Fishing Tackle Loaner Program

Photo Credit: TakeMeFishing.org

Do you want to try your hand at fishing but don't have the necessary equipment to do so? Maybe you'd like to take the kids fishing too but that would require additional gear. Well, fortunately for us, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has a Fishing Tackle Loaner Program which lets you borrow fishing equipment for free. The program provides fishing poles and stocked tackle boxes. Did we mention it's FREE!?

Children under 16 do not need a fishing license but older anglers will need to purchase a license. There are over 25 State Parks and Historic Sites that are active in the program. We're pretty sure you'll find a great fishing spot close to home. You can find participating parks by clicking here.

Are you ready to go fishing? What type of fish would you like to catch?

Tips For Boating With Dogs

Have you thought about taking your dog boating? If so, check out the tips below to help you keep your dog safe and happy while out enjoying time on your boat. 

Doggy Life Jackets

Life jackets can be a lifesaver in case of an accident. Dog’s simply doggy paddle. If their body is made up of mostly muscle, they can quickly get tired. They will not be able to float easily and keep their head above water. Make sure your pups life jacket fits properly. Introduce the life jacket to them before taking them out so they can become familiar with it. 

Fluids

Take plenty of fresh drinking water. Helpful tip: Take water in a sports bottle to make it easier for your dog to drink. Your dog can quickly become dehydrated being outside in the sun. They tend to lose dehydration quicker due to panting. Do not let your dog drink directly from the lake or river, there could be potentially dangerous algae, pollutants, and parasites that may make them very sick.

Sun Awareness

Protect your dog’s skin with sunscreen (especially if they have short or light colored hair). Keep an eye out for sunstroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion. Have your dog take an occasional swim in the water to cool off. If your dog happens to become extremely lethargic, starts to gag or vomit, get them out of the sun right away and call your vet.

Bathroom Breaks

Give your pup plenty of opportunities to take bathroom breaks and pack baggies to dispose of their waste properly.

Good Behavior

Keep an eye on your dog at all times and make sure they are respectful to others while on the boat, on the water, and on the docks. Be sure to reward them for good behavior.

We recommend taking your pup out on a few short trips to see how they do (especially if it's their first time). If your dog does not enjoy boating after a few times out, it might be better to leave them at home.

Are you ready to take your dog out on the water? For those who do take their dog out often, what other tips could you recommend?

Do You Know Matt?

Meet your guide - Matt Henry. He's been bass fishing competitively since 1999, when he was just 11 years old.  Fishing has been a part of his life since he was a young boy learning techniques used by his father.  Matt joined the Junior Bass Busters, the first youth bass club established in Georgia, based out of Conyers in 1999.  He fished with the youth club until he graduated high school in 2006.  In that time frame he won (3) Georgia Junior State Championships, and fished in (3) Junior World Championships where he represented the State of Georgia.  

After high school, Matt went on to college at Georgia College & State University where he founded the Georgia College Bass Fishing Team.  He served as team president for multiple years and had many great tournament finishes throughout his college career.  Matt’s childhood dream was to become a full time pro fisherman one day and he is currently making those dreams come true.  He is now fishing the pro side of the FLW Outdoors BFL (Bass Fishing League) and many other local and regional tournaments.   When Matt is not fishing a tournament or out on the lake guiding, he likes to volunteer his time by giving back to youth fishing programs.

Tournament Highlights:
1st Place HD Marine Trail March 2009 Lake Sinclair, GA
1st Place Georgia Southern Collegiate Trail March 2010 Lake Sinclair, GA
8th Place Boat U. S. Collegiate Nationals May 2010 Lake Lewisville, TX
1st Place BFL Bulldog Super Tournament August 2010 Lake Oconee, GA
1st Place BFL Bulldog Division May 2011 Lake Eufaula, AL
1st Place Berry’s Trail December 2011 Lake Sinclair, GA
1st Place Georgia Southern Collegiate Trail April 2012 West Point Lake, GA
1st Place Berry’s Trail May 2012 Lake Oconee, GA
1st Place Berry’s Trail Angler of the Year (2011-2012 Season) Points Champion

Are you ready to go out on the lake?

What The Tracker Brand Has To Offer

In 1978, Bass Pro Shops' founder Johnny Morris revolutionized the boating industry when he introduced the first fully rigged boat, motor and trailer package on the market. More than 30 years later, that tradition of excellence and innovation is found in every model in the Tracker Marine Group lineup. 

