A lifelong lake user
‘That was a very huge honor. It took a lot of work, perseverance and dedication but we were very fortunate and humbled to receive that award in that tournament. That is a tournament at the end of the year. You have tournaments throughout the year. Most of the time it is in October that they have the National championship, the Cabela’s Crappie Trail.’ Carlton Teague on winning the National Championship for crappie fishing in 2010
For him, the lake has always been about 10 minutes away. There’s no question he has been a lifelong user of our local resources and Carlton “Bubba” Teague has definitely seen all sides of the Weiss Lake including those from his own banks, boats and pier and also as a public official.
And just a few years ago, Teague and cousin, Adam Mobbs, began seeing the lake from yet another perspective after hitting professional fishing circuits and has participated in tournaments throughout the southeastern United States.
Teague shared with the Herald recently his love of fishing and more importantly, his love for Weiss Lake and other related lake activities.
The biggest title they have won to date, Teague said, is the National Championship which they won for Crappie fishing in 2010.
“That was a very huge honor,” said Teague. “It took a lot of work, perseverance and dedication but we were very fortunate and humbled to receive that award in that tournament. That is a tournament at the end of the year. You have tournaments throughout the year. Most of the time it is in October that they have the National championship, the Cabela’s Crappie Trail.”
Teague said he has fished ever since he was six years old.
“My dad would take my brother and I fishing at the lake,” said Teague. “We have a lot of ponds and creeks around where we live and when we would get through with our chores, we would get on our bicycles with a rod in tow and go fishing. That is basically how we learned how to fish.”
Teague said he never set out to fish competitively, however, “The tournament trail came through Weiss Lake years ago and we said ‘hey let’s enter this tournament.’ We felt we were supporting the lake and supporting the trail that the Chamber of Commerce puts on. We did pretty good at it and it just kind of snowballed from there. We have fished seven different states throughout the southeast including Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee so there is quite a few and one in southern Illinois.”
“We have met a lot of good people along the way that have become lifelong friends,” said Teague.
“Some people we know tell us how fortunate we are,” said Teague. “Some of these people have to drive an hour and a half to even have a place to fish. They don’t have a lake in their backyard or in their county. That puts in perspective for me. A lot of people aren’t as fortunate to have a natural resource like we have here in our own county. They have to drive and hour or an hour and a half to go enjoy the sport of fishing.”
“I never dreamed, just two country boys, basically, small town, would be able to do as well as we have,” said Teague. “We have been very blessed. We have slowed down somewhat now, getting a little older. My kids are my number one priority.”
Teague has a son who fishes and his daughters fish as well.
“They love to fish,” said Teague. “I enjoy taking kids fishing. Nowadays you are out on the lake, you don’t see kids out on the lake like you did eight or 10 years ago. You see a lot of adults out but you don’t see as many kids out. That is something that I think everyone should do, if you have the opportunity, take a kid fishing. Get them out of the house, Let them enjoy God’s creation.”
When he does have the opportunity to take kids fishing, including his own, Teague said he has one strict rule: Get rid of the devices!
“Get away from these things!” said Teague. “They might have a phone in their hand. When we go fishing, it is no phones! Just enjoy the peacefulness and enjoy the outdoors and around the lake. In certain places you can see the bald eagles around our lake.”
“That is beautiful,” said Teague. “That is peaceful. That is total tranquility, watching a bald eagle right here in our own county.”
Teague shared what he feels are the qualities of a successful fisherman.
“In my opinion, I would say preparation, before you go out. attention to detail, dedication be patient!” said Teague. “Patience is a big thing. A lot of times I will go to a spot in the lake that I know I have caught fish for years and years and say ‘ well what is going on? I don’t understand why they are not biting today.’ It may not have been a time for them to feed. A good bite might be an hour or two away.”
And fishing has no age limit, Teague said.
“Anybody can fish,” said Teague. “I don’t think you can be too old or too young to start fishing. It is something I love. I grew up on this lake fishing. There are a lot of great fishermen here in our county that do really well and can catch fish on any given day.”
