Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Outdoors •The following fishing re port is compiled each week by the Houston Times . Journal. Lake, weather and fishing con ditions are reported by telephone from contacts > listed at the end of each report. If you would like 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 Hannon’s best hunting and fishing days and hours 5 L : , SOLDTIAR/LUNAR TIMES Perry Georgia Aron SOLUNAR TIMES LUNAR TIMES 1904 A. M. P. M. Long 11 ude 83.14 Latitude 33.18 -lU4l——_Jjjpgt Minor WiJoj _Sj)Pr 1»« Sunset Moonrlae Moon Up Moon pow 1 Sun 11:41 05:35 08:00 06:47 08:13 1:26a 6:51a 7:17p 2 Mon 13:15 06:27 13:39 06:51 06:47 08:14 2:07a 7:41a 8:05p 3 Tue 01:03 07:13 01:24 07:36 06:46 08:14 2:43a 8:28a 8:50p 4 Red 01:44 07:54 02:05 08:16 06:45 08:15 3:16a 9:11a 9:33p 5 Thu 02:22 08:33 02:43 08:54 06:44 08:16 3:47a 9:54a !0:15p 6 Frl 02:59 09:09 03:20 09:30 06:43 08:17 4:17a 10:36a 10:56p 7 Sat 03:36 09:46 03:57 10:08 06:42 08:17 4:48a 11:18a 11:39p 8 Sun ■ 04:14 10:25 04:36 10:47 06:41 08:18 5:21a 12:01p 9 Mon | 04:55 11:06 05:18 11:29 06:40 08:19 5:56a 12:46p 12:23a 10 Tue - 05:39 11:51 08:03 06:40 08:19 6:34a 1:32p 1:09a 11 Ned ■ 06:27 12:15 06:51 12:39 06:39 08:20 7:15a 2:20p 1:56a 12 Thu | 07:18 01:06 07:43 01:30 06:38 08:21 8:01a 3:09p 2:45a 13 Frl 08:12 01:59 08:36 02:24 06:37 08:22 8:40a 3:59p 3:34a 14 Sat 00:06 02:54 09:31 03:19 06:37 06:22 9:42a 4:48p 4:24a 15 Sun 10:01 03:40 10:26 04:14 06:36 08:23 10:37a 5:38p 5:13a 16 Mon 10:55 04:43 11:20 05:08 06:35 08:24 11:35a 6:27p 6:02a 17 Tue 11:48 05:36 08:00 06:35 08:24 12:34p 7:15p 6:51a 18 Red 12:14 06:26 12:38 06:50 08:34 08:25 1:35p 8:04p 7:40a 19 Thu 01:01 07:14 01:26 07:38 06:33 08:26 2:38p 8:54p 8:29a 20 Frl 01:47 08:00 02:13 08:26 06:33 08:27 3:42p 9:45p 9:19a 21 Sat 02:33 08:47 03:00 09:13 06:32 08:27 4:49p 10:39p 10:12a 22 Sun ■ 03:21 00:35 03:49 10:03 06:32 08:28 5:59p 11:37p 11:08a 23 Mon I 04:12 10:27 04:42 10:57 06:31 08:29 7:00 P 12:06p 24 Tue I 05:08 11:24 05:39 11:55 06:31 08:29 8:19p 12:37a l:08p 25 Ned 0 06:10 12:01 06:41 12:25 06:30 06:30 9:24p 1:30a 2:10p 26 Thu ■ 07:14 12:59 07:45 01:30 06:30 08:30 10:24p 2:41a 3:12p 21 Fri ■ 08:20 02:05 08:40 02:34 06:30 08:31 11:16p 3:42a 4:llp 28 Sat | 09:23 03:09 09:50 03:37 06:29 08:32 4:39a 5:06p 29 Sun 10:22 04:09 10:48 04:35 06:29 08:32 12:01a 5:32a 5:58p 30 Mon 11:16 05:04 11:40 05:28 06:28 08:33 12:41a 6:22a 6:45p -JJL-1ia.... -MI.M 17:05 oQtie_J96lllLoft:3a_-IHS» 7:08a 7:3Qp Major-2 hours/Minor=l hour Accurate within 1 minute O “ Full Moon • - New Moon | “ Peak activity period of week Titles adjusted for DST Soliinar Services, Inc. - Rushville, IN 46173 —J Fishing forecast Predictions are from the Georgia Department of Natural Re sources, 1994 Georgia Reservoir Fishing Predictions, which is available for no charge. Copies may obtained by contacting the Georgia DNR at Georgia Department of Natural Resources, De partment of Wildlife Resources Division, 2133 U.S. Highway 278 S.E., Social Circle, Ga. 30279. Other publications available from the Georgia DNR are Southeast Georgia River Fishing Predicltons and Small Georgia Lakes Open to Public Fishing. Seminole Lake: Since its impoundment in 1957, this 37,500 acre COE impoundment has been a popular fishing area. Information and maps of the lake can be attained by calling the COE Resource Management Office at (912) 662-2201. An infestation of the exotic plant, hydrilla, continues to restrict boating and fishing access in approximately 25,000 acres of the lake, especially in the late summer and fall when the hydrilla is topped-out. The most accessible areas of the lake should be along the river channels. Approximately 40 percent of the largemouth bass are of har vestable size. The B.A.S.S. chapters in Georgia annually report their tournament results and shows Seminole ranking high in the average weight of all fish being caught and average size of the largest