MidTNKayakAngler

Daredevle Spoon, I was probably 5 years old around 1985/86. I still have the Aluminum canoe.

No, Native Propel also is, and Wilderness Systems has something in the works, but not released yet.

I've fished every KBF Open and Invitational since the first one 4 years ago on Santee Cooper. Unfortunately, I will probably be missing this one, as I'm working 6 days a week now, and they cut 3 days of vacation. It is a great atmosphere, and a lot of fun. You get to hang out with a lot of people you see on other forums, and social media. The chance of winning a lot of money and great prizes. Chad has dropped the mandatory KBF Membership, but if you was a KBF Member then you get special discounts all year long, and will be willing to win more prizes at tournaments. I think everyone that qualified through my series will be going, and I'm sure they will represent well. Good luck to all who go.

Hey John, It's Jeremy the owner/co-organizer of Kayak Bass Fishing TN I'm off tomorrow so if you would want to meet at Hook1 and talk one on one about kayaks just send me a PM on Facebook, I have stuff going on early. I'm not sure if Chad is around or is at the ATA show. Also we have a Fishing Expo next month at the Fairgrounds and there will be some great deals to be had there. We (Hook1) will also have a pool setup for people to try boats out.

We are a relatively new club. Was created 3 years ago, and have been funded solely out of the owners "my partner, and I's" pocket. Last year we tried a shirt sale and it worked out well. We sold about 90 shirts in just 2-3 weeks and most pre-sold. We have been able to recoup some of the expenses i.e. website, paper, laptop, and other expenses of the club. We don't charge membership fees, or dues, and we don't keep any of the money from tournament fees. When we started this was to bring a good tournament series available to everyone to our community. Our 1st year we were averaging 15 boats per tournament, 2nd year 27 boats per tournament, and this year we averaged 30 boats per tournament. We have a great group, and many regulars. We do withdraw money from entry fees for the Heroes on the Water Foundation $2 per entry, and to help fund the Tennessee State Championship $1 per entry which we also help run. Our time and most of our resources are volunteered so we can have the best payouts possible. I have been fishing our tournaments, but I probably will not next year as it takes a lot of time and preparation, and it's cutting into valuable fishing time. Jeremy

My wife carried the LCR for a while and decided she didn't care for it. She didn't like the felt recoil, the action, or only having 5 rounds. Of course she doesn't want to carry a 2.5# double stack around, but she wanted the option of at least 7 or 8 rounds, with the capability of carrying an extra mag if wanted. She prefers semi auto striker and hammer guns. She has went to the M&P Shield in 9mm, and currently looking at the Sig 938 SAS in 9mm.

My wife and I both shot IDPA, and 9mm wouldn't knock down the steel poppers all the time. I shot 40, and 45 and had no issues with knocking down poppers. If she hit a popper low it wouldn't fall sometimes. I won't recommend particular firearms, but I would go with a 4.5 or 5" barrel to aid in accuracy. I like the 45 better it seemed like it wasn't as snappy, and I could stay on target easier.

Small screwdriver and keep your finger on the C-Clip. Putting the piece you are removing the C-Clip from in a plastic bag, and removing the C-Clip while in the plastic bag works well also. Go slow and steady.

