[GeneJ]

You may have seen a Club Survey in today's newspaper for a proposed new fishing club: "Boat Owners Fishing Club".

I'm looking to start a new club that will focus on freshwater fishing locations outside of villages. So, if you have your own boat, or you have a boat club membership, or you have friend that owns a boat; this club may be for you!

There will be two organized boat outings per month plus a monthly meeting to share fishing information. The Villages Recreation and Parks folks want to make sure there is some level of interest before approving a new club. And, in fact, I want to make sure I am not starting a club of "One".

So, if this sounds like something you may be interested in or if you have any questions about this proposed club, please let me know. You can reply here or email me at gene.jackson@comcast.net.

Thank you,
Jonathan (Gene) Jackson

[Buffalo12]

Where are you planning to have the meetings.
I belonged to the FFC for 3 plus years until they moved the meetings down south. I live in the northern part of TV making it a 40 minute ride.
Just didn’t agree with that move. Especially when the claim was made that the new location was centrally located.
BTW. I’m the guy who bought the Lews rod and reel combo from you.

[GeneJ]

Originally Posted by Buffalo12

Where are you planning to have the meetings.
I belonged to the FFC for 3 plus years until they moved the meetings down south. I live in the northern part of TV making it a 40 minute ride.
Just didn’t agree with that move. Especially when the claim was made that the new location was centrally located.
BTW. I’m the guy who bought the Lews rod and reel combo from you.

Thanks for your interest in the proposed new club. I won't know the exact location until the new club is approved and we look at available meeting space. On my application to start a new club I have requested sites South of HWY 44. However, if the majority are future north and if there is space available to meet, I don't mind driving further. I know that doesn't exactly answer your question but the new club is just that, "New". Once the club is approved and the initial location options are identified, I will be able to give you more information.

I hope that new Lew's Rod and Reel combo has caught a ton of fish for you! Take care and again, thanks for your interest.

[BPRICE1234]

What about non boat owners? I'm leaving my boat behind because of storage issues. I love freshwater fishing and would love to learn how to Florida bass fish.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Buffalo12

Where are you planning to have the meetings.
I belonged to the FFC for 3 plus years until they moved the meetings down south. I live in the northern part of TV making it a 40 minute ride.
Just didn’t agree with that move. Especially when the claim was made that the new location was centrally located.

I hear ya, I used to be a member of the salt water fishing club until the meetings were moved from Paradise to Everglades. They should rename it the south water fishing club.

[GeneJ]

Originally Posted by BPRICE1234

What about non boat owners? I'm leaving my boat behind because of storage issues. I love freshwater fishing and would love to learn how to Florida bass fish.

Thanks for your interest and for the great question. Short answer is non boat owners are welcome.

Here is the longer answer with more details.

First you may want to reconsider leaving your boat behind. I sold my boats before moving to Florida. My wife regrets that decision since I have bought 3 boats in the past four years! Remote covered storage is fairly inexpensive. My garage had an extension to a depth of 24 feet. My old Tracker 195 and my 2023 Triton 18XRW both fit in my garage.

Secondly, you should look into the Freshwater Fishing Club here in the villages. The majority of their the members fish in the Villages ponds but they bring in great speakers to talk about all things related to fishing. I'm a member of that club and for the past couple of years I have been organizing fishing outings for boat owners.

Lastly, to more directly answer your question about non-boaters; the focus of my new club will be on fishing areas outside of the Villages. Our monthly meetings will focus education/information sharing about the current conditions. Starting later this year, I plan to start a monthly club tournament that will include co-anglers.

Hopefully this helps. Feel free to give me a call at 206-618-8989 if you have more questions.

Gene Jackson

[GeneJ]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

I hear ya, I used to be a member of the salt water fishing club until the meetings were moved from Paradise to Everglades. They should rename it the south water fishing club.

Unfortunately, as clubs grow they need to find larger meeting locations. I'm not trying to defend them but it really comes down to capping membership or moving to bigger space.

