Tag: fishing

Recreational Boating – Tips for Buying a Used Boat

Posted on Staff

Recreational boating for family fun, fishing and relaxing is popular among lake home owners.

You can save money buying a boat if you consider a purchasing a previously owned one. In deciding which type of boat is best for your family there are a few things you should consider:

Decide What Type of Recreational Boating You Prefer

Will you stick to recreational boating at the lake or also on rivers and the ocean?

Will you be using your boat for hunting, fishing, skiing, cruising or racing?

The recreational activities you prefer should impact your decision on the type of boat you purchase.

rear view of a white boat in the water with man and woman aboard

Research your options prior to purchase and check out average prices of your preferred style.

Some other questions to ask yourself are:

  • Do you want a hardtop, canvas top or no top at all?
  • Do you want an inboard engine or an outboard one?
  • Would you like an aluminum hull or fiberglass hull?

Call About the Used Boat

Once you actually find the boat you are interested in and know reasonable prices, you should reach out to the seller or the dealer. Ask questions about the boats and show interest but do not admit you are ready to purchase a boat.

Make sure to write your questions down before calling them so you can write down each answer you receive.

Some things you will want to know are:

  • The year and the make of the engine and boat hull.
  • How many owners the boat has had.
  • If the boat has been in fresh or salt water, and the last time it was used.

If the person seems very persistent in selling the boat or in a hurry it is possible the boat may have some issues. Request an appointment to take a test drive prior to purchase.

 

man, woman and child riding in a boat, woman at the wheel

Make an Appointment to Test Drive Boats

You will always want to see the boat and drive it prior to purchasing the boat. Most boat sellers will meet you at the water so you can take a test run.

If they do not have time for you or you do not feel comfortable buying the boat without a test run, walk away.

Inspect the Boat

When you test drive the boat make sure check that there are no cracks in the hull. Look for any parts that look new, as well as signs of neglect. Do not be afraid to ask questions about oddities you notice.

It is always better to get more detail and a full observation than to purchase a recreational boat that does not fit your needs or run properly.

 

Also be sure to brush up on your boating jargon before you buy too!

 

Online Spotlight: Lake-Link: “Beyond The Water”

Posted on Staff

Lake-Link

 

 

The Midwest’s largest site dedicated to fishing!

Lake-Link provides fishing reports, topographical maps, a lake database and message boards and much more!

Additionally, the site features articles, fishing tips and tactics, moon charts. 

Outdoor enthusiasts from New York to the Dakotas have a valuable resource in Lake-Link, a website with everything from fish reports and boating equipment bargains, to forums on camping and archery.

This site also allows anglers to buy discount bear bait online (Lake-Link’s tagline is “Beyond the Water.”)

Lake-Link offers visitors customized outdoor information and resources across 12 states from the eastern seaboard to the Rockies.

For sale-priced j-plugs, tales of the meanest walleye, on-demand outdoor radio shows and more, visit www.lake-link.com.

Big Bass Splash – Lake Guntersville, April 1-3

Posted on Staff

Live near Lake Guntersville and looking for something to do this weekend?

Register to compete in, or just come watch, the Big Bass Splash April 1-3, 2016!

big bass splash posterThe Big Bass Splash is an annual amateur bass fishing competition series that takes place on Lake Guntersville, AL, Lake Sam Rayburn, TX, Lake Toledo Bend, LA, and Lake Fork, TX.

This 3 day event is different from other bass fishing competitions, as it has a pro-like payout of over $200,000, but is only for the amateur anglers.

The grand prize winner will receive a 2016 Triton 19 TRX bass fishing boat, followed by $2,500 for second place, $2,000 for third, $1,500 for fourth and $1,000 for fifth.

There will also be more than $100,000 in hourly payouts for the heaviest bass, with the angler who catches the heaviest bass each hour receiving $1,000.

Weigh-in hours each day will be between 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be conducted at the Goosepond Bait & Tackle located in Scottsboro.

For more information about signing up, prizes, locations, and more visit the official Big Bass Splash Lake Guntersville page.

 

 

 

Visit Us at the 2016 Atlanta Boat Show!

Posted on Staff

2016 Atlanta Boat Show LogoAnother year, another boat show!

This year the Atlanta Boat Show runs from January 14 – 17,  and we would love to see you there!

Lake Homes Realty corporate staff and local expert real estate agents will be available throughout the entire show and look forward to discussing all things lake living.

