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If anyone does not believe that ky lake has a MAJOR problem right now with the carp and zebra mussels, then just check out the weights caught in the ACT tournament this past weekend. Some of the top fishermen in the world catching 7 fish at 5 pounds or less. Its an absolute disaster with whats happening on these lakes. Contacted my congressman and got a letter back with the same story ive been hearing for the last 5 years.
Amen. I think they just giving it lip service. I am sure KDFWR is doing all they have money to do. I think the politicians just dont care. Smile, kiss a baby, shake hands, collect money for themselves, and them they are done. No results just try to say what they think folks want to hear to get a vote. Again NO RESULTS. Stop the momey going into their pockets and they votes in their ballot box and when they feel their job and power is threatened maybe somethimg positive will happen.
I fished that tournament. We caught 35-40 crappie on friday and only had 5 that were keepers. 4.57 pd. Caught 20-25 saturday and caught 9 keepers. 7 fish weighed 6.14 pds. 10.71 pd for 12 fish. Ky lake is our home lake. We fish it alot. If the problem is not fixed SOON we will just have a carp lake with no game fish and too dangerous for recreational boating because of the carp jumping.
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I talked with a fisherman yesterday afternoon at the ramp directly below Barkley Dam. He actually told me that he saw DNR out there shocking the water and scooping the AC up in that manner. I thought this was both, desperate and interesting.
I won't disclose my source but heard that representatives of either the ACT and/or the tourism team spoke to the fisherman Thursday night. Informed them to be positive about the lake, and to not worry folks with the current problems and issues withe the Asian carp.
This truly disappoints me because they put money, sponsors and tourism up as a front and want folks to smile and look the other way. We can not afford to continue to push our heads into the sand on this issue.
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Meeting with TWRA on 5/24/18 in Paris, Tennessee at the fairgrounds. The fairgrounds are east side of town, just a little south of Hwy 79 East. Starts at 6:30, and I was told that KGF will also attend (this not confirmed)Quote:
Originally Posted by Slab Slayer
TWRA has promoted this meeting tremendously, I suspect a few politicians may also be present.
I personally think this was a good idea for them to do, (Act) I do agree the carp population is really overwhelming but I also realize that there is no way a net is going to fix this I stood watching a lady for 4 mins trying to catch me the last of 4 dozen of minnows in a perfect sq tank it was almost impossible without draining the tank. The ppl with a business don't need all the negativity that helps drive there business. Really and truly and I know I will get blasted for saying this but if all they can do is net the Asian carp they would be better off sticking there head in the sand over a period of time the results would be the same. ( JMO)Quote:
Originally Posted by bandchaser
Its sad, but the ACT doesn't need this lake. They will quit coming and be showing off them 3 pound fish out of Grenada and other lakes. They just agree to do with what the local agency ask them to do, because they know at the end of the day they dont have to come back. They will be giving away boats to winners all across the country while we are still here at our home lake wearing a helmet while on the water in fear of getting knocked out by a carp. All bc the tourism agency was afraid of a little short term bad PR. The long term is going to be very bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by bandchaser
I was reading on the Alabama board the other day. A lot of the guys are getting worried because the carp are making their way up the Tennessee river to pickwick, wheeler and guntersville. All everyone kept saying was, “ look how terrible they are at ky lake”, and “ I hope they do more here in Alabama to solve the problem than
ky has done.”
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I agree that none of the tournament trails needs either Ky or Barkley Lakes. If any one trails "needed" them it might be the Crappie USA, and even the FLW series since they are headquartered right here in the Twin Lakes area.
The crappie tours will survive this by going to the non-asian carp lakes, and the fisherman will follow. Crappie Master's is going to have to step up its payouts to compete with the ACT.
The government is very much needed to back up our states and agencies that are at war with this invasive species. As we all know and understand, that will not happen. So, when you vote make sure to put folks in office that truly care about what we care about.
