New to forum. Relatively new to fishing, old man with questions. I bought a used 2004 tracker pro crappie with a 40hp 2 stroke because bank fishing required too much walking/climbing. It’s fine for the little reservoir close to home but I’d like to fish the Tennessee river and a couple TVA lakes so Im looking for opinions on is the boat/motor big enough to fish those waters? 

It’s fine for any TN waters. I fished Guntersville for years in a 14’ with a 15hp tiller steer. You just need to be smart about bad weather and bigger boat wakes. Read some of the topics here on handling rough water to help you out.

With a smaller boat- maps are your friend.

Find boats ramps near the areas you want to access.

 

I have a 16 foot Crestliner with a 25HP and I take it on all the TVA lakes.

I try to be smart about it too.

I'm not trying to run the main channel at 1pm on the weekend.

Too much traffic, too many boats bigger than mine, too many jet ski's and wake boarders.

 

Just watch the weather. I fish out of a 16 foot tracker with a 25 and have had it on Erie plus most our inland lakes. Only once have I felt like the situation I was in was more than the boat was really made for  but I still made it out just fine 

I fish Toledo  Bend out of a Alweld 1652VJT

16' length 52" bottom with a Tohatsu 40 hp.

I cannot emphasize weather checks enough and for the Potomac that is right up to time I launch.  Every year there are anglers who are careless and end up dead.  The Potomac can get really mean really fast.  To borrow a phrase from aviators: there old anglers and there are  bold anglers, but there no old, bold anglers.  Be safe an you will be fine...enjoy.

Thanks for the replies. I think I’ll give it a try. Now if I can find line that’s bright enough and big enough that I can see it but small enough I can cast it, I might catch something. Well, maybe. 

Upper Tennessee river you would be fine. From chickamauga on down river you will be fine as long as the wind isn’t blowing. Main channel of guntersville pickwick and ky lake might as well be the ocean when it’s 15 mph +

Wear a good PFD, be safe.

Tom

23 hours ago, WRB said:

Wear a good PFD, be safe.

Tom

Best info you will receive. Even though my boat only runs in the low to mid 20s I try to make it a habit of wearing my off with Killswitch attatched anytime I'm running more than idle speed