Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

We're exactly one week away from Day 1 of the tournament and the activity level here is extremely high. This past week we met with the Mazatzal Casino team to do a “walk throughâ€

Cowboy, I am fishing as an AM, but I am bringing my boat for prefish. I am staying at LakeView RV Park and was wondering if I needed any type of boat inspection or special things I should know before coming. Thank you for the help.. Jason Bubier 530-230-8868. I am leaving Easter Sunday and appreciate your reponse.

Geez Jason that's a haul. Should have hooked up with ya to get some pre-fish rides. All I know about is that crazy Tonto pass that has to be purchased EVERY DAY. They do not have a multi-day pass. Ten dollars a day.

This "inspection" sounds like a way to get us to not want to come back. Just like these other lakes making oppresive rules and processes they will have guys like me not comng to visit unless I "have to" to accomodate the tour schedule.

Supposedly they are doing a courtesy inspection so we will not be inconvenienced during the tournament. I will not be inconvenienced by the courtesy inspection. They can come find me on the water. Every day if they like. Funny how there was nobody interested in any of my safety equipment during a pre-fish visit. It is just when we show up as a group that they pull out all the "I'm the boss", I mean safety, procedures. A big joke that is not funny and going to cost the area future visitors.

There is no doubt we, as bass anglers, are way ahead of the general public when it comes to safe boating. Why do they need to inconvenience us by giving this inspection when they could be checking local jetski's and 30 year old aluminums for expired fire extinguishers? Because those guys will show up for court rather than pay the ticket as an out of towner.

It is $6 a day for the Tonto parking pass. $10 a day if you use the improved campgrounds. The courtesy inspection is to give the tourney guys a sticker so they have no down time for an on the water inspection. The Sherriff boats have been doing safety inspections for a couple of months and trust me the local tourney guys have had issues with extinguishers and other things and mostly have just gotten warnings. The inspections have nothing to do with the FLW at all. In my 59 years here I have been stopped on the water one time and that was 2 months ago. We have quagga mussels and no one here has to get an anal probe when they go fishing. The bite at Roosey has been slow from the recent weather fronts but it should be really good for the tournament.

It sounds like this community is really giving alot of support for this event. That should help for a return trip!

Ringer wrote:It is $6 a day for the Tonto parking pass. $10 a day if you use the improved campgrounds.

Really? Why was I told at ALL the places I bought my pass that it is 6 bucks PLUS 4 bucks for a watercraft sticker? I bought my pass in three different places.

I would like to see the stats on how many extinguisher violations there have been on older boats and PWCs versus tournament fishermen. I will bet it will be hard to find one in the "courtesy" inspections or on water as will be my case. Big waste of their time and an inconvenience to my fishing. Look at the safety record of FLW fishing tournaments. In all of the accidents FLW's rules, which exceed local laws, have provided more than adequate protection for the anglers and the public. Show me one accident in thousands of tournament days that FLW has not proven themselves as safe beyond the general public's record.

Yep, Just checked on the NF website. Clear as day. 6 bucks PLUS 4 bucks for a watercraft. Better pay back your fees. 4 bucks times 59 years seems like a lot of money. Maybe it is a different law for locals?

You can buy that little sticker all you want to but it is not needed unless you park the boat and trailer at the Cholla campground. The day pass is the hanging card and they are $6 each day. I am sure you know more about the system than I do so everyone should listen to you. As for violations there have been a few tourney guys that didn't realize their extinguishers were decharged. I could care less if anyone ever comes here to fish but you are all welcome and the people here are very supportive of this tournament. Just because one guy is a sucker and pays an extra 4 bucks a day doesn't mean everyone else is.

Water Craft Use Sticker - $4
One sticker must be permanently affixed to a Tonto Daily Pass for each watercraft that the vehicle tows or otherwise carries to the lake. "Watercraft" is defined as any floating device that requires registration with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.


Are you telling us do not buy the sticker? The info above is from the NF website. It says nothing about where you launch. I will be the sucker with the sticker and the charged extinguisher. But I usually do everything by the law. Have a good day.

Robert, you always have a way at looking at the bright side of things Glad your cup is half full buddy

James

I owe Robert an apology. I always buy the annual pass which does not require the sticker. You do need the sticker on your card so it is $10 a day. Brain cramp. Anyway have a great tournament. Should be some big bags next week.

Thanks Ringer. Hope it is good fishing for all.

I'm amped for this one! Pretty much a new lake for most of us. Sounds like the community is really excited about us coming and FLW is doing a stand up job as they always do. Leaving Redding at 4a.m. tomorrow. Can't wait!

The lake is at 100% full for the first time since they built the new dam. Tons of water and cover and the bass are all fatter than I have ever seen them. Used to get tons of unders but now most of the fish are fat slots and overs. Have fun and kick some butt.

The Gila County Sheriff Office (GCSO) lake patrol monitors Roosevelt Lake. The Town of Payson, our volunteer committee nor the FLW Stren has nothing to do with the GCSO boat safety inspection rule, however we do support their safety efforts. The committee simple did what a few noted here, we did what we could to minimize the impact while the tournament is underway. Most of our committee members are fishermen and several are tournament fishermen, so we understand. There will be more than one officer in the Cholla parking area on April 14th & 15th from 10 AM to 2 PM. The inspection will take less than 2 minutes. I've been stopped on the water a few times this year and the inspections are quick but from the time they approach until I pick up my rod again is always more like 5-7 minutes. You might luck out and not get inspected on the water, then again, you might get stopped each day. Here is what the officers will ask to see:

PFD for everyone on the boat. If your PFD states on the inside label that it is a "TYPE V only and must be worn at all times" then it must be worn at all times or you need to have another PFD on the boat for that person.
If it says something like Type V when worn otherwise a Type II or III you're fine. Look for wording stating that it must be worn at all times, if you have that, go to Wal-Mart and buy a $1.99 PFD and keep it in a locker (that's what I did).

A Type IV throw seat or ring (it does not need a rope attached)

A charged fire extinguisher

They MAY ask to see your fishing license

If you want to save time, have these laying on your deck and it will go very quickly.

BTW Cholla Site is the closest ramp to Tonto Basin and Payson. If you pre-fish from any other ramp on the lake you will drive right by Cholla to get there and again when you return.

I hope this helps. Send me a PM if you need any additional information, I'll see ya'll in Payson!!

cowboy

Glen, thank you for all the info, we all really appreciate it. See you there, Jason Bubier....

Jim, Thank you for the info as well, it is realy nice to get help from a local. This is what this forum is supposed to be about, local fisherman helping others. We appreciate it. Jason