Al Wolbach

I don't fish it very often but friends that do are using jerk baits fished slowly, with long pauses. I would start with sliver, black back.

You can contact Swafford Trolling Motor Repair in Lenoir City, Tennessee at 865-986-4455 or swaffordtrollingmotor.com. I have never used him but several friends highly recommend him. He has been in business for decades.

This system has been around for years and works quite well. My 98 Champion trailer has this system. The newer trailers have oil bath hubs and they have mixed reviews, good service until a leak occurs, although I have no personal experience with them.

I have a CC permit and keep a weapon in the glove box while on the boat.

We all must face getting old and realize that some projects in the garage are not going to be completed. Decisions have to be made as we face reality. I wish you well and peace with your decisions.....

I would suggest you get a topography lake map and look for the humps. Most of the tournaments are won fishing humps and points during the summer months, and I'm told by using swim baits or deep crank baits. You can get a map at local BPS or Bucks and Bass in Dandridge( about $7-$8 ) Many of these humps have old building foundations on them that hold fish. There are always shallow fish to catch and can be found on the maps as TWRA fish attractors. These are usually brush piles put in by TWRA. If you can ride around during the winter with a camera(when the water is down) it is easy to find fish holding areas. The map is a good starting point. FWIW these humps may only have a foot of water on them during spring and fall, the water levels can change daily, so be careful. I have learned my way around this lake using the braille system in the spring, lol. It's an expensive way to learn but a good teacher. Be glad to show you around when you come up. I live about 2 miles from Dandridge around point 8 if that's familiar.

I believe this is where we stayed. It was a package deal that included room, breakfast, bait and boat/motor(14ft tin boat w/5 hp motor). It was not a bad deal but you need trolling motor and a fish finder/depth finder would be nice. You are also limited to where you can fish by the motor size.

Depending on which lakes you drove by the water levels fluctuate a great deal in winter for flood control. I live on Douglas Lake and the current water level is down approximately 40 feet. Cherokee Lake and Norris Lake are also down about the same amount which is normal for this time of year. TVA will attempt to raise them in the spring with the rain. I believe the fishing is better with lower water levels but that is just my opinion. It will take some getting used to but worth the effort. A few of the other lakes are used for navigation and the levels are not dropped as far such as Loudon, Tellico, Melton Hill and Watts Bar. All are good fisheries

You can get a box of about 50 at Sam's Club if your a member. Can't remember the exact price but remember thinking it was a bargain.

There are numerous bank fishing spots on all the lakes. After you get more familiar with the area you can determine which lakes are best for your location then we can provide better info. Fishing is good on all of them but some are better for different species of fish.

I have fished Reelfoot and it is a beautiful lake with great crappie fishing. That being said, it also is shallow and absolutely littered with stumps, above and below the water line. At a minimum prop damage is to be expected so be prepared(spare prop, etc). May even consider a rental boat. I don't think I traveled more than 25 yards between impacts for 3 days. lol. I believe Pickwick may be a better option for your family although I have no personal experience on Pickwick. Reelfoot is also crowded or was when I fished it.

Knowing the history of boat and owner mean a lot

Welcome from a fellow East Tennessean.

Wow, very nice fish. That is far larger than any drum I have caught. Great fish...

When we retired we purchased a lake home in East Tennessee and have really been happy here on Douglas Lake. There are several lakes here that may interest you. I would suggest a google search. That being said, if I could get a do over, I would look at the Santee Cooper lakes in South Carolina. The areas I would consider would be the city of Monchs Corner on the lower lake and the city of Santee on the upper lake. Great fishing but hot summers. Lifes little trade offs to consider, the further south you go the hotter summers and north the cooler winters. If weather is not real important then South Carolina would be my first choice. The areas I mentioned in SC also have salt water fishing roughly an hours drive away which would be a plus to consider. Good luck with your search and welcome to BR.

Congrats!!!!

I live in a cove beside point 8. When the water is up stop by and say hello.

Welcome from another East Tennessean.

Probably the best place for Champion parts. I would try here then have one made if you need to.

Don't know much about your boat but sometimes shifting to reverse and giving it gas will clear the grass. And understand, in grassy water there just is no substitute for horsepower but reverse sometimes helps.

I just saw piano hinges at Home Depot yesterday.

Wow! I would love to have seen the B-52 refueling.

I have flown commercially approximately 20 times across the country, once across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and numerous short flights. I also logged a hundred or so hours in military planes. I really prefer land travel to planes, when time permits.

If you can remove the switch panel on the bow, run your hand/arm under the deck and feel for structural supports. If there aren't any, and I would be surprised if there are, you should be good to cut without any problems. Or if you have a built in fish finder remove it. You could always talk with other Stratus owners at the local ramps after a tournament. From my experience, most of the tin boats have support, most fiberglass do not.

Try crisscrossing Lake Istakpoga on a windy day. If you can safely do that you can cross anything else you encounter, you have to learn to read the water. Or cross the open parts of the Big O in high winds.