Official Get Together Thread

[Neumie]

April 16th
Johnson Branch State Park
Lake Ray Roberts

Event Site

Spent a couple of hours at the Park and everyone is excited about the upcoming tournament and get together.

I spent this morning at Bass Pro Shops of Grapevine and Mariner Sails and both have generously donated items for the tournament and raffle.

I'll start a new thread for the Heroes on the Water Benefit Kayak Fishing Tournament in the next couple of days.

The day's event schedule. All time approximate, except tournament hours.

5:30-Park gates open and registration for tournament
6:45-Tourny anglers launching elsewhere may leave
7:00-Tournament begins, anglers may launch kayak
11:00-Demos will available to paddle from Mariner Sails and Bass Pro Shops of Grapevine
12:00-Fire up the crawdad pots
2:00-Tournament ends
3:00-Announce tournament winners
?????-Enjoy company, BS, paddle more kayaks, etc...

After the tournament, we will hold a contest where 3 judges will vote on kayaks that have been rigged for fishing. Mariner Sails will be sponsoring this and will award a winner a gift certificate.

A casting contest using a light up Barbie pole. Whoever can cast the farthest, wins.

May also incorporate a paddling contest around buoys, similar to barrel racing.

It's all coming together. So any ideas on what you'd like to see/do I'm all ears.

Also, because of the mudbugs, we'll need somewhat of an accurate head count of who will be there.

Josh

[Neumie]

Because we are at a State Park, there will be a $5 park entrance fee per adult.

[Vlaude]

Not sure if I'm going to make it yet, should be some good bass fishing and great sandbass fishing around that time though. $5 isn't much, but if you have a park pass you can bring in a car load at no additional charge. If I make it (I'll post up in a few weeks to confirm) I have a pass and a few are welcome to ride up with me from McKinney, or jump in with me on the way. The pass for $60 is definately worth it if you go to a state park a few times a year with a few family members or friends. You also get discount coupons for camping, etc...

[Shaun]

This really looks like fun. I'm looking forward to get together. I'm torn whether I want to get serious about the fishing tourney, or hang around and check out the boats.
Is the fishing tourney for black bass, sand bass, crappie, catfish,blue gill,minnows ???? What species of swimmers are being fished for?

[Neumie]

The tournament will be 2 divisions; bass and crappie. $40 for either division, $60 if you want to fish both divisions. Since this is a benefit tournament, half of the entry fees will be a donation to Heroes on the Water, with the other half going to payout. If 40 people fish the bass division and 25 fish the crappie division, the payout will be bigger for the bass division. By Bass I mean: Largemouth (black), small mouth, spot, kentucky & guadalupe (would be really shocking). No sand, white, stripers, & hybrids.

It will be catch-photo-release. However, I will not discourage people from keeping their catch. We all don't get to fish as often as we like, so it's ok by me if you want to keep your fish that day. However, if you keep any fish, it can NOT be used as proof of a fishes length during judging. Only your photos and scorecard will be allowed.

You will need a digital camera and measuring stick. I'll have a multi-card reader with me, but it's advisable that you also bring the camera's USB cord. I know I have had problems in the past with Olympus's card where I needed the cord to download the pictures.

This will be a "road runner" event. Meaning you will be allowed to launch else where if you like. Those doing so will be permitted to leave 15 minutes prior to start time (7 start, so 6:45 departure). This will allot some travel time, but you will be sacrificing fishing time if you choose to go this route.

I'll start a tourny thread in a couple of days, but this should give you a good idea.

[CR]

Any chance you could post a map or link to a map of the campground? I'd like to get some idea of what's there and what I need to bring.

[Neumie]

The Fisher of Yakers Contest
After you return from fishing there will be a contest regarding rigged kayaks. Basically, we want to see how you rig your kayak for fishing, and it'll allow others to get new ideas on rigging their yaks as well. I'll choose 2 other people to judge with me. Mariner Sails will be sponsoring this event and we are discussing awarding a gift certificate. Aris is busy right now with the boat show, so the amount will be announced soon. Fishing rods and tackle can be put away in the truck for security reasons. This is open to those who are not fishing the tournament as well.

The Barbie Casting Contest
There will be a two divisions, 12 & under and 13 & up. I liked the idea of sitting in kayak to do so. You'll be given 3 casts, with the farthest cast counting.

[Neumie]

The camp ground adjacent to the event site is kind of in the open, but it's got easy access to the water. The other campgrounds are more wooded, and she showed me Walnut, which is nice and has a couple of campsites that on the water.

Johnson Branch Park Map

[deral]

I'll be there!

[knucklehead]

I'll be there camping with the family, but count only one in on dining on fish bait. Let me know if you need me to bring anything(propane, fire wood, cooker,drinks,towels, etc...).

