Laurel Lake GONE CRAZY!!!!

[dcbasser]

Yeah this is the buzz going around for laurel. The problem with laurel is the tourny scene has got way out of hand over the last few years. two and three tournies going out a night from april thru october. it was getting unreal and not to mention not very safe to be on the water at some points. all for tournaments and enjoy fishing them very much but they definatly need to be regulated a little better, hopefully this will help some.

[ewyrick1215]

Just received some more detail on this whole mess. My fishing partner spoke with the district office and was told that this was a new rule due to the liability of the Forestry Dept. It seems that the forestry folks own the surface area of the lake due to it being a national forest. Because of this they want touneys to carry $600,000 (roughly $350 to purchase)of liability insurance for any tourney so that if a wreck happens during that tourney the parties involved in the accident cant sue the foresty people. The biggest issue here is that they are singling out the fisherman because they are not making any other pleasure boating activities have permits or prove insurance, because there is not a law requiring boaters to carry insurance. So other than fishing tourneys if there is a wreck, the forestry department can be held liable because they own the lake. THIS SEEMS SO FAIR DOESNT IT???? I am aware there there are a lot of tourneys on the body of water, but not once did the forestry department tell my partner that this new rule was to help the habitat or fishery, but simply to cover their own rear ends. GIVE ME A BREAK. IT IS TIME FOR FISHERMAN TO TAKE A STAND AND MAKE A POINT!!!!!!!

[CATCHEMALL]

If what is stated above is true about the forestry owning the lake then why cant they just make every tournament sign a waiver stating they are not responsible. I also agree about the pleasure boaters should have to have the same insurance. Just me 2cents worth.

[fishalltime]

I dout weather there are any bass boats that carry $600,000 dollars of liability insurance ! So what happens if a individual or more than 1 have wrecks on the water with injury ? This is rediculess !

[phoenix]

I dout weather there are any bass boats that carry $600,000 dollars of liability insurance ! So what happens if a individual or more than 1 have wrecks on the water with injury ? This is rediculess !

Hey Jeff;
I have $500,000 on mine........required by HCR if you moor your boat there annually. But the ones that are just there on weekends or a temporary stay don't have to have it. Its just more of the Marina trying to lessen their liability ins cost. This could be the reason for these new requirements of tourneys on Laurel.
Its a dam shame we have to pay to use something the public has already paid for over and over again in tax money.

[kygorski]

So whats the big deal on liability insurance on your boat, I've had it for over 30yrs along with hazard insuranceand so forth.If the premiums are goping to break you, dont fish tourneys.Some guys pay 16 bucks for one hard bait, and but several at a time, plus boats are not cheap, and niether are good tow vechicles.Even golfers need liability insurance.

[redneckshadrap]

So whats the big deal on liability insurance on your boat, I've had it for over 30yrs along with hazard insuranceand so forth.If the premiums are goping to break you, dont fish tourneys.Some guys pay 16 bucks for one hard bait, and but several at a time, plus boats are not cheap, and niether are good tow vechicles.Even golfers need liability insurance.

Maybe they should have draw tourneys like they do the Elk hunts....

[fishalltime]

There's no big deal with liability insuance,if you carry insurance you have liability just not $600,000 unless you requested it .The basic starting rate on my Farm Bureau policy was $250,000 .Everyone that wanted to fish tournaments on Laurel will have raise there liability,no big deal,but at $20.00 per thousnd $ of liability coverage it isnt cheap on a already expensive premium.Couple that with only fishing tourny's there 1 or 2 times a year it isnt worth it to me.If this stands it wont be long before you have to carry this for just fishing any lake in Ky not only tournys.That ought to make the insurance company's happy,Just my opinion............

[Fntsyfbgod]

Guys realize this is the Daniel Boone National Forest not a Kentucky state agency doing this. Also realize that this is not that unusual for lakes on federal land. Cave Run may be next.

[kygorski]

Again that thing that mark twain said rings true, the rarest thing on earth is common sense'A canoe will not cause as much dam,age as a 30 ft bayliner.A 700 lb boat going 25 mph will not cause as much damage as a 21 ft3000 lb boat going 55 mph.Of course that small boat running full tilt into a mass baptism, well thats a different story.If you have assets worth 3000,000 bucks, minimum insurance is foolish.Thats what insurance does covers yer ass ets

[dc chopper]

I have an idea, screw Laurel and go somewhere else. Take away the money from the area, get changes. Its like a salesman told me once, get in their pocketbook and they will make changes. enough local owners start raising cain, you will get changes. Congress budgets the funds for these agencys, call and make some noise. I dont fish tourneys but give the govt an inch they will work out 10 miles.

[billm_usa1]

Before everyone gets really crazy, this shouldn't be a concern unless your a non-affiliated club. Both the Federation and Federation Nation have $1,000,000 liability policies for club events. This is already covered in your dues. There is no extra charge.