Thread: Well they both start with "C"

Originally Posted by creekslick

Whats the deal with your boat and Lake Hamilton?

Umpteen years ago a Federal Judge deemed Lake Hamilton a Federal Navigable Waterway so the Coast Guard will have authority over the Duck Boats (tour guide boats) and the Bell of Hot Springs (dinner boat), both of which carry lots of passengers. The Coast Guard left us little fishing guides alone for years knowing that was the judge's intent. But now we have a new Lt.Comm. in charge of this region (a little man in a big uniform) and he is towing the line -- HARD. Now, if I or any other guide gets caught on Lake Hamilton without the Coast Guard approved Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels licence we will be fined and possibly have our boats impounded. The problem is further compounded by the fact that my boat is known on the lake and if I just take my family or some friends or neighbors fishing (not for hire) the Coast Guard will give me a ticket, impound my boat and then I will have to go to court to prove it wasn't for hire. Essentially, I have been run off the lake just because of a judge's ruling and a Coast Guard Lt.Commander's lack of common sense. The lake is not "navigable" nor is it a body of water that normally would require such licenses. We have decided not to pursue the licensing because of the extreme amount of time lost and cost to do so. GREESON'S BETTER ANYWAY. Anyone want to buy a condo on the lake?

Give you congressman a call, may help.

That is a completely absurd interpretation of the law. I can understand the law in terms of the tour boats and dinner boats, considering that they had to find some way to legally keep an eye on 'em. But, to extend that same law to the fishing guides is ridiculous. Is that same federal judge still around? He might be able to better interpret the law for the new lt commander.

And with the catfish...I'm with Grubby on this one. Why would you ever ask us for input on cats...when you've got "the man" sittin' over there in OK with all the info?:D

And, as someone else already stated, I figure that there would be a much bigger demand for striper guides around that area. What are your thoughts on that?

Other than that, I have enough trouble catching crappie in clear water...much less any of them ol' whiskers.

I think you will do good Darryl,could also offer turkey hunts if you know what I mean,lol.Hey man go for it.

Originally Posted by Darryl Morris

The crappie fishing has been okay but most of you know me and I'm spoiled rotten. Looking into just having a lot of fun when I'm off or maybe even with clients. What's ya'lls input and tips on summer catfishing? Thinking about offering some night trips if I can make it work consistently too.

Darryl ,the catfish bite is getting hot. I just started a 10 hr a day job in a heavy steel fabrication shop. That was not good for my fishing and probably bad idea for my back.
Went out yesterday after work and caught 7 channels. We bait our holes with ''sweet 10 '' horse feed. Soured wheat works great if you can get it cheap. The sweet feed is 5.90 a sack in Perryville at the Farmers Co-op. I put it out this afternoon late on 3 holes. I'm trying condos as they are in open water and my main hole around a large stump is getting crowded! Seems like everyone has found my spot and is trying to take it for their own. I had it pretty much to my self 5 years ago and more people crowd in every year now. I dump feed on my spots regularly when I can and fish will stack up if they are'nt fished out. Last year my stump hole produced 57 in one day for me and family alone! If you do bait the condos ,don't use light line. I switch to a half dozen 16.5' Black Widow Poles with a heavy line and a hook. I use no weight and bait with Catalpa Worms or liver. The fish at times are so full of feed they won't bite near as well with a weight on there.
The longer you bait the more fish tend to stack up on a hole. A couple years ago we fed over a ton in one season , yes a ton of feed! The people I took ,caught over 500 lbs in one week!
Try baiting a few condos and hang on. We just anchor and drink something cold. That is when we have time as fishing can be fast and furious. I hope it works for you as well. I usually dump a sack in each spot to start. Then a 1/2 or less every 2 or 3 days. If you catch a few and the action slows ,throw a few hand fulls of feed around the boat while fishing. The fish will get fired up after being baited several times on the same hole. That fresh feed scent will put them hunting more. Good luck!:D

Originally Posted by SteveJ

Go over here, maybe they can help you.

http://www.catfish1.com/forums/index.php

Your correct on fishing info . But I mentioned this forum there and got deleted and warned not to do it again!

Thanks Nimrod for the info it will no doubt be useful!!! Come on down when you have time and we'll go see if we can jerk some up.

Originally Posted by NIMROD

Darryl ,the catfish bite is getting hot. I just started a 10 hr a day job in a heavy steel fabrication shop. That was not good for my fishing and probably bad idea for my back. D

What is this world coming to???? Darryl is asking for advice about fishing and Nimrod has a real job??? I am going to read Revelations. This has to be mentioned somewhere in there.
DP