I know it's a little early to get this going, but we have a lot of people who will need to start saving some travelling money. (to those who haven't started saving- this is your reminder!!)
There was some discussion (on and after the last trip) about changing lakes. I was hoping that we could start to have some dialog on possible lakes. I like Fork but it is hard to get around if you are an out-of-towner and don't have a guide.
Maybe we can debate our way to 4 or 5 lakes with the kind of fishing and accomodations we need and then use a poll to vote on the winner. ?
Just "thinking out loud" and wondering if there are other lakes that would serve the group better.
Lake parameters? Something south (or warm), good fishing, accomodations for large groups, ?, ?, ?, what else?
I suggest Toledo Bend but time of year would be a major consideration because the big pond can be very nasty early in the year.
The staff have been discussing this as well. The time of year will be March.
The lake, well, we aren't sure yet but are looking strongly at Amistad. Biggest road block so far is boat rentals. We were told there are plenty of boats to rent but all I can find on-line are house boat rentals and a few marinas with a few "fishing boats" most likely not bass boats.
Still investigating.
Boat rental on T-Bend would be a problem, Amistad would be a tad bit of a drive And does anyone have any experience fishing it ?
I suggest somewhere in Florida. Bass turn on early down there, plenty of guides, plenty of family type attractions (for those not fishing) and I would guess ample boat rentals.
Amistad is 1100 miles from my house. Too far for me if I decide to go on this deal.
How about Seminole or Eufaula?
Bama is another option
Bama works better for me than tx.
But the St. johns river, should be on any list of considerations no?
QuoteBama works better for me than tx.But the St. johns river, should be on any list of considerations no?
Yea,...whatever buddy,....
(thanks for omitting the "beautiful daughter" part of your bio.... ;D)
Oconee
Seminole,G-ville, St. Johns river, Toho.....i dont know.....April or early May would be better on a Ga,Bama,Ark,Tennessee trip.....Unless yall want spotted bass, then lanier would be excellent....or a smallie/spot lake in upper or mid-south maybe, march would be real good.
I'm game for anything from anything in Texas to anything in Flordia. Let me know. I'll be home and should have a boat by then. Maybe I can spare someone from renting
St. Johns River just south of Jacksonville Fl. I'm sure we can find plenty of marinas and guides as well as boat rentals.
LAKE POWELL
Is Guntersville being considered?
Clear Lake.
I think any lake would be open to consideration but the issues (using last year as a template) are on-water lodging,slips, boat rentals, guides and facilities (large enough to accomodate mass meals and social hour) Fork is always an option so lets see what else can compare.
Any specifics on Clear Lake, Guntersville, Powell, etc?
I was hoping to see Alan Henry (TX) in the running but unfortunately, I don't think it has enough infastructure to support us yet... Brent or anyone from the area, can you tell us differently?
So Fork is not out of the running. Thats where i'm rooting for. Kind of doubt Alan Henry would have enough boat rentals, but don't know for sure.
plenty of fishing boat rentals at clear lake, just not "full blown" bass boats according to the guy at clearlake bait and tackle that i called.
I have mention Ky./Barkley Lakes.Central location and boat rentals are availible.Plus there are several kind and curtious members who own boats in the surrounding area.
Oh...and btw Ky. ain't Fork but it is a dynamite lake for prespawn fish as well as Barkley.Now,double digit LM are rare to non-exsistant here but 6lb. smallmouth are not.Just a thought.CJ
Just as I thought - about as many lake suggestions as members. Exactly the reason why I don't want to put it up to a "vote", and the reason why the mods squad and I haven't discussed it publicly yet.
Rest assured, we're working on some locations. Understand we have some "help" in this area as well (guides, accomodations, boat rentals, group rates, etc.).
If the mods and I cannot come up with a clear winner, then we'll put the top 2 or 3 to a "vote", complete with critera and pros/cons of each location.
