Fishing With Floating Minnows From a Canoe

The Bait - The Authentic Floating Rapala™

Method 1- Trolling

Trolling in a new river or lake is by far my number one method of finding fish when fishing from a canoe. Fish locators find fish, many of which are non-target (like suckers) or non-feeding, but trolling finds feeding fish.

There is really only one variable to control in bait presentation: Depth. Depth control may be obtained with split shot(s) placed about 2 feet in front of the lure. The larger size Rapalas 4 inches or more will dive a bit deeper than the smaller Rapalas. Here are some guidelines:

Early Morning or At Dark or After Dark - Fish with 1 split shot or no weight very near the surface.  Troll the lure well back from the canoe, and quietly paddle over weed beds and near drop-offs. You need near dark conditions to fish near the top - if there is more light you may need to fish down a bit.

Shallow Lakes or Rivers in depths of 6 ft or Less - Fish with 1 split shot at a depth of 3 or 4 feet.  Troll the lure well back from the canoe, and quietly paddle over weed beds and near drop-offs. Note: If the lake or river is excessively weedy, you may need to use different lures.

Lakes or Rivers of depth of 8-15 ft or more - Fish with 2 or more split shots so the lure obtains depths of 6 or more feet.  Troll the lure a moderate distance back from the canoe, and quietly paddle near drop-offs and underwater islands if you know where they are.

First time on the lake? - Troll the entire lake shore at least twice.  After several times, you will find the best spots.

Method 2 - Surface Fishing a Rapala or Other Floating Bait

If you have identified some good areas where you often see fish breaking the surface in the early morning or evening, then it is time to try one of the most exciting types of fishing - surface fishing.  I like fishing quiet evenings since the action tends to pick up the later you are out.  For this type of fishing you need a fairly long medium weight good-casting pole loaded with an easy casting  line like 8 lb Trilene XL or 10 lb Trilene XL.  If you have no weeds to contend with, try 6 lb, but a Northern Pike may rob you of your lure! When around lily pads, I use 10 lb. test.  In general, splashing fish are often feeding fish - if you see what appears to be a game fish surface, cast as close to this location as possible. (But keep your canoe as far away as possible for you to still cast)  Here is what you need to do:

• After casting let the lure lay motionless for 3 to 5 seconds but be ready for a strike!

• You don't retrieve the lure. Rather, you give it several small "twitches" and reel in the slack.  I usually give the lure a twitch, followed by 2 micro twitches.  Then reel in the slack, but let the lure settle to a stop again, then repeat the twitches.  Vary your retrieve to see what works.  Try not to reel in like a "robot", but twitch the bait to make it look like a wounded minnow - this is a "performance" and the hungry fish is your audience and critic!

• Keep your distance when fishing this way and stay quiet! Often, you are fishing shallow water of depth 2-5 feet.  Usually, I get no strikes within 25 ft of the canoe.

• In some cases, the fish are just too finicky for the 3 inch Rapala and you need to use the 2 inch Rapala with a little lighter line. Also, for bass, I have found that I have had to use a fly rod with a bass fly in a few places instead of the floating Rapala.

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