[CR]

If needed, I'll bring a couple hundred paper plates, plastic ware and paper towels. Let me know...............

[Reefmike]

My son and I will be there.

[Shaun]

For those that are going to attend here's a link to the map of Johnson branch state park.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publication ... 3_153a.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The camping sites at Oak point are numbered 105-134.They are for primitive camping. But there is water each of the sites.

There are two loops, Juniper Cove, and Walnut that are for RV parking. Those sites are numbered 1-104. Each of those have electricity and water and, can be reserved in advanced of the shin dig.
If you think you might be coming and want a RV spot you might consider calling the park soon, to make sure you get a nice area.
I live pretty close to the park, so if there is anything that I can do to help, please let me know.
Shaun

[Reefmike]

The reservation only guarantees a spot, not which one. You can't reserve specific sites. Even with reservations the sites are doled out first come, first serve.

[Shaun]

Good info. I guess that keeps some rich guy from having a "special" spot rented out all summer long.

[preacher]

Do I need to bring tables (8 footers)?
Do I need to bring my double cooker?
Is my offer to bring corn, potatoes and sausage agreed to? If so I will need a head count a week or so ahead.

I'm thinking about cooking pancakes EARLY that morning . . . say 6:00 AM if anyone is interested.

I will come up Friday and do some fishing and fellowshipping and do some more fishing Saturday but probably won't enter the tournament. I will be leaving before the end of the shindig to attend my eldest grandson's wedding. Neumie always catches more fish than me anyway. But, I will toss my $30.00 in the hat for HOW.

[Shaun]

Do I need to bring tables (8 footers)?
Do I need to bring my double cooker?
Is my offer to bring corn, potatoes and sausage agreed to? If so I will need a head count a week or so ahead.

I'm thinking about cooking pancakes EARLY that morning . . . say 6:00 AM if anyone is interested.

I will come up Friday and do some fishing and fellowshipping and do some more fishing Saturday but probably won't enter the tournament. I will be leaving before the end of the shindig to attend my eldest grandson's wedding. Neumie always catches more fish than me anyway. But, I will toss my $30.00 in the hat for HOW.

Hey young man,
If you'll give me a shout ahead of time, I'll join you for some relaxed afternoon fishing Friday before the event.

[Bert69]

Shaun,

Check the other thread, I think we will have a dozen or so camping the night before and some of us will prefish the day before as well. I plan to prefish and camp and will be on the water Friday at first light.

[spiny norman]

Speaking of cooking.... It wouldn't hurt my feelings if someone else would take over mudbug cooking duties. Hard to fish the tournament and still get the food served at a decent hour. My offer of funding the food still stands, just rather fish more then cook this go round.

[preacher]

Speaking of cooking.... It wouldn't hurt my feelings if someone else would take over mudbug cooking duties. Hard to fish the tournament and still get the food served at a decent hour. My offer of funding the food still stands, just rather fish more then cook this go round.

Don't have crawdad experience but am willing to do my share of buying stuff. Pancakes are another matter

[Neumie]

I can help cook, but can't be the head guy.

[CR]

I can help cook, but can't be the head guy.

X2

[Jeaux]

Can be a flunky or can be the head cook if the tourny fishermen don't take all the bait.
Details can be hashed later .
Waiting to hear back from tpwd about reserv for tent camping in Oak Point requested one site in the 106 > 112 area for the 14th -15th. If we get a space we are willing to share with as many others as possible. May need someone to check in early on the 14th to get a good site if available. We won't arrive until afternoon.
Met TKF-JTL for coffee @ Coppell Deli this morning and discussed kayak fishing and the impending GTG.
Enjoyed discussion and coffee.

[CR]

The wife and I rode up to Ray Roberts to look around today. The Johnson Branch area where we will be is pretty nice. It looks like there will be plenty of parking with tent camping and a lot of open space around where the event will be. It's only a short walk to a nice swim beach, play ground for the kids and restrooms. If you are camping in the travel trailer areas, prepare to do some driving or hiking.

Josh must have made quiet an impression on the young lady at the entrance office! When I told her why we were there and just wanted to check things out, she went on and on about talking to Josh and how excited they were that we were going to be there. She was well informed on HOW and commented on what a great program it is!

I missed adding in the video clip of the area where the "Headquarters" will be, but did get a little of the tent camping area and swim beach. The last part of the video, across from the islands and near the Para Skier, is where the event center will be. I also took a few pictures of the area.

http://s264.photobucket.com/albums/ii17 ... ts%20Lake/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEUGwPsFm08

[TexomaB]

Man, I would really like to go but my wife and I just had a first child. Long days right now...ha, but all worth it! I should be ready to go by April!