Date TBD, but most like right after the Classic, before the next major FLW/BASS tournament. So early-mid March.
Well, so much for that discussion.
Chad's TX JR. BASS state championship is on Amistad in Oct. I'll be down there at least a couple weeks in the next two months. I'll get the lowdown on rentals and places to stay, etc. should the decision be made to choose that lake. big
You could go to Flordia and stay with George Welcome. Fish the Stick Marsh
during the day, then hit the Air boats at night for a ride of your life.
GW, How big is your backyard? we got tents.
Lanier in March is GREAT!!! ;D ;D Magnum Spots!
Guntersville would be my recommendation
I won't be able to go but I have one word for ya'll. GUNTERSVILLE!
Come on guys Toledo Bend is the bass fishing capital of the world; they got a big sign on hwy 87 that says so.
It wouldn't matter if is a mud hole on the side of the road; the opportunity to meet everyone would be worth the price of admission.
Y-all come on down to Oklahoma and I'll be happy to fish with ya. Grand lake has ton's of fish! ask anyone who fished in the elite series and they will tell you... you can't keep them off of your line! You can fish for big fish, or just for quantity, either way your gonna catch plenty of bass. And Eufaula (oklahoma of course) is just a stones throw away. Plenty of smallies, spots and blacks too.
Didn't anyone read Glenn's post? This is a dead issue. ONLY GLEN AND THE MODS WILL DECIDE THE SITE AND THE TIMING. What anyone else has to say doesn't mean squat. Remember, this is Glenn's site and this site is NOT a democracy. I guess we will have to sit by idly until the EDICT is posted as to where and when the Third Annual BR get-together will be. So be it. Let's all get real. We either agree with the ultimate decision, or we take our toys and go play someplace else.
I'm going fishing in the morning. I'll probably worry about this issue for a couple of seconds, if at all.
It's easy for me I"M OUT THIS YEAR , sorry fellas :-/
It is time to buy a drum kit, which is more important his year for me. I can't afford to do both so I am bowing out early on this one. 8-)
I didn't quite mean it THAT way Long Mike. But the reality is, everyone has their favorite places, so there's really no way to for a large group to come to a decision that everyone likes. It just won't happen. So I'm saying let's not open that can of worms. The mods and I will decide on a place. If you can make it, great! If not, then there's the following year, or the year after. The goal is to have it at a different place each year so that everyone will have a chance to go and/or fish their favorite lake.
Jeez Mike, don't make it sound so harsh. I mean, they don't decide the Classic locations by having 600,000+ BASS members vote on it now do they? They have a small committee that decides. It's not a dictatorship, it's doing what's reasonable and feasible so that they can plan ahead.
We could have a humongous, endless thread here with everyone chirping in on what lake they want to fish - with no decision ever being made. Or the mods and I can come to a decision within a short amount of time so we all can get on with the planning.
People lighten up, does it really matter who chooses or what lake is chosen? Or does the friendships that will be made matter?
Sorry Glenn, I didn't know that there was any internal discussion going on. I also figured that there weren't that many lakes in the south, with the accomodations we sought... I'm assuming the group will be larger this time and we'd need more space.
FWIW, it sounds like you guys are doing exactly what I hoped this thread would do. I hope we (the attendees) get to vote on the 2-3 lakes you narrow it down to.
Thanks,
Keith
QuotePeople lighten up, does it really matter who chooses or what lake is chosen? Or does the friendships that will be made matter?
Catt,
I said last year that the trip was so much fun I could have left the boat home! If this wasn't my only vacation, I could care less where it was. But the reality is that we fished 10 hrs a day and were social 4-6 hrs. so for those of us who only get one 'away' trip each year, the location can matter.
Besides, the social aspect won't be any worse if the fishing happens to be good!!
