Lavon is kicking @ss,... a lake WITHOUT slot or upper limit.


(Mr Dooley, every lake has a slot that's your icebox, legal yes, but you're setting up very high expectation which is impossible to maintain if guides like yourself let customers keep big cats without setting some guidelines... and yes guides can be on water every week, not just you, so the dog race of guides to win customers can clean out Lavon... 15+ lb blues go back in the water? )

I have stated many times that we throw back 99% of fish over 10 lbs, I never keep anything over 7 for myself, and seldom even then. I don't clean fish for my customers at all. That helps in putting the big boys back as well. I just like to catch then, If it was truly up to me we would throw them all back. I wish Lavon was a slot lake. I have said that many times and have takin a lot of heat over it. If I say throw them back I make people mad, If I say keep em I make people mad. Everyone has there own idea about what to keep. If I have a slow day and My client catches a 11 lb fish when we are pulling in to go and wants to keep it, he keeps it. This has happened. If everyone practiced what they preach Lavon will continue to be a big trophy lake.

Been a while since we had a good CPR argument...let's do this I'm in.

I can see both sides here, guides boat and his rules vs po'ed customers. I'm sure there's a cut off somewhere. Taking a few 20lbers isn't the end of the world, but Mr. Dooley what if a customer wants to keep a 50+ on your boat?

Never had that happen, I guess I will have to see then. I wouldn't want them to keep it. I have had four 50's caught on my boat, all returned. I see no reason to keep big fish, there again to each his own. I kept a 25lb fish back in the 70's, it was a pain to clean and tasted like [censored], I have never kept anything over 7 for myself since then.

I Know some very good catfish. You will play by there rules or stay on the dock.
I think it should be this way with all guides.

If customers are ticked off cause they can't keep big fish then the guide didn't do his/her job up front explaining the trip.

From the guides perspective, it's a good general rule of ours to explain this to the customer whether they ask about it or not.

+1

+2

Here we go again ......... GEEEZ ........

So is it pick on Dusty week again?

Been on his boat a few times and never seen anyone keep on over 10.

Pretty sure its not pick on Dusty day/week, just because it's his thread doesn't mean they are picking on him. However if he/we/you don't practice conservation then who will? If not the fishery will indeed be depleted in short order.

It's too easy to set the rules prior to launch, if they leave, you may loose a little money but if the rules are set forth then they will be followed. Get their agreement before or leave them, its that simple.

I am not a guide however I have had this conversation with a few guys that went on my boat, they have no issues once the reasons are explained. The response I typically get is "I didn't know that but it makes since".

It may be possible the reasons are not being stated clearly, however each guide should cover it.

Fish on!!!

This subject is really tiring .... I'm pretty sure TPWD has set the rules and slots on each lake as they see fit.
They are the governing body here! Follow those, and you are good to go. I'm almost positive they know a lot more about the condition of each lake than any of us will ever know. Get away from the pulpit, You are preaching to the choir here. Most of the guides on the lake take more fish in two days than I have taken in the last 2 years. I'd like to see you guides tell your clients that there will be no fish put in the cooler for a week. What percentage of those clients would still book a trip with you?
After all is said and done, It's their hard earned cash that make your job profitable. Without it ..... YOU LOSE .......

DUSTY DOOLEY .........Keep fishing as you see fit and legal ......

Nope not even close and they will admit it. They regularly ask guides/fisherman for input and advice. No where near enough staff to "know a lot more about the conditions of EACH lake" and never will be. Plenty of lakes only get surveyed every few years at best and some not at all.

At this point, the only way to protect the fishery is thru education and it should start with the guides.