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Lake Seminole dying from grass
It s been a little while since we had been on
Lake Seminole.
On our last trip to Seminole we saw where
grass has virtually taken over everything except
the main river channels and a few creek channels
that are deep enough that the grass will not grow
to the top and mat over.
Now, there are a lot of pros and and cons
about the benefits of grass to fishing. Quite hon
estly, I feel that grass helps the fish; but, it hurts
the fishing.
The grass is almost impenetrable with normal
boats. You either have to use an air boat or the
new grass devils. Short of polling, they are the
only way to get about in the grass. The rest of us
with normal boats have to fish the edges.
The fish population in the lake has really in
creased, especially bream and crappie. these
species have a lot more hiding places, and can
spawn unmolested for the most part.
Anglers that love to fish for crappie and bream
have been catching some record numbers and
sizes over the last couple of years.
Even a new bait, at least to us, has come out
for crappie and bream. Anglers use grass shrimp
to catch the big bream and crappie. Up until re
cently, I don't guess that I've heard of shrimp
raising in Lake Seminole.
While visiting the lake, I talked with my
cousin, who lives just around the comer from
Wingate’s Lunker Lodge, about the problems the
The right knot to keep fish on the line
The weakest point
of a chain breaks
You don't have to be a veteran
sailor to tie a usable fishing knot.
Just as perfecting certain angling
techniques is essential to filling a
livewell, knowing what knot to tie
and how to tie it takes practice and
knowing the basics.
First of all, a knot should be tied
in 30 seconds or less, the old rule
of keeping things simple applies
here. If anyone can tie the knot in
30 seconds, it would be classified as
simple.
Next, the knot should test at
least 75 percent of the line strength.
A good knot becomes even more
essential when you consider that
even the best monofilaments lose
and average of 15 percent of their
strength when wet. It is important
to note, however, that quality
monofilaments test stronger than
the pound test shown on the label.
Another rule to follow in knot
tying is that the knot you select
should be able to work efficiently
with small diameter monofilament
and cofilament lines.
Remember, the old rule of " a
chain is only as good as its wetikest
link” really applies to knot tying.
The strongest line in the world will
not hold a fighting fish that is
snagged with a lure tied with a bad
knot.
Finally, when you have tied the
knot correctly, wet the line with
your lips. It is important to pull
every knot tight and the moisture
makes the line slip easier and puli
tight. You don't want slippage
when that lunker decides to give
you a fight
Many experts recommend using
either the improved clinch or
Palomar knots. These are simple
knots to tie, retain almost 100 per-
For those with who can't there is always glue
One of the most important
aspects of fishing is also the most
basic —the ability to tie a knot that
will keep your fishing line con
nected to your bait long enough to
bring a fish to the boat or dock.
Knot tying is not as simple as
many anglers think. There are
dozens of knots for different fishing
applications, and regardless of how
simple or complex a knot might
be, it can weakened when tied
Hurricane Tour impressed with H.L.C.C.
By VETO F. ROLEY
Sports Editor
Hurricane Tour players and offi
cials were generally impressed by
grass was causing the landowners who live
around the lake.
Up until last year, the Corps of Engineers—
who control Lake Seminole—had kept at least
the boat runs and some of the shoreline grass
sprayed.
The Corps also introduced a beetle that was
supposed to keep the grass controlled. But, no
one knew the beetle couldn't survive cold weather
very well. Consequently, all, or most, of the bee
tles died the first winter they were in the lake.
Now, about all the Corps will do is make a
feeble attempt to keep some of the marina canals
open.
Realizing the astronomical cost of such main
tenance and that this type of maintenance is one
of the first things to go when budget cuts are
made, there has to be something done to save the
lake as well as keep some of the grass for fish
production.
This is where everyone who fishes or lives on
the lake, and maybe every fisherman in the state,
Improved Clinch Knot
This is a good knot for making
tarminal-tackle connections and is
best used for lines up to 20-pound
test. It is a preferred knot by profes
sional fishermen and angling au
thorities.
