Vail Lake Membership discount

BTB · Post by **BTB** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:09 pm

John Cassidy (Anglers Arsenal/Western Plastics) is getting anglers interested in membership at Vail to get together and possibly join as a group. Jaraslav, the Lake Sales Manager, say that he will discount the membership price if a group signs up all at once.

John is proposing a day on the lake fishing, tour of the facilities and a little relaxation with adult beverages at the clubhouse on the Lake. If there is enough interest, I think they would waive any fees for the day of fishing along with discounting the individual memberships.

If you're interested, give John a call at 619-466-8355.

We will be discussing it on the radio show for the next few weeks.

BTB · Post by **BTB** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:04 pm

John's Email is:

John Cassidy jjcjr@pacbell.net

JJCJR · Post by **JJCJR** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:12 am

Thanks for the response guys,
If you have not already done so either send me a private message or get a hold of me at jjcjr@pacbell.net.

I'm putting the first package together today and should get back with you later on (Wednesday) Leave me your phone number if you would like a call.

Right now I have 9 guys interested, and that should make for a good deal.

Mike Phua · Post by **Mike Phua** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:33 am

Working here at Angler's Marine I hear alot of variances on what these memberships are sold for. Some well below the advertised price.

If I can genuinely get a real deal I'm interested. What I don't want happening is someone getting this group together so that we fit the bill for their free membership. There's already been a few people in here working on that program for their own benefits and the people involved are just paying a price that we could just walk up and pay anyway. MP

KPalmer · Post by **KPalmer** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:49 am

Mike, I was just up there two weeks ago checking out the lake.....The advertised price as you know is around $2,100, but if we signed up that day it was $1,900....this included fishing only, no campground access... You could bring 2 guests each time, but only 1 boat. I think as a group if we could get it down around $1,200 or so, that would be a killer deal...In this economy, I find it hard to believe if they didn't negotiate some? I am totally down for the free day as well....paid $100 for the day last time.

***fishing wasn't bad..we caught close to 30....mostly 2-3 lbers, but got an 8 on a blade.

BTB · Post by **BTB** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:51 am

Mike - Niether John nor myself needs a free membership. Since Vail Lake sponsors the radio show an John is one of the on air talents, we can pretty much go when we want any way.

The benefit for us getting the deal together is showing the lake owners that their sponsorship of the radio program is showing some positive results. We promote all of our sponsors whenever we can. It's good business and a part of our contract with them.

We even promote non radio show sponsors, like the Anglers Marine Bass-A-Thon. Rick was on last Sunday night. No charge, no strings, no money involved.

We also have a few friends and radio listeners and it's nice to get them a better deal.

I guess if that's too greedy, then - Oh Well. LOL

BTB · Post by **BTB** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:06 pm

OK Here's the deal.

I just talked to John and the plan has changed a bit.

It was too hard to get everyone together on one day.

Call John at 619-466-466-8355, or email (John Cassidy jjcjr@pacbell.net) and he will put you on a list that will go to the lake manager, Jaraslav.

Call jaraslav to let him know that you are on the Rod and Reel Radio list and he will give you the details, how much etc. He did not want me to publish the discounted price, but it's pretty good.

To get the discount, you must commit before the end of this month.

Your new membership will be good through December 2009 so you will get an extra month also.

JJCJR · Post by **JJCJR** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:40 pm

Thank you to all of you that contacted us regarding Vail Lake.

I'll be out of the office on Thursday and than have to attend a city lakes meeting regarding the future of fishing here in San Diego Thursday evening. If I don't get back with you tomorrow don't worry, the deal is good until 12/01/09.

This evening Wednesday, I sent the Vail Lake Director the names of interested fishermen on it. If you want to be included on the Rod and Reel Radio Group deal, just drop me a note at jjcjr@pacbell.net and we'll get you on the next list.

If you have questions call me at 619 466 8355 on Friday

John

Lynne · Post by **Lynne** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:39 am

951-303-5738

Noluk · Post by **Noluk** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:59 am

Thank you for setting this up. I actually pulled the trigger and bought a membership. A bit more of a drive than DVL but it seemed like the best fishing option available. Anyone know anything about the lake? I have been there 1 time for a charity night tournament and it was horrid fishing that night. I hope all the good stuff i heard is true... but my Luk usualy isn't the best on things like this........

tunaman · Post by **tunaman** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:12 pm

Close your eyes and just start casting!

