Newspaper Page Text
•THE HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL, SATURDAY, JULY 4. 1992
2B
Perry woods 'n water
_^Fishingforecast|
The following fishing re
port is complied each
• week by the Houston
Home Journal. Lake,
weather and fishing con- -V
--dltlons are reported by .
telephone from contact. if®* y™
listed at the end of each - • ■* r
report. If you would like " v
additional lakes or rivers /, *
listed, please call the
newspaper at 987-1823. If
you would like a free picture of a catch you are proud
of printed In the paper, we will be happy to shoot and
publish the photo.
Moon times I
J i iannon's best hunting and fishing days and hours [
SOLUNAR/LUNAR TIMES
Perry Georgia Area
SOLUNAR TIMES LUNAR TIMES
1392 A. M. P. M. Longitude 83.44 Latitude 32.23
’a] _ Minor Major Minor Major Sunrise Sunset Moonßise Moon Ot Moon Dona
1 Med 06:54 12:39 07:24 01:09 06:30 08:43 07:44a 02:53p 02:23a
2 Thu 07:58 01:43 08:26 02:12 06:30 08:43 08:56a 03:50p 03:22a
3 Fri 09:00 02:46 09:26 03:13 06:31 03:43 10:07a 04:45p 04:18a
4 Oat 09:59 03:46 10:24 04:12 06:31 08:43 11:15a 05:36p 05:10a
5 Sun 10:55 04:42 11:20 05:07 06:32 08:43 12:21p 06 :25p 06:01a
6 Mon 11:48 05:35 12:01 06:00 06:32 08:43 01:26p 07:15p 06:50a
I Tue 12:14 06:25 12:38 06:50 06:33 08:42 02:30p 08:05p 07:40a
8 Med 01:00 07:13 01:26 07:38 06:33 08:42 03:33p 08:55p 08:30a
9 Thu 01:47 03:00 02:13 08:26 06:34 08:42 04:34p 09:47p 09:21a
10 Pn 02 :3308:46 02 :59 09:12 06:34 08 :42 05:33p 10:39p 10:13a
II Sat 03: 20 09:33 03:46 09:59 06: 35 08:41 06:27p ll:31p 11:06a
12 Sun > 04:07 10:20 04:33 10:46 06:35 08:41 07:17p 11:57a
13 Mon > 04:55 11:07 05:20 11:32 06:36* 08:41 08:01p 12:23a 12:48p
14 Tue P 05:43 11:54 06:06 12:01 06:36 08:41 08:41p 01:12a 01:36p
15 Med > 06:30 12:19 06:53 12:42 06:37 08:40 09:16p 02:00a 02:22p
16 Thu > 07:18 01:07 07:39 01:28 06:37 08:40 09:48p 02:45a 03:06p
17 Pn 08:04 01:54 08:25 02:15 06:38 08:39 10:17p 03:27a 03:48p
18 Sat 08:50 02:40 09:11 03:01 06:39 08:39 10:44p 04:09a 04:29p
19 Sun 09:36 03:26 09:56 03:46 06:39 03:38 ll:12p 04:49a 05:09p
20 Mon 10:21 04 :11 10:42 04: 32 06 :40 08 :38 ll:40p 05:29a 05:50p
21 Tue 11:07 04: 56 11:28 05: 18 06: 40 08: 37 06: 11a 06:33p
22 Med 11:53 05:42 12:01 06:05 06:41 08:37 12:11a 06:55a 07:18p
23 Thu 12:17 06:28 12:41 06:53 06:42 08:36 12:46a 07:43a 08:08p
24 Pri 01:04 07:17 01:30 07:44 06:42 08:36 01:26a 08:35a 09:02p
25 Sat 01:53 08:03 02:22 08:36 06:43 08:35 02:13a 09:31a 10:00?
26 Sun > 02:45 09:00 03:16 09:31 06:44 08:35 03:08a 10:30a ll:01p
27 Mon > 03:40 09:55 04:11 10:26 06:44 08:34 04:11a 11:32a
23 Tue > 04:36 10:52 05:07 11:22 06:45 08:33 05:19a 12:33p 12:03a
29 Med It 05:34 11:49 06 :04 12 :01 06:46 08 :33 06:31a 01:33p 01:04a
30 Thu > 06:33 12:19 07:01 12:47 06:46 08:32 07:44a 02:30p 02:02a
31 Prr > 07:32 01:18 07:59 01:45 06:47 08:31 08:55a 03:24t 02:58a
Hajor=2 hours/Minor=l hour Accuracy to 1 ninute
> Indicates peak activity,
Mote: The above times have been adjusted for DST
Solunar Services, Inc. 1107 J. Morgan St., Rushville, II 46173
Seminole - The lake is at normal level and it is mostly clear.
