Pay Fishing

[Mr_Scrogg]

There is a place not far from where I live that is a "Private" in the know place.  You can lease it, and have a discounted pay per play, or fish it as a guest and pay more to play per day.  I have caught my PB there this year, I have fished it 3 other times since, and haven't caught a thing over 3lbs.  It's a tough lake to fish. 

 

I fish that lake when I have a short time to fish.  It's close, and the cost of it would be about how much gas I would spend to fish different venues.  But it gets ALOT of pressure.  More than I would think would be healthy for a lake.  The guy that owns it makes a killing!!! 

 

I wouldn't pay $100 for a day of fishing, unless it was a guided day, with a discount on lodging, and an extra day of NON-guided.  Call me cheap, call me frugal.  I know I can catch big fish in the local public lakes to meet if not beat my PB that I caught out of that private lake. 

[DogBone_384]

Py for fishing? I thought our wives already made us pay for it !?!?!?!.

[CPBassFishing]

That right there ^^ takes the fun out of the quest for that "fish of a lifetime", if chances are altered by someone else to be in my favor then NO.

Plus paying to fish is another NO

Catching 20 fish of someone else's lifetime is more fun than catching one fish of your lifetime IMHO.

[bigbill]

I have a local pay to fish place but I never gave it much thought.

Now that you mention it I have a camp in the heart of black bear country. I never thought of guiding or renting it out. I'll have to give it some thought with the new building going up. Bb

[J Francho]

Country club fishing.....it's coming.  There's definitely a market for it.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

LOL, I can't afford to pay the kind of chedda' places like that cost.

 

I would however accept a free invitation to fish swimbaits at King Fisher.

[Missourifishin]

Look into Trophy Country in Missouri.  Apparently there is a want or need by some, but it would have to be managed pretty well.  I believe a few folks from the site have been there, and have good things to say as well. (I have not personally been there, but did look into it after recommendations here) 

http://trophycountry.com/

 

This place is interesting to me, since I'm only 40 minutes away. Sounds like it would be some great fishing. I just can't see paying $100 for a day of fishing though. I'd rather take my chances at a public lake.

[SirSnookalot]

Country club fishing.....it's coming.  There's definitely a market for it.

They have been here for decades, better known as marinas.  Marinas cater to the storage and dockage of boats  From fairly inexpensive to some that offer more than a boat slip, amenities like a golf country club with clubhouse, grille, and social activities.  Have yet to see a marina with a "proshop" using the river mill plan, which really sounds like a great idea, generally a store where ice, bait, snacks, drinks and some basic marine supplies are available.  There are a lot of required expenses that go with a country club, initiation fee, monthly dues, assessments and food purchases, can't say for sure but some of the top line marinas may have some of the same requirements. For me having a boat on Lake St Clair was just not a boat slip, being there was a lifestyle as well.  After a day of fishing sometimes the kids came down and we went out for an evening sail or took the boat and docked it at restaurant for dinner.

 

I think something might be doable with the right planning, on the right body of water for the fisherman that want to tow their boat to that location and still be able to fish other places as well.  That said country club members play the majority of  golf at their own club. Where I think the difficulty may lay is having enough members to be profitable.  Too many members could be a madhouse at the ramps and that may not be desirable considering paying an annual membership.  I'm sure there are developers out there that can come up with the right concept to make it fly, I like the idea.

[J Francho]

How a marina, on a public lake compares to a private access, pay to fish lake is beyond me.

[Nice_Bass]

This place is interesting to me, since I'm only 40 minutes away. Sounds like it would be some great fishing. I just can't see paying $100 for a day of fishing though. I'd rather take my chances at a public lake.

I completely agree. That, small lakes and not being able to have my own boat I could never pay to fish like that

[SirSnookalot]

How a marina, on a public lake compares to a private access, pay to fish lake is beyond me.

Both lake St Clair and the Detroit River are public waterways, besides day use public ramps there are marinas that offer a country club atmosphere that are private membership.  Our first membership was at Great Lakes Yacht club, in the earlier days there were a variety of boats, sailing, pleasure craft and fishermen, as the club grew the focus was sailing.  We then moved down to Kean's Marina on the river, offering similar amenities on a smaller scale.  I would call these places country clubs on the water, private access on public water.  Kean's had many fishermen with it's close proximity to Lake St Clair.  Whether it be on land or sea, a "country club" is a place to do one's activity that offers other amenities as well, with a membership fee and dues.

 

I can understand the confusion as some may view private access to pay purely for the pleasure of fishing, targeting a specific clientele.   To say "Country club fishing.....it's coming.  There's definitely a market for it."  Perhaps fishing camp would be a more suitable term than country club.  Roland Martin's Marina isn't too far from that concept.

[*Hootie]

Why not just have a diver below each boat out for the day, with a couple of 10# ers, to hang on your bait, then say, okay, reel.