In the past two years, we have met hundreds of lake lovers, marveled at the best in class boats, and met vendors for all kinds of lake related items, and this year should be bigger than ever!

Thinking About Buying on the Lake?

If you are thinking about buying a lake home, we want to make the process as easy as possible!

LakeHomes.com now has more than 32,000 properties for sale across 200+ lakes.

We will have local, specialized lake agents from states across the South, including Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina!

Some of the lake expert agents who are attending will be from lakes including Lake Lanier, Lake Jackson, Lake Allatoona, Lake Martin, Lake Hartwell and more.

Our agents know the ins and outs of their lake market and will be more than willing to help you find a lake property that best fits your needs.

2015 atlanta boat show lake homes realty booth
Lake Homes Realty booth from the 2015 Atlanta Boat Show

Talk to Us about Your Lake Experience

Have you used LakeHomes.com to find a property or used a Lake Homes Realty real estate agent?

We want to hear about your experience! Stop by the booth, and tell us your story.

Or, even if you have not used our services, just drop by, and tell us all about your lake experience.

We always love to hear about your lake, and why it is special to you.

What to Do at the Show

The Atlanta Boat Show is an annual event held at the Georgia World Congress Center and features more than just boats for sale.

This year’s Kid Zone will feature face painting, balloon art, a bouncy area, trout fishing and other kid friendly events.

For the older kids (like mom and dad!) there will be attractions such as the Miss GEICO speedboat, a giant aquarium for bass fishing, a sailing simulator, live music and so much more!

There will also be educational opportunities and special classes on DIY boat maintenance and repair, as well as other topics such as fishing and boat safety.

The Show Schedule

The show will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. this Thursday (1/14) and Friday (1/15), 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday (1/16), and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday (1/17).

The event takes place at the Georgia World Congress Center, hall C.

Lake Homes Realty will be located in the same space as the last 2 years, in booth 332. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

 

 

How to Clean and Prepare a Catfish

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips
raw fish catfish on the kitchen board

Catfish are very hearty fish that have tough skin. However, once they are cleaned, prepared and cooked, they make for a tasty meal that is a staple in any Southern household. Although there are plenty of ways to skin a cat(fish), this is a quick and easy method that’ll have you licking your fingers when you’re done!

Cleaning the Catfish

Materials You’ll Need

  • pair of pliers
  • some rope
  • a large knife
  • a fillet knife
Photo courtesy of 360DigiTour.

Skin the Body

Carefully cut around the body of the fish, up to behind the gills. Be sure not to make this a deep cut as you are trying to remove this portion from the meat.

Next, you need to gut the fish. Be careful not to puncture any of the fish organs.

Then you will need to remove all of the fish fins at the base. You will need to use your pliers to hold on to the fins while you are cutting.

Hang the Fish

Hang your fish by the gills from anything suitable, like a tree branch, using the rope. Cut the skin down the center of the fish’s back.

Pull Off the Skin

Pull the skin of the catfish off using the pliers from the head down. This can be a bit tricky; however, practice will help improve your skinning skills.

Remove Skin to Tail

Remove the catfish’s skin down to its tail.

Cut the tail off if it does not already have it removed.

Also, cut off the head using the large knife that you gathered with the rest of the materials.

Fillet the Catfish

Fillet your fish from the tail on up.

Cut along the fish’s backbone until you reach its ribs. Cut from the top, then down, beside the spine. Let the edge of the knife follow along the ribs.

Preparing the Catfish

Prepare your fish to eat. When you have both of the sides filleted, the sky is the limit on how you can season and cook the fish.

Ingredients

  • 2/3 Cup of Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • ¼ Cup of Flour
  • ½ tsp. of Salt
  • ¼ tsp. of Pepper
  • 1 tsp. of Paprika
  • 1 Egg – Beaten
  • ¼ Cup of Milk
  • 5-6 Catfish Fillets
  • ¼ Cup of Butter

Directions:

  1. Mix the cheese, salt, flour, pepper and the paprika in a large mixing bowl.
  2. In a different bowl, combine the milk and the egg.
  3. Dip catfish fillets in the wet mixture, and then dredge it through the flour mixture.
  4. Put the fillets in a lightly oiled baking dish.
  5. Drizzle the butter on.
  6. Bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or until the fish is flaky.

And if you want tips on the best ways to catch many catfish in an efficient manner, check out the article on Trotline Fishing: Fill Your Freezer.

Fishing in the South – Species You’ll Find and How to Identify Them

Posted on Staff

Fishing is one of the most popular pastimes in the South, and for good reason! There are various types of fish located in most every lake to match each angler’s fishing style and skill level.