1. Pass line through eye of hook,
swivel or lure. Double back and
make five turns around the stand
ing line. Hold coils in place; thread
end of line around first loop above
the eye, then through big loop as
shown.
= ==<HP3igQ€)..
2. Hold tag end and standing line
while coils are pulled up. Take care
that coils are in spiral, not lapping
over each other. Slide tight against
eye Clip tag end.
cent of the line strength, and are
perfect for terminal tackle connec
tions with line under 20 pound test.
They are the preferred knots by pro
fessional fishermen and angling au
thorities.
Palomar Knot
This knot is equally as good as the Improved Clinch for terminal tackle connections and is easier to tie,
except when using large plugs. It, too, is used by most of the pros.
1 Double about 4 inches of line 3. Pull loop of line far enough to
and pass loop through eye. Pass it over hook, swivel or lure. f , |
Make sure loop passes completely vl j nJJ
over this attachment. ' _.
2. Let hook hang loose and tie
overhand knot in doubled line. Avoid t ) 4. Pull both tag end and standing
twisting the lines and don’t tighten. line to tighten. Clip tag end.
hastily or incorrectly. Even experi
enced anglers occasionally lose fish
to knot failure.
However, for those who are all
thumbs when it comes to tying
knots or who never got around to
reading the Boy Scout manual,
there is a solution.
The new Lok-Knot® system
from Stren Fishing Lines guaran
tees that any angler can tie a knot
that yields 100 percent of the fish
Houston Lake Country Club after
the three day Perry Open tourna
ment conducted at the club, May
10-12.
Help Keep Water
Clean And Safe!
Recycle, A Small
Gift To The Earth!
Clinch knot and Palomar knot
The most important link be
tween an angler and a fish is the
knot at the end of his fishing line.
No matter what kind of fishing
you do, you need the best fishing
knot—one that holds fast while
putting as little stress on your line
as possible.
Even the strongest knots can fail
if they are tied hastily or improp
erly.
It's easy to make mistakes when
your fingers are cold or the fishing
is so hot that you can’t wait long
enough to wet a ljne. That's why
practice and patience will pay off in
the long run.
Experts at Stren Fishing Lines
recommend two basic knots that are
quick and easy to tie under any con
ditions. They will work for almost
any fishing applications. These are
the improved clinch knot and the
Palomar knot.
The improved clinch knot is an
all-purpose classic, giving a reliable
hold on lines up to 20-pound test.
The Palomar is easy to tie, and has
been found by researchers to be sur
prisingly strong.
Both knots offer similar perfor
ing line's rated strength.
Lok-Knot is a specially formu
lated super adhesive that solves
knot tying problems in two ways.
First, anglers can apply the adhe
sive directly to a knot. Just a drop
will reinforce it for fewer knot fail
ures and more efficient performance.
Or, anglers can eliminate knot
tying altogether by using the sys
tem's special plastic tubing for
making knotless connections. All a
The Hurricane Tour follows the
Nike Tour, giving players who did
not make the cut on Nike Tour
events a chance to play, and perhaps
should get involved. This grass problem is solely
in Lake Seminole now, but it’s just a matter of
time before it's in Lake Eufaula and Lake Blacks
hear.
We saw evidence of the grass slowly creeping
up both rivers. On the Flint River arm, the grass
is almost to Bainbridge. On the "hootch," grass
is well past Ridley's Landing. So just look for it
'cause it's coming.
Now is the time to have some kind of control
device set in motion —whether it be spraying,
lowering the lake in the winter to expose the
grass or figuring some commercial value of the
grass such as feed for cows or fertilizer.
I don’t have any answers, just ideas. And,
those ideas may be just as fool hearted as trying
to control the grass.
I do know Lake Seminole is one of the most
beautiful and intriguing lakes I've ever been on,
and to see it die a slow death by becoming en
trapped in itself is an injustice. The people in and
around the area have fought, and are still fight
ing, trying to get some relief. I think it's time
that everyone get involved.
Like I said we don't know the answers. But,
maybe some of you who have been involved or
have seen other situations like Lake Seminole
could offer some advice to the Corps of Engi
neers. They might even listen.
