[Erock]

Took my new boat out on saturday to test out my patch job on the tiny leak that i found last week. the boat is entirely leak free! Took me a good long while to get used to rowing a boat again. I dont think i have done it since i was about 10. realized that it is pretty necessary to get cottor pins for the thing because the oars kept slipping out of the oar lock.

Because of my frustration i decided to stay in close to my launch spot (I35 bridge). I fished some of the pilings under the bridge to stay out of the sun for a while and had a couple of alright bites but couldnt get a hook into anything. I drifted on the south side of the lake from the 35 bridge down to joes crabshack. Managed to pick up 2 little guys both on shaky head rigged rattlesnakes in watermelon... go figure... I threw cranks and spinners at them but had no luck on any of those... They were 11" and 13."

overall the journey was super amazing and made me so super excited to have this boat. All of the hoops that i am going to have to jump through to get it registered are totally going to be worth it. Pretty sure i just got rebit buy that fishing bug cuz i got the fever!!!

 

[Travisheals]

What type of boat?

Time for a little trolling motor...........maybe. ?

 

[Erock]

the boat it old school.... really old school... came with a 45lb thrust motorguide so i should have a good one but im not going to take the chance of getting fined for not having it registered.... all in due time...

 

[Cody J]

I didn't know that trolling motors had to be registered?

 

[TheLunkerRanger]

I also don't think that trolling motors need to be registered.  I have been using my trolling motor at Lady Bird for a long time now, and I never registered it. Of course, I have my jon boat registered with TPWD , but this does not apply to the trolling motor I use with my jon boat. 

 

[Hookem]

TMs,  no.

Boat, probably. Even one that has only a TM.

OBs need a title.

 

[Ranger_R77]

Do I need to register my boat?

Yes. The following vessels (when on Texas public water) are required by law to have current registration. This includes vessels that are docked or moored:

All motorized boats, regardless of length (motorized boats include boats propelled by a trolling motor); and
All sailboats 14 feet in length or longer or any sailboat with an auxiliary engine(s); and
USCG Documented vessels.
Exempted vessels — All (non-motorized) canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats, or rubber rafts (regardless of length) when paddled, poled, or oared; sailboats under 14 feet in length when windblown; USCG documented commercial vessels used in coastal shipping; and USCG documented vessels exceeding 115 feet in length

Texas Registration Requirements
The following vessels when on Texas public water are required to have current registration, including when docked, moored, or stored.

[highlight]All motorized boats, regardless of length;[/highlight]
All sailboats 14 feet in length or longer or any sailboat with an auxiliary engine(s); and


[highlight]Exempted vessels[/highlight] — All (non-motorized) canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats, or rubber rafts (regardless of length) when paddled, poled, or oared and sailboats under 14 feet in length when windblown.


Validation Decal to be placed on both sides of the bow.
Display of Registration (TX) Number not required if current USCG Documentation remains in effect.
Certificate of Number ID Card must be carried on board the vessel while in use.
Registration Fees:
Less than 16 feet in length — $30.00
16 feet but less than 26 feet in length — $50.00
26 feet but less than 40 feet in length — $70.00
40 feet or more in length — $90.00
Livery Boat less than 16 feet in length — $30.00
For more specific information and requirements for boating in Texas, please refer to the navigation links in the left column of this page.

 

[BassHunter]

If you use a trolling motor the boat has to be registered and have the card with you. I have my 12' Jon Boat registered just to fish Town Lake or duck hunt Granger. It is pretty cheap - something like $50 for 3 years. I have had 2 different Game Wardens verify this while checking me on different hunting trips.