Bass fishing has been fair. They have been taking spinnerbaits,
plastic worms and spring lizards. Also early in the day they are
taking top-water baits in grass beds. Panfish have been hitting
very well on worms and crickets. Stripers, white and hybrid bass
have been slow. Overall fishing has been good
- Reported by Wingate Lunker's Lodge
Blackshear - Down a little and clear before recent rains.. Bream
have been hitting crickets fairly well. Some big catfish have been
tutting, with reports of fish over 30 pounds coming in off trotlines.
After this week's rains, the lake was expected to be high and
muddy.
- Reported by Marian Stewart, Camper's Haven
Sinclair - Sinclair is at normal level and clairity, clear on the lower
end but dingy up in the lake. Bass fishing has been good on
worms and deep-diving crank baits. The crappie have been slow
in recent days, but a few have taken trolled jigs and some
minnows The catfish have been plentiful on live and cut bait.
- Reported by Glen Cowell, Little River Park
Jackson - Lake is at normal level and clear. Fishing has
remained good for more than a week. Many of the fish are small,
but they are getting larger and more frequent. Pumpkinseed
worms and lizards along with spinnerbaits have been bringing in
the fish. Catfish are biting well all over the lake. A few crappie are
hitting at night on minnows, but it is mostly slow.
- Reported by Van Kersey, Kersey's Marina
West Point - The lake is down a foot and clear. Most fish are
moving into their warm-weather pattern now. Most bass are in
water up to 20 feet deep near bottom structure like old road beds
or humps. On some days and early on most days a few may be
found in shallow wate, but most fishermen have to go deep to
find them. Carolina-rigged worms and diving lures work well.
Hybrid fishing is fair on shad and crappie are hitting fair at night
under bridges.
- Reported by Highland Marina
Eufala - Water level is down over a foot and the lake is very
clear. Bass fishing has been very good for most of the last week,
with some large catches reported. Crankbaits and worms have
been catching fish in 15 feet of water near ledges. Crappie are
hitina at niaht on live minnows. Hybrids are very slow.
• Reported by Brenda Marlin, Lake Points Stat^Park
Oconee - Lake ifull and clear. Fishing in general is good. Bass
are hitting worms, and crappie are taking minnows at night.
Panfishing is good, especially on crickets and the hybrids are
taking live bait early in the day. Catfish are also biting well.
- Reported by The Country Store
County making progress
on Highway 96 boat ramp
The Ocmulgec River boat ramp
project look another big step
forward recently when county
commission chairman Sherrill
Stafford and the entire County
Commission voted unanimously to
purchase a 3.3-acrc tract along the
river for the boat ramp.
Earlier the commissioners had
voted to condemn the properly for
public purchase and use. However,
county attorney Mike Long was
able to conduct productive
negotiations with the owner and a
deal was struck, making
condemnation proceedings
unnecessary. The county
commissioners had the land
appraised and have signed a contract
which was forwarded to the
landowner for her signature. Within
the next days, Long expects to get
the deed back and finalize the
contract.
In recent weeks the land was
surveyed by Brent Cunningham,
and a recommendation was made to
purchase the tract, which extends
from the Highway 96 off-road along
the south peninsula and back up to
the 96 bridge. This includes a total
of 1,155 feet of river frontage, but
because of access and high-water
problems, only a portion of the
property will be used for the actual
boat ramp and a parking area. Some
of the other property will be cleared
in a limited manner to improve
access for bank fishing, picnicing,
or nature watching. Controlling the
entire tract will also ensure than
Houston County will always
maintain access the property for
More ideas on gun laws
I have always been fairly
moderate on my ideas on gun
control. Many people will find this
hard to believe, because tend to be
very conservative on most issues,
and moat gun owners and hunters
tend to take a very strong on any
form of gun control.
