Fishing Ohio River Marinas

[pattidan]

We fished the Plapp's tourney last month. We ran into a Enforcement Officer at the ramps at Cox park. We asked him about fishing the marinas and he told us that "Captain's Quarter and any other water that wasn't natural to the river or marked Private or No fishing was off limits to fisherman. It's a fight you can't win"... Dan

[artcarney_agr]

This trend is carrying over to Kentucky and Barkley Lake in a hurry! Kuttawa Harbor Marina and Lighthouse Landing are off limits during any competitive fishing event. Not just flipping the docks, but the whole dang thing! It's only a matter of time until all of them are off limits!

And another thing that's unfair is that Kuttawa Harbor and Buzzard Rock charge for use of a U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers boat ramp, which seems ridiculous. It seems to me since the Corps. poured the concrete, paved the lot, and own the lot, that the tax payers have the rights to that lot and any money paid for its use should go to the Corps., not Buzzard Rock Marina or Kuttawa Harbor Marina! It just doesn't seem right!

[bje]

I believe that it is contrary to Kentucky law to implement such rules on KY and Barkley, which are under lock and dam, and if I were cited for fishing there, I would most definitely challenge the citation.

[MASBASS]

We have gone thru this time and time again. I understand there are some silly rules and regs out there that I myself strongly disagree with. The Captians Quaters is private, created by private money and is not a natural flowable water it is man made. Therefore they can post it as can any other that is of this type. The money that you and I spend at these, thru our tax dollars, is nothing compaired to the money these marina operators do. I am not saying it is right or wrong. The main reason most of the off limits areas are established is because of some people do not respect other people or thier belongings. A good friend of mine has a really nice boat in a slip at one of the lakes. He pays good money to have the slip, he is a big bass fisherman and understands fishing docks, he loves to fish them. He came in one day last week and told me that his NEW boat cover had been ripped and still had the jig in the cover where someone was fishing his slip. Now he is against all marina fishing and I do not blame him. The cover was over $700 and less than a month old I do not see the person that did that paying for it. Like I have said before, I do not fish docks if there are boats in any of the slips, I have to much respect for other I guess, I do not want to chance damage to someones property. I still say that if that is the only place you have to fish is a place you are told not too then stay home you do not know how to fish!!!!!

[steves]

Isn't it cool that no matter what the topic is, these threads always evolve into someone insulting someone else. The internet is pretty cool.

[artcarney_agr]

It's funny too...... :)

[bje]

MASBASS:

You miss the point. I don't fish docks either but there is more at stake in this issue. Rivers and lakes under lock and dam have been considered public property, owned by the citizens of this Commonwealth, for all of Kentucky history. There is over one hundred years of law supporting this. The marina owner and your friend have been given the priveledge of making personal use of this public water. In the case of the marina owner, he has been given the opportunity to use this public waterway for profit. I believe people's personal property (i.e. their boats)ought to be respected, and that fishermen have a personal responsibility to not cause damage or repay the owner for damage caused. But I am of the opinion that we as the citizens who own this public waterway, cannot simply allow private parties to, contrary to law, limit our right to enjoy a public property.

[artcarney_agr]

Danny,

That's a good point you make about the ramp. I know exactly what drop you are talking about! I haven't launched there in a while either, but I agree that if a ramp isn't up to par then the guy charging should take full responsibility!

I've noticed a trend with these marinas that are unfavorable to fishermen. The marina owners haven't been owners for too long and are transfers from northern states. Do you think there might be a connection?! :)

[Danny]

Not sure about a connection Scott, but I do know I have completely quit eating Rudy Burgers!!!

I will spend money with those who embrace me and my fishing buddies. Prizer Point being a prime example. We used to also frequent and patronize the Kutawa resturant. However, once they began to try to run off us fishermen, I know that I, and several of my friends have discontinued our patronage.

Danny

[Danny]

Hey Scott,

You weren't here when the original discussion was on here about Kutawa harbor ramp charging. The lease they signed with the corps of engineer allows them to charge for launching at their site, but in return they are then responsible for the entire upkeep. I personally don't feel they have done a good job of that upkeep. I also think that there is a greater question that has yet to be answered. That is this, if they have the right to consider it private property, aren't they then liable for what happens there? Such as the guy that was electrocuted at a dock a while back? Or at Kutawa, and it may not be the case now, but one lane of the ramp had a bad drop off and I've seen many trailers stuck there. If they were damaged, and he, the owner, hasn't done the proper upkeep, isn't he responsible?

BTW, I am the one who just now removed your post about the moderators. It lead to complaints about the way the board is run, and that is against the rules. Any complaints about the moderation of the board are to be sent to Peter and JimD via email.

I am sorry if you are not happy with the board rules.

Danny