It's the hunt, the challenge, the potential for failure, or success, the mystery, the anticipation.

Those are the things I enjoy. I want to know, if I EVER catch a 10# bass, that I did it. Otherwise it means nothing to me. Just my take.

Hootie

[J Francho]

Both lake St Clair and the Detroit River are public waterways, besides day use public ramps there are marinas that offer a country club atmosphere that are private membership.  Our first membership was at Great Lakes Yacht club, in the earlier days there were a variety of boats, sailing, pleasure craft and fishermen, as the club grew the focus was sailing.  We then moved down to Kean's Marina on the river, offering similar amenities on a smaller scale.  I would call these places country clubs on the water, private access on public water.  Kean's had many fishermen with it's close proximity to Lake St Clair.  Whether it be on land or sea, a "country club" is a place to do one's activity that offers other amenities as well, with a membership fee and dues.

 

I can understand the confusion as some may view private access to pay purely for the pleasure of fishing, targeting a specific clientele.   To say "Country club fishing.....it's coming.  There's definitely a market for it."  Perhaps fishing camp would be a more suitable term than country club.  Roland Martin's Marina isn't too far from that concept.

 

You're so far off the concept with the marina analogy.  I'm talking about a private lake, with access only to paying customers.  Not a fish camp.  I've been to the Kingfisher Society at Richmond Mills Lake, it's nothing like what you describe. You have the lake to yourself.  It's very exclusive, and nothing like a fish camp.  I can see a market for it.  Though, it isn't really for us weekend warriors.

[WRB]

http://www.rayscottbassretreat.com/index.html

 

Pay fishing on private lakes.
Tom

[SirSnookalot]

Country club fishing.....it's coming.  There's definitely a market for it.

This is exactly what you said. without the mention of a private lake.  Had you mentioned the Kingfisher Society in the first place I would have had a better idea of what your concept of a country club is.  After viewing their website the Kingfisher Society does not appear to be a country club in the true sense of what a country club is.  It does appear to be a wonderful "refuge" as described on their site to entertain clients or a great vacation.

Price doesn't seem to be over the top, not much different than a trip to an ocean fishing destination with lodging and charter.  Without a doubt a market for this type of adventure for a select clientele. 

[tomustang]

Why not just have a diver below each boat out for the day, with a couple of 10# ers, to hang on your bait, then say, okay, reel.

It's the hunt, the challenge, the potential for failure, or success, the mystery, the anticipation.

Those are the things I enjoy. I want to know, if I EVER catch a 10# bass, that I did it. Otherwise it means nothing to me. Just my take.

Hootie

I like the cut of your jib

[J Francho]

Nope, it's definitely cheating....but who cares, when it's this much fun.

 

Country Club Bass:

[.ghoti.]

A trip to the Kingfisher Society is on my bucket list. It's going to be my retirement gift to myself.

 

I'm one of the BR members who makes regular trips to Trophy Country in north central Missouri. Made the first trip in 2002, and have been doing three or four trips every year since. Costs $100 / day to fish, $40 / night lodging. There are quite a number of strip pits to fish. Some are a bit difficult to get to. Don't come over here in your BMW and expect to be able to get into very many places.

 

You use their boats. You can't take your own. There's no place to put your own boat in the water.

 

The larger pits have two boats each. Smaller pits have one boat. The largest body of water has three boats on it. When you check in you get a pair of batteries, pair of seats, cushions, paddle and a spare trolling motor. You get fresh batteries every day. You go where you want. The water you pick to fish on any given day is not crowded.

 

The fishing is almost always outstanding for numbers. I've had numerous 100+ fish days. I've had a handful of days where I had to stop and duck tape up my thumb because I got tired of seeing it drip blood all over everything.

 

I've caught two 8lb bass in my lifetime. One of them came from TC. 8's and 9's are caught every year, just not by me. You guys from Florida, Texas and california can scoff all you want at an 8 pounder. That's a giant in my neck of the woods.

 

So, yeah, I don't mind at all paying $100/ day to fish at Trophy Country. Don't like the idea? Then don't do it. You wanna look down on me for paying to fish? Well then, knock yourself out, buckwheat. I could care less. I make the trips to get away from everything, decompress, eat some good food, drink some fine whiskey, smoke some top shelf cigars, hang out with some excellent friends, tell some lies, and catch a few fish. That's worth $100 a day to me. I can afford it, and as long as i'm healthy enough to do it, I will continue to make the trips every year.

[NC_Bass6]

Just looking at this thread and the links provided with no prior experience, i think one of the most important things about trying to start up an operation like this is knowing your demographic. most of the people going to these types of places are not the type of people who post on this site. Most of the people visiting these places are people who have more money than things to do with it. You will do alot better trying to cater to these types of people than convincing the average joe its worth a 5th of his paycheck to come to a place where he has a better chance of catching a big fish.