I have never really felt that a
waiting period to buy guns was a
bad idea and have no problem with
the registration of a handgun.
Recent events in Los Angeles
have caused me to change my
opinion on the waiting period to
buy guns. As every one now
knows, 3,0(X) troops, 8,000 police
and U.S. Marshalls could not
prevent 60 deaths, 2,000 injuries,
4,000 fires and the destruction of
10,000 businesses.
The only businesses that were
saved in many areas were the ones
where armed citizens defended their
property. Two black store owners
stood guard over for two days until
the National Guard arrived. When
the guard went on duty in the area,
the two store owners turned the
guarding of the store over to the
guardsmen in the area. The store
was promptly burned by rioters and
looters. The guard could not do
what private citizens had done with
their own firearms.
In residential neighborhoods,
Catfish gaining in popularity
"Every five years the U.S.
Department of Interior does a
national survey on the fish most
fished for," said popular TV fishing
host and DuPont Fishing Pro Bill
Dance.
"Up until their most recent
survey bass were number one,
panfish survey bass were number
one, panfish second and catfish
third," related Dance. "But recent
studies are beginning to take on a
tremendous amount of popularity."
"I honestly feel, over and above
what the survey says, there are far
and away more crappie fishermen
and catfish anglers than there are
bass fishermen. A lot of catfish
anglers like to crappie fish and vice
versa."
"The reason you don't hear a lot
about the popularity of catfish is
because there are no professional
catfish fishermen, or tournaments,
or seminars. There's not that much
notoriety."
;™John L
\ * / Trusselll
' * Outdoors
,_. _ __ writer I
maintenance, regular clean-up, and
emergencies.
The purchase of this tract
ensures that Houston Countians
will always have access to one of
their main fishing areas, the
Ocmulgee River. In years past, the
old boat ramp had silted in, making
launching a boat a real problem and
fisherman have complained for
years about the situation. Also, the
96 river bridge area was kind of a
no-man's land, with no one
controlling the location.
Another aspect of the land
purchase deal is that the Houston
County commissioners last week
signed a lease agreement with the
Georgia Department of Natural
Resources. Using state and federal
funds, the D.N.R., will now build a
new boat ramp about 50 yards
downstream from the old ramp. In
addition the D.N.R. will grade the
access road in and develop a suitable
parking area. Other plans to put in
concrete picnic tables, etc. arc being
discussed that will make the
location more enjoyable.
However with any location like
the 96 boat ramp, which is open to
/
a*.
Bobby L
V . Toggle I
yT -Bkj Outdoors
l«C>il
neighborhood watch groups would
call the police and ask for patrols in
their neighborhoods. They were
told, "If anything happens, we're
not going to be able to help you.
We're not going to be able to patrol
your neighborhood. You're on your
own."
Homeowners and businessmen
by the thousands started flocking to
gun stores to buy guns, only to be
told that there was a 15 day waiting
period to buy any type of gun.
Most of these people had sat quietly
by while legislation was passed to
create his waiting period. They did
not care as long as they did not need
a firearm for their own defense.
When rioters and looters were
marching down their own street, the
right to own a gun became very
important.
I have always felt that the
ownership of guns by most
Americans was one of the greatest
"But the popularity of the sport
is stronger than a hundred acres of
fresh cut garlic," Dance said with a
smile.
"In the summer I can take you
down the Mississippi, the
Tennessee, the Ohio and many
other major river and the lakes that
they impound and the fisherman are
there fishing for catfish."
"The fishermen are a low key
breed, you don't hear much out of
them. Catfish are not only delicious
to eat, catfish are there for
everyone," Dance noted. "You can
fish in a pond and catch them, a
creek, a river, a lake, a
reservoir...you can catch them year
round. There’s a multitude of ways
from limb lines to trot lines, to
floating jugs in the river, to rod and
reel. You can use a pole to catch
them, sit on the bank, or fish from
a boat."
