Boats and Boating, Fish and Fishing You're On the Dock 

with Rick Smith and Billy Conway.  Welcome to our website.  We update our content almost daily.  Send us your stories, photographs, tournament news and articles. Check out our CALENDAR for the latest Central Texas Tournament dates.

Billy Conway & Rick Smith

Sportsmen, Radio Hosts & Sports Writers 

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Anglers and Biologists to Meet in Athens August 7–8

Alton Jones to speak at Saturday evening dinner

ATHENS—Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Inland Fisheries biologists will host a meeting with anglers interested in learning more about fisheries management in Texas at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens on Saturday, August 7.

The meeting will include an angler-biologist fishing tournament on Lake Athens Sunday morning that will feature demonstrations of fish-friendly tournament weigh-in procedures and fish care.

BASS Elite Series professional angler Alton Jones of Waco will address the group at the Saturday evening dinner.

“Fisheries biologists and anglers share many common interests and concerns,” said meeting organizer Craig Bonds, TPWD’s Inland Fisheries regional director for East Texas. “We all want to make fishing the best it can be in Texas, and anglers have played, and will continue to play, a significant role in improving fish habitat in Texas reservoirs, reporting and removing invasive species and implementing best fish-care practices designed to conserve the resource and improve fishing.”

The meeting’s goals are to provide a forum for anglers and fisheries biologists to interact and communicate with each other, provide examples of previous collaborative fish habitat improvement projects and opportunities for future work, and communicate the latest information on proper fish care.

Saturday morning sessions will feature examples of angler-biologist collaboration on a variety of projects from fish habitat enhancement on Lake Holbrook to fish attractor projects in Central Texas reservoirs to giant salvinia removal on Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

Afternoon sessions will detail examples of possible future projects as well as information on the Toyota ShareLunker program, treating largemouth bass for overinflated swim bladders and methods for keeping bass healthy after being caught.

The Sunday fishing tournament on Lake Athens, adjacent to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, will allow biologists and anglers to fish competitively with and against each other, but the main purpose will be to demonstrate how to handle and release fish in order to assure maximum survival of tournament-caught bass.

Anglers do not have to participate in the tournament to attend the Saturday meeting.

Preregistration is required since lunch and dinner will be furnished on Saturday. To obtain a meeting schedule and registration form, contact Jimmie Green at the TPWD Inland Fisheries office in Tyler: (903) 566-1615, ext. 200; jimmie.green@tpwd.state.tx.us, or visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/visitorcenters/tffc/calendar.       -30-

Tuff Man Bass Tournament

September 11, 2010

Qualifier #1

Lake Waco

Headquarters at Airport Beach Pavilion

(Click here to register on-line)

Deadline to preregister is Thursday Sept. 9th at 6:00 pm

Nik Autrey Visits Texas on the way to the FLW Junior World Bass Championship in Georgia.  Hear audio here.

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Aquapalooza on Lake Travis 

Thanks to the crew at KVET radio for these great photos!

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After a rough week we all need a little weekend humor!

THE BUS AND THE ZIPPER

In a crowded city at a busy bus stop, was a woman who was was wearing a tight leather skirt. As the bus stopped and it was her turn to get on, she became aware that her skirt was too tight to allow her leg to come up to the height of the first step of the bus. Slightly embarrassed and with a quick smile to the bus driver, she reached behind her to unzip her skirt a little, thinking that this would give her enough slack to raise  her leg.

So, a little more embarrassed, she once again reached behind her to unzip her skirt a little more, and for the second time attempted the step, and, once again, much to her chagrin, she could not raise her leg.  With little smile to the driver, she again reached behind to unzip a little more and again was unable to make the step. 

About this time, a large Texan who was standing behind her picked her up easily by the waist and placed her gently on the step of the bus. She went ballistic and turned to the would-be Samaritan and screeched, 'How dare you touch my body! I don't even know who you are!'

The Texan smiled and drawled, 'Well, ma'am, normally I would agree with you, but after you unzipped my fly three times, I kinda figured we were friends.'

Texas boys are such polite gentlemen, so gentile and hospitable, always willing to lend a helping hand; just their nature.

Here a few more for your laugh meter!

These are actual comments made on students' report cards by teachers in the New York City public school system.

All teachers were reprimanded (but, boy, are these funny!) 

1. Since my last report, your child has reached rock bottom and has started to dig. 

2. I would not allow this student to breed. 

3. Your child has delusions of adequacy. 

4. Your son is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot. (my favorite...) 

5. Your son sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them. 

6. The student has a 'full six-pack' but lacks the plastic thing to hold it all together. 

7. This child has been working with glue too much. 

8. When your daughter's IQ reaches 50, she should sell. 

9. The gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming.. 

10. If this student were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week. 

11. It's impossible to believe the sperm that created this child beat out 1,000,000 others. 

12. The wheel is turning but the hamster is definitely dead.
 

These are actual comments made by 16 Police Officers. The comments were taken off actual police car videos around the country: 

1. "You know, stop lights don't come any redder than the one you just went through." 