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We didn't fish ACT but I did watch the weigh-ins online. No doubt the weights were terrible but not sure why anyone that has fished the lake recently expected any different. Hopefully some of the different baitfish species will spawn soon and provide more food than they have had the last few months. Even with everyone knowing the fishing was going to be tough last weekend, ACT still had one if it's larger turnouts since their conception. There is also more to where these tours go or don't go than good fishing or carpless fishing. Why do you think none of the tours have chose to have north end weigh-ins in Marshall County since way before everyone was concerned with the carp? I don't really see what Crappie Master's payouts have to do with this thread. They are a site sponsor and have nice tournaments too.Quote:
Originally Posted by bandchaser
They never said to not mention the carp or issues with the lake, the point I believe they were trying to make and avoid was 73 teams walking across the weigh in scales ALL complaining they didn't catch fish or low weights because of the carp. Everyone already knows there is a problem but nobody wants to watch a weigh in and hear every single team complaining and making excuses. There is a bunch of guys fishing that trail that call KY Lake their home lake and there were many discussions about what the potential problem(s) may be. There will probably be a few articles/interviews coming out soon that took place last weekend that can explain this better than I canQuote:
Originally Posted by bandchaser
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Austin, I would safely say that money is the reason for not having north end weigh in's. I believe there is some competition or bidding involved, and Paris Landing tourism normally comes out on top most of the time.Quote:
Originally Posted by pab1981
CUSA had the first north end weigh in this year that I can remember. And their November 2 day tourney will be weighing in at Kuttawa.
Crappie Master's is a very good tour, but more teams are fishing the ACT due to the increased payout. They both have tv shows, both have good tournaments, but one is definitely more payout promising than the other.
I forsee these tours leaving the twin lakes in the future. Turnout and weights are drastically down. Other misfortunes for the community will be coming down the pipeline due to the Asian carp.
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Bingo, a lot of guys that fish all three trails call KY/Barkley home and pay membership fees to the trails every year. They could very well walk away from our lakes at some point, but they would be leaving quite of bit of money on the table. The majority of the people that tournament fish here locally aren't going to follow these tours to other lakes no matter how you dress it up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Super D
I heard some mention of the guys that fished this weekend starting to look into what is going on the lakes. I hope they come up with something and glad to see someone is doing something besides complaining.
I live in Alabama and I contacted some state legislators. They are concerned. Please contact yoursQuote:
Originally Posted by Crappiehabits
concerned yeah, BUT are they doing anything about it?Quote:
Originally Posted by footballcoach
If "these fisherman" are just now going to start looking into the why and how come, I'm sorry but they are 10 years too late. KY is leading the charge, but the letters I've gotten back from our so called legislative supporters there will be no, I mean zero support.Quote:
Originally Posted by pab1981
Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell offices did not respond what so ever. I got an 36 hour or less response from Comer, and a 48 hour generic response from the White House.
I'm sorry, but nobody is truly worried about these lakes besides us, the local fisherman, the ones that have grown up or traveled here and now moved here for what use to be a fantastic fishery.
One day we will wake up and it's all gone, destroyed for some stupid catfish ponds that people were too lazy to clean. And then our government turned their backs on us, hoping we would not notice.
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Some of "these fisherman" hold biology degrees and are some of the most traveled, knowledgeable crappie fisherman on the planet. I personally welcome any effort that they or anyone else is willing to make to try and solve a complex problem. Nobody knows the future, maybe these guys look at things from a different angle and start something that leads to the lakes getting better. Success or fail, it has to be more productive or positive than gloom and doom internet whining and prophecing that serves no purpose other than hurting local guides and businesses. No need to quote me or reply on my account, I am checking out now.
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I'm from the north, but fished the tournament... I know we caught some sick fish, but we caught over 200 I would consider healthy crappie, as well. The bass are crazy healthy, and heard of guys catching BIG redear. We noticed the majority of the 9-10" didn't look skinny, so figured maybe they're young enough to be raised on Asian Carp fry!?! Lake Michigan was supposed to be over run with the Gobi (small fish that eat roe, fry), and it was for about 4 years, until the smallmouth decided to eat them like wildfire... wouldn't it be great if the crappie and bass did the same thing. We seen a lot of shad fry on the surface, so that was a good sign. I'm praying for you boys... a lot folks but a TON of work into that lake.
