I would like to announce that I have officially acquired North Texas Trophy Cats.
First, I would like to say a big thank you to Brent for the years that he has put into NTTC, you sir, did an excellent job and I have some very big shoes to fill.
I will be getting a tournament schedule together over the next few weeks and post the lakes and dates. I am looking at the first tournament to be at Tawakoni in late October/early November.
I am looking forward to an exciting tournament season and would welcome your feedback, please email any questions or comments to nttctournaments@verizon.net or call 214-557-8994.
Sincerely,
Ken
President, North Texas Trophy Cats

Is Jered still VP?

Sounds GREAT! I will most likely fish it.

Good news there

Can't wait... NTTC making it's return on the Big T

What month will the tournements start???

Ken,

Are the forms on the NTTC website still valid to fill out to become a member?

Thanks,

CW

Alrighty, guess we ought to start planning a gathering and do up this new season right! Yeah Baby!

That's right.. Gonna be a big gathering NTTC style, b/c we know how to throw it down..

He is no longer the VP.



No they are not up to date. I will release new forms on the website in the coming weeks.



I have started working on a schedule. I am looking at the first tournament in late Oct to early Nov. I will have the date posted mid to late next week.

That sounds great let us know when the website is up to date.

CW

Can't wait for this to start up! I'm ready! I've missed NTTC!

+1
Welcome back and welcome aboard.

We've all missed it, and it's time to start prefishing the Big T

if I can do anything at tawakoni to help, please let me know

That's a great offer Ken.

ttt

What is that website address?

North Texas Trophy Cats
http://www.northtexastrophycats.com/

Don't think it's been updated yet with the new info and forms yet.

let's go fishing

Thanks!

Thats good news..........

I know there were lots of anglers in the N TX area that enjoyed the tournament trail.

Good luck and keep it fun for all!

Let's get it on. I'm ready to try my first tournament.

So far it looks like lavon,cooper,twok,and cedar creek are on the books so far, with a few other lakes being determined..

Texoma...Richland Chambers.....

There is a poll going on at the llf forum for other lakes.. A finalized schedule should be ready in a week or so from what i've read.

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lake Como?

Ray Hubbard ,Texoma

Ray Rob, Grapevine.

IMO Ray Rob isn't any better than fork for cats.. Grapevine is ok I guess.

Date has been set for November 7th.

Registration: Friday November 6th 7:30pm to 10:30pm at Anchor Inn
(West Tawakoni), or Saturday November 7th 5:00am to 5:50am at
Fish-N-Store (Lone Oak)

Weigh-in: In Line by 3:00pm at:
Fish-N-Store
8034 FM 513 S.
Lone Oak, TX 75453
(903) 447-4300

Entry Fee: $60/Boat - 2 team members per boat

80% tournament payout one place per 5 boats up to 5 places
$10 to big fish 100% payout

Questions: Contact Ken at 214-557-8994 or nttctournaments@verizon.net
**For a complete listing of the rules please visit www.northtexastrophycats.com**

SEE YOU GUYS THERE...

We're gonna be having a gathering at the Anchor Inn on the friday night before the tourney. Ribs or Brisket will be on the menu, along with what others bring..

be there also...

GREAT!!!!! I guess second place is still open.

Is the website working for anyone else?

I only get music, nothing else

It works for me, but it hasn't been updated yet as far as I can tell. Drawout you gonna enter this one? You've been on the sidelines enough, it's time to jump in..

I'm having problems with Windows Vista using Internet Explorer. I get music only. I downloaded Google Chrome and was able to access the website. I've had not problems with Window XP with Internet Explorer. So if you are running Vista and using Explorer, you try downloading Google Chrome or Firefox (?) and try it.

I'm going to try to hit most of the lakes. Will be my first time.

Yeah Brad I want too, and definately fishing the Cooper one.I also hope to make the Lavon one.

Click on the logo (where music plays) and you will enter the website.