Teague said his family are actively involve in other lake activities as well.
“My mom and dad have a house on the lake,” said Teague. “Over the Fourth of July, we go over there, get in the pontoon boat, I will pull the kids on the inner tube some and we will ride to Little River and swim or over to Yellow Creek and swim. We have grown up on the lake. They have a jet ski or two and we keep them running.”
“My kids love the lake,” said Teague. “Thursday or Friday, they will ask, ‘Are we going to the lake this weekend?’ All my family is involved with the lake and I think that is why it means so much to me.”
Teague said he has witnessed from his perspective as a Cherokee County commissioner how vital Weiss Lake is to the county infrastructure.
“You can see the revenues in January through Spring, crappie season and in the summer with everybody coming from out of town enjoying the lake,” said Teague. “It will back off as winter comes and then spike back up. You have people buying gas. Well, we pave roads with gas taxes, so that has helped some of in paving of roads.”
“We earn sales tax from people buying groceries here That helps pay the bills, and run the sheriff’s department and the other parts of our communities as well.”
“It is an economic engine for our county,” said Teague.
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“It is a vital part of our infrastructure financially. That is why we have got to take care of it and preserve it.
“We are blessed in this county to have so many natural resources with I think Weiss Lake being at the top of the list,” added Teague.
“I think it is our job and our duty to do our due diligence to protect it”
Teague expressed the need to support such organizations as Save Weiss Lake, Weiss Lake Improvement Association and others who seek to take care of one of Cherokee County’s most valuable resources.
“They go above and beyond working to keep our lake healthy and preserving it as we all should,” said Teague. “And I think we need to take care of it for future generations to enjoy as well. We need to take care of it for our kids and grandkids.”
Again, Teague said, it is important to remember that not everyone has as easy access to a reservoir such as Weiss Lake.
“I can be at the lake in 10 minutes and there are people Adam and I have met,” said Teague. “We have made many friends. They will come down and fish tournaments here and drive six or seven hours saying “we would love to live here.”’
“One guy from Ohio has told me, ‘ I am going to move here when I retire,’” said Teague.
Teague, who is mainly a crappie fisherman, said he feels fortunate that he can crappie fish throughout the year on Weiss.
“We love to eat our fish,” said Teague. “When I think we have enough to eat on, I don’t take any more because I don’t want to rob the lake. Leave them for somebody else and let them reproduce!”
While he does plan to enter more fishing tournaments, Teague said he also hopes to continue just enjoying the beauty and tranquility of Weiss and urges others to do the same.
“I think we all need to really help our lake and I don’t do as much as I should,” said Teague. “”All of us could do a little more. God has given us so many great resources in this county Weiss Lake being at the top of the list.” Pictured are first place semi pro winners Carlton “Bubba” Teague and Adam Mobbs. Lake; fenced 3 ac, living area open to a loft bed- room; rustic decor; red barn storage building; al- most new metal awning; private drive; close River, to GA stilt homes. several Contributed photo
Pictured is Carlton “Bubba” Teague on television as part of the “BrushPile Fishing” TV show with Rus Bailey of Ohio. Carlton Teague waterfront line; power and lots public very water available on road in front of lots; level with some trees; shoreline is subject to Alabama Contributed photo Contributed photo Contributed photo Second-place pro winners Adam Mobbs and Carlton “Bubba” Teague.
‘I can be at the lake in 10 minutes and there are people Adam and I have met. We have made many friends. They will come down and fish tournaments here and drive six or seven hours saying “we would love to live here. One guy from Ohio has told me, ‘I am going to move here when I retire.”’
Contributed photo Carlton Teague joins Rus Bailey on the TV show “BrushPile Fishing.”
Four scenic building lots with spectacular view of Weiss Lake inside a gated community; guest home with conference room & work-out gym, separate guest clubhouse; miles of walking, biking & riding trails; private stocked lake; community garden and much more.