bass caught in each tournament. We feel that during 1994, your chances of catching numerous bass, or a trophy, will be excellent if you will learn how to fish the hydrilla beds. Your best bet will be to throw a plastic worm, crankbait or jig along the edges of the weedbeds, especially during March. Fish the weed beds as if they were a bottom structure. A high percentage of the bluegill and shellcrackers (redear) will be handsized or better during 1994. Use black wigglers during the spring, in shallow water, when bream are on spawning beds. Fishing for white, hybrid and striped bass will probably be poor, with white bass averaging about one-half pound, and hybrids and stripers averaging one pound. These fish prefer open water and the weeds are severely reduc ing their preferred habitat and the habitat of their preferred prey. Gizzard and threadfin shad serve as an important food base for most of the game fish in the lake. Because of this, DNR will be con ducting a two year study to determine how shad are being effected by the hydrilla infestation. Due to ongoing efforts to rebuild the striped bass population, fishing for all species will once again be closed in five springs in Lake Seminole from May through October. For more information on these restrictions, please see Georgia's 1994-95 Freshwater and Saltwater Sport Fishing Regulations. The channel catfish population appears to be depressed. This species may also be impeded by the hydrilla. Some large white cat fish can be caught. Crappie fishing should be excellent this year with many fish of one pound or more. Use minnows and jugs in the open areas near the Booster's Club and Fish Pond Drain. Blackshear Lake: Located in South Central Georgia, just west of Cordele, this 8,515 acre impoundment on the Flint River is operated by the Crisp County Power Commission. Since its impoundment in 1930, this lake has been developed with summer cottages and permanent homes along most of its shoreline. This development provides a lot of structure which attract and hold fish. The lake is easily accessible with 14 paved public boat ramps, several dirt landings and many private launch facilities. Lyngbya, a blue-green alga that forms thick mats which can sur round docks and piers, has been and continues to be a problem in the lake. However, DNR continues to monitor the situation, and successfully treated many problem areas with herbicides in 1993. Largemouth bass fishing should be excellent during 1994. There are plenty of bass with over 65 percent being of harvestable size, and approximately five percent over 20 inches. However, bass are difficult to catch, possibly due to heavy fishing pressure and recre ational boat traffic. Bass are found in shallow water year-around, and a variety of baits including worms and spinnerbaits should be effective. Although a little down from last year, white bass fishing should also be good, with fish schooling year around all over the lake. Many anglers use a popper-weighted cork and a floating jib to lay Piaasa see Prediction n, page 10A l r'j * ■ Time to fish for shellcrackers During this full moon phase, the shell cracker should be bolding and ready to hit just about anything you put in front of them. I have already talked to several people who have been down to Lake Seminole during the last full moon and they had made some fan tastic catches. This past weekend, I was down in Palatika, FI., fishing the St. Johns River, hoping to better my tournament record. While there, I struck a conversation with a small group from Thompson, Ga., The group had been in the area about three days, having already caught over 350 big shell crackers. Most of the fish they offered to show me were fillets. Now, when you can fillet a shell cracker, you know right away that he's a big one. They had fished in Big Lake Ge- Tournaments provide good fishing To those who treasure the relax ation and contemplative