[WRB]

Know your demographic....BR site is one of the most popular available to general bass anglers, we are the demographic to target!

Price... This was the topic "what would you be willing to pay". Ray Scott's trophy fishing, this is exactly what is being offered, less the lodge accommodations and bassing's all stars and history.

Knowone has a problem paying guides to fish venues like Stick Marsh/farm 13, Baccarac, El Salto, Amistad , Falcon or Clear lake $300 plus a day, but hesitate to pay $100 to fish a private managed area!

Weekend tournament anglers often pay $100+ to fish a 1 day event with less odds to return $1.00 or catch a trophy size bass.

Roland Marten operated a pay to fish marina on big O for decades, nothing new.

Tom

[Surveyor]

Know your demographic....BR site is one of the most popular available to general bass anglers, we are the demographic to target!

Price... This was the topic "what would you be willing to pay". Ray Scott's trophy fishing, this is exactly what is being offered, less the lodge accommodations and bassing's all star and history.

Knowone has a problem paying guides to fish venues like Stick Marsh, Baccarac, El Salto, Amistad , Falcon or Clear lake $300 plus a day, but hesitate to pay $100 to fish a private managed area!

Weekend tournament anglers often pay $100+ to fish a 1 day event with less odds to return $1.00 or catch a trophy size bass.

Roland Marten operated a pay to fish marina on big O for decades, nothing new.

Tom

Exactly why I posted here.

Thanks again I really wasn't expecting this kind of response. I appreciate your thoughts ALL OF THEM.

I remember when I swore I would "never" pay $100 to shoot doves. Then in less than 5 years from making that pledge I had paid $2k to join a "club" and paid $100/ shoot sometimes 2-3 per week.

I also remember when I thought it ridiculous to pay $3 per acre to lease a 1000 acre hunting tract for deer.

Don't do much of either now more so because of the "crowds" paying much more than this than the price.

Speaking of crowds -- there was a post here about the lakes being crowed last weekend, and have any of you tried to fish a lake when there is a FLW tourney being held.

Fishing just may well be headed towards the same way hunting is now.

Again I thank you ALL for your comments and good luck all

[slonezp]

Is the bass fisherman really the target market? Or is it the trophy hunter? I also think location would play a big role. For instance a guy drags his family to Orlando for a week and wants to get away from the kids for a day. This would be a good option. Also as I mentioned earlier a corporate retreat. I don't forsee Joe Fisherman planning a fishing vacation on a pay lake, unless it was maybe all inclusive. I could rent a cabin on a southern reservoir, that has trophy fish, and split it with a couple buddies and it would be less than $100 a day. When I travel to fish, I really don't need much in the way of accommodations. A place to park the boat, a bed, indoor plumbing, a small fridge, and working hvac. I could do without the bells and whistles because we're on the water 12 hours a day.  

[slonezp]

Know your demographic....BR site is one of the most popular available to general bass anglers, we are the demographic to target!

Price... This was the topic "what would you be willing to pay". Ray Scott's trophy fishing, this is exactly what is being offered, less the lodge accommodations and bassing's all stars and history.

Knowone has a problem paying guides to fish venues like Stick Marsh/farm 13, Baccarac, El Salto, Amistad , Falcon or Clear lake $300 plus a day, but hesitate to pay $100 to fish a private managed area!

Weekend tournament anglers often pay $100+ to fish a 1 day event with less odds to return $1.00 or catch a trophy size bass.

Roland Marten operated a pay to fish marina on big O for decades, nothing new.

Tom

This statement is not about fishing. Tournament angling is not about the fish. It's about competition and camaraderie.

[J Francho]

Is the bass fisherman really the target market? Or is it the trophy hunter? I also think location would play a big role. For instance a guy drags his family to Orlando for a week and wants to get away from the kids for a day. This would be a good option. Also as I mentioned earlier a corporate retreat. I don't forsee Joe Fisherman planning a fishing vacation on a pay lake, unless it was maybe all inclusive. I could rent a cabin on a southern reservoir, that has trophy fish, and split it with a couple buddies and it would be less than $100 a day. When I travel to fish, I really don't need much in the way of accommodations. A place to park the boat, a bed, indoor plumbing, a small fridge, and working hvac. I could do without the bells and whistles because we're on the water 12 hours a day.  

 

This was actually what I was doing, when I got the opportunity to fish Richmond Mills.  We stayed at Black's Camp, on Santee Cooper.  Nice place, decent fishing...the high point though, without a doubt was my day trip to Richmond Mills.

 

And yes, I agree - tournament fishing is something completely different. 

[WRB]

This statement is not about fishing. Tournament angling is not about the fish. It's about competition and camaraderie.

Off the topic, tournament fishing should be all about catching bass, otherwise you are donating your money to someone who is.

Tom