With IE version 8 and Windows XP you only get music and a gray screen. It doesn't work in compatatbility view either.

I'll try a different browser but normally just a minor tweak on the site would fix this...most people are probably going to access with some version of IE.

Look out Bigmick, I'm gunning for ya. Just remember you schooled me . Looks like I'll be there with bells on.

room booked and headed out there soon to prefish

I plan on header out to T-wok this Saturday. Never fished it before. Trying to hit it couple times before the tournament.

When ya'll get into some big-uns just make sure you get the co-ordinates so you can post them.

Sorry about those who are having issues with the site. I am meeting with the person who runs it this week. We will work on getting this fixed.

I booked room #5 at Anchor Inn this morning.

They only got 3 of the "motel" rooms left. Hard to beat $49.50 per night! Better get yer reservations soon!

i'm gonna try my best to be there. that work thing might interfere that weekend. looking to get back to fishing and hanging with my old buddies again. see ya'll on the water.

I hope you make it.. Gonna be the gathering of all gatherings at this one.. NTTC style..

NTTC, is the website good now for new membership forms and tourney sign up sheets?

the site will be updated by Monday. Hang in there for a day or 2.

bump to the top!

Are we there yet?

The site had a minor update last night. The entry form that we will be using is on there now. It is kind of bare at the moment and we are working on finishing up the rest of it.

Do you have to be a member to fish the tourney?

Tough date....also the opening of deer season for us gun hunters. Definitley would have gone if I didn't already have the 7th planned for hunting! Dang!

No. This is an open tournament.

Are you going to allow guides fish tournaments for money on their home lakes? I see a problem with that if you do.

I think they normally do but don't allow pre-fishing the week or a few days before. I believe the rules are posted on their website.

I dont think guides should be able to fish them if its there home lake. We all know already they know where all the fish are. The Cabelas tournament on tawakoni last year, the guides won it.

Not sure but I think the rule states that a guide that has guided on the lake in the previous "X" days is not allowed to fish the tournament.

I think this is a reasonable rule because if the guide chooses to not take customers for a few days he has "skin in the game".

Personally, I don't have a problem with the guides being allowed to fish....however if that is allowed then you should be able to fish with a guide. In other words...your team could hire a guide.

It doesnt matter if a guide doesnt fish his home lake in a week, you can not compete with someone that fishes the same lake 200+ days a year.

Im not saying that I have a problem with them fishing the tournament trail, I just don't think that they should be in the money or points on their home lake.

Everyone can fish any lake when they want too. Team Catostraphic took 3rd at Cabela's and only fish the lake 3-4 times in the previous 2 months. If you say guides can't fish it, then no one in a certain radius of the lake shouldn't be allowed either because of ease of access to that particular lake and that would be rediculous. Most "home teams" usually have the advantage on tournaments but that is were I as well as anybody else fishing a tournament has to be able to rely on their knowledge of fishing to be effective. I believe Central Texas as well as NTTC have time limits on when a guide can charter and that is fair. Should be that way, but not allowing guides to fish tournaments is in my opinion not the right thing to do.

Comparing to the average tournament fisherman that fishes a lake, just for argument sake, 5 times a month to a guide that fishes a lake 30 times a month for money is comparing apple to oranges. I guess that I could get a list of the tournament lakes and fish them all year to learn them and find the fish, like a guide does on his lake, but a guides job is on that body of water where as my job is not as most peoples.

I'll say it again, Im not saying that guide cant fish the tournament trail or a specific tournament, he just should not be allowed to be in the money or points on a lake in which he is a PROFESSIONAL GUIDE.

