Got To Love Pirogue Fishing | SouthernPaddler.com

Got To Love Pirogue Fishing

beekeeper

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2009
1,917
59
My pirogue takes me to the kind of places I like to fish. It also helps me catch fish that are overlooked or not reachable by power boats.


beesboy's pirogue also works:


I cast my lure under this tree top and hung up.


Paddled over to retrieved the bait but it came loose. I reeled it in but left it in the water as I turned the boat around.
This fish bit the lure directly under the boat. Probably less than 4' of water. Would not happen under an electric troll motor.


beekeeper
 

oldbuffpilot

Well-Known Member
May 13, 2014
629
34
80
Central Kansas and Central Texas
Thanks for sharing. I sure do miss Baudcau and Dorcheet. I’m guessing from the soil this pic is near Dorcheet? Spent half a lifetime fishing both of them in a nine foot Water Moccasin. It’s still my favorite boat, but it’s become heavier over the years! I’m building a ss&g that Matt designed for me that may soon replace the Glass Water Moccasin.

Good Fish'n
Andy
 

beekeeper

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2009
1,917
59
Andy you guessed correctly, up Cotton Valley way. On another try I put in at Dixie Inn (before the last rain) but soon ran out of water.

Did not want to drag the boat so I fished the other direction only to find another blockage. I do love Dorcheet.
Fished Baudcau earlier this year but no luck. The water was too black from being in the swamp all summer and no rain.
Lots of pretty paddling.

If you would please post some pictures of your build. Is it designed like the Water Moccasin, or is it just the boat you will use instead of the W.M.?

beekeeper
 

oldbuffpilot

Well-Known Member
May 13, 2014
629
34
80
Central Kansas and Central Texas
Bee,
Sorry for the delay answering your question about my new build. I have been occupied with my wife’s surgery recovery, then of course the septic here in our Texas “camp” decided to take a vacation.
I will post the whole build later when we get back to Kansas and I finish with the glass. I had ask Matt to design a short and stable boat that would paddle reasonably well. He came up with what he named the crawdad. It is very similar to the Gheenoe (http://www.customgheenoe.com/). About 11’ long and 34” wide. It may be a replacement for the 9’ water moccasin. I’m pretty excited about it--- but it will be awhile before we get my Bride squared away and back to Kansas.
Good Fish’n,
Andy
 

beekeeper

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2009
1,917
59
My son's Lake Bistineau pirogue is about that size and it paddles well. Our longer boats are faster, but "if you're paddling, you ain't fishing." so it is irrelevant.
 

beekeeper

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2009
1,917
59
Had another great trip. Beesboy and I had a great early spring fishing trip. Fish were biting, wood ducks flushing and good paddling (not too windy).



beekeeper
 

beekeeper

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2009
1,917
59
Paddle is a cheapo from Academy Sports. I have some "better"(more $) paddles but this one works best(for me), because it is the quietist. The foam "grips" reduces the noise of the paddle bumping the boat. I could add foam to the boat or a better paddle, but haven't gotten around to that task.
If I paddled for the joy of paddling I would consider a more efficient paddle. I prefer chasing these critters.


:idea: Maybe a better paddle with foam covering or some other means of noise reduction would help me catch more fish?

beekeeper
 

beekeeper

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2009
1,917
59
Recently fished near a gentleman using a Hobie paddle craft. He said it worked great for fishing(hands free for casting).
Sure looked like it was easy, even in the wind. I'm not sure I would like to have to sit in the same position, or location in the boat all day. I assume the boat is steered by a hand operated rudder? Has anyone used one?

beekeeper
 

beekeeper

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2009
1,917
59
Early trip out on the lake. Not too many fish but still nice.



Trips up the bayou were better fishing.


beekeeper
 

oldsparkey

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2003
10,479
123
Central , Florida
www.southernpaddler.com
You never mention it and I have to ask........
The water you are fishing sure looks like the type they would like. Here in Florida the best area for them are the quiet back water areas. You can also find them in the rivers and lakes. They like to hit the same baits that Bass will hit. They do put up a pretty good fight when caught but are no good for the frying pan.

Not sure which name you use for them since different parts of the country have different names for them. I will list a few of them and hope one is right

The fish in question is the Mud fish , Cypress Bass , Cypress Trout , Bow fin , Dog fish , Mud Pike , Griddle , Grinnel and Choupique.
 

Kayak Jack

Well-Known Member
Aug 26, 2003
13,976
171
86
Okemos / East Lansing Michigan
What's called a dogfish in Michigan, is a very primitive fish. No good to eat, I've been told. But, then, I suppose that I'm lucky to have never been that hungry to have one taste good. That does indeed make us lucky.
 

beekeeper

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2009
1,917
59
Kayak Jack said:
You were up awfully early there, J D!

Most of the year in Louisiana there are three choices when going fishing.
Go early in the morning, heat stroke, or stay home.
I like to fish so I go early.

beekeeper