2. "Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they're new. They'll stretch after you wear them a while." 

3. "If you take your hands off the car, I'll make your birth certificate a worthless document." 

4. "If you run, you'll only go to jail tired."

5. "Can you run faster than 1200 feet per second? Because that's the speed of the bullet that'll be chasing you."  

6. "You don't know how fast you were going? I guess that means I can write anything I want to on the ticket, huh?"  

7. "Yes, sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don't think it will help. Oh, did I mention that I'm the shift supervisor?"  

8. "Warning! You want a warning? O.K, I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket." 

9. "The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?"  

10. "Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy and corn dogs and step in monkey poop."  

11. "Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven." 

12. "In God we trust; all others we run through NCIC." 

13. "Just how big were those 'two beers' you say you had?" 

14. "No sir, we don't have quotas anymore. We used to, but now we're allowed to write as many tickets as we can."  

15. "I'm glad to hear that the Chief (of Police) is a personal friend of yours. So you know someone who can post your bail."

AND THE WINNER IS.... 

16. "You didn't think we give pretty women tickets? You're right, we don't.... Sign here."

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Remember to thank a veteran for giving us the liberty to celebrate our nation's birthday!

Zebra Mussels Checklist 

Giant Salvinia Checklist

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Join Ricky & Billy for the Belton Parade on Saturday, July 3rd, at 10:00 am in downtown Belton.  They will be announcing the parade with color commentary, humor and a special salute to our veterans.

June 20th

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Tuff Man 2010-2011 Schedule

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Central Texas Arthritis Foundation Open Bass Tournament

June 26

Cedar Ridge Park

Lake Belton

$110 per team advance registration

$130 per team ramp registration

80% Payback

$1,000 1st Place 

one place for each ten teams

Big Bass payout $500

Pick up registration forms at Tight Lines Premium Fishing Tackle-Killeen and Marine Outlet in Temple

 C & H Grill in Temple will donate $1 per meal to the Central Texas Arthritis Foundation for every meal served Friday the 25th of June from 11:00 AM to close.  Ask wait staff for coupon.  Ricky & Billy will broadcast On the Dock live from C & H 5-6pm on KTEM 1400 AM.  Teams may pre-register from 5-7pm at C & H saving $20.

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News 8 Austin Reports on Lake Belton (click here)

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Boating Safety Classes

Statewide

On Line

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NOTICE!!

City of Temple Open scheduled for June 12th and 13th has been postponed.  We'll let you know when a new date has been set.

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BOATING SAFETY TIPS

• Always wear a life jacket.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Be especially careful on personal watercrafts.
• Children younger than age 13 must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket while underway.
• Enroll in a boater education class.
• Don’t overload your boat.
• Operate at a safe speed.
• Always have a passenger serve as a lookout in addition to the operator.
• Watch out for low water areas or submerged objects.

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First Annual

 4H & FFA Boosters Club Fund Raiser Bass Tournament

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Rules (click here)

Date: may 16, 2010

Location: Belton lake

Start time: 6am

Check-in/Weigh in time: 3pm

Weigh in location: pavilion at Temple lake park

Entry fee: $100 per team w/ two man team and five fish limit

Payback: 80% (includes big bass prize)

Contact: Holly Leopold 512-663-3958

Be Prepared Newpaper Article (click here)

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CCA Announces 2010 STAR Program

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Thanks to everyone for their support of our 10th Annual Central Texas Police Chief and Sheriff's Association Bass Tournament.  The winners are as follows:

1st Place $2,000 17.31lbs Courtney Hobgood & Ryan Warner

2nd Place $  750 15.38lbs Jarrad Siegeler & Ricky Siegeler

3rd Place  $  350 14.78lbs Craig Gilbert & Melvin Williams

4th Place  $  200 14.43lbs Marvin Hutka & Adrian Hutka

Big Bass     $  250  7.08lbs Charles Lewis & Linda Lewis

With the help of our sponsors we were able to payback 85% plus we had some really great door prizes donated by area boat dealers, tackle dealers and other merchants.

  A total of 42 teams participated.  Winds started out at 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph before sunrise. Early morning hard showers, but weather improved as the day progressed. Overcast most all day kept temperatures mild.  Brian Booker and his TTZ team volunteered to do the offical weigh-in.  A special thanks to them and all the sponsors who made this 10th annual event a success.

Central Texas Police Chief and Sheriff's Association

Presents the

10th Annual Spring Bass Classic

Lake Belton

Saturday May 1st

$2,000 Guranteed for 1st Place

$250 Big Bass Guranteed

$100 per 2 Person Team

Registration Friday April 30th from 6-9 pm at the Dead Fish Grill (formally Frank's Restaurant) & Saturday the 1st starting at 5 am at Temple Lake Park

Proceeds from this tournament will go to sponsor the Chief's and Sheriff's Association Annual Scholarship Fund to area colleges

Registrations may also be dropped off at Marine Outlet of Temple until 4 pm Friday the 30th.