+1, I'd have to agree and you've got a good point about local fishermen on the lake have an advantage. Even the Pro. Bass Tours allow the pro's that are from the area where the tourneys are to fish their home lake. Some of the guides can find them no matter where they're fishing. It's I believe more their knowledge of seasonal patterns and types of structure they are attracted to. I know some guides that have never fished a lake take a good map with contours on it and pick places to fish and place in the tourney. I've fished places before and had a great day, only to return a couple days later and not get a bite.

well either way if guides fish it they have the advantage yes but its called fishing for a reason everyone can do well on any given day it doesnt matter if you know how to catch fish you should have a reasonable shot at winning and placing

Say what you want, but a local fisherman on Tawakoni that has a regular job and fishes every weekend does not have near the advantage over a guide that fishes Tawakoni every single day.

I would like to know of some guides who get to fish 30 days a month. I personally know several of the guides here on the forum from all over Texas and nearly all of them it is only a weekend thing. So they fish just as much as weekend angler does. Just my opinion.

Who cares, these tournaments are made for people to come out and have fun, learn some new stuff and the comradery. I personally like the guides fishing it and find it a challenge and if you happen to beat one or all of them with a heavier stringer you know you've accomplished something big and it's a great feeling. I say bring em on and you hear that Mickey and Steve I'm coming after yall!!!!

Well said chase. IF you don't like the idea of a guide fishing in the tournaments, then don't come fish it. Simple as that. Ain't worth cryin over. You actually can learn alot fishing these tournies that guides like mickey and steve fish. It ain't about the money, and if it is, then you're fishing them for the wrong reason IMO. It's about making new friends, and meeting up with old ones. simple as that.

Touchy subject but to answer your question.

Yes guides will be allowed to fish their lakes.

Per the NTTC rules- A Guide is defined as a person who promotes him/herself for the purpose of monetary gain while taking clients fishing, whether from a vessel or from the shores of a lake, river or other body of water. A person who promotes him/herself as a “Catfish Guide” is prohibited from fishing any NTTC tournament on a body of water in which he/she has acted as a guide within the 5 days prior to a tournament on said body of water.

I will review this policy at the end of the season.

As said above a local who fishes the lake has just as much of an advantage as a guide.

Example~ The last tournament NTTC held on Tawakoni was won by:
1st Locals
2nd Regulars on the NTTC trail
3rd Locals
4th Guides
5th Bank fisherman
6th (out of the money) Guides

It all comes down to is preparation. You have to know where to find fish at times of the year. If you are fishing a lake daily then pulled off of that lake for a week and any weather moves in do you think the fish will be at the same place they where a week ago? Living in Texas this is a common thing especially this time of year.

Knowing the fishes habits and having a good lake map/depth finder/gps is part of tournament fishing. The recourses are out there for every person weather he/she is a guide, local, or weekend angler.

This will be my first time and don't mind the guides. I'm fishing the tournament mainly to fish different lakes, learn more info from other cat-men, and just have fun. If I happen to win, that's icing on the cake.

just becuase youe OPINION DIFFERS from the others doesnt mean they are wrong and you are right. teresults from the last twok tourney were posted and the guides didnt fair to well. anybodys game. in my opinion the ruling is fair. i dont believe there are many guides on each lake guiding full time 30 days a month as you say. if they are they are not fishing a NTTC tournament and i will tell you why.

Guiding is their bread and butter if they are guiding that many days. according to rules they have to not fish for 5 days and then their is tourney day so that equals 6. a guide prob gets $300 for a day of fishing and lets say a $20 tip. a guide that has no other income isnt going to risk $1900 to chance he might get $1200 for a first place win if the tournament has a good turnout.well not if the guide is smart.LOL

so that brings it back to a guide that mainly guides on their days off from their other jobs which puts them the same as everybody else, prefishing on their days off. they just worked it out to get payed for it as well. sounds like we all need to go get a guide license.

thats the attitude to have right there and you will fit in with the guys and gals of NTTC.

You should come out to the NTTC gathering on the friday night before the tourney at the Anchor Inn. Gonna be alot of good food, and best of all good people. Great way to make new friends and pick up some pointers from the vets of the tournament trail.

I plan on being there on Friday. I'll be prefishing in the morning and at the NTTC gathering.

