Hey Cliff!
been a rough week and it's only monday!
I am going fishing in the morning..
this work stuff really gets to me quick!
when are you coming down?
Sorry our trip did not work out....
fishing has been good .....until the lake turned on us ....cats still bitting they dont mind the muddy water....

B.Terry...Steve and Co. are coming down here later this month and I'm hoping to come chase some winter time blues with you and Bobby soon.
I'm ready for some new scenery and lie swappin':)

Brother Terry I have only seen the August issiue.Have not seen the September,figured the October has not some out yet?Anyway good luck in the morning.I love fishing on weekdays wish I could get away more.

Someone probably should have warned you of this fly by night organization before you spent your hard earned money on this magazine. You are not the only one. I have a friend that sent his subscription in as well and has not received even one magazine, and he never got a response when he sent an email to them.

It does not surpise me in the least that your not getting your magazine in time, and I would not hold my breath on things getting any better, or even getting all of your magazines at all for that matter, and if you do it will be littered with hunting articles and not about catfishing.

People have been getting duped by this person for years with the phony BS fishing reports he ran in the paper over and over again for years that never changed. I personally fished with guides that told me he ran fishing reports that were over a year old several times over at the wrong time of the year that they had provided. The only time it did change was when he went on the payroll of Danny King's Punch Bait and ACATS and he started working Danny Kings Punch Bait into each and every fishing report all over the state, because he was being paid by them.

Then we get to the "pro staff" of Catfish Gold magazine. Don't get me wrong all of these guys are good guys I am sure but look back at the posts from the guys that are "pro staff" that post here on TFF and see just how "pro" they are. I mean really, the only guides on the "pro staff" with any credibility are David Hansen and George Rule. There was a thread on here a year or so ago about one of these guides actually fishing with a another guide because he could not catch fish, and now he is a pro for catfish gold magazine, I mean really, give me a break.

Take a serious look at the big names in catfishing and you will see that none of them are involved in this publication, because they know it is just a fly by night scheme to make a quick buck.

It is a shame that people have to get taken for a ride. See what happens when you ask for a refund.

Little Elm, nice first post and welcome to the TFF.
I usually take the high road here, however I'll bite on the "bait" this time.
"Then we get to the "pro staff" of Catfish Gold magazine. Don't get me wrong all of these guys are good guys I am sure but look back at the posts from the guys that are "pro staff" that post here on TFF and see just how "pro" they are"

I'm guessing your defition of a pro might be a hardcore tournament angler driving across the states fishing unfamiliar waters, hooking up with guides on new lakes to get data on the fishin (possibly), then use their proven techniques apllied on this new water to place in a contest and win some money.
I'd have to agree with that assesment, if that's the route you choose but are they promoting the sport or themselves?

Pro is short for professional. I use to live and work by a creed that started "No one is more Proffesional than I..." and try to apply that creed in everything I do in life. That is another story in itself. Back on topic, Professional is more than catching the big one for a star studded event, more than placing in the money and more than being pasted on products. It's how you carry yourself, treat people, represent organizations and conduct your business on and off the water and most importantly it's producing day after day throughout the seasons for clients of all ages,shapes and abilities.
To be able to take children, special needs children and adults, first time fishermen ,women , people who are completely oblivious to catfishing and to be able to put them on fish day after day is what a proffesional is to me. Becasue after it's all said and done, children will be the ones handed the waters and fish we love to chase.
To catch fish yourself is the easy part, but the challenge lies in turning others onto our sport through your PROFESSIONALISM and EXPERTISE by creating a successfull trip and shared knowledge as a steward of catfishing.
I have almost spent a 100 days on the water with clients this past year putting 3,817 fish in the boat(kept not caught) for a broad variety of skill levels,disablities and age groups.
The above paragraphs are what a proffesional is in my "uncredible" opinion.
I seriously would like to extend the offer and if your ever down in South and central TX, give me a call. I'd like to take you out and swap ideas on what we both obviously care alot about. Catfishing.
Honestly,I've never met any of my fellow pro staffer's face to face.I'm down south and they are up north. I have spoken with many of them via phone and the one's I have ; I can say share a similar vision of how they conduct themselves and provide for clients and their services.
Take care and tightlines
Cliff Hill

Cliff,

Very well said

Although from a total of all posts made, I'd be Very lery of subscribing to this magazine. (I once lost $250,000.00, very hard earned dollars on a new, unproven venture) Oh Well