Fortunately, I'm not looking to build the biggest club but I wouldn't mind it being the best!

[Sonny2024]

Hi Gene,
I love to fish but don't own a boat. I am interested in Fishing in the Surrounding Lakes. I used to go fishing with a buddy of mine in the Gulf out of Crystal River. It's been over a year now so I'm itching to wet the line. Can you give me more details about your club. Dues? Can I hitch a ride on a boat. I am a good first mate when it comes to launching. :-) Thanks

[GreeneD]

I’m interested. Thanks for starting the process to create the new club.

[GeneJ]

Originally Posted by GreeneD

I’m interested. Thanks for starting the process to create the new club.

As we proceed with the club creation, I will keep you posted.

Thanks for your interest.

[GeneJ]

Originally Posted by Sonny2024

Hi Gene,
I love to fish but don't own a boat. I am interested in Fishing in the Surrounding Lakes. I used to go fishing with a buddy of mine in the Gulf out of Crystal River. It's been over a year now so I'm itching to wet the line. Can you give me more details about your club. Dues? Can I hitch a ride on a boat. I am a good first mate when it comes to launching. :-) Thanks

Thanks for your interest in the club. Details are still be worked out but the club will include both boaters and non-boaters. I'm still working on a budget, so financial issues like dues and tournament fees are still a work in progress.

I will keep you on the list of folks interested and as things progress I will keep you posted. Thanks again for your interest.

[BPRICE1234]

Originally Posted by GeneJ

Thanks for your interest and for the great question. Short answer is non boat owners are welcome.

Here is the longer answer with more details.

First you may want to reconsider leaving your boat behind. I sold my boats before moving to Florida. My wife regrets that decision since I have bought 3 boats in the past four years! Remote covered storage is fairly inexpensive. My garage had an extension to a depth of 24 feet. My old Tracker 195 and my 2023 Triton 18XRW both fit in my garage.

Secondly, you should look into the Freshwater Fishing Club here in the villages. The majority of their the members fish in the Villages ponds but they bring in great speakers to talk about all things related to fishing. I'm a member of that club and for the past couple of years I have been organizing fishing outings for boat owners.

Lastly, to more directly answer your question about non-boaters; the focus of my new club will be on fishing areas outside of the Villages. Our monthly meetings will focus education/information sharing about the current conditions. Starting later this year, I plan to start a monthly club tournament that will include co-anglers.

Hopefully this helps. Feel free to give me a call at 206-618-8989 if you have more questions.

Gene Jackson

I decided to get rid of my boat because when I had time to go, no one else did. I will definitely be looking into fishing clubs and hopefully fund some new spots. I see Harris COL is very close. Thanks for the reply and info.

[Nancy Eaton]

We are members of the boating club so do have access wherever Freedom has a site. My husband can captain a boat but I would love to find someone who wants to fish from a boat but would be willing to drive to the docks as the trade off! We are interested in forming a new club so we can bring that ability and love of fishing back to him so I don’t always have to go too!!! I’ve signed up three different times at our other club but have yet in two years been called to share it.. we enjoy the meetings but can’t seem to connect with others there.. I think one focus of this new club could be to put the needs of everyone together and get these guys out fishing with new friends!! I really am not comfortable fishing from the banks of our ponds—hubby cannot move that fast if Mr. Gator does decide to pay us a visit… Gene you have my number—I’d be happy to discuss with you or anyone else about these thoughts! Nancy Eaton

[eremite06]

I would be intereted in the club. I have a fishing kayak.

[GeneJ]

Just circling back around on my proposed Fishing Club. Thank you for your interest. The "Boat Owner Fishing Club" has been approved. Based upon the feedback I received, the new club will be focused on Bass Fishing. We will be having an organizational meeting on Tuesday, September 10th. It will be at the Everglades Recreation Center, starting at 6PM. I will be getting more detailed information out before the meeting. Thanks again for your interest and feedback.