CAT TRACKER,WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU,COME FIND US AT THE GATHERING AND SAY HELLO...

Big Mick, Steve, Roy and Jason; Good luck in Alabama and show everyone there how us Texans can catch catfish!!

Tell all my kinfolk I said howdy. Oh yeah, and Roll Tide Roll.

LEAVING SAT MORNING THE 10TH,SO WISH US LUCK...

Good Luck Big Mick, bring it home!!!

Good luck Mick, give 'em hell!

ttt

We'll be having a gathering on friday night before the tourney. If you plan on being there let me know. I'll be cooking brisket for the gathering, and need a head count. Cutoff to let me know will be the friday the week before the gathering.

Mickey you and Steve have the best of luck......think of us as ya'll are there and we are here....

The website had a major overhaul last night. Visit us a NorthTexasTrophyCats.com

Thanks for your help Simpson.

www.northtexastrophycats.com Looks good.

Great job on the website guys. Looks awesome. Any idea when the rest of the schedule will be posted?

Looks like the "Reel Redneck's" team will be fishing this Tournament and we are looking forward to meeting you all there. We fish mostly south and are going to try to represent our home lake, Lake Livingston, in an admirable manner.

Don't forget the gathering on friday night. Gonna be a good time for sure.

BigBrad.... you can count two (2) for the "Reel Redneck's" team for Friday night, sounds like a good deal. We will be staying at the Anchor Inn. We have never been on the lake and would appreciate any pointers we can come by. If any of you guys are going to pre-fish that Friday maybe we can meet up with you??

A bunch of us will be staying at the anchor inn, and Me and my partner will be prefishing that friday morning. Probably launch at anchor Inn that morning.

Just a question?? how are they going to keep the fish alive at weigh in. do they have a big vat or something?? we fished the last on on t-wak and it was at the state park so they just carried them down and let them go .... the fising store is a couple of miles from lake??? just wondering

I'm not sure if Ken aquired the tubs from Brent or not but they have some big troughs with aeration systems to hold the fish.

thanks Chase we are planning on fishing it!!!! wish it was a little later in season but It'll be a hoot !!!

Don't forget the gathering... Friday night.

the way it is raining right now, you might be able to fish from your room at anchor inn

Boy I bet! You gonna fish it KP?

We will have holding tanks on site and will transport back to the lake when the weigh-in is over.

no i am not a very good rod and reel catfisherman yet

the wife and I have been doing a lot of family visiting lately and we are going to go chase some hybrids this weekend, maybe do some jugging in the cove around the house for some eaters for the freezer

might go over for the weigh in

KP, I've never let that stop me.

Put me and my 12 yr old son in for the head count

Kerry, I think with a 12yo you could fish with another member. Check the rules to be sure.
I was thinking about asking you to partner up but didn't know if you'd be guiding that day. My life story, day late dollar short.

Do you have an estimate on how many entries will be participating?

This is true.

A team may be joined by another person only if that person is LEGALLY handicapped or under the age of 12. All other rules must be followed and a third person may not help catch or land a fish if the other 2 members of the team are already in the process of catching or landing a fish.



20-25 teams that have confirmed.

To me the rule would be fine if it said under 18.....but

Is the rule "under the age of 12" or "12 and under"?

It seems the poster above has a son that is 12 years old....is he within the age limit?

I was just wondering that myself. I was thinking it was under 16 but that was going by a flawed memory.

12 and under.

Also I have guy looking for a partner for Tawakoni. If any one wants to fish or knows someone that might be interested let me know and I can put you in touch with him. By the way he has a boat so you wouldn't need to worry about dragging yours around.

I have another angler looking for a partner for some tournaments. He has a boat but would like to find another with a boat as he feels his might not be stable for some lakes.

Anyone out that might be interested let me know.

TTT, it's getting closer!

with all the rain i hope the boat ramps stay open.

you can launch but I did have to wade over to the slips last week
this week it was okay

Anyone know how the shallow bite is on twok right now?