Contact Billy Conway at 254-718-7275 or e-mail billy@keepthemswimming.com

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Texas High School Bass Championship

June 4th & 5th, 2010

Lake Belton

Grades 9-12

www.texashighschoolbasschampionship.com

Hosted by 2007 collegiate champion, Texas A & M graduate, PAA touring pro, Justin Rackley

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Tragic Oil Rig Fire in the Gulf of Mexico at least 11 Rough Necks missing

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Toyota ShareLunker 502: Lake Amistad

ATHENS — Lake Amistad moved into sole possession of second place in the number of Toyota ShareLunkers produced this season on April 21 when Marion Merritt from Florida caught ShareLunker No. 502.

Merritt’s 13.87-pound bass was the fourth to come from the border’s Big Friendly during the current season. Lake Fork has produced three fish. O.H. Ivie Reservoir is way ahead of the pack with nine entries.

Merritt was fishing in 14 feet of water in the San Pedro Canyon area west of U.S. 277 when the fish took a 10-inch Berkley Power Worm in green pumpkin.

Toyota ShareLunker 502 brings the total number of fish entered into the program this season to 31, only five fish short of the record 36 entered during the 1994-1995 season.

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program by calling program manager David Campbell at (903) 681-0550 or paging him at (888) 784-0600 and leaving a phone number including area code. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

For complete information and rules of the ShareLunker program, tips on caring for big bass and a recap of last year’s season, see http://tamus.pr-optout.com/Url.aspx?513992x827028x-658808. The site also includes a searchable database of all fish entered into the program along with pictures where available.

Information on current catches, including short videos of interviews with anglers, is posted on www.facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram.

The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible by a grant to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation from Gulf States Toyota. Toyota is a long-time supporter of the Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, providing major funding for a wide variety of education, fish, parks and wildlife projects.

Marion Merritt from Florida caught Toyota ShareLunker 502 from Lake Amistad April 21. The fish weighed 13.87 pounds. Length and girth were not available at the time of writing.

By-line/Copyright: © Photo Courtesy Anglers Lodge

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Arthritis Bass Tournament

Note date change!!!!

Postponed to June 26 June

Fish for the Cure

Lake Belton

$1,000 heaviest Stringer, $500 Big Bass

(based on only 30 teams)

$110 Pre-Registration

$130 at the ramp at Cedar Ridge Park

One place paid for every 10 teams

Contact Lisle Meeker at 254-289-9550.  Registration forms at Tight Lines Premium Fishing Tackle in Killeen, Texas Boat World in Harker Heights and Marine Outlet in Temple

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ShareLunker #500 Caught on O.H. Ivie Lake

By-line/Copyright: Larry D. Hodge, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Toyota ShareLunker 500 Angler Collects Big Check

Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation pays $6,670 for big bass from O.H. Ivie Reservoir

ATHENS — So far this season O.H. Ivie Reservoir has produced nine largemouth bass weighing 13 pounds or more that have been entered into the Toyota ShareLunker program. All were special fish to the anglers who caught them, but the ninth was a little more special than the others: Sam Callaway of Corpus Christi will collect $500 a pound for his catch, a total of $6,670.

Callaway caught Toyota ShareLunker No. 500 at 9:20 a.m. April 9 using a Zoom Magnum eight-inch lizard in watermelon/red. The 13.34-pound fish was immediately taken to an official ShareLunker weigh and holding station, Concho Park Marina, where it was held for pickup by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) ShareLunker program manager David Campbell. The fish, which is 20.5 inches in girth and 26.25 inches long, now rests in the Lunker Bunker at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

Callaway caught his big bass on the first day of the Permian Basin Oilman’s Bass Invitational, an annual event that raises money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. The sixteen tournaments held to date have raised more than $1.5 million for the cause.

All participants in the tournament are subject to a polygraph test. Participation is limited to 250 two-person teams and is by invitation only. Callaway placed eighth in the tournament.

"Since the tournament is held to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the payouts are not huge," Callaway said. "Mine will amount to a couple of thousand dollars. Catching the fish was a huge piece of luck-a blessing. It’s one of the greatest things that’s ever happened to me as a fisherman, and I’ve been fishing for 29 years."

Callaway’s $500 per pound reward continues the practice of rewarding centennial catches of entries into the ShareLunker program that began with Jason Baird’s catch of ShareLunker 400 from Lake Amistad on February 28, 2006. That fish paid the Gypsum, Kansas, angler $400 a pound. Callaway will also receive a rod and reel package valued at $650 from G. Loomis and Shimano.

With almost three weeks to go in the current ShareLunker season, speculation now turns to how many fish will be entered into the program this season. Callaway’s fish brought the total to 29, which is well above the program’s 23-year average of 20.

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program by calling program manager David Campbell at 903 - 681-0550 or page him at 888 -784-0600. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

ShareLunker entries are used in a selective breeding program at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens. Some of the offspring from these fish are stocked back into the water body from which they were caught. Other ShareLunker offspring are stocked in public waters around the state in an attempt to increase the overall size and growth rate of largemouth bass in Texas.