Until next time ... we've gone fishing.
mance and both are favorites of
fishing pros. However, the im
proved clinch knot is a better knot
for large plugs.
To tie an improved clinch knot,
follow the steps at the left. The il
lustration below shows how to tie
the Palomar knot.
Many other knots exist for spe
cific uses and conditions, and Stren
offers a free book titled Choosing
and. Using Lines and Knots.
In addition to step-by-step illus
trations, the book offers these sug
gestions for maximum knot
strength:
•Avoid twisting lines when ty
ing knots with a doubled line. Keep
the lines parallel.
•Pull loops slowly. When tight
ening coils or loops be sure they
pull up in a neat spiral.
•Pull all knots tight. Slippage in
a loose knot can cut the line and
break the knot.
For more information about
knots, ask your tackle dealer for a
copy of Stren Fishing Lines'
Choosing and Using Lines and
Knots booklet.
fisherman has to do is cut a length
of tube, insert the line through the
tube, around the eye of the hook,
bail or terminal tackle and back
through the tube.
A drop of adhesive into the tube
finishes the job, producing a
strong, efficient knot.
So, if you want to tie knots like
the pros, throw away the Boy Scout
manual and slip a tube of Lok-Knot
into your tackle box.
make some money. With the Nike
Tour playing in Macon, the Hurri
cane Tour set up shop at Houston
Lake Country Club.
"The course was in good shape,"
said Dara O'Neil, founder of the
Hurricane Tour. "It's a lot more fun
than some of the courses we play.”
One of the features that makes
the course at Houston Lake fun,
said O'Neil, was that the course was
500 yards shorter than most
courses, giving golfers the oppor
tunity to make birdies.
"It's exciting for guys to make a
lot of birdies," said O'Neil. "It
helps them break some scoring bar
riers. and build some confidence."
Houston times-Journal
Saturday, May 14,1994 Houston Times-Journal-
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 the
report. If you would like
additional lakes or rivers
listed, please call the
newspaper at 987-1823. If you would like a free photo of a catch
you are proud of printed in the paper, we will be happy to shoot
and publish the photo.
SOLUNAR TIMES LUNAR TIMES
1094 M- T. M. longitude 83.44 Latitude 33.38
-May Minor Major .Minor_M.Jgr Sunrise Synjet Moonrlae Moon Up.Mogn.pgw
1 Sun 11:47 05:35 06:00 06:47 08:13 l:3Sa 6:51a 7:17p"
2 Mon 12:15 06:27 12:30 06:51 06:47 08:14
3 Tue 01:02 07:13 01:24 07:36 06:46 08:14 2:43a 8:28a 8:50p
4 fed 01:44 07:54 02:05 08:16 06:45 08:15 3:16a 0:11a 9:33p
5 Thu 02:22 08:33 02:43 08:54 06:44 08:16 3:47a 9:54a 10:15p
6 Fri 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 08:41 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 06:03 06:40 08:19 6:34a 1:32p 1:09a
11 Wed | 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 Fri 08:12 01:59 08:36 02:24 06:37 08:22 8:49a 3:59p 3:34a
14 Sat 09:06 02:54 09:31 03:19 06:37 08:22 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 ll:Ssa 6:27p 6:02a
17 Tue 11:48 05:36 06:00 06:35 08:24 12:34p 7:15p 6:51a
18 Wed 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 Fri 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 !0:39p 10:12a
22 Sun | 03:21 09:35 03:49 10:03 06:32 08:28 5:50p 11:37p !l:08a
23 Mon ■ 04:12 10:27 04:42 10:57 06:31 08:29 7:00p 12:06p
24 Tue I 05:08 11:24 05:39 11:55 06:31 08:29 8:19p 12:37a l:08p
25 Wed O 06:10 12:01 06:41 12:25 06:30 08:30 9:24p 1:39a 2:10p
26 Thu ■ 07:14 12:59 07:45 01:30 06:30 08:30 10:24p 2:41a 3:12p
27 Fri ■ 08:20 02:05 08:40 02:34 06:30 08:31 ll:16p 3:42n 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 8:22a 6:45p
-3.l—T»6— ~r 05154 12:05 06:16 06:28 0.8:33 1:16a 7:08a 7:30c
Major-2 hours/Mlnor-1 hour Accurate within 1 Minute
O “ Full Moon ■ - New Moon | “ Peak activity period of week
Times adjusted for DST
Solnnar Services, Inc. Rushville, IN 46173
Predictions are from the Georgia Department of Natural Re
sources, Southeast Georgia River Fishing Predictions, which
is available lor no charge. Copies may obtained by contacting
the Georgia DNR at Georgia Department of Natural Resources,
Department of Wildlife Resources Division, 2133 U.S. Highway
278 S.E., Social Circle, Ga. 30279. Other publications available
from the Georgia DNR are 1994 Georgia Reservoir Fishing
Predictions and Small Georgia Lakes Open to Public Fishing.