Couldn't miss, at least when we were there for the Wounded Warrior event... Happy Jack's for bass fishing!!!

Have fun!
Roger

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:34 pm

It's really easy fishing. TRUST ME!

Brian D. · Post by **Brian D.** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:15 pm

You are my new BFF. Call me bro. hehehe

split172 · Post by **split172** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:33 pm

So what is the price around? Is this everyones price, or is the guy who set this up getting hooked up? Thanks, Rob

Noluk · Post by **Noluk** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:18 am

John indicated that he prefered not to publish the price for the deal on the Internet. I found it a significant amount off the list price. John left his phone number above so you can give him a call about the whole deal. I do not know (or care) if John received anything for this but I actually believe his post above that indicates he doesn't gain anything except for the fact that his radio show gets a positive spin with one of his paying advertisers.

What I do know is that I am excited and going fishing Friday and the price was better than I could have gotten calling them myself. It feels like I joined the Country Club or something... (thank god they don't have a minimum monthly food purchase like most country clubs)

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:23 am

Brian D. · Post by **Brian D.** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:02 pm

and decided not to pull the trigger based on cost and how many times I could actually make it out to the lake even with other weekend trips.

Initial discounted price $1500
Trips per year | average lake entry cost per trip

12 | $125
15 | $100
20 | $75
25 | $60

Year 2 renewal price will prolly get bumped up to 200 or $300, so there goes the discounted price.

KPalmer · Post by **KPalmer** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:36 pm

yeah but, 1 trip seeing Cassidy getting hauled away for drinking at the lake.........................Priceless!

JJCJR · Post by **JJCJR** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:38 am

Though I am notorious on many fronts and have been known to stretch the envelope every now and again, I have already made my mark on Vail Lake that will never be eclipsed! I have the distinction of being the first boater to fail the quagga muscle inspection in the lake's history. That's right, it can happen to you, even at Vail. Turns out water was left in the livewells of the boat I was planning to fish out of and, well, that was enough to bounce us. Nothing like getting up and leaving a 5am to get to the lake just to turn around and have the pleasure of traveling on I-15 back into San Diego during the morning rush hour. What a pleasant experience that was.

Just take care and know that even at Vail Lake, they do a boat inspection each time before you get on the lake. Clean and dry is the word.

Don't ever attempt to amortize what the cost of each trip in your boat works out to against what you paid for it. Also add in the price of fuel and insurance. Why not just spend a nice day "jug-fishing" on the shoreline casting for strippers or cats".

BTB · Post by **BTB** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 2:02 pm

The offer is still good for the Vail Lake membership. If you factor in everything, the private lake membership is a very good way to go.

Times, they are a changing.

Lakes are closing making those that remain crowded. Prices are up and business is down everywhere.

If you really care that no one gets hooked up over this, I will say again. None of us on the radio program need to get hooked up at Vail Lake over this membership deal. We are already "hooked up" so to speak.

If you want to factor in the cost of the membership to your fishing days, factor in everything else, like the initial cost of your pickup, boat and trailer. Then consider what you pay for tackle. As an added excuse for not buying a membership, thinking that the next years price will get bumped up is wrong. They want you to remain a member. It just isn't good business to jack up the price and drive away your existing membership base. Then factor in the advantages of fishing a low pressure lake with a lot of fish in it. Then add in the advantages of having the clubhouse and big screen to relax after fishing if you want and maybe the campground and other facilities are worth a little bit.

