I was trying to explain to this guy that it would be illegal to use a radio controlled boat to carry you bait out in Texas. I know it is illegal, but couldn't find anything specific in the outdoor annual rule book. Anybody know where it is listed? His deal was that if you can use a kayak to carry baits out, what's the difference? It does say under legal means and methods a "pole and line" may be used. Not pole line and rc boat.... But, I think a couple years back on the forum there was discussion about something like "if the bait or line didn't touch boat and water at the same time" it would be technically legal. My bet though is your fancy RC boat would be taken away by wardens and put on display with poached deer heads and fish shocking devices.

The only incident I can think of off the top of my head regarding this was the guide on Possum Kingdom who was doing this by the dam. He was sending RC boats with bait up past the buoys into waters he couldn't cast to. He caught a record striper doing it. After his conviction he lost his license for life.

However, the deal I recall him being convicted of was the use of trout for bait. A game warden busted him after going to the taxidermist and examining the fish. He found the trout in the striper's stomach. I don't recall that the RC boat had anything to do with the legality of what he did.

Yep, he was convicted of using trout for bait, not the RC boat...

Randall

I don't think it would be illegal.

I think its fine...in carp fishing we use bait boats alot...well at least the guys luck enough to get them in from the UK...they will carry up to 10lbs of bait have fish finders and lights and everything on them....

here is a photo of a stealth it runs about $1000 USD's

I still believe the RC boat is illegal somehow.... The other day when we were checked by a pair of game wardens on the lake for boat supplies, my friend asked about the RC boat thing and both of them quickly nodded no, and indicated it would be a bad idea. Those two guys have been around for the past few years, and are very friendly. I don't think they would give bad advice. We didn't ask more at the time because the fish were biting hard and we wanted to get back at it.

Excuse me�couch potatoes�. Is this fishing � or pro-ball watching with a remote control.

well when it gets out of casting distance...say over 170 yards for me....and I can see fish out past that...I would love to have a bait boat you are just using it to place baits you are not fishing with it...:)

Ha Ha, Good one O'fart! Really, there is this spot at the lake dicharge where, when the water is flowing just right, that holds some 30+ lb catfish. An RC boat would produce some good fighting fish. They have an off limits area that keeeps you from casting into this 20' x 20' "hole". You can do it with a surf rod and the right wind, but its rare. I met a friend there one day and he was in the off limits area on the rocks (he was there for the first time and had tunnel vision and didn't notice the big signs) He had some monsters that were released after photos. Why haven't I seen anyone using RC boats in Texas?

probably because of cost...if some one is going to spend that kind of cash they are probably just going to buy a really nice kayak...or jon boat...i have heard of guys using rc planes on the coast for shark fishing to deliver there baits...

There are justifications for everything. Fishermen are experts. Example: I bought a motorhome to save on motels. Wife's answer... I can buy a motel for what you paid.

i have a rc boat in which i use to take baits out in the surf as well as at public lakes after reading all of your comments on this subject i decided to do some research. i called austin and talked with a LT. in the law enforcement side of parks and wildlife and they assured me it was perfectly leggal to use such a boat to carry baits out and drop for fishing. just thought i would let all of you aware of this if anyone was truely intrested.

How would you do it? How would you make the boat drop the bait once you get it to your desired loaction?

probably just a extra channel radio and a matched servo...if you mess with RC much it wouldn't be hard at all...or you can google "bait boat" and purchase one from the UK they use them for carp fishing all the time...see the first page of this thread for a photo I posted of one.

I think it has something to do with the spillway at Lake Livingston. Up past the cables where boats are prohibited an they consider the rc boat to be an actual boat so therefore illegal.