Jay Dubs

I'm looking for smaller budget, to make it easier to get into spots close to me (I live in Soddy Daisy, so am 10 minutes from access to Possum Creel, Sale Creek and Soddy Lake) and I also know going used and cheap is risky. I'm assuming boats are like old motorcycles, know what you can and can't fix. Any idea if buying used, sellers would let you take it to a mechanic to give the motor a quick look? I'm just worried about getting burned going used, and things getting a lot more expensive than I bargained for.

I just moved to by Chickamauga and am looking for my first boat. As a kid and teen, I fished out of jon boats in Indiana, but we fished ponds, strip pit lakes and smaller bodies of water. Most were under 400 acres, but we fished some larger ones just electric only. Chickamauga has several bays, sloughs and shallow water areas, but even there you see bass boats at speed. What would be the best small boat for dealing with boat waves, and that may be safe enough to get around a larger main lake body? Cash is limited, so I'm trying to stick to $5,000 or less for boat, motor and sonar. I've looked at the mini boats, like the Bass Hunter, and some 10-12' jons with a 42" bottom. I'd love to find wider, but the only ones I've seen have been smaller dealers, and nowhere near me. It's going to be just me for now, since I don't know anyone here, and I'd like something that wouldn't necessarily require a ramp to launch, which would make more areas accessible. I know a lot of people kayak, and I'm considering a peddle powered yak too. I fished in Florida with an inflatable kayak in the Ocala National Forest. I don't have any recent experience with boats, just yaks, so would love to hear what you use, and how capable and safe it is in dealing with big water and wakes. Thanks!

Went to Soddy Custom Tackle, and great place and people. Loves to talk shop and was getting fishing reports from everyone, and handing out information. I've fished the park around Soddy Lake, Hickory Circle and Soddy Creeek and only caught a couple bass, but man there are some big panfish here. I was tossing an inline spinner thinking smallmouth in the creek and caught some bull redbellies.

Hey everyone, Lived in Gainesville, FL for years, just got up to Soddy Daisy and am excited to get to fish Chickamauga. We visited the area while debating TN, GA or NC and I shore fished a bit, love the lake. Interested if anyone else if from the area. I'm stuck shore fishing until our house in Florida sells, but buying a small boat after that. Looking to get some opinions on what would be best for the area. My only boating experience has been kayaks and jon boats, but with Chick having a current, and being open so getting wind, curious what that is like. I'm also looking for local shops for lures. I like supporting local, and it's a great way to meet other people who love the same things. Any advice would be awesome. Take care and tight lines! Jason

Lordy, fishing rivers in Florida for bass, I have caught pickerel, bowfin, catfish and small bluegill on baits as big as a 6" stickbait. I had a baby gator take a frog bait once, but luckily he didn't get hooked and let go. We were on vacation in Chattanooga, and I wanted to fish the river for smallies. I had a flat sided crank on and hooked what I thought was a log...until it started swimming. Ended up being a big sheepshead. I get the weird and hungry ones, I guess.

Alright, am I crazy in thinking I can get a yak on the roof of my Accord sedan with a Thule Aeroblade or other roof rack? I'm only looking at a 10'-12' yak, so am thinking there is some sanity to the plan. If anyone has a recommendation of a roof rack, let me know. I'm just starting to research and hoping I'll save my self some headaches by getting some good advice here. Thanks!

I was lucky enough to buy one of their "refurbished" rods which was actually brand new. Someone bought it, then returned it unused. Their shipping was fast, their packaging secure and the rod is amazing in its balance. Love Dobyns!

So, I'm rebuilding my gear and looking for a all around finesse rod. I bought a Dobyns casting rod and love it, but want to try a different brand and was debating Kistler and ALX. With Kistler's sale, that decision became easier. So, what are your thoughts, and does anyone hear have any of these rods? I'm looking for it to be an all around light duty, tossing little spinners, shakey heads, drop shots and weightless finesse applications. I'm leaning towards the ML F in the Helium 3, as the M XF is rated for 1/8th oz and I want to be able to cast really light. It also seems like the ML has enough backbone, from what the reviews on the Kistler site say. In the KLX, I'm thinking of the Drop Shot, as the ML is a MF, and the M F is again only rated to 1/8th oz. The Drop Shot seems to be the best compromise there. Everything gets 5 star reviews on their site, so I know they're all quality pieces and I'll probably love whatever I get. I'm just interested to know, if you had to pick just one finesse rod for all those applications, which one? Thanks!

If you're learning to fish, you may want to go weightless on the soft plastics. When I was learning, I did that and noticed that bass held onto the lures longer. If you haven't taught yourself to set the hook as a reflex yet, this will kind of buy you some more time. The more you practice, the more strikes you get, the more you'll learn about detecting strikes (feel, line watching). Fishing in the canals and small waterways, flukes and senkos fished weightless can be a blast. Use a light wire hook, and I'd get a line with less stretch, which will give you more feel. You'll need it, with the softer rod. Have fun, and tight lines!

I keep asking all the bass I catch what exactly they think the senko looks like. They never ask me, so I just keep catching more.

I haven't bought any new tackle for ages, until this year, when I picked up a Dobyns Fury 703C for an all-arounder. It was an eye opener, as to how much gear has improved. I'm now looking for a drop shot/finesse/shakey rig and after reading "sensitive rod" threads in this forum, I'm looking at Kistler, Hammer and keeping Dobyns in mind, as I love my Fury. I want a price around $200, and sensitivity being the biggest point for me. I'm open to hearing about other brand too. I'm going to end up buying a rod without being able to see our handle them though, so please offer a little more detail than "I like this one best." I'd really love to hear what and why made you choose the rod you recommend. Thanks!

Anyone have a Dobyns Champion, and can compare them to any of the rods mentioned here? I really want a sensitive rod for jigs and t-rigs and you can get a used Dobyns in that price range. I have a Fury and for the price, it's a great rod.

Beautiful pond fish!

I can't tell how many times I've looked at a spot tight to cover and thought "if I hook one, I'll never land it" then promptly hooked one, and often bigger fish. I do like this topwater, vertical jigging combo you've developed!

I'm also in Gainesville and would love to know some local ponds. I always enjoy trips to Jax, Orlando, or anywhere that you can find the "urban ponds." I've been hunting for some in Gainesville with no luck. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to share here.