Captain Rhino

Congratulations! Where do you usually go fishing for KY bass?

Looks like a pure smallie to me. What makes it a hybrid? The mouth seems a bit to big, but barely reaches the eye..... Exactly, these are a mixture between a smallmouth and spotted bass. They are rare hybrids that are difficult to ID and look very much like a smallmouth bass. Like you said and Raul responded, the most prominent feature is an oversized mouth.

Here is what one looks like, just to be a bit more specific:

I find that you could throw almost anything in the water and catch a bluegill. I usually catch them when I am trying to fish for other types, usually bass or shallow water catfish. I think I've even caught small ones when I accidently drop my hook in the water without anything on it. As for actual bait though, I would recommend "dough balls" for bluegill. Just pinch off a piece of bread, wad and roll it up between your fingers, and work it onto your hook. They really seem to like bread... Like rw said, crickets and other bugs work well too.

Nicely put... That reminded me, like you said, catfish move around a lot at night. They come to the shallows when it cools down and gets darker to feed. So at night, I have found that it is more effective to drop the bait closer to shore. When it is hot and bright out during the day, drop that sucker down where the cats are staying cool on the bottom. You'll be pulling up some big ones from the bottom. skronky is right on with his advice, as far as I'm concerned. If you try out these techniques, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Whenever I go catfishing, I take two poles. On one, I put a couple split shot sinkers on it, a big hook, and a piece of hotdog. I throw this one out to the middle of the lake/pond (or just as far out as you can get it, if you can). This one will sit on the bottom and get any cats who are feeding down there. On the other pole, I use a bobber, a big hook, a single split shot sinker (for casting distance), and a piece of hotdog. I don't throw this one more than 15 feet from where I'm standing. Lots of times I'll even throw it right along the bank in some shady spots. I have found that hotdogs are the cleanest, easiest, and most attractive bait for catfish. They absolutely LOVE IT! Here are a couple of cats that me and my girlfriend caught yesterday (we didn't keep anything under 3 lbs.):

If you are interested in bass, like roadwarrior said, Fall is the time to fish. I like to drop weighted worms down along the bottom very slowly when it starts to get a little cooler out. This seems to work pretty well from what I have experianced. Also, since you don't have a boat, and if you wanted to try something a little different, you could try catfishing. I have found that fishing from docks and shores is some of the best catfishing you can do. They may not be bass, but they fight pretty hard depending on the type and size. I recommend throwing a simple chunk of hotdog on a hook with a sinker, and you'll be catching catfish all night. They tend to come to the shallows to feed when it gets dark. So after you are done bass fishing, and the sun goes down, toss on the hotdog rig and catch a couple of cats.

I have heard a lot about these Senkos. I think it is time to get a few of them. They look a little steep for worms, in price, but it sounds like they are well worth what you pay for them.

Do you guys have any recommendations for colors and types (size, style, etc.) of worms? I have some, but I'm never sure which ones to use.

I'm new to the site and I was wondering if anybody had any recommendations for bass fishing in lakes without weeds. I have been fishing in Kentucky lakes lately without any weeds and haven't had much luck. Does anybody have any advice about catching largemouth bass in areas such as these? Lure and structure recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Rhino