Whether you're searching for your first fishing boat or upgrading the family fun boat, rest assured your boat is crafted to provide you and your family years of quality experiences on the water. Explore what our brands have to offer through the links below.

Click here to learn more about Tracker Boats.

Click here to learn more about Sun Tracker Pontoons.

Click here to learn more about Nitro Bass Boats.

Click here to learn more about Tahoe Boats.

Click here to learn more about Mako Boats.

Now that you've had a chance to see what the Tracker brand has to offer, how can we help you get on the water? Whether you're looking for your next fishing boat, runabout, or pontoon, we can help!

What Are The Different Types of Personal Flotation Devices?

So you've decided to purchase a new personal flotation device or PFD for short. Now is the confusing part, which PFD is right for you. Well it all depends on the type of activity you plan on wearing it for. There are five categories PFD’s and we have them all listed below so you can decide which type is right for you.

Type I: Offshore Life Jackets are made for rough, open, or remote waters. They are bulky and have the most buoyancy because if you are in need of help and stuck in the above-mentioned type of waters, it may be awhile before rescue can get to you. These come in bright colors and are designed to turn most unconscious people face up in the water.

Type II: Near-Shore Vests are made for calm inland waters. These are bulky but not nearly as much as the Type I life jackets. These are designed to turn some unconscious people face up but not all because of the chance of a fast rescue.

Type III: Flotation Aids are made for most paddlers. They offer more movement and comfort because of the chance of a fast rescue. These life jackets are made so that paddlers can put themselves in a face-up position, but may have to tilt their head back to avoid being face down in the water.

Type IV: Throwable Devices are cushions or ring buoys that are made to be thrown out to someone that’s in trouble. It can also be used as a backup to a PFD. These are not designed for non-swimmers, for use in rough waters, or someone that is unconscious.

Type V: Special-Use Devices are made for specific activities. In order to be acceptable by the USCG, they must always be used for the activity specified on the label.

We're Part of a Network

Do you know we have a network program? We sure do. We're part of Classic City Marinas' Network Program. Our customers are welcome to use the marina facilities of any of our affiliate marinas.

For example, you live in Eatonton, Georgia, have your boat here with us, but you're a HUGE Clemson Tiger fan and want to spend fall weekends in Clemson, SC - guess what? You're more than welcome to reserve a temporary slip (subject to availability of course) at Clemson Marina at no additional cost to you. How about that?

The Classic City Marinas' Network include Clemson Marina, Crooked Creek Marina, Thurmond Marina, Bone Island Grill, and Sinclair Marina (that's us!). With the purchase of a boat, you are automatically given FREE membership in Bone Island Grill (B.I.G.) Royalty for Loyalty program. This includes perks like $25 off your next visit to the B.I.G., free entree during your birthday month, free t-shirt after your tenth visit, plus earn free stuff the more you visit any of our B.I.G. restaurants.

Still have questions, feel free to contact us for more information.

Boating Accidents: An Infographic

If you're a visual person, do we have a great infographic for you.

We just found this from gadling.com, and while it was posted 3 years ago, a lot of the data is still relevant. Sure, specific numbers change over time, but overall boating safety trends remain the same. Check it out:

                    (Photo Credit: Boat Insurance)

So what do these numbers say? Well, first thing's first: the number of boating accidents generally decreased throughout the 2000's. This is great news! 

But then comes the not-so-great news. Georgia doesn't rate so well on the boating accident death rates, with 7.5-10 deaths per 100,000 registered boats in 2008. In general, 9 out of 10 people who died in a boating accident in 2008 were not wearing a life jacket. Isn't that crazy?! Let's draw a quick conclusion from that: wearing your life jacket can save your life in a boating accident. So wear one.

There is lots of other interesting data on this infographic, but we'd like to next point your attention to causes of boating deaths. The top causes? Alcohol use, weather and hazardous waters, and passenger and skier behavior, respectively. What can we get from this? Well, don't drink and boat. Georgia is more committed to this with their new boating laws, which is great. Take drinking and boating just as seriously as you take drinking and driving. Next, keep an eye on the weather. Watch the skies and listen to weather forecasts. No need to be out on the water when the weather takes a turn for the worse - it's not worth losing your boat or your life. Finally, keep tabs on your passengers. Don't permit dangerous behaviors while they're on your boat or when you're towing them on skis or a tube. Keep all limbs inside the boat while it's moving. Wear life jackets. Generally speaking, be seated while the boat is in motion. Encouraging safe behaviors as the boat captain might just save someone's life.

What do you think about these numbers? Have you experienced or witness any events that lend some truth to this data?