First I will start by saying "Welcome to the forum." I am sorry you feel the way you do about Catfish Gold Magazine. Make's me wonder if you work for another mag or something. Doesn't really matter, I sincerely welcome you aboard. I would like to make a point or 2 if I may. One, I have personally met some of the folk's with Catfish Gold and you couldn't ask for a nicer harder working bunch of folks. I apologize for the delay in a few magazines getting out on time, know this that they are a new company and have some things to work I am sure. I know they are putting a ton of work in the magazine to be able to offer a top notch, top shelf product. I have personally shown this mag to other folks in the industry that I do work with that have given it rave reviews. Hang in there folks and I am sure they will work out the kink's. Sure they farm in stories with notes about sponsor's, every magazine and TV show out there does. That is what pay's the bill's. I know for a fact on any article I have anything to do with that if it ain't gospel they don't print it and that you can take to the bank and cash!!!! Yes, they write about D.K.'s, it works, why not??? They also write about cut shad, perch for bait, soap etc.... As far as the Pro Staff, now why on earth would you want to go on a public forum and slam a bunch of folk's that make their living offering a service to the public. Not only was the Guides picked for their ability to catch fish but also for their ability to work with kids, we have been invited to work with the Boy Scouts in council 10 to assist the scouts in earning there merit badges, and I for one am greatly honored and blessed to have the opportunity to help kids!!! Have you fished with all of us? Do you know all of us? Probably not. I know David and George (mostly George) and yes they are pro to the core and both super nice guy's and as I have said before and will say again, I am proud to be associated with them and the other's and take it as a great compliment. I myself am working hard to be a Pro in every aspect of my career, let's take a look. Now a great man once told me if it is fact then it ain't brag so don't take this wrong. This year alone I have been blessed by being in over 60 different news papers, fishing and catching, not robbing 7-11's. , about 15 different magazines. I was the expert for Texas Lakes and Bays and Hot spots maps, have done 1 TV show (Lone Star Adventures), fishing and catching, one made for TV ad and made a deal to do 2 more TV fishing shows and also do radio talk shows. I have a list of great sponsors who's assistance allows me to do what I love. I have donated each and every year for the last 10 year's to one or all of the following, Breast cancer research and to Cancer Oncology, I worked with with Johnson County Juvenile Services donating my time and services in trying to turn some young lives around. (First Time offendors)
I donate multiple trips a year to several different college scholarships, private schools to auction off for play ground equipment, different wildlife organization's to try and better the outdoor's that we both enjoy, and on and on. Do I do all of these thing's because I am just so dang wealthy that I can afford to and do it to try make me look good. Ha, I work 7 days a week to make end's meet and support my family, I fish because I love it and I love taking people and putting smiles on there faces, especially kiddoes, Too many people hurting kids these days. I am just thankful that I am able to do what I love and want in some way to give back to the community. So in ending I will say I am sorry that I and the some of the other Pro Staffers do not meet up to your high standards and I pray that in some way I can continue to grow in my knowledge of fishing and the industry so that one day I can be a true Pro and maybe just maybe by God's grace make a small difference in this world we live in. BTW, thank you for your criticism, it make's me work harder. If ever down Whitney way give me a shout or stop by and say howdy. I'll get off my soap box now, hope I didn't offend anyone.

I was involved with the magazine when it was A.C.A.T.S. Catfish Now. This isnt a new company just a new name. I had to divorce myself from it because the players in it were irresponsible and customers were complaining a lot and I was getting most of the complaints and couldn't do anything about it. I decided it was time to go my own way because I didn't want that to rub off on me. I wasn't going to say anything on this thread but felt compelled after reading some of the recent posts.

I'm not going to make any personal attacks against anyone on the staff. I have my own opinions and they are just that. I don't know the new pro staff and I hope that they have some influence in the magazine for the customers. In the past I think the customers were ignored. Complaints about the hunting articles went ignored and email went unanswered.

I would only want the subscribers to get what they paid for and get an answer when they don't get it in the mail. Basic customer service seems to be the most common complaint.

I appreciate your input. Thanks.

First of all, I have been reading this site for years. I have not contributed because I have never been compelled to do so, and until recently never had time to do so either. But I have been reading the catfishing posts on here for several years. I just felt compelled to give my opinions here to save a few folks from getting ripped off in the long run.

If you will note I did not name anyone specifically in my post about the so called "pro's". My comments were not directed at either of you hightechredneck or hiillbgcountry, and I have fished with David and George as well and know them both to be very stand up guys and excellent guides. You don't have to defend yourself to me, but I am surprised your defending people that you have never met.

I am not out to embarass anyone but being a "guide" does not make someone a pro, or lend credibilityy enough to be on a "pro staff". While a technically by definition, being a guide may make someone a "pro" but there are also a lot of BAD guides out there and all it takes to be a guide is a license, not cery hard to do huh?

Both of you should take a very close look at who you are associating yourselves with however, and consider how these associations effect your reputation as a guide.

As you can see by the comments from sbursik, who evidently has first hand knowledge of this rag tag bunch, they have already self destructed once.

hillbgcountry and redneck, I have read your posts in the past and you guys obviously have satisified clients and have done a good job, you shoould not feel compelled to defend yourselves. Others on the supposed "pro staff" however are quite comical and I only know this because one of the other "pro staff" members pointed some things out to me about this organization and it's pro staff.

I will post some specific details some other time. Until then, save your subscription money.

LittleElmAngler,
sorry you feel this way. I was trying to help out.
no need to argue. you have your opion and strongly feel that way I see. I understand some guides have been guiding for lot longer than others David and George for exsample....both are highly respected ...I do not feel the need to run my resume by you ...those that have fished with me and know me know what I am about...Just look at the post titled "Home run" by 2wheels4me...
this was not a client because I did not charge him anything nor was he a friend until we met friday ...he simply wanted his daughter to catch some catfish...so I invited them out for a couple of hours ....not sure how pro that is ....but that sums me up pretty well...sorry we disapointed you ...good luck and God bless.

For what ever it is worth...I still have not seen it.

Brother Terry you were trying to help..thank you!Also thank you to everybody who posted on this thread.I really like any knowledge I can get my eyes on about catfishing.I was not impressed with a few of the aricles or ads,but any wisdom that I can take in on catfish,I can take and expand on the idea to mold the information for my use.With that said,I sure hope it comes soon.Tight lines to everybody!!

Waterman, I agree that all the articles are not of interest to me either; especially the hunting ones since I do not hunt. However, it is the best magazine I have found dedicated "mostly" to catfishing. I received my Sept. issue last week.

I have not receieved sept or oct magazine, add me to the list of unhappy customers; please refund my money!