QuoteI didn't quite mean it THAT way Long Mike. But the reality is, everyone has their favorite places, so there's really no way to for a large group to come to a decision that everyone likes. It just won't happen. So I'm saying let's not open that can of worms. The mods and I will decide on a place. If you can make it, great! If not, then there's the following year, or the year after. The goal is to have it at a different place each year so that everyone will have a chance to go and/or fish their favorite lake.Jeez Mike, don't make it sound so harsh. I mean, they don't decide the Classic locations by having 600,000+ BASS members vote on it now do they? They have a small committee that decides. It's not a dictatorship, it's doing what's reasonable and feasible so that they can plan ahead.
We could have a humongous, endless thread here with everyone chirping in on what lake they want to fish - with no decision ever being made. Or the mods and I can come to a decision within a short amount of time so we all can get on with the planning.
I guess this means my favorite Ukrainian lake won't be considered then???
Glenn has a good point. I'll be voting for Lake Ellis in Athol MA. I hear there have been a few 4-5 lbers caught this year and one 6lber. You guys don't even have to worry about slips and boat rentals the lake will still be iced over. We'll be able to ice fish until we drop.
I have been doing some checking on boat rentals and lodging on Lake Amistad. There is PLENTY
of lodging. Lake Amistad Resort and Marina does have fishing boat rentals. They have 17ft fishing
boats and 18ft fishing skiffs. If this lake is seriously being considered. Since my family situation is
under control now, we will be able to attend. We have a new Triton bass boat that is in the process
of being wrapped. Lake Amistad is a PARADISE!!!!!!!! The water is soooo clear you can see bedded
bass EVERYWHERE!!!! It is UNREAL!!!!!!!
I will be down at Lake Amistad next month, and would be more than happy to check out the boat
rentals, lodging,etc. Also, My husband has an F350 crew cab and I have a Ford Excursion, so we
could pick up some VIP BR members who would be flying into San Antonio International airport.
QuoteRemember, this is Glenn's site and this site is NOT a democracy.
I say we vote on that!!!!!!
LBH - Get over it, My daughter likes REAL men.
QuoteLBH - Get over it, My daughter likes REAL men.
Wow, OUCH! :-[
DANG! Im out for March....most likely moving to NM then . Come the next year though I wanna go! Sounds like a BLAST!
I do have a suggestion though.....the Cabelas here in Buda Tx has some GREAT BASS in the aquarium (not to mention other species) and heck, Bass Pro Shops in San Antonio has some lunkers in it too!...HMM....both places are within 25 miles of me ;D. Perhaps we could convince them to allow us all to "Test out" some of the newer gear and we would let them film us....LOL!
Where ever the outing is I am sure it will be AWESOME!
Regards
How many hours apart are Amistad and Fork?
Amistad is probably 7 hours via car from Lake Fork. Texas is a BIG state!!!!!!! Lake Fork
is in North East Texas and Lake Amistad is in South West Texas. All I can tell you is that my
bass coach took me fishing at Lake Amistad during the spawn this last year, and it was UNREAL!
I could NOT BELIEVE all the bass either on beds or staging getting ready to go onto a bed.
The water is so clear that you can see them down at 20ft around the thick hydrilla! I thought
that I had died and gone to heaven. I did NOT WANT TO LEAVE THE WATER!
Looking more and more like I am relocating to Austin,Tx around the first of the year...... or somewhere close to Austin. So Amistad or Fork would be real do-able if schedule works out....
Did I mention that I caught my FIRST OFFICIALLY bedded bass? I was using a Zoom Super Fluke
dipped in Spike It.
I would like to throw Lake of the Ozarks or Tablerock into the mix.
Geographically a central location with lots of accomidation choices.
Along with Branson and Springfield (Home of the Original BPS which is AWESOME) close by.
LOZ in March would be killer. You wouldn't need to bring much tackle. Mostly jerkbait rods and a selection of jackets. Doubtful you'd see any giant TX. sized fish but 7 - 8 lbers a real possibility. Could snow though.