Anglers entering fish into the Toyota ShareLunker program receive a free replica of their fish, a certificate and ShareLunker clothing and are recognized at a banquet at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. In addition, if a Texas angler catches the largest entry of the year, that person receives a lifetime fishing license.

For complete information and rules of the ShareLunker program, tips on caring for big bass and a recap of last year’s season, see http://tamus.pr-optout.com/Url.aspx?513992x818173x-744357. The site also includes a searchable database of all fish entered into the program along with pictures where available.

Information on current catches, including short videos of interviews with anglers, is posted on www.facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram.

The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible by a grant to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation from Gulf States Toyota. Toyota is a long-time supporter of the Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, providing major funding for a wide variety of education, fish, parks and wildlife projects.

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 Larry D. Hodge, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Toyota ShareLunker 498 Comes from O.H. Ivie

Catch information to be blacked out until No. 500 is caught

ATHENS — Raymond Ivy of Brownwood caught Toyota ShareLunker 498 from O.H. Ivie April 5. It weighed 13.06 pounds and was caught in seven feet of water on a Strike King swim bait.

Unless you just arrived from another planet, by now you know that the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation will pay $500 per pound to the angler who catches Toyota ShareLunker 500.

No further announcements will be made of ShareLunker catches until No. 500 has been officially accepted into the program by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). That fish will be X-rayed, and the angler will be given a polygraph test to verify the fish was legally caught and entered according to program rules, which require that the fish be turned over to TPWD within 12 hours of being caught.

Ivy’s fish was weighed and cared for until pickup at Elm Creek Village Marina, an official Toyota ShareLunker weigh and holding station.

O.H. Ivie Reservoir has now produced seven ShareLunkers during the current season.

ShareLunker entries are used in a selective breeding program at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens. Some of the offspring from these fish are stocked back into the water body from which they were caught. Other ShareLunker offspring are stocked in public waters around the state in an attempt to increase the overall size and growth rate of largemouth bass in Texas.

Anglers entering fish into the Toyota ShareLunker program receive a free replica of their fish, a certificate and ShareLunker clothing and are recognized at a banquet at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. In addition, if a Texas angler catches the largest entry of the year, that person receives a lifetime fishing license.

For complete information and rules of the ShareLunker program, tips on caring for big bass and a recap of last year’s season, see www.tpwd.state.tx.us/sharelunker. The site also includes a searchable database of all fish entered into the program along with pictures where available.

Information on current catches, including short videos of interviews with anglers, is posted on www.facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram.

The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible by a grant to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation from Gulf States Toyota. Toyota is a long-time supporter of the Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, providing major funding for a wide variety of education, fish, parks and wildlife projects.

Caption: Joseph Burgi of Del Rio caught Toyota ShareLunker 497 from Lake Amistad on Easter Sunday. The fish weighed 13.34 pounds. Length and girth were not available at the time of writing.

By-line/Copyright:© Photo Courtesy Anglers Lodge

Caption: Mark Worthington of Abilene caught Toyota ShareLunker 496 from O.H. Ivie April 3. The fish was 21.25 inches in girth, 26.75 inches long, and weighed 13.68 pounds.

By-line/Copyright:Larry D. Hodge, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Caption: Steve Hand of Snyder caught Toyota ShareLunker 495 from O.H. Ivie April 3. The fish was 20.25 inches in girth, 25.75 inches long, and weighed 13.22 pounds.

By-line/Copyright:Larry D. Hodge, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Three-Lunker Weekend Puts Race to Toyota ShareLunker 500 in High Gear

By Larry Hodge 

April 5, 2010

Only three fish to go to reach the 500 mark

ATHENS — Three more Toyota ShareLunkers have been added to the season’s tally, and spawning of the big bass is about to begin at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

The Race to 500 count reached 497 late Sunday with the entry of a fish from Lake Amistad. On Saturday O.H. Ivie Reservoir produced its fifth and sixth Toyota ShareLunkers of the season.

Steve Hand of Snyder kicked off the big weekend about 9:50 a.m. April 3 when he caught Toyota ShareLunker 495, a 13.22-pound largemouth, on O.H. Ivie. He was fishing in 10 feet of water using a Zoom six-inch lizard.

At three o’clock that afternoon Mark Worthington of Abilene landed Toyota ShareLunker 496. That fish bit a seven-inch red shad Senko in 10 feet of water on O.H. Ivie.

Both fish were weighed and held for pickup by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) ShareLunker program manager David Campbell at Concho Park Marina, an official ShareLunker weigh and holding station.

 "It was an awesome feeling," Steve Hand said. "I never felt the bite. I just moved the worm a little bit, and she nudged it. I felt the weight and set the hook, and the fight was on."

