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No Motor Zones

Jim Daintith from Peterborough, UK with a No Motor Zone snook; fishing out of a "Gladesman" Photo: Geoff Colmes

No Motor Zones?

My reference to no motor zones is a narrower generalization that refers to anything that is legitimately 'no engines period' attached to your boat. Canoes, kayaks and even johnboats that can be poled, paddled or rowed are appropriate for these areas located throughout the State of Florida.

Until recently it took a considerable amount of effort to fish in these areas – especially in the Everglades. You either had to transport a canoe in your skiff and leave your skiff alone and tied up while you fished, or have someone drop you off and pick you up later. Some folks even hid old canoes so they didn’t have to transport them – the Park Service always frowned on that idea, confiscating many canoes over the years. None of these were easy options in my opinion. Now I use my Gladesmen to run to these areas, remove my engine and stowed it inside the boat, then I can pole, paddle or row to wherever I want to fish.

It’s not that these areas are the solution to the most excellent fishing, it’s that they are unique, less traveled and maybe a little adventurous.

It’s not that these areas are the solution to the most excellent fishing, it’s that they are unique, less traveled and maybe a little adventurous. Like anywhere else, you must know where to go and many of these areas are immense. But who doesn't like the idea of going to an area that says… NO! Like the boy walking up the path with a stringer full of bluegill that comes upon an old-timer. The old timer says “son, where did you catch all those dandy bluegill.” The boy replies, “well sir, I went down that trail over there where that old sign says 'no-trespassin,’ jumped over that barbed wire fence where that old sign says ‘private property’ then went over to the little pond where that old sign says... no fishin.”

East Cape Canoes chose the name Gladesmen™ to pay tribute to the early 20th Century settlers in the Everglades that lived deep in the swamps or on the skirts of towns. They were genuine people who lived off the land and lived the life of true outdoorsmen. During this early period they were often filling the role of Guide, Hunter, Fishermen, and even the occasional still during the prohibition era for communities outside of South Florida. Nobody knew the marshes and backwater bays more than them so it only seems fair to recognize these hard-core outdoorsmen with a product that brings back Florida’s past to its present state with a product that can do it all in shallow water. I choose the Gladesmen because it will give me the versatility of a canoe with added features of a skiff to easily guide in the "no motor zones."