) under the bridge there, if anyone knows where I'm talking about. Basically, a very shallow area that has a lot of Smallmouths, Sunfish, Cats, Mooneye, Suckers...so, Walleye, Trout and Salmon would be refreshing.

Anyway, if you took the time to read my spiel, thanks in advance for...whatever. Happy fishing!

Welcome Hot pepper:

Try casting off the mouth at Grimsby from your inflatable...browns everywhere early season...have fun with the young one!!