Finally got to take out the new Nu Canoe.

[reelman]

Technically it's an old, used Nu Canoe, but new to me. I love oxymorons.
Took it out on Liberty. There was enough of a channel from of the private beaches, that I was able to get around pretty well. It was a gorgeous day, slight breeze, low 40's, I even got some sun (it's all relative; I'm so pale, I'm transparent).
Got to use the new fish finder too. Unfortunately, I didn't get to try out the new fishing net I received at a work party from my secret santa.
I found muscles I forgot I had. Paddling a kayak is really different than rowing a pontoon around. Almost out of Ben-Gay.
The Nu Canoe is faster than my old Buck's Bags Southfork. I forgot that using the kayak paddle gets everything wet. Next time I'll bring a lidded tub or an ice chest. I tried standing up for just a few seconds, but figured I'd try it more when I don't run the risk of sudden cardiac arrest due to shock if I fall in.
Most of the ice was so thin I could paddle through it. There is a few patches of pack ice on the south side of the lake, but the east end is only millimeters thin.
According to some guys at the launch, there were a few brood-stock browns pulled out. There is only about an acre free of ice at the launch though. Water temps ranged from 37 in the center of the lake to 44 at the west end in the shallow bay by the apartments.
I saw evidence of a chronomid hatch, but not in open water, just along the fringes of the ice.
If I go again today, I'm taking my trolling motor.

[hewesfisher]

Congrats on getting out and getting the new old canoe wet. I need to fish Newman this year, haven't been there for awhile and had a blast the last couple times we were there. Besides, I owe Lotech Joe a ride and some fishing time too!

[natetreat]

does your paddle have drip cups? I have a kayak, and it is a problem getting water to stay out sometimes. I need a longer paddle and adjustable drip cups because it's a bigger kayak than most and I had to adjust the drip cups to a wider spot. It's a lot different than rowing, I love fishing from my kayak!

[wolverine]

Cold water running up and down my arms is why I now have a Hobie with pedal drive. I've got a paddle for it but hopefully the only time that the paddle gets used is in water thats too shallow for my pedal drive. If you keep your hands low and don't pull back further than your hips you'll drip less water.
Good job on getting out there! My yak is sitting in the garage while I wait for a bit warmer weather. Even though I have the gear to stay warm and dry.

[reelman]

I do have adjustable drip cups. They seem to be great at dumping the whole cup in my lap. I have my mad scientist/whacky inventor plans for a pedal propulsion drive system. One of the things I've been looking at is a mig welder that I could then use to put in place my plan for world domination...uh...I mean my pedal boat plans.

[natetreat]

The trick to paddling a kayak is you gotta keep it horizontal as you paddle, with just enough of an angle to dip the blade gently in the water. This way the drip cups remain over the water, not your lap. If you dig in too deep to the water, the angle will let the ride straight into your lap. It takes a while to get used to it, but once you get it it's like riding a bike or casting a bait cast reel. It can seem like you need to bury that blade to get propulsion, but most kayaks, and mine in particular, will glide across the water with ease with even the slightest nudge from the paddle. It's like a golf swing, or a fly cast, if the angle and timing are off, it can be a disaster, with decapitations and a mess with a water hazard, but when you learn it it's really amazing at how much trouble it caused you. I've been out in mine since I was a kid, my grand dad made it when he was a teenager from a mail order shop. He built my kayak in 1920 or something. It's an amazing feeling to go out in it. I caught my first bass from a kayak, shot my first duck from it. Don't give up on the paddle yet!

[Lotech Joe]

Congrats on getting out and getting the new old canoe wet. I need to fish Newman this year, haven't been there for awhile and had a blast the last couple times we were there. Besides, I owe Lotech Joe a ride and some fishing time too!

Lotech Joe is ready. But I'll need a ladder to get my fat old carcass in your boat.

[hewesfisher]

Congrats on getting out and getting the new old canoe wet. I need to fish Newman this year, haven't been there for awhile and had a blast the last couple times we were there. Besides, I owe Lotech Joe a ride and some fishing time too!

Lotech Joe is ready. But I'll need a ladder to get my fat old carcass in your boat.

If we can't find a dock, I have a ladder. :thumright

[HillbillyGeek]

Not having to deal with ski boats is nice.

[Jay K]

@wolverine - I just started taking a look at those Hobie Mirage kayaks w/ the pedal-system. They look sweet, but really pricey. The fishing must be awesome though; I've taken a look at some YouTube videos and the ability to troll while peddling and moving w/ free hands - nice. Would seriously make trolling so much easier and freer.

[Meeks9591]

Yep those Hobie's with the foot pedals are nice, it would be great to have one for the smaller lakes near Spo. Co. or the PDO with all the sloughs and backwater, I almost bought one when I lived down in California for the Cal Delta..

[reelman]

The only thing I don't like about the Hobies is that you have to put down your rod to go backward. If you get something with a prop, all you have to do is pedal backward, like when you're adjusting to the wind. Native watercraft makes one, but it's even more expensive than the Hobie.

[wolverine]

Before I bought my Hobie I tried the Native pedal drive. It was just ok but not really efficient. If I was sold on the Native platform I'd get it with the electric drive. Native's positioning of the drive up by the feet is far better than Oceans Torque with the electric in a well behind the seat. Hobie's E-volve electric drive is way stupid expensive.
I rarely need to go in reverse. If I had to, for a great distance, I'd just turn my drive unit around. But for most reverse requirements I use the paddle. For wind cocking I just set the rudder and never have to touch the paddle.

[davidwat1]

Hey Wolverine, how difficult is it to transport the Hobie? Is it easy to manage for a single person? Those things are so cool, but not sure I can justify the price tag.
Thanks!
Dave

[wolverine]

Yeah the Hobie Pro Angler is heavy (for a yak) and isn't cheap but its a great fishing platform. I haul mine in my Nissan Titan pickups 6' bed with the tailgate down. I have a "T" bed extender from Harbor Freight that plugs into the trailer hitch receiver. I just position the yak along side the extender, pick up the bow and put it on the crossbar of the extender, then pickup the rear of the yak and slide it into the bed, tie it down and away I go. When the yaks on the ground I use a cart to move it around.