benefits of fishing, tournaments probably seem out of place. But human nature be ing what it is. competitive fishing was just bound to happen. Of course, there's a big differ ence between “a dollar for the first fish” to the big pots being offered now by some tournament organiza tions. But for every tournament with an expensive entry fee and a big cash payout, there’s probably an other with a modest entry fee. One-day club tournaments, and many others fall into this category. Whatever the cash payout, all the excitement and fun of competi tion is there. Every year thousands of anglers men and women who didn't think they could fish a tournament much less enjoy it have signed up to fish one. Don't worry if you don't have a boat. Non-boaters are wel come at most tournaments and you can help share the cost of gas and launch fees. Bass tournaments get most of the attention but there are tourna ments now for walleye, crappie, trout, muskie, inland striped bass, shark, king mackerel, bill fish, tuna, blues, sailfish, marlin. You name it, even carp tournaments. You don't have to be the most accomplished angler in the world to fish a tournament either. Many do it for ‘ just the fun of it." the camara derie. the possibility of getting a big fish award, the thrill of competition, the opportunity to learn more. One of the things you’ll learn, for instance, is that most of the com petitors have invested in first quality fishing tackle. In a bass tourna ment. you'll feel like a country cousin if you don't have five rods and reels. “I never thought I would enjoy fishing a tournament but when I saw how much fun my husband was hav ing. I just had to try it." said one woman angler. Why not try a tournament this year? You'll find it's a new way to fish and a great way to improve your fishing skills. Danny White wins stormy tournament No doubt, this tornado season will go down as one of the most memorable of all times as the weather again played havoc with Georgia's only "Amateurs Only" team bass tournament trail, the "Field of Dreams". "Tornado watches" were issued Friday night for Eatonton, less than twenty miles from the tournament sight, which kept turnout down to only 58 teams and turned the small creels up for the fourth bass tournament at Lake Sinclair. Danny White, owner of "Bass Angler Custom Rods" and partner Buck Eubanks, both of Milledgeville, used chartruse and white Georgia Blade spinncrbaits thrown around wood, grass and blowdowns, down the lake to win Ist place of $1,670 with 19.75#. Plus a SI,OOO certificate from Mercury Marine. In second place, bringing 15.45# of bass to the Equalizer Scales, was Andy Yates of Tcnnillc and Mike Smith of Sandersville, who won $770. Douglas, of Lithia Springs and brother, Edwin Hunt of Duluth, took third place and $370 with 14.97#. In fourth place was Danny Houston Jlmes-Journo! Gone L I I 'yW Susanne Andel orge during this time, and reported that the bed was large enough for six or seven boats fishing without interfering with one another. I don’t know if this was a fish tale or not; but, I did see some very nice shell crackers in their coolers. I only wish my tournament had gone that well. Many years ago, an old friend of mine and I use to travel to Astor, FI., which is about half-way be tween Little Lake George and Big Lake George. There, I was intro duced to some of the best shell ■■k **** •> ■DP 225225 , JLvtsma \ Fishing tournaments give anglers good opportunities to catch fish. For every tour nament with a stiff entry fee, there are two with reasonable entry fees. Blount of Sandersville and Greg Kilgore with 14.39#. In fifth was Ed and Alan Brown, both of Morrow with 14.16#. In addition, the Brown's also scored "big Fish of the tournament with a beautiful 5.69# largemouth which earned the team another SSBO. Rounding out the top places: Sixth-Frank and son Brad Worthy 13.05#, seventh-Larry Barnett and David Hamacher with 