I've been working 6 days a week for months now, and only have Friday's off, and also been working a few 7 day weeks. I was exhausted from the work week and just wanted one morning where I didn't have to wake up at 4:15am to go to work. We'll Friday morning the alarm goes off at 4:00am for my wife and I just lay there, she got ready and left for work around 4:45, and immediately I sprung from the bed, made my coffee, lunch, and fixed some breakfast sandwiches. I played on the phone trying to decide where I would fish "Williamsport, Natchez Trace, Guntersville, or the Cumberland River. We'll Thursday I received a call from Michael King of Paddle Adventures Unlimited wanting me to paddle with them on Sycamore Creek at 2pm on Friday, so I decided I'd fish the Cumberland until 1pm, and then go hang with the Paddle Adventure Unlimited Crew. The boat and gear was already loaded, and by 7am I was on the road. So much for sleeping in. It started out slow, and then I started seeing a lot of surface activity, small fish so I downsized. I picked up the Shimano Aldebaran BFX XG Limited spooled with 4# mono matched with a Majorcraft Volkey BFS 6'9" UL rod. I tied on a 1/16 oz Keitech Super Round jig head with a Zoom Super Fluke Jr. It was game on from the 1st cast. The first fish was an 18.75" Drum, and boy that was fun. Then came the White Bass. I stayed on them for a good hour with loosing them once and then picking them up again. Most of the White Bass were in the 12-14" range. Then I swapped sides and got into a few more schools of white bass. Then I picked up The Daiwa TW 1016, with 7'11" All Pro Crankin' Blaster and Strike King 2.5 in Sexy Shad. BAM 1st cast after about 4 cranks it gets slammed. It's digging deep and then I get it close to the surface 2' and see the flash and I think Striper, so I think I have a 20-25" Striper and it's still digging hard, the entire time Chris Bryant txnative is on the phone with me, he's getting good commentary. I'm working it up slowly as it's right below me, and I finally see it again, and immediately I know this is my personal best Smallmouth. I'm finally able to get it boatside and get the Lucid Grips around the bottom lip and bring it into the kayak. It measures between 21" and 20.75", and guessing the weight was close to 4lbs, as I didn't look at the sales and just slipped her back into the murky water of the Cumberland. I had about another hour and a have to fish, so I made my way back to the ramp and picked up 2 more 14" smallmouth, and 3 more 14" Spotted Bass. I got back to the truck and headed to meet the Paddle Adventures Crew on Sycamore Creek. I was the 1st one there, so I went ahead and unloaded, and made a few casts from the bank until everyone else started showing up. I helped everyone get their boats and gear to the water, and the Tennessee Wildside Crew shows up to film us. There were about 12 of us doing a 2+ mile float on Sycamore Creek. We had a good float on some beautiful water, and Tennessee Wildside wanted to do a creek side interview with me. We finished up the float around 5pm, and hung out chatting and catching up for another hour and a half. It was almost 8:30 by time I got home, and it was a great day. River water Temps 62/63, clarity 18" - 20" Creek Water Temps 59, clarity 4'

I like the longer rod, because with deep cranks I want the longest cast I can get, and the extra length helps, I also keep the rod tip down and below the surface to get the crank down a little deeper, the longer rod also give you more play which is helpful with treble hooks, and deep cranks. These are my personal preferences, and what I have found that works best for me.

Med Heavy 7'7" - 7'11" with soft tip. Reel must be a lower gear ratio no higher than 6.2:1, prefer 5.1.1 for the deep cranks 16'+ Line 14 - 17lb Fluorocarbon. Size depends on structure I'm fishing around.

This happened in my backyard. I fish from this ramp a few times a year. It is very sad what happened to Greg this day. A fellow angler was killed while doing something we all love to do. When Gregg Hawkins left his house on Friday, October 16th, returning safely was probably not a concern of his. Unfortunately, Gregg was killed as he returned to the Mona Boat Ramp on the Stones River outside Smyrna, TN. The suspect(s) is still on the loose and a very small reward is being offered for information leading to their arrest. WE NEED YOUR HELP! In an effort to raise money for the family and reward amount, the kayak angling community is coming together to raise awareness and funds. This senseless murder happened in our backyard this time. Could it happen in your backyard next time? Please help us spread the word and raise the funds this family deserves to bring these criminals to justice. If you have information regarding this case, please call Rutherford County Crime Stoppers at 615-893-7867. Donations can be made via Paypal to: kayakanglersforacause@gmail.com Anything helps! Boat ramps are a dangerous place, most are not patrolled, and not well lit. Unfortunately we see a lot of criminal acts going on at our boat ramps. http://wkrn.com/2015/10/16/authoriti...ing-in-smyrna/https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaya...3/?pnref=story We are collecting for the family of Greg and to raise the reward money for any information leading to arrests. Kayak Anglers For A Cause will be hosting a benefit tournament, BBQ sales, and donation booth to raise money for Greg Hawkins family and for reward for any information leading to arrests. 6:30am - 1am Saturday November 7th. Murfreesboro Outdoors 2204 NW Broad Street Murfreesboro, TN 37129 The tournament is a catch photo and release tournament like most kayak tournaments boats, and kayaks will be allowed to fish the tournament. Any public water on the Stones River or Percy Priest will be legal fishing waters. Black bass 3 fish 12" minimum. Donations and BBQ sandwiches will take place at Murfreesboro Outdoors. 100% of the sandwich sales will go toward the reward. Even if you're not a tournament fisherman, or not interested in fishing the tournament please come out and show your support.

