You Can Compete for $100,000 on Lake Conroe

Now’s the time to sign up for a chance to win $100,000 in the Sharelunker Club Tournament (SCT) on Lake Conroe, Oct. 1-21.

A $100 fee is required to become a member and only pre-registered members will be eligible for the $100,000 prize. The member who catches the largest Toyota ShareLunker from Lake Conroe during the tournament period will win a cash prize of $100,000. A portion of program proceeds will benefit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s youth outreach programs.

Additionally, the SCT will kick off the annual Toyota ShareLunker Program across the state of Texas. It runs through April 30, with the mission of promoting the catch-and-release of large fish and selectively breeding trophy largemouth bass. A bass must weigh at least 13 pounds to be entered in the program.

A press release from Texas Parks and Wildlife says the following:

The ShareLunker Club Tournament is the perfect way to cap off the Toyota Texas Bass Classic and continue the excitement from the event, which will be held on Lake Conroe, Sept. 28-30.  

The Toyota Texas Bass Classic will feature 50 of the best professional anglers in the world along with three days of concerts and expos, with the anglers battling it out to claim the title of the world’s best.

The Toyota Texas Bass Classic tournament functions are operated by the Professional Anglers Association with technical assistance and support from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division. Title sponsor for the event is Toyota.

Limited quantities of free tickets are available this year to the three-day outdoor music festival and professional bass fishing world championship. 

Standing Timber Cut at Lake Conroe

Standing timber has been cut at Texas’ Lake Conroe. Learn more about this illegal disregard for fish, wildlife, and public safety at The Angler Advocate:

“Habitat is again under attack on Lake Conroe, and those responsible have little regard for fish, wildlife, or public safety. A group of local anglers have discovered some large areas of standing timber that have been recklessly removed by yet unidentified individuals in Live Branch on the South end of the lake.” 

Angler Activism Important, But Frustrating

In my years of being a conservation writer for B.A.S.S. Publications, I’ve come to realize that many who buy lakefront property don’t do so because they like natural beauty.

Rather, they want those lakes to be as lifeless as swimming pools, just as they want their lawns to be sterile extensions of their wall-to-wall carpeting.

Preventing this selfish and/or thoughtless destruction of our waters is one of the foremost challenges for activist anglers. Education and outreach are among the best tools, as the Seven Coves Bass Club on Texas’ Lake Conroe has shown.

But anglers also must get involved in the political process by attending public meetings and voicing their opinions. While doing so is critical to protect our waters and our fisheries, it also can be extremely frustrating.

Here’s what an activist angler in the Northeast shared with me regarding his involvement:

“I really wish someone would go with me to these workshops/seminars and maybe they might get involved if they knew just how bad it is.”

Part of his frustration stems from the disregard that lakefront property owners show for the water. One of them told him that he didn’t care if the plants near his dock were beneficial native plants and not troublesome exotics. “I want them gone,” the property owner said.

“These people just don't have a clue and want a quick fix even if means harm to the environment,” says the frustrated activist.

And much of his frustration comes from government ineptness and corruption, including the political cronyism that he sees between bureaucrats and the herbicide industry. He wonders if kickbacks might be going on between herbicide companies and state officials.

“I watched first-hand what was going on at a workshop/seminar held by both and they didn't educate the public,” he says. “If anything, they were recruiting them so they could spread more aquatic herbicides on more lakes and ponds throughout the state.

“They want the lakefront homeowners to 'rake' the lake bottom and 'call' to eradicate the non-native vegetation they find in their lakes.

“You know as well as I do that a lot of aquatic vegetation is very similar to look at, and do you really think the chemical companies would turn down a new client/lake?”

This frustrated activist has tried to get members of his fishing club involved with him, with no success. Meanwhile, he says, the state, property owners, and aquatic herbicide companies have strengthened their reckless herbicide strategy.

I feel his passion and understand his frustration. Unfortunately, most anglers just don’t care enough to get involved.

$100,000 Prize Offered in ShareLunker Tournament at Conroe

Want a shot at catching a bass worth $100,000?

If so, plan to participate in the first-ever ShareLunker Club Tournament (SCT) on Texas’ Lake Conroe, Oct. 1-21.

All you need to do is pay a $100 fee to become a SCT member and then fish on Lake Conroe anytime during those three weeks.

The member who catches the largest Toyota ShareLunker (minimum of 13 pounds) will win a cash prize of $100,000.

“The ShareLunker Club Tournament is a great way for anglers from throughout the state to fish for big-time money at Lake Conroe, the home of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic,” said Dave Terre of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“Lake Conroe and the city of Conroe are incredible hosts of this event and we’re excited to start the ShareLunker season off with a bang. The funds raised from this tournament provide fishing opportunities for youth and their families through the department’s Neighborhood Fishin’ Program.”

Go to the Toyota Texas Bass Classic website to learn more.

Bass Club KOs Carp at Conroe to Help Restore Aquatic Plants

I was proud of myself for catching three grass carp from the little lake behind my house. Now my good friends at the Seven Coves Bass Club have humbled me in a big way.

Assisted by the Texas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and with approval from Texas Parks & Wildlife, they sponsored a grass carp tournament at Lake Conroe. The final tally: 287 carp taken by rod and reel and another 221 by bow. At an average weight of 10 pounds, that’s 5,000 pounds of plant-eating exotic fish removed from this Texas bass fishery.

Seven Coves has been trying to get beneficial native plants established in Conroe, but the carp, stocked to eat invasive hydrilla, weren’t allowing it.

With so many fewer few fish, the native plants might have a chance. If not, another tournament could be planned for next year.

Seven Coves also raises the plants and has proven itself a model for other clubs to follow in working with state agencies and lake associations. Check out this club’s website to learn a few things about stewardship and enjoy the grass carp photos.

By the way, one of the secrets for catching so many fish: Chumming likely areas in advance with range cubes, as well as dog and cat food.