Quote......The goal is to have it at a different place each year so that everyone will have a chance to go and/or fish their favorite lake.J...
Just a thought, you might want to consider changing geographic locations from year to year. One year Texas, the next bama/GA/FL, the next CA, MO/KY/Tenn next, etc.
I think you'd get a variety of participants from year to year if the lakes were closer to members geographically and rotated from year to year.
Since it seems like gas is now going to cost at least $2.50 a gallon or more in the forseeable future, that is now one of the biggest expenses of the trip especially if you're going to tow a boat.
I'll throw this out there, If Amistad is in the mix, and unless they have opened some boat rental places since last year, how many guys would be bringing a boat. Maybe a poll on how many seats would be available that way.
There are places to stay off lake as well as for accomodations. I haven't seen next years schedules for local trails or the professional side for 2008. Typically, March is very busy time for that lake and accomodations may be hard to come by. Up until the rains and lake resurgence of big bass showing up, there wasn't a big need for all those services until early 2005.
What ever lake is selected, I hope someone has a chance to catch a trophy of a lifetime. Randall has made Varner look very appealing with all those Chunks, not to mention the numbers it seems to spit out.
If I can do any research for any of the mods, please just ask.
Hookem
Matt.
Matt,
I have done some preliminary scouting for Lake Amistad. I have been in contact with the co-owner
of Angler's Lodge and they would be able to accomodate 50 anglers and they have 6 rooms with
kitchenettes. There are fishing boat rentals at Lake Amistad Resort & Marina, but I would have to
check to see how many boats would be needed. Of course we can fit two anglers in our Triton.
I know that FLW will not be down at Amistad in 08. I can check with BASS and the TBFN to see what
dates they plan to be down there. We would be attending the TBFN event anyway. There are PLENTY
of RV hookups in case someone wanted to come down in an RV. I am sure that whatever location
is picked, it will be fun for all who can attend. I know that we really missed out on a good time last
year.
Lane,
Amistad is were I learned to plug as my dad called it in the late 60's. I haven't been in a long time. Amistad is on the list. I have read numerous posts on the Texas forum that cries for boat rentals.
Its an idea that I have recently approached my brothers on about opening up a boat rental on Amistad. As long as it has water, the fishing will be good, and so would the business, but the first time droughts hit, and that is sure likely to happen, who knows how long it would take to rebound again.
I promise you guys this, It wouldn't be a Rickey Boat rental place, and thats a promise. Amistad can whip up nasty in a hurry and 17 ft jon bass boats don't cut it with the winds that comes across that lake.
There are some house boat rentals on the lake that might be availabe, just an option.
Very pricey Lane,
Amistad is were I learned to plug as my dad called it in the late 60's. I haven't been in a long time. Amistad is on the list. I have read numerous posts on the Texas forum that cries for boat rentals.
Its an idea that I have recently approached my brothers on about opening up a boat rental on Amistad. As long as it has water, the fishing will be good, and so would the business, but the first time droughts hit, and that is sure likely to happen, who knows how long it would take to rebound again.
I promise you guys this, It wouldn't be a Rickey Boat rental place, and thats a promise. Amistad can whip up nasty in a hurry and 17 ft jon bass boats don't cut it with the winds that comes across that lake.
There are some house boat rentals on the lake that might be availabe, just an option.
http://foreverhouseboats.com/foreverinfo.cfm?PropertyKey=13&ContentKey=152655
hookem
Matt
I just did a Google Earth on Amistad.
It's in SW Texas on the Mexican border. 1,500 mi. from my home in Florida.
What's with Texas dudes?
Three years in a row?
Ain't there other states that have bass fishin'?
BAMA-BAMA-BAMA-BAMA
Everybody sing
BAMA-BAMA-BAMA
Ole times thar be not forgotten - y'all.
Amistad is not a done deal. Several locations are under consideration including BAMA-BAMA-BAMA...