I hope my boat will make it under the bridge.

+1!

Good point bamaboy! I forgot about the bridge.

I guess I could put in somewhere else. I've got a state park pass but don't know my way around there too well.

you might have to head to the hump on the bridge- i did saturday in our pontoon and the top was DOWN

Definately gonna be a tough one with all this new area for the kitties to be roaming.

Like I needed a bigger challange.

Did you have much clearance KP?

plenty but we did have to use the hump in the bridge
runoff is still flowing into the lake and more rain Thursday
after having lived in West Texas for 28 years, you will not hear me complain about rain (i might whisper though)

i will be at the tourny on sat for sure but will be unable to make it to the get together on friday due to work i have posted on llf for a partner and still dont have one for this season i have a small boat that i will take unless i get a partner before the tourny

The Briskets for the friday night gathering have been bought. If you didn't put your name on the list as coming friday night, then I can't guarantee that there will be enough. I bought for those whose said they were coming...

Ohhhh me thinks we will have enuf for all. Taint never run out of food yet and this one ain't gonna be the first. Think most folks will be stuffed as a feedin tick!:)

Now with all the beans showing up, I am posting a potential possibility of an air quality warning for Saturday morning!:)

Life is good!

Good luck to all of you fishing the tournement!!!

I'll try to stay upwind.

Somewhat of an ideal of the forecast!!!

Early though, will change about 10 times between now and then!!!!

Saturday, Nov 7 Select a Different Day Monday 11/2 Tuesday 11/3 Wednesday 11/4 Thursday 11/5 Friday 11/6 Saturday 11/7 Sunday 11/8 Monday 11/9 on premium Tuesday 11/10 on premium Wednesday 11/11 on premium Thursday 11/12 on premium Friday 11/13 on premium Saturday 11/14 on premium Sunday 11/15 on premium Monday 11/16 on premium
Day
High: 73°F RealFeel®: 73°F
Sunny and pleasantView the Hour-by-Hour Forecast
Winds: SSE at 11mph
Wind Gusts: 23 mph
Max UV Index: Moderate (4)
Thunderstorm Probability: 3%
Amount of Precipitation: 0.00in
Amount of Rain: 0.00in
Amount of Snow: 0.0in
Hours of Precipitation: 0 Hrs
Hours of Rain: 0 Hrs
Hours of Daylight: 10.7 Hrs
Night
Low: 52°F RealFeel®: 46°F
Partly cloudyView the Hour-by-Hour Forecast
Winds: SSE at 10mph
Wind Gusts: 22 mph
Min UV Index: N/A
Thunderstorm Probability: 3%
Amount of Precipitation: 0.00in
Amount of Rain: 0.00in
Amount Snow: 0.0in
Hours of Precipitation: 0 Hrs
Hours of Rain: 0 Hrs
Hours of Dark 13.3 Hrs

the cats are biting, at least on juglines with fresh shad
we kept 31 eaters on 7 jugs checked 5 times on the weekend
released some small fish and did not catch a big one- should be a good tournament

Win, loose, or draw, im just going to meet some fellow TFFers and have a good time.

Big fish would just be a bonus

Wanna meet me too? I'm looking forward to it and I'll stop talking poop now that time draws near.

about how many boats does everyone think is going to be there?

Bama, i said the good guys!

Hearsay says there is 25-30 signed up already!

Bama, BTW i changed my post because my wife said it sounded kinda brokebackmountainish!!!! After i re-read it, i hate to admit, but she is right.

I hate it when they're right. I'll be one of the bad guys nobody want's to meet.

Mine is always right...............Is she gone from looking over my shoulder yet?

Anyone else seeing what I am as far as weather goes for Saturday? Partly Sunny high of 74* and winds SE at 6 mph?...... Sounds like it's gonna be a great day on the water!

I've been seeing winds SE from 10 to 15 mph for Saturday.

I'd much prefer 15 over 6....lets go with Cat Tracker's forecast. LOL