Hand is an old hand at fishing Ivie. "I fish Ivie probably 15 to 20 times a year," he said. "I think everybody who fishes O.H. Ivie realizes that the fishing this year way exceeds anything in the past except the first two or three years when the lake was new. The last two or three years the lake has produced a lot of good fish. I think a lot of that is because of what you all [Texas Parks and Wildlife Department] do-spawning fish out, bringing them back, putting them back in the lake. And the bass fishermen all appreciate it. Without [TPWD], we wouldn’t have the fish we have."

Mark Worthington’s day ended up a lot more interesting than it started. "I didn’t have a whole lot of luck until the last cast of the day," he said. "We were fishing off the north island with a seven-inch red shad Senko. I tossed it in a tree, and I guess she was sitting in the top of the tree. She put up a real good fight. She swam out to deep water instead of staying in the tree and pulled drag several times. Then I had trouble getting her to fit in the net she was so big."

Worthington agreed with Hand that the fishing on O.H. Ivie is a bass angler’s dream. "The fishing has always been good here," he said. "It’s probably one of the best eight- to 10-pound lakes in the state. We fish Falcon and some of the other lakes, but I really like Ivie."

At about 7:30 p.m. April 4, Joseph Burgi of Del Rio was fishing in 20 feet of water at Marker 7 on Lake Amistad when he caught a 13.34-pounder on a pumpkinseed Berkley Power Worm. Burgi took his fish to Anglers Lodge, an official ShareLunker weigh and holding station, where it was picked up by TPWD staff from A.E. Wood Fish Hatchery in San Marcos. David Campbell picked the fish up there and arrived in Athens shortly before noon April 5.

Burgi’s fish is the third this season from Amistad. Lake Fork has also produced three fish this season.

The three big bass arrived at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens just as hatchery staff began pairing female ShareLunkers with males in preparation for spawning. A video of that process is at www.facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram.

ShareLunker offspring are stocked into lakes that produced entries into the ShareLunker program during the current season. So far this season 26 fish have come from 13 public lakes and two private ones, all of which will be receiving lunker offspring, assuming the big bass cooperate.

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program by calling program manager David Campbell at 903 - 681-0550and leaving a phone number including area code. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

Anglers entering fish into the Toyota ShareLunker program receive a free replica of their fish, a certificate and ShareLunker clothing and are recognized at a banquet at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. In addition, if a Texas angler catches the largest entry of the year, that person receives a lifetime fishing license.

The angler who catches Toyota ShareLunker 500 will receive $500 a pound-a minimum of $6,500-for the catch. In addition, G. Loomis and Shimano will award the angler a rod and reel package worth $650.

Because of the value of the prize package, ShareLunker 500 will be X-rayed, and the angler will be required to take a polygraph test to prove that the fish was legally caught and entered according to program rules, which require that fish be turned over to TPWD within 12 hours of being caught.

For complete information and rules of the ShareLunker program, tips on caring for big bass and a recap of last year’s season, see www.tpwd.state.tx.us/sharelunker. The site also includes a searchable database of all fish entered into the program along with pictures where available.

Information on current catches, including short videos of interviews with anglers, is posted on www.facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram.

The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible by a grant to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation from Gulf States Toyota. Toyota is a long-time supporter of the Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, providing major funding for a wide variety of education, fish, parks and wildlife projects.

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James Quisenberry ShareLunker 489 Lake Fork 15.61lb Largemouth

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Bastrop State Park

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ShareLunker 485

Michael Banks of Jacksonville caught Toyota ShareLunker 485 from Purtis Creek State Park Lake March 9. The fish was 26.25 inches long, 20 inches in girth, and weighed 13.6 pounds.

By-line/Copyright: Larry D. Hodge, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Departmen

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Toyota ShareLunker 484 Comes from Lake Lyndon B. Johnson

Lloyd Ward of Horseshoe Bay caught Toyota ShareLunker 484 from Lake LBJ March 7. The fish was 26 inches long and 21.5 inches in girth.

By-line/Copyright: Larry D. Hodge, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

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Marine Outlet 41st Annual Open House Boat Show

IH35 Temple, TX

Friday, Saturday, Sunday  March 5-7

Hours:  Friday & Saturday 9-6, Sunday noon-5

Factory cash rebates up to $6,500

FREE factory motor extended warranties up to the year 2016

Tackle discounts up to 25%

Wakeboards and wetsuits up to 50%

YamahaLube 2 stroke OB oil  Only $15.95/gal.

Free sausage wraps, hot dogs, drinks

Jordon Shipley, former University of Texas football player and future NFL receiver will be onsite signing autographs Saturday from

1:00 -2:30pm.  Baylor University Bass Fishing Team and Randy Qualls, Legend Boats president, will be available Saturday from noon to 5pm to talk fishing and boating.  Ricky & Billy from On the Dock will make an appearance. Plus it is rumored that the reclusive Mayor of Moffat may show up.

DOOR PRIZES

DON'T MISS THIS ANNUAL EVENT!!!

Bring the whole family.

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Marine Outlet wishes to thank their customers for voting them Number 1 in customer satisfaction for the 10th straight year!

