My secretary was telling me about a membership you can buy that allows you to fish private ponds all over Texas. I have a small Jon boat and I am tired of being blown off regular lakes. Does anyone know what I am talking about or which direction to look?

Thanks,

Jacob

Here you go.....
http://www.gtbc.com/

WOW!!! All I can say is that's too rich for my taste... Looks like some nice places to fish though.

I can get on board with a 300 dollar initial fee....but having to pay 45 bucks on top of that to fish for the day....YIKES!

I agree... Maybe $20 per day.. Maybe... but $45 and up... nahhhh

For that price I don't think I should have to make reservations ahead of time.
Hey, I was just told I get the afternoon off and the weather is beautiful! I'm gonna go fishing and I paid a lot of money to be a member of a fishing club..... Ohhh, wait. I would have had to make my reservation last week, heck, I'll go fish the public lakes. Maybe my membership card will let me be first in line at the ramp?

Consider the cost of a round of golf, this is a bargain! As for last minute reservations - they are very accommodating, and most last minute requests can be granted. My experience was very positive.

Golf is too expensiveeeeeeeeeee.

You have it wrong. I make same day reservations all the time. I've been a member for 4 or 5 years and would recommend it to anyone. Most of the ponds/ lakes have small boats available and the fishing is usually very good.

I may have it wrong, and if I do, I apologize. I was interested in this several yeas ago, and read all I could off their website until I finally decided not to join, and IF I recall correctly, it said at that time that reservations had to be made ahead of time. That was one of the deciding factors for me, another being the yearly dues, since I would probably only use it 4 or 5 times a year.

No matter how you look at it that's a ton of money to spend on C&R fishing (entertainment). I certainly can't justify even $25.00 per trip much less the 300.00 yearly fees! I know that some other "need" goes unfulfilled if I were to join in one of these clubs. If you have the money then go for it, but not at the cost of something more important.

buy a golf course membership & you can golf & fish the ponds at the same time <LOL> ahh, i crack myself up

I'm not and never have been a member. I'm not affiliated in any way. My post is from the standpoint of the landowners.

I know the price sounds steep but, for the landowner, managing a good fishery is extremely expensive. I don't know very many landowners who would go for a deal like this. I expect GTBC has standards that the landowner has to meet.

I own 185 acres, South of Bowie, with a couple of one acre ponds. I have them stocked and am trying to grow decent fish. Stocking, managing, maintaining, culling, etc is hard work; expensive work. Right now, both are muddy due to drought followed by recent rains. Low water levels last year cost me most of the fish and I've just restocked with 500 forage fish.

I am told that I'm lucky to own my own deer lease and fishing holes. I generally respond that I could take an African safari and hire a lot of fishing guides for just the price of the land payments. Gotta admit that if I didn't love it, I wouldn't drive there every weekend from my home in Fort Worth to work my butt off.

If I ever sell the place, I would definitely join something like GTBC, get a deer lease, and let somebody else do the work. I consider the deal a real bargain.

Well stated Dave, excellent post. As a landowner and pond guy, I heartily agree.

Hey Larry, I kinda figured you would see this and agree.

One thing I didn't mention. I expect these guys also have to have a General Liability Insurance policy. Leasing out rights to enter your place by the general public is expensive. I frankly don't see how they can afford it.