After all of your factoring, if the cost of the membership puts fishing Vail Lake out of reach for you, then I guess it isn't for you. But then even Santa Ana River Lakes have a charge for fishing there! LOL

I doubt that John will get hauled off for drinking at the lake, unless its live well water he's drinking.

hippie · Post by **hippie** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 6:27 pm

how could it be beneficial to fish a low pressured lake? If its not tough to fish you won't become a better tournament angler if thats what you like to do. how do you justify over a 100.00 a month for a lake membership especially for the guys that aren't retired and can't fish everyday i could see 1500 for a few years but 1500 or even 1200 a year is rediculous save it close all the lakes around the IE i still won't pay that much. My son will be big enough to surf soon so it will be back to paddling out at 6am freezing my balls off but ill be saving that 1500 a year

ttuna · Post by **ttuna** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 5:22 am

Where dose Vail get all there water from. Why is there no water
problem there?

BTB · Post by **BTB** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 6:54 am

Vail is all run off from Mt. Palomar and the hills toward Warners Hot Springs. They do not get any Colorado River water. Lake owner Bill Johnson told us recently that he was going to court to preserve the water in the lake and he wanted to raise the level as much as possible.

KPalmer · Post by **KPalmer** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:02 pm

The cost is all relative....every year I go to lake Bacarrac or El Salto in Mexico for 4 days of fishing....the cost for everything is around $2000-$3000 per trip depending where you go. How do you justify that? Or how do you justify paying $4000 entry fee for an FLW Series event?...I guess it comes down to what people enjoy doing with their time and money.

hippie · Post by **hippie** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 7:16 pm

Well when Obama starts taxing you rich guys you may not be able to afford to go to el salto. ELSALTO is over rated and the fishing at Vail is stupid. if your a tournament fishermen is Vail really going to help your skills well maybe landing fish it might. Your right to each there own. I as a person can't see it my wife gets bent at me every year for buying my DV yearly pass but it saves me money at the end. Dropping money on a tourny I can see cause your taking the chance of making money

KPalmer · Post by **KPalmer** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:43 am

Hippie, I just think life is too short to not do the things you want to do or break it down to every penny. I also get a little tired of people playing the victim role. I am an avid tournament bass fisherman in both fresh and saltwater events, but I think it's too easy to get caught up in tournament only mentality, that you forget to just go fishing for fun.... I know El Salto and Bacarrac are overrated...I've only caught 30+ fish over 10 lbs at those lakes, but it's mexico so it doesn't count right?....who cares, it's still some of the best memories I've ever had. Also, I claim it as a business deduction, so it's kinda like going for free..
Question:
Did your wife get bent at you for spending money on fishing before you got married? probably not, so why do you put up with it now?

Just busting your balls....that is, if you have any left? haha

some guy · Post by **some guy** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:39 am

Vail will be good until every last one of you buy a memebership and are beating it up regularly.

JJCJR · Post by **JJCJR** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:24 am

I was out on Vail on Sunday and thought the lake would be pretty beat up from the holiday weekend.

We got on the water at 6:15am to the most beautiful morning you could imagine. I laughed when I saw the shadow of myself and my fishing partner on the face of the dam as the sun came up from the east. Temp was about 50 at sunrise but was 82 when we left. After traveling through the early morning fog and haze of the coast we were happy to see a blue bird sky day in the making.

Now we don't know the lake that well, but by 2pm we landed over 25 fish for the day the heaviest being 3 3/4 pounds. There were about 10 boats on the lake from the rigs in the parking area, but really, we never ran into anyone anywhere we wanted to go for the whole 8 hours we fished.

The experience is worth the price of admission. The fishing...just icing on the cake. Tournaments are fun and exciting, but sometimes you just have to get away from it all and just go out and fish for the sure joy of the experience. Vail lake is just one of those places.

The Rod and Reel special ends today. Thanks to all who have joined. I was happy to meet with a few of you on Sunday who have just recently joined. Now go out and get 'em, they're getting away.

KPalmer · Post by **KPalmer** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:44 am

John...good to see you actually got to fish this time...you made it through the inspection, bloody mary's were hidden in the live wells, etc... Glad you had a great day on the water. Not a bad day.

JJCJR · Post by **JJCJR** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:26 am

Luckily they let two old farts with cigars and chewin' tabacco on.

The boat inspection was pretty through having been found out from 10 or so days earlier. But we passed with "flying colors"!