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Spring Breakers

Take your family outdoors this spring break and visit one of the great state parks. Mother Neff is located only minutes from Belton and Temple and Colorado Bend State Park is close enough to be a day trip.  Go to http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/ for complete details.

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Toyota ShareLunker 500 Will Be Catch of a Lifetime for One Lucky Angler

Texas Parks and Wildlife Offering $500 per Pound Prize for 500th Fish

ATHENS — Most ShareLunkers — 13-pound-plus bass caught between October 1 and April 30 — are caught by ordinary anglers who enjoy a brief flurry of fame and get a fiberglass replica of their catch and some ShareLunker clothing.

The angler who catches the 500th entry into the Toyota ShareLunker program will get all that and a little something extra: $500 a pound for every pound the fish weighs. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is offering the prize to mark the 500th lunker milestone and celebrate the success of the Toyota ShareLunker Program, which began in 1986. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation is providing the prize money.

A fish that meets the minimum 13-pound weight for entry into the program will be worth $6,500. A 14-pounder would garner the angler $7,000. And should someone catch a new state record weighing, say, 18.2 pounds, they would take home a cool $9,100.

Not bad for someone who just went out to do a little bass fishin’ on a day off from work, which is exactly how most ShareLunkers are caught.

ShareLunkers have now been caught from 58 public reservoirs and more than a dozen private lakes, and all of them are capable of producing ShareLunker 500. Part of the reason for that is the reward a lake gets for producing a ShareLunker: a portion of the fingerlings produced by ShareLunkers that season. ShareLunkers — which are all females — are paired with males that are ShareLunker descendants, and the resulting spawns are stocked into the lakes.

"Everything we know about genetics leads us to believe that fish that are produced by parents that grew big are more likely to grow big themselves," said Allen Forshage, director of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, where the ShareLunker program is headquartered.

Many anglers choose to have their fish returned to the lake where it was caught following the spawning season. ShareLunkers are typically eight to 10 years old, but bass may live as long as 20 years, so they may produce more offspring after they go back home. Survival rate of the big fish during the process is slightly better than 70 percent and has improved dramatically in recent years as biologists have learned more about caring for big bass and as anglers have become more educated about how to take care of fish until they are picked up by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists.

The last thing any angler wants to happen is have a big bass die after being caught. "Two things will do more than anything else to help these fish survive," said David Campbell, ShareLunker program manager. "First, handle the fish correctly. Wet your hands before touching the fish, and hold it by the lower lip with one hand with your other hand under the rear of the fish supporting its weight. Holding it just by the jaw can injure the jaw, and if the fish cannot feed, it will die. Second, don’t leave a big bass in the livewell all day. Get it to a marina with a minnow tank, or an official ShareLunker weigh and holding station, as quickly as you can. The less the fish is stressed, the better chance it has to survive."

And of course, as soon as you have the fish weighed on a certified scale and know it qualifies for the program, call Campbell at 903 - 681-0550. He or another TPWD staffer will pick the fish up within 12 hours seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Remember that an entry is not official until it is accepted by a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department employee authorized to do so. In the case of multiple fish caught on the same day, the times the calls from the anglers are received by David Campbell will determine the order.

For information on the Toyota ShareLunker program, tips for caring for big bass, and a list of official ShareLunker weigh and holding stations, visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/sharelunker.

And one more thing. Good luck. We’d love to present you with that check for $500 a pound-and the bigger the fish, the better we’ll like it.

The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible by a grant to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation from Gulf States Toyota. Toyota is a long-time supporter of the Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, providing major funding for a wide variety of education, fish, parks and wildlife projects.

Keep track of the race to catch 500 on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram. Become a fan and you will receive updates on Facebook.

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Media Bass:  CenTex Division

February 20 - Limestone
County Ramp #2

Media Bass:  IH-35 Division

February 21 - Belton
Temple Lake Park

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Lone Star Series Bass Tournament - Lake Belton, Saturday the 13th.  Registration at Cedar Ridge Park starting at 5:00AM.  Contact Keith Odom at 713 -502-6200  for complete details.

www.lonestarseries.com

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On the Dock can be heard weekly on the following radio stations:

Fridays 5-6pm KTEM 1400AM or on the web at www.myktem.com

Wednesdays and Fridays 6:15pm KNCT 91.3FM

Saturdays 6-7am KRXT 98.5FM streaming audio at www.krxt985.com

Also catch our articles weekly in the Killeen Daily Herald, The Waco Citizen, The Cove Leader Press, The Belton Journal and The Troy Country Sun

Salem Lutheran Church

(Terry’s Chapel)

And

Brazos River

Chapter of

THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS

Combine their resources to host a

BBQ FUNDRAISER,

SILENT AUCTION & QUILT RAFFLE

WITH PROCEEDS GOING TO THE

Relay for Life

      PLACE:  SEATON STAR HALL

              SEATON,TEXAS

      DATE:  SUNDAY, MARCH 21,2010

    TIME:  11:00 AM TO 2:00 PM

BBQ BEEF, SAUSAGE, BEANS, POTATO SALAD,

COLESLAW, DESSERT & TEA ALL FOR ONLY

$8.00 PER PLATE

      SEE YOU THERE!!  COME OUT, ENJOY A GOOD MEAL AND

DONATE TO A WORTHY CAUSE. 