This happened in my backyard. I fish from this ramp a few times a year. It is very sad what happened to Greg this day. A fellow angler was killed while doing something we all love to do. When Gregg Hawkins left his house on Friday, October 16th, returning safely was probably not a concern of his. Unfortunately, Gregg was killed as he returned to the Mona Boat Ramp on the Stones River outside Smyrna, TN. The suspect(s) is still on the loose and a very small reward is being offered for information leading to their arrest. WE NEED YOUR HELP! In an effort to raise money for the family and reward amount, the kayak angling community is coming together to raise awareness and funds. This senseless murder happened in our backyard this time. Could it happen in your backyard next time? Please help us spread the word and raise the funds this family deserves to bring these criminals to justice. If you have information regarding this case, please call Rutherford County Crime Stoppers at 615-893-7867. Donations can be made via Paypal to: kayakanglersforacause@gmail.com Anything helps! Boat ramps are a dangerous place, most are not patrolled, and not well lit. Unfortunately we see a lot of criminal acts going on at our boat ramps. http://wkrn.com/2015/10/16/authoriti...ing-in-smyrna/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaya...3/?pnref=story We are collecting for the family of Greg and to raise the reward money for any information leading to arrests. Kayak Anglers For A Cause will be hosting a benefit tournament, BBQ sales, and donation booth to raise money for Greg Hawkins family and for reward for any information leading to arrests. 6:30am - 1am Saturday November 7th. Murfreesboro Outdoors 2204 NW Broad Street Murfreesboro, TN 37129 The tournament is a catch photo and release tournament like most kayak tournaments boats, and kayaks will be allowed to fish the tournament. Any public water on the Stones River or Percy Priest will be legal fishing waters. Black bass 3 fish 12" minimum. Donations and BBQ sandwiches will take place at Murfreesboro Outdoors. 100% of the sandwich sales will go toward the reward. Even if you're not a tournament fisherman, or not interested in fishing the tournament please come out and show your support.

I would guess a prop also. I've been in the Native Propels, and have had Hobie's for the past 6 years. The Propels I would tire more quickly, than the Hobies, and the Natives weren't easy on my hips, and didn't care for the bicycle motion, and all the deck room it took up. Didn't care for the whining noise of the Propel Drive System, all 4 different propels has that whining noise coming from the gear box. Different strokes for different folks.

The propulsion tool whether it be pedal or the Torqueedo type motor will take the place of the electronics pod. If you decide to go this route and still want to use your electronics the best bet would to mount your head on the tracks or on the front hatch with the transducer over the side on a RAM arm. A motor would be nice for pre-fishing a tournament, you could cover a lot of ground quickly, or if you were going offshore a couple miles to fish a wreck, or chasing open water fish like Stripers or Hybrids. I would like to see how the motor installed effects the paddling. I think I like the rear mounted Torqueedo better. You can lift the Torqueedo out of the water if you have to paddle reducing drag, and you don't lose your electronics pod. As for the pedals. Me personally I'm not a fan of the bicycle type pedals, you cannot draft shallow unless pulled up, and the mechanism takes up a lot of valuable deck space.

My wife uses the Iwata Revolution CR and seems happy with it.