Here is a list of some of the most common species you will find, along with their description and other names they go by.

We’ve even included tips on how to catch each species for a little extra help for you on your fishing adventures.

Fishing in the Southeast Largemouth bassLargemouth Bass

These are one of the most sought after freshwater game fish. Known for their fierce fight and determination once they are hooked. Largemouth bass are iconic fish for their behavior after taking the bait. They actually leap out of the water in an effort to throw the hook!

Largemouth bass commonly grow to 2-3 pounds, though 6-12 pounders are not uncommon.

There are numerous baits and tackle popular among bass anglers. These include spinner baits, live bait, jigs, and soft plastic lures like imitation worms or lizards.

The largemouth bass is olive green in color with a series of dark to black blotches that form a jagged stripe along each of the flanks.

Fishing in the Southeast smallmouth bassSmallmouth Bass

Although this fish is very similar to its largemouth counterpart, it only grows to be around 6 pounds.

One common method used to catch this fish is a lead head jig rigged with 3-4 inch plastic grub or even a plastic worm.

These fish are aggressive and very common. Some anglers even argue that they put up more fight pound-for-pound than their larger cousins.

Fishing in the Southeast striped bassStriped Bass

Although native to North America’s Atlantic coastline, these fish are also comfortable in fresh waters where they naturally migrate to spawn.

Because they can live in freshwater, many lakes throughout the South have been artificially stocked with Striped Bass, or “Stripers,” as game fish.

Since they are removed from their normal environment, most lakes containing these fish have to be restocked yearly, as the fish do not naturally reproduce without being able to travel up river.

Stripers are even bigger than Largemouth Bass, and can reach weights of more than 50 pounds.

Fishing in the Southeast crappieCrappie

Crappie are a favorite among  many fishermen, as they are abundant in population and often easy to catch. It is a flat fish with green, gold-ish sides and black spots.

The crappie is the smallest fish to make the list.

The best areas to locate this fish are around trees, brush, or stumps that are submerged. To catch them, use small lead head jigs that offer plastic or feather bodies, or live bait such as crickets or worms.

catfishCatfish

Catfish can be found in just about any lake or river. They spend their time foraging at the bottom, which is why they are known as “bottom feeders.”

Most catfish weigh between 3-8 pounds but have been known to exceed 50 pounds.

These fish are most active during the night hours.

Some of the best ways to catch catfish is to use night crawlers, chicken livers, hot dogs, or any type of “smelly” bait. This is because they have taste buds all over their body and can actually taste their food before they bite into it!

Catfish have whisker-like stems coming out from their faces with a yellowish belly. Unlike the other fish listed, catfish do not have scales on their bodies and have a smooth, almost slimy feel.

Are you an avid angler in the South? If so, what is your favorite fish to target?

And check out our article on “Fresh Fish Recipes You’ve Got to Try“!

Guide to Fishing Basics

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

Fishing can be a fun recreational activity or even a great way to make a great homemade meal. Whatever your reasons are, you will need to know some fishing basics before you get started.

Purchase Your Gear

fishing gearBefore you can do anything fishing related, you must get your fishing license.

If you go to your state’s website, they should have a direct link to the Department of Fish and Wildlife or Department of Natural Resources and find out what the process is to obtaining a fishing license. It typically costs around $10 to purchase your license.

You will obviously need a rod and reel. Start with a basic rod and a spincasting reel as it is the most beginner friendly. You will also need some bait which can be anything from a can of worms or crickets to fake worms or jigs.

Picking a Good Fishing Spot

Stop by a local sporting goods store or ask some local fishermen in the area where the best fishing spots are. Sometimes municipal parks have fish in their ponds that they allow anyone with a license to fish. Find a spot, but be mindful of others and do not crowd other fishermen.

Catch a Fish!

fishing basicsIf you do not know how to tie a hook onto your line, your best bet is to bring an experienced fishing friend with you. Ask them to teach you how to do a clinch knot which is simple and best for beginners.

Keep or Throw Back

The first step in learning when to keep or release is measuring the size of your fish. You can typically tell by the size immediately if it is one that you want to keep. You might also want to purchase a fish identification guide to help you to determine what kind of fish to keep. If it is going to give you bragging rights with your buddies, it is probably a keeper.

If you are a beginner fisherman, educate yourself before you get into the real deal of fishing. If you have a friend make sure you bring him/her along with you.