Altamaha River: The Altamaha River is considered a major
largemouth bass river among Southeast Georgia anglers.
Approximately half of all the sportfishing pressure exerted on the
Altamaha is directed towards bass.
The largemouth bass population has remained healthy and
changed little over the past six years. There fore, bass anglers
should encounter a bass population very similar to those in the
past. There may be a slight decrease in the number of fish over
three pounds; however, look for an increase in the abundance of
bass less than a pound.
Crappie also receive much deserved attention from Altamaha
River anglers. Usually the cooler months of fall and spring are good
times to fish for crappie. Lower river oxbows from Highway 84 to the
Seaboard Railroad provide the better crappie fishing.
The Altamaha River has always been a good catfish river, and
with the substantial increase in flathead catfish numbers, it contin
ues to improve. Recently, flathead catfish or appaloosa's have re
ceived a good bit of attention from the media, and many anglers
have started taking advantage of this fantastic fishery.
Several cats in the 40-50 pound range were reported in 1993,
and the Altamaha River seems poised for a new state record flat
head. Remember, any potential state record which currently stands
must be caught on sporting tackle. Live baits such as bream, shin
ers, worms and crayfish are a must.
Most of the bream fishing done on the Altamaha River is for re
dear sunfish (shellcrackers) and bluegill. Most anglers fish the still
water oxbows for these two species. The redbreast sunfish popula
tion continues to decline in the Altamaha River, and the harvest
should be down substantially in 1994.
Ocmulgee River: Fishing along the Ocmulgee River, south of
Highway 280, should be improved in 1994.
Sampling results from fall 1993 indicated a good number of large
redear sunfish (shellcrackers) present in the river. Anglers reported
some nice catches of shellcracker in 1993, and the good fishing
should continue into Spring, 1994.
A strong year class of bluegill, approximately eight inches in
length, will significantly contribute to the harvest. However, the
chances of catching a bluegill over a pound should be low in 1994.
The prospect for redbreast fishing in 1994 is poor.
There is some indication of a slight improvement in the large
mouth bass population. The number of bass collected in DNR sam
ples has increased annually since 1991.,
The legal length limit for largemouth bass on the Ocmulgee River
is 14 inches, and the number of bass this size should be about the
same as previous years. There is, however, an increase in the
number of bass two-to-four pounds in size, and fishing success
should be better in 1994.
The Ocmulgee River provides excellent fishing for catfish. The
average flathead catfish will weigh about eight pounds, and fishing
can be just as good in the fall and winter as it is in the summer.
Most of the people who fish for flatheads look for deep holes to drop
live bait into.
Oconee River: The Oconee River, south of Dublin, has a good
largemouth bass fishery and is comparable to other rivers such as
the Altamaha and Ocmulgee.
Of the three rivers that comprise the Altamaha system, the
Oconee River receives the least amount of bass fishing pressure,
Fishing Report
, Moon Times
Solunar/lunar times accurate within 1 minute
SOU): VR/LIINAR TIM EJ?
T' ei-i' y Ceorß t a Aren
Fishing Forecast
Freshwater rivers and lakes
Page 7A
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