I'll be coming back...
Does not matter to a hill of beans how many biology degrees "these fisherman" have without funds from the Government its all useless. Im sure they have some great ideas , but dont have the funds to pursue them.Quote:
Originally Posted by pab1981
I really am checking out of this thread but since you quoted me even though I asked to not be and got a notification on my phone I will drop back in for a second.
Like it or not, Kdfwr and whatever Tennessee's version of acronym are still the guys and gals the big, bad Government has entrusted with overseeing these fisheries. Although we have all seen degrees of decline in the health of the fisheries over a timetable that is also debatable, the data that has been collected by the biologists last fall using time tested and generally accepted practices doesn't support the idea that the crappie are in worse shape than other times in the past or that the Asian Carp Armageddon is here yet. Do you really believe that with all the problems in this country that these guys are going to write a blank check because a small group of fisherman are complaining but their own people don't have the data at present to back it up? I kind of doubt it. Does that mean I believe there is no cause for concern or need for action? No. Is it possible that when the biologists pull nets this fall that they won't find historically low fish health stats? Absolutely, barring better bait spawns. You can point fingers at the biologists and the Government all you want for past and present grievances but that isn't going to help things any at all.
Again just like complaing about the fishing, what good are you doing complaining about the Government here? If you or anyone else doesn't feel like the Government is allocating the funds necessary to work on the problem there are always other avenues. How about organizing a group to figure out how to raise funds privately to work on the problem? Do I think we can truely fix the problem without big time funding? Probably not, but I can guarantee you enough money could be raised to further research the issue and data collected from that research might be able to be presented to the Government on down the road leading to progress.
There are also local leaders that have a proven track record of working with the Government to advocate for fisherman. How many of you guys talked to Wade in Lyon county and asked what we need to do to help him fight this fight with us? Can those of us that live in Marshall county work to elect a Judge Exec that is willing to represent us in the fight?
Like I said before, I am open to anyone's ideas for doing something positive but could care less about hearing anymore whining. At the end of the day this may not even be a problem we can solve. It may be a problem God solves for us when He is ready but in the mean time please think about how we can help and be productive. I really am checking out now, I have a week off now and plan on enjoying what is actually still some pretty good fishing.Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using TapatalkQuote:
Originally Posted by quadlee
I never complained about the Government. I just noted that we need their support. I have contacted my state senators. Probably does no good , but I have tried.
How many of you guys talked to Wade in Lyon county and asked what we need to do to help him fight this fight with us? Can those of us that live in Marshall county work to elect a Judge Exec that is willing to represent us in the fight?
Wade White has been in the fight from the get go. Kevin Neal is in the fight also but a lot of the info he has been working on is coming from folks besides fishermen. I talked to Kevin for at least 20 minutes a week or so ago and straightened him out on several things. When the tourist types are telling him everything is under control and for him to not worry about the condition of our fisheries, all they are worried about is their pocketbook RIGHT NOW. For them and others, the future is now and the rest will take care of itself. Don't underestimate Kevin and his will to work hard on this problem, just like he has a lot of other issues in Marshall County.
I know Wade White has been involved since the beginning, I was simply suggesting that it could be helpful to contact him to see if we could do anything to help. I also didn't intend to imply Kevin Neal wasn't the right guy but I do a lot of reading and talk to a lot of people and this is the first time I have heard his name mentioned in any of this and that concerns me. I merely meant we had other avenues i.e. starting at a more local level if people weren't getting the desired response with letters and e-mail.
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Couple questions for most on here giving the government agencies in all ranges a hard time.
1- what do you all think the problem is and how would you fix it ?
2- just exactly what do you think they should be doing today to cure the problem by October?