I picked my wife up a Rick Clunn several years ago, and she tried it a handful of times and didn't like it. Last year I bought her a Lews BB1 Pro and still didn't like it. So this year she tried the Daiwa Pixy SP68, and she's really enjoying it, and also bought a Shimano Aldebaran BFS since she liked the Pixy so well, and she's really liking this reel also. She said she wants to try a little heavier reel for heavier baits and she is trying to decide between the Zillion and Metanium, but leaning more towards the Metanium due to it being a little lighter. Be careful what you introduce them to.

I took some photos with my phone and will post up, but I have made 3 for myself. I go to a local hardware store and find the heaviest chain I can. I cut each of the 3 pieces into different lengths 3', 4', and 5'. So now I have 3 pieces of large heavy chain in 3 different lengths, the 5' weighs probably 6lbs. Then I go to a bicycle shop and get used bicycle inner tubes that the chain will fit into. Once I put each chain into its own piece of inner tube the length of the chain then I double over the chain and inner tube so the 4' piece is now 2', the 3' piece is 1.5', and 5' piece is now 2.5'. Then I zip tie together so it looks like once piece. I leave 1 link exposed on one end and that is my tie off point. I don't use all at once, but most of the time I'll take the 1.5' piece and that will slow me down drastically in rivers and creeks, and hold me in a decent wind, or just let me drift ever so slightly. Most of the time I don't like to be anchored unless I'm fishing one small area completely, most of the time I like to ever so slowly drift.

The heaviest I use is a 3.5# claw anchor, but hardly ever let the claws out. A lot of the time either a 6' or stake out pole, in rivers and creeks I use a drag chain.

My wife complained about the seat in her Hobie Revolution so we bought the Surf to Summit Elite seat. This done well for a year and a half until the 2015 Hobie Revolutions came out and the seat was replaced. There are good aftermarket seats out there, but it's hard to beat a framed seat with real support.

I broke a Cumara about a year and a half ago and just put it in the corner, and then about 6 months ago I broke a Crucial. I just sent both back to them complete without cutting down, and I never contacted them, just filled out the paperwork from offline and put it in the tube attached to each respective rod, and sent them in together. About 3 weeks later I receive a new model Cumara, and a new Crucial. They never contacted me, just sent me two new rods. I've always had great service from Shimano.

For anyone wanting to see actual photos of the ATAK, here you go. If you would like any other photos please let me know, and I will do my best to assist. Sorry about the sideway photos, I couldn't get them to rotate after uploading them.

The Air Pro Max which comes standard on the ATAK and optional on the Ride Series kayaks is a great advancement in seating compared to the Phase 3 Air Pro seat. The ATAK has been in the works for years, and after some changes happened made at Confluence the boat came to an actual prototype instead of a piece of paper. The ATAK from what I hear is the first kayak designed with the angler in mind first, and paddles very well for its size, better than the Ride series kayaks. There is also a stand up seat like on the front deck of most bass boats where you lean your backside against, of course this is an optional add-on. The motor option would be great for those people who fish big tournaments on unfamiliar water and wanting to scout a day or two before the tournament to cover a lot of water quickly, but is not a necessity, and without the motor performance isn't hindered. The only kayak I've been able to stand sideways on is a PA14, and it might just be possible in the ATAK also. I currently paddle a Ride 135, and I stand and pitch a lot. I fished a tournament this past weekend and stood for probably close to 8-9 hrs, and in the Ride I don't have a lot of room to move my feet so they have to stay in the same position, and it gets uncomfortable, with the ATAK the deck is a lot flatter so I shouldn't have any issues. The 14' model is the only model available now or April 20th, but who knows what the future might hold. Jeremy

I've been using Sunline FC Sniper in 10, 12, 14, and 16lb test on 8 different rods since last November (4months) and I'm very happy with it. I was using braid and having some issues after 10 years with the same brand braid, and decided to go with something completely different and that was FC and Sunline Sniper. It's not brittle, doesn't have much memory, strength, and abrasion resistance seems to be right on par. I only use bait casting gear, so I cannot comment on spinning gear, but my wife uses it on 4 or so spinning reels and she hasn't said anything negative.