I think we will have to take up drinking again after listening to that Charger game on the way home. We could have watched the game from the club house at the lake, but we didn't want to spoil the experience for a group of folks already there watching the discovery channel on the life cycle of red toed lizards. They had been watching the game earlier, but changed the channel opting for a show with a little more action. What a way to spoil what was a great day.

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:07 pm

John,

If it wasn't such a far drive for me from Washington, I would be purchasing one of those memberships.

The last time I fished Vail lake was during a MBA Tournament that I took first place in. Good memories (somewhere around 1980?). And yes, we used to fish tournaments on the lake before it became private.

ciao,
Marc

BTB · Post by **BTB** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:28 pm

There's no doubt that Vail is a great bass lake and has been for many years.

I remember in the '70s a couple of guys were making spinner baits in their garage. I think they were K-R Spinnerbaits. I met one of them at Vail early one morning and he caught five, 5 to 6 pound bass before I could even catch one. He then put hem on ice and took them to the Fred Hall Show when it was at Golden Hall in downtown San Diego to show off how well his baits did. He did the same thing for the Long Beach Fred Hall show every morning before the show. five days for Long Beach and five days for San Diego that's fifty nice bass he killed just to show off at the show. Back then no one seemed to mind and just admired the nice catch made that morning.

WOW have things changed!

Vail is still a great lake to fish and has a nice population of bass.

Those that jumped on this deal werre wise and not only saved some money but are helping to preserve the lake.

(dam - am I that old????)

JJCJR · Post by **JJCJR** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:12 pm

Marc good hearing from you. What are you doing down on this forum.

We all shared a lot of good times with the ABA fish-offs and the Jamborees at Banks Lake. I miss those times almost as much as I do Mc Pat.

Hope you are well and good knowing you check us southeners out from time to time. I've enjoyed your articles in the Inside Line.

Fishing Vail now is almost like fishing Palmer on steroids

Good fishing,
Hopalong

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:22 pm

John,

I lurk here all the time, and even post once in a while. Most of the guys on this board don't know me, even though I used to live in Orange County and took their money in tourneys all through the 1980's before moving up to Washington. I still toy with the idea of moving back; as I get older the weather makes So. CA more attractive. When I retire I would like to have a house down there for the winter and keep my island house up here in Washington for the summers. Maybe I should get off my duff and push my QuickDrops dropshot sinkers more so I can quit my day job...how are you stocked for them in your store? Ha Ha.

Yes, I miss Mc Pat as well. Tell you what, let me know when you are coming north and I will take you out on Lake Washington or Lake Sammamish and we will smoke a couple of Davidoff's in his memory, my treat. You can stay at my house.

John, thanks for the compliment on the Inside Line articles; check out my articles in Bass Angler's Guide as well; I have been covering some other types of information in there (the current issue has my article on networking electronics).

Let me know if any good GM jobs open up at any water districts in your area. I sure would like to get back out on Vail, and I would love to revisit all the SD lakes again...

ciao,
Marc

some guy · Post by **some guy** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 7:05 am

Im only 27 but before it went private my dad use to take me to Vail atleast twice a week. I watched him destory that place and back in the day i use to do a number on that place with a buzzbait when i was too young to fish a spook yet. I remember one day in particualr my dad had a 12lb 8 oz, 11lb 3oz and 10lb 4oz all on the spook. All fish were released. I can't remember the day it went private but it was the worst day of my young life. We camped there along the road by the eucalyptis trees for years. i even remember the dock guy Butch and his Rot that would carry around a whole basketball in his mouth all the time.

I have been lucky enough to fish that place a few times and they still eat the same stuff they did back in the day. Loads of fish but not many over 10lbs any more. When it first went private alot of guys poached it at night with float tubes and kayaks and pillaged a good number of the grumpies in there. The lake also has ( or use to ) an incredible crappie bite and some JUMBO catfish near the dam.

BTB · Post by **BTB** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 7:44 am

If you're having some remorse at not "pulling the trigger" on this one, Jaraslav decided to extend the offer until the end of December.

You still need to contact John Cassidy and get on the Rod & Reel Radio list then contact Jaraslav at the Lake for details.

John Cassidy jjcjr@pacbell.net or call him at 619-466-8355.

Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com