13.03#, eighth, Bill Williams and Erwin Schulz with 11.30#, ninth-series leaders Wayne and son, Brian Garner with 11.22#, tenth-Jim and Jerry Buckner with 10.29#. A total of 11 places were paid as it took 9.92# to "get into the money". The Field of Dreams is sponsored by: Abu-Garcia, Treo Sports Lotion, Brown's Bridge Marine, Chums Limited, Original Fish Formula, Georgia Blade, Georgia Wildlife Federation, Grabber International, Igloo Products, Johnson Fishing- Minnkota, Lawson Chevrolet, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Tracker Marine, Professional Sporting Goods, Rio Bravo, Roland Martin's Marina. page 8A - Saturday, April 30,1994 " Houston Times-Joumal cracker and bluegill fishing in the world. If the fish didn't weigh at least three-quarters pound, we would throw it back or use it for bass bait. We would fish in the mornings and catch our limit of bream. Late in the afternoon, we would try our luck catching a huge large mouth. Once in awhile, we would get lucky and hang a good bass. If you ever have a desire to do something like this, then head on down to Palatika. It's not hard to find these beds. If you fell that you really don't know what to do, just look for a group of boats in a circle. This can mean only one thing—there's a shell cracker or bluegill bed in the mid dle. After a little while, you will be able to find your own spots to fish. There is one word of advice Soft Pak USA, Tortue Fishing Line, VMC Hooks, Wells Marine Technology, Zoom Baits. The Field of Dreams has the only live release boat in Georgia! Courtesy of Tracker Marine/Brown's Bridge Marine in Gainesville, Ga. If you’re planning a tournament and would like to have it there, call 404-683-8680 for booking information. If your club or organization would like a speaker Panthers run at Valdosta The Perry High School men’s track team traveled to Valdosta to take part in the 22 team Valdosta Relays Saturday. However, the Panther thinclads received very few rewards for their long trip, recording only two point producing finishes. Boris King was sixth in the discus with a toss of 145 feet. Tarvis Felton was third in the high jump with a jump of six feet, five inches. "We are not running well," said Panther track coach Max Vickers. However, he said that Panthers had ran better in the early part of the though. Travel with a partner, or better yet, several. It makes fishing a lot more fun and safer, especially if you are new to the area and have any ideas of traveling into Big Lake George. Believe me, a little wind can turn a fun time into disaster. There are several motels and camping areas in the Palatika area to stay at If you decide to stay in a motel, it would be a good idea to make a reservation ahead of time since the motels stay pretty well booked up all the time. Palatika may be about the size of Perry, but there are only two dr three motels in town. There are some hotels over the bridge on Highway 100 South; but, I don’t know anything about the quality. The Holiday Inn I stayed in is very nice and well secured. Until next time . . . we've gone fishing. to conduct a seminar on Catch-and- Release techniques, call the same number. "Boomer” will be . speaking to the Georgia Outdoor Writers Association April 29th at Holiday Inn in Milledgeville, before conducting the "Gil Hutson Memorial" benefit bass tournament on May Ist at Lake Sinclair to raise monies in the fight against teenage suicides. season, recording second place team finishes in meets at Houston County High School and Northside High School. "Hopefully, we will do pretty good in the region track meet," said Vickers. Felton, in the high jump, appears to be the only sure bet to qualify for the state meet for the Panthers. However, five or six others have shots at making the state meet. The women's region meet will be Monday, with the men’s region meet on Wednesday. Both meets will be held at Perry High School.