HELP FIGHT CANCER!!!!

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URGENT NEWS

Due to inclement weather the following tournaments have been postponed:

BassChamps on Cedar Creek

Media on Lake Fork

Bud Light on Lake O' the Pines rescheduled for 27 Feb.

Check with your tournament director for updates!

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Yamaha Marine & Marine Outlet Introduce Brand New Fishing Machine

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Yamaha Introduces Microsite for New Offshore Series

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Mercury Introduces New 150 Pro XS Outboard

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Update on Mark Forbes

Visitation Saturday 13 February 3-5pm Scanio Harper-Temple

Funeral Service Monday 15 Feb. 2pm at Scanio Harper-Temple

Sad News

Mark Forbes passed away Wednesday evening.  We will post more information shortly.  Remember Mark and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

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ALERT  LONE STAR SERIES

Headquarters Location Moved to Cedar Ridge Park

Rick,

Due to the weather we have moved the Lone Star Series - Lake Belton this Saturday the 13th to Cedar Ridge Park.  Please make that announcement on your show this week if you can.  Registration will open at 5am at the park.  Have them call  713-502-6200with any questions.  You may also register at Marine Outlet in Temple until 5pm Friday the 12th.

Mark

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         February 9, 2010

Media Contact:  Leah Huth,               254 -853-2389

Healthy Hearts for Your State Park

Moody, Texas –   

     Since 1963, February has been the American Heart Month promoted by the American Heart Association (AHA) to draw attention to cardiovascular diseases and strokes.  The AHA has an on-line quiz you can take to your knowledge about the health of your heart.  We know that physical activity can reduce your risk but how much activity is enough?  AHA recommends 150 minutes per week to manage stress, enhance self-image, and improve sleep habits. 

     Now, 150 minutes is about the length of a good movie or meal; both of which are used to celebrate Valentine’s Day.  Traditionally, a day of showing love and affection; Al Capone chose this day in 1929 to conduct one of the bloodiest coups in mob history eventually resulting in a prison term for Al.  Reportedly, it was from prison that the first ‘valentine’ card was sent to the jailor’s daughter; however, it did not save his life.  Speaking of life, the ancient Romans celebrated the beginning of Spring in February.  Their houses were sprinkled with salt and spelt after a thorough cleaning. 

    Mother Neff State Park is in need of a thorough cleaning after the last flood.  So a volunteer day has been scheduled on February 20^th to make up for the one cancelled in January.  Meet at the Rec Hall at 9:00 am with gloves and a friend.  We’ll help you complete your 150 minutes of physical activity for the health of your heart and provide some chocolate to show our affection.  Call 254 -853-2389for more information.

On the Net:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/mother_neff/

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Hey Guys-don't forget Valentine's Day this Sunday!!!

Dead Fish Grill is having a great special and then maybe she will take you fishing on Lake Belton?

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© (c) Photo Courtesy Calliham Store
  Choke Canyon Sends 15-Pounder to Toyota ShareLunker Program

ATHENS — Another South Texas reservoir that has benefited from rains several years ago is kicking out big bass.

On February 6 Richard Flores of Seguin pulled a 15.09-pound largemouth from Choke Canyon Reservoir while flipping a 10-inch plastic worm in 12 feet of 57-degree water. That fish is now Toyota ShareLunker 478.

Flores’ fish continues a string of big bass that is significant. Of the seven fish entered into the Toyota ShareLunker program so far this year, three have weighed 14 pounds or more and one more than 15 pounds. Average weight of the entries thus far this season is 13.9 pounds.

Last season the average weight of five fish entered through mid-February was 14.19 pounds. That average was swelled by a 15.45-pound lake record from Choke Canyon and a 15.93-pound lake record from Lake Conroe.

In the 2007-2008 season only one fish had been entered by mid-February, a 13.06-pounder from Lake Conroe. In the 2006-2007 season the five fish entered by mid-February averaged 13.34 pounds.

Flores took his fish to the Calliham Store, an official ShareLunker weigh and holding station, to await pickup. The fish was 26.5 inches long and 21.75 inches in girth.

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program by calling program manager David Campbell at  903 - 681-0550or paging him at 888 - 784-0600and leaving a phone number including area code. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

For complete information and rules of the ShareLunker program, tips on caring for big bass and a recap of last year’s season, see www.tpwd.state.tx.us/sharelunker. The site also includes a searchable database of all fish entered into the program along with pictures where available.

The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible by a grant to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation from Gulf States Toyota. Toyota is a long-time supporter of the Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, providing major funding for a wide variety of education, fish, parks and wildlife projects.

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Alert!! Bass Champs headquarters moved to Cedar Ridge Park due to high lake levels at Lake Belton.

