: I live right on Lake erie and I am about a 1 hour drive from a small lake in
: Jamestown Ny that I have fished from age 9 on. So fishing the shore line

You may want to look at the Caspian Sea by John Winters. It's the strip-built version of the Q400 by QCC. I also live right on Lake Erie and have fished from the Q400 and the Caspian Sea. It's got a long waterline for it's 15'3" length and is very efficient to paddle. With your added gear weight, it could be a good boat for you. It's very stable, tracks great, and does not require constant paddler attention. I just go out with a rod and some lures...don't think I qualify as a serious fisherman.

That's the Dragonfly (Caspian Sea) on the left and the kevlar Q400 on the right. WIth the plumb stern, it would be very easy to add a rudder. Both versions handle the Lake Erie chop, etc. just great. The strip-built version is almost 10 lbs lighter, and with the finer bow and stern entry, a bit more responsive and quicker.

Jim