"They're not acrobatic. They
don't explode out of the water like a
f The Houston Home f
Journal
the public 24 hours a day, abuses
are bound to occur. That is why it
is so vitally important that all
sportsmen take an active role in
helping to safeguard and preserve
the area. For example, one day I
was down there and I noticed a man
dumping an old washing machine
and dryer right down next to the
river, just off the boat ramp access
road. I wrote down the man’s tag
number and informed him that I
was turning over the information to
the sheriffs office for action. We
had a calm discussion about the
matter and he agreed to re-load the
machines and take them to the
county landfill, which ended the
situation.
Just last week, Les Ager,
D.N.R.'s region supervisor, and I
visited the area to lay out the
preliminary plans for installing the
boat ramp which we will discuss
with Mr. Stafford and the
commissioners in the near future.
However, while we were down there
we encountered a man burning
plastic coated copper wire. He was
burning off the coating so he could
send the copper to a scrap dealer.
Les informed the man that he was
breaking the law by his actions, and
he said he wouldn't do it again.
Some strange things go on down
by the river, but more public use
and awareness of the area will stop
these things which are offensive. In
the near future signs will be placed
at the boat landing which will be
placed at the boat landing which
will prohibit the discharging of
Bobby Tuggle holds a 12-foot long, 120 pound boa at a
recent gathering.
deterents to crime that exist. A
criminal will think twice before he
enters your house or tries to pull
you out of a car, if he thinks that
you have a gun.
tarpon or a 5 lb. smallmouth bass.
They can give you a fight. They
can give you more three minute
rounds down below than you can
imagine. They slug it out and
sometimes when it's over you
wonder who won the bout," he
exclaimed.
According to Dance the best
eating of the cats is the yellow cat,
also known as the flathead, because
he feeds on live forage. "He doesn't
scavenge like a channel or blue
which will eat a 10-day old wienie."
"Catfish rate high in protein,
they're delicious and good to eat.
They all eat good in a frying pan,
but the yellow is the tastiest of the
bunch. And more and more
restaurants are serving them up
from pond raised, or farm raised.”
"I do a lot of catfishing. I love
it," he stated. "I fish rod and reel for
them. I might first catch a two
oounder and then catch a 30
firearms, as it is illegal to fire guns
within 50 yards of a public
highway. Conservation officer
Hugh Green and Sheriff Cullen
Talton's deputies will make cases
against anyone breaking the law.
Les Agcr has been very helpful
in moving this project forward and
is now applying with the federal
government to get the necessary
wetland's permit to install the
boatramp. The Ocmulgee’s low
water period is now approaching
which will aid the D.N.R. in
completing the project soon.
Hopefully, the new ramp area will
be in place by the end of this year.
If you run into Mr. Stafford or any
of the county commissioners, thank
them, for their support of this
project. Thanks also to Jay Walker,
who initiated the project back in
1990.
On another outdoor topic, the
county commissioners passed a
resolution asking that the state
explore all avenues to preserve
Oaky Woods as a wildlife
management area. The resolution
was forwarded to our local
legislature delegation which
strongly supports the idea. I'll keep
you informed on these topics but in
the meantime, let Mr. Stafford and
all the commissioners know that
we appreciate their efforts in behalf
of area sportsmen.
If guns are taken away from the
people, this deterent to criminals
will no longer exist. A Los
Please see TUGGLE, page 3B
pounder. The feel of them hitting
my bait is the same. I do a lot of
bottom fishing using 3-way swivel
rigs. The line I use, and I love it, is
30 lb. Magnathin.
"Catfish have an overbite, so
they can pick up food off the
bottom, he explained, "but if it's
floating off the bottom just a little
bit, they can get it a little better.
So by using the 3-way swivel rig,
and a line like Magnathin I have a
better chance of catching them.
"It has a diameter of most 17 lb.
test lines but the 30 lb. Magnathin
has a tremendous amount of
strength with it, with very low
stretch. When I set the hook, if I'm
fishing 20 to 40 ft. of water, and I
tie into a big cat, the low stretch
from this line enables me to get
great hook penetration, and
secondly, its smaller diameter gives
me better sensitivity so I can feel
Please see CATFISH, page 3B