VolFan

Usually when the weedbeds die they seem harder to find/catch. They like overhead cover so docks and boatsilps are good when the mats leave. In the winter find the warmwater holes and theyre pretty automatic.

Get a Frontier and use the cooler as a seat.

They are pretty nifty. And the weight of the internal cable makes them even easier to manage and throw over through a crosswind.

I have a Nucanoe Frontier 12 and a Pursuit. I take my wife or kid tandem in the Frontier and go solo in the Pursuit if i go solo. The Frontier is actually fine solo as well and if i were to do it again, I would just get two Frontiers.

I have the Kanulock lockable straps after having had the NRS for 20 years or so (and still have them). Never had a problem with either. I dont think the Kanulocks would stop anybody for long, but they are definitely more substantial than anything else I've used.

I remember that thread - that was some great work!

The days can drag on but the years fly by. Dont waste any of it.

Thats a tilapia - eat it.

I havent eaten a shad or skipjack, but there's not a freshwater fish I've run into that was inedible on a regular basis, even carp and drum. Ive had an occasion bad-textured or flavored fish from time to time with every species, from rainbow trout to catfish but by and large if you get it on ice quickly, keep it there until you clean it a readonable time later, and then treat the filets the same until you cook them, you'll be fine. Dont blame the soup blame the chef. Bass are big bluegills.

Tellico is also generally less crowded than Ft London or Douglas, as he said above. Personal opinion but I think if you’re looking for small use it’s upper reaches are the best big lake in that area, unless you want to do one of the mountain lakes like Hiwassee or the like.

Denver Tackle in (wait for it) Denver NC or Rusty’s down on Wylie.

I preferred Tellico to Douglas for fishing, as you can head up the Little T arm to Chilhowie and onward. It’s also a flatter topography to deal with and less severe as far as drawdowns. (Great golf courses there too)

Thanks guys!

Any strong opinions on Triumph boats? I’m looking at a 17’ center console for bass on Wylie and a Norman, possibly a couple inshore trips a year, some French Broad river trips, and some general family fun pulling a tube. 3 people tops, including a 9 yr old. It would be my first boat so the plastic seems a little more user friendly. Happy to hear from some of the more experienced people. This would be along the lines of what I am thinking: https://charlotte.craigslist.org/boa/d/mooresville-2004-triumph-170cc/6946673762.html

You can walk a weightless tube in grass or heavy cover great. Adding a piece of stryrofoam or unsalted plastic to the head helps keep it up and adds casting weight. You can do it subsurface too, walking it like a fluke. I used 4 to 7 imch tubes with this technique in Colorado...nothing like a big pike or bass blowing it up in the slop.

Still using 4 Curado 200Ds. Never had a reason to switch. Theyre smooth as butter and built like tanks. Its not that i dont think reels today are/could be better, its that i love the ones i have.

If anyone else is considering towing a normal sized glass boat - please do it with at least a V6 on a full-sized truck/SUV at the bare minimum, with V8 or more, or even deisel infinitely preferable. There's could and there's should, and for everyone's safety sake please lean toward what you should.

42 S

With the right action, reel, and line - yes. Is it ideal- no. Would I use the M suggested in the same sentence for the smaller bait- yes. Other questions?

Roadrunners or Spooks were all I've ever used much for them. But seriously, wear your PFD. Theyre like a bluegill crossed with a marlin, bulldog and then ruuuuuun.

I would be looking for a M or MH crankbait rod to do it. You need a softer action to load and throw that - XF isnt going to do it. That said, i'd probably go spinning.

I wouldnt tow any full sized glass bass boat with a Taco. Great truck - not a great tow vehicle.

What he said ^ Get an overgrip - to save money or get more color and thickness selection, look for tennis overgrips. Not the actual grips themselves but the thinner, self-adhering overgrip. They come in a number of thicknesses, colors, and tackiness.

Lightening Rod Shocks or house brands at BPS/Cabelas/Acafemy should get you what you need. Academy has some solid baitcasters in the range you're looking for. They're not going to be Chronarchs, but they'll get it done. You could also check the *cough* site sponsor *cough* Kastking stuff, although i think the Academy stuff will be as good or better.

This topic hurts me inside - i did three reels in 10 minutes this past weekend. No way would i outsource this to BPS for pride reasons alone much less my OCD about line. How much do they charge to spool a baitcaster?