Fishermen are reminded to use extreme caution on all area lakes due to debris being washed down river from the flood waters.

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The U.S. Corps of Engineers has closed most ramps and parks on Lake Waco due to high water.  Airport Beach Park ramp should be open by late Friday the 5th of Feb. Use caution!  If you are attempting to visit a marina on Lake Waco, please them call first as some roadways are partially blocked with debris.

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Bud Light Trail Temple Division Results for Lake Stillhouse Hollow on January 30th (click here)

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Lake Alert!  Saturday the 30th of January four tournaments, Bud Light Trail, FAN, Two of Us and CAST are all scheduled on Lake Stillhouse Hollow.  I do not recall every having four tournaments on this lake at the same time so it may fish a little crowded.  If you are fishing one of these trails arrive a little early (be careful of the tournament rules) as some ramps may be crowded.  If you are not fishing one of the tournaments then Lake Belton is producing some 9 pounders.

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The Bud Light Trail will offer tournament day registration at the Bell County Expo in Belton and at Stillhouse Hollow Marina beginning at 5:00 AM Saturday the 30th for anyone who failed to pre-register.  For complete information you may contact

bryan.davis@usabasstrails.com

              469-955-7808*************************************************************

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Heart of Texas Bass Anglers-Fayette County Results

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Media Lake Stillhouse Hollow-17 Jan. 2010

Daniel Barnes & Gerald Pobril 29+ lbs

Media Bass on Lake Stillhouse Hollow

17 January 2010

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TuffMan 2010 Championship Standings

Thanks to our friends at www.ttz1.com for the great article and photographs!

Ryan Warren and Ryan Crawford of Gatesville

Winners of the 2010 TuffMan Championship held on Lake Stillhouse Hollow

Go to www.ttz1.com for full details.

Central Texas Boat Show

Central Texas Boat Show News Release

Central Texas Boat Show Fact Sheet

TuffMan Final Results

Freshwater Fishing Reports

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 Important Notice-Warning-Freezing Weather   Winterize Now!!

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Two bass tournaments on Lake Belton Saturday, December 5th.  Why stay home by the fire place when you can be fishing and freezing with friends on Lake Belton?!?  Check out ABA and Gatesville Opens at Calendar.

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Lake Belton Christmas Boat Parade of Lights-Saturday the 28th of November from 6pm-8pm.  Parade Route

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BLORA Nature in Lights Trail is now open from 5:30pm to 11:00pm nightly.

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TuffMan Current Standings

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Fort Hood Tragedy on 5 November 2009 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of our military family.  If you wish to help financially then read the following message:

Our Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter, Association of the US Army (AUSA) has set up a Community Response to 11/5 Fund for those wishing to make monetary donations to help support the families of the victims involved in yesterday's shooting here on Fort Hood. Please make checks payable to:

The Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter

Association of the US Army

ATTN: Community Response to 11/5

P.O. Box  10700

Killeen, Texas  76547

Tax ID # 530193361

Thank you!

Ron Taylor

President

Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter, AUSA

Ph#       254 - 532-2493

Email: ron.taylor@fhnb.com

Voice for the Army! Support for the Soldier!

What We Do

Rick & Billy are two friends that love all things boating and fishing.  They have taken their passion for the Texas outdoors and made it their mission to share it with everyone else.  Each week they offer a Blog of what is happening in Central Texas plus they have three weekly radio shows.  One show is on KNCT 91.3 FM PBS on Wednesday and Friday at 6:15 PM,then every Friday at 5:00 PM on KTEM 1400 AM, and Saturday mornings at 6:00 AM on KRXT 98.5 FM.   You can also catch them live on the web at www.myktem.com every Friday from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. 

News Flash:

08/27/09   The U.S. Corps of Engineers has announced that Jim Hogge boat launching ramp on Lake Georgetown is closed due to drought conditions. Other ramps may follow suite unless we get substantial, sustained rains.  Contact the lake office at 512/810-9046 or e-mail Olen Burditt at olen.r.burditt@usace.army.mil.

08/28/09   The U.S. Corps of Engineers has announced that Jim Chapman Lake office is closing the Cooper Dam for repairs.  This temporary closure begins 08/31/09 and the dam should reopen 09/16/09.  Tira boat ramp will remain open and the public will continue to have access via cR 4795.  The Doctor's Creek Unit of Cooper Lake State Park will also remain accessible via FM 1529 from Cooper.  Some minor traffic delays may be experienced.  For further information contact 903/945-2108 or visit www.swf.usace.army.mil.

Billy's Operation Game Thief Skeeter Bass Boat

Nissan and Ranger make the perfect couple

Call Us Today!

Do you have a boat or motor problem?  Wonder what is biting on any of the Central Texas Lakes?  Got a weekend off and wondering if their is an open fishing tournament in the area?  What parks and ramps are open?  What are the lake levels.  Then e-mail us:

rick@marineoutlet.com

billy@keepthemswimming.com

Need an immediate answer call our toll free number 866-397-5934 during normal business hours from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Saturday.