Today we’d like to introduce you to Dontre’ Weaver.
Dontre’, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Originally, I was working in the restaurant business before one of my good buddies, Hunter Moore, introduced me to Chad Williams, the owner of GB’s Lake. I had been wanting to get out of the restaurant business for some time, and Hunter approached me saying that Chad needed some help at GB’s Lake and was looking for someone to manage the lake and take it to the next level.I made a career switch and decided to manage GB’s Lake. Originally, the lake was managed by the late Vonceil Williams until she got up in age, and then her son, Danny Williams, managed the lake until he got up in age. For a family-owned lake that has been around since the ’50s, that means a lot. I knew coming in behind Vonceil and Danny would be a challenge to uphold their legacy, but also to change the entire program into something the lake has never seen in 70 years. Chad mentioned to me that neither Vonceil nor Danny knew how to fish very well but had a passion for the sport and enjoyed watching others enjoy the lake their family had built. I came in with a world of knowledge about the fishing industry, but I had never managed a pay lake. On day 1, I came in wanting to figure out the atmosphere of the lake and exactly how it operated. Chad gave me full control and freedom to do whatever I wanted to make the business better. I started to learn about the guests, especially the regulars, learn the layout of the lake, learn its history, and even learn the problematic areas that needed to be addressed. After one successful year, I’ve completely turned the atmosphere around at GB’s Lake. We have grown so much here and so fast. We have torn down our old bait shop, or the “shack” as some would say, and we now have an entirely new building with all the tackle, lures, bait, and rods needed for a successful day here. The lake is in better health, and our guests are happier than ever. We have had guests traveling from the surrounding states to visit us, which is a big accomplishment. Our social media presence took off really fast, and guests are finding us and loving the content that we post. We have had several social media influencers come in to check us out, and they have really helped us reach the masses! At GB’s Lake, we want to provide a family-fun, safe, and peaceful atmosphere. We offer fishing, areas for picnics, fishing lessons, areas for birthday parties and weddings, filming, hiking, nature walks, photography, family events, and so much more! We offer two stocked lakes with bass, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish, and rainbow trout. The larger lake spans over 20 acres, while the smaller lake cover 1 acre, providing ample shoreline and boating access for all anglers. Open year round and manged exclusively by Aquatic Environmental Services, we strive to offer trophy fishing for all species. The lake is regularly stocked and fed with high quality food sources such as threadfin shad, gizzard shad, three texas trophy hunter feeders, and crawfish. Located at 400 Hurt Rd Sw Smyrna Ga 30082. We are open 4 days per week which is Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Our hours change based on the season.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has been quite pleasant. As an enthusiastic angler myself, I believe I have a good understanding of what my guests desire and the kind of atmosphere they seek. People generally appreciate having an enjoyable experience in the outdoors, and that begins with a family-friendly and secure environment. I changed some things here at GB’s Lake for the better and now we are on the road to success. I do belive the smooth road ride definitely comes from having a very reliable team on board with me!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My goal within the fishing industry is to encourage individuals from all walks of life to engage with the outdoors. It is a precious gift bestowed upon us all, and I particularly wish for children to have the chance to experience nature as I did. I am currently dedicated to managing GB’s Lake on a full-time basis, and I also serve as a mentor to numerous anglers within the community. I offer fishing instruction to anyone, from beginners to experienced anglers, who wishes to enhance their abilities. Fishing has been an integral part of my life for 26 years, and over this time, I have cultivated friendships with many individuals who share a similar passion for the sport. I have been fortunate to have several mentors who have guided me and helped me refine my skills, and I find great joy in imparting that knowledge to others. As the saying goes, “You can give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day; but if you teach a man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck has played a significant role in my life, though I prefer to view it as a blessing rather than mere luck. I am grateful to be able to pursue a sport I have enjoyed since childhood. Fishing has consistently been a passion of mine, and it remains so. I feel particularly fortunate to be involved in the industry and to earn a living from something I genuinely love.
Contact Info:
- Website: GBs Lake https://share.google/9rFekAyIW16ePEz3F
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gbslake?igsh=dXY3eWZubWFpaG9r
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DZaGG6V2F/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@gbslake?_r=1&_t=ZT-92pKyJOhuIA
