bucky

I heard this story years ago and this topic made me think of it so I will share: It seems there was an extreme hard freeze that gripped the south for several weeks and all the lakes in the deep south were frozen over. Some northern fishermen decided they would go south for some ice fishing as they were sure no one in the south would be able to catch any fish because of lack of experience. They took all of their ice fishing gear and headed south. After spending several hours on the southern lakes fishing, they hadn't even got a bite, but they kept on trying. After many hours of fishing with no results, they saw a little boy come out onto the ice, chop a small hole in the ice, drop in a string, and immediately began catching one bass after another. They just couldn't believe what the were seeing, so they went to where he was fishing and asked him why they hadn't been able to catch a thing and he was catching one after another. The boy replied " doumn sofuth ye gout kiop wuroms wm, They couldn't understand what he said so they asked again and got the same reply. After a couple more tries, the boy cupped his hand and spit out a big "gob" of worms and said, down south you have to keep your worms warm.

I like this, and agree

Sounds like a great opportunity to me, I would do it.

I have never fallen out, but did get thrown out while running on Dale Hollow a few years back. It was early April, water temp was at 50 dg, and my partner and I were traveling about 55mph and we must have stuck an underwater log or something. The boat turned sharply and over the side I went, and my partner went out the back. We were wearing auto inflatable life jackets and the did their job of firing. I would have drowned if I had been knocked unconscious or had broken an arm because when I surfaced, my inflatable straps were still under my arms, but the inflated part had been pulled over my head when I hit the water. I was floating with my head under the water and had to slip my head through the opening. My partner had no problem with his because he was wearing his under a large 100mph BPS parka. There was about a 15 mph wind on the lake and we were thrown far enough away from the boat that the wind carried it out of our reach before we could catch on to it. I discovered another problem with inflatable PFD's on that day. You can't swim well at all, in fact all you can do is the back stroke because you can't turn prone, it is impossible, or was for me. The jacket keeps you from being able to turn your head well from side to side so it is difficult to see anything. Once we lost sight of the boat, we never found it. We floated in the frigid water for 20 minutes until another boater came by and found us. I could not get into the boat but had to be dragged into it. No use of my legs at all and very little arm usage. My pants were ripped off and I lost wallet, keys and everything in my pockets. Went to hospital and was released but my partner had to spend the night because of minor cuts and bumps. Still don't know what we hit, not a scratch could be found on the boat or motor. Everything check out ok with the steering. I have a regular life jacket for running down the lake and only use the inflatable when fishing or moving slowly. I am 70 so when I get into the boat, I put my pfd on, and take it off when I get into the truck to go home. I feel fortunate to be here to day. Wear those pfd's, they will save your lives. Thank the good Lord, I made it.

I think I would try a spinnerbait with a single large Colorado blade in a dark color, a black/blue jig with zoom pro chunk trailer, or a crankbait with lots of wobble. I don't fish muddy water often, but when I do this is what I use. Perhaps others with more experience can give you some help. Good luck.

Haven't heard the term "wipers", but things are pretty much the same on Kentucky lake and in the tailwaters. They are a blast to catch and I have caught a few when fishing for lm bass that are chasing shad in the backs of bays. They school and chase the bait. I have caught them on everything, but if fishing for them, I use grubs, spinnerbait, or inline spinners.

Glad you are feeling better and also happy your hallucinations were fishing related. Many adults hallucinate with elevated temp. Drink lots and take it easy. Your hallucinations were kind of funny. Get well.

I don't use a trailer all the time but when I do, it is a curl tail grub. I fish some at night and I like a zoom pro frog trailer or, a 10" Berkley power worm.

Headed down March 18th for a couple of days. Never been before and looking forward to it. Taking my son for a couple of days, and sure hope the weather and the bit is good.

I would wait .

I second using Wheaties, mixed with strawberry-banana jello. I have mixed Wheaties and strawberry soda and made dough bait for carp.

I plan on getting out late next week. Predicting 6 more inches snow Thursday, but next week temps above freezing and a couple days in high 50's. Bays are thawing now and only a couple days this week below freezing. May be too much stain for good jerkbait fishing,but they will be ready to bite something.

You can fish any lure with a spinning reel and rod. Some of the larger lures and spinnerbaits can cause your line to twist a lot, but other than that, I don't see any reason to limit the types of lures you throw. I use a sinning reel fairly often.

I know a few fisherman that fish Ky and Barkley lakes and they throw nothing back that is in the legal limits. They eat bass, smallmouth, and anything that they catch. I have often wondered how many people do this and why they harvest the smallmouth. The guys I know don't need the fish for food for themselves, in fact often give them away. I don't think of this as a real problem but wish they were a little more selective about the fish they harvest. I have seen these guys clean 5 lb basson more than one occasion.

Not in years but best I can remember it is a tasty fish. I haven't cleaned any fish in over 20 years, I eat mine out.

I too fish a couple hours in the early morning during the hot summer, or fish s couple hours before dark. I also like night fishing. I just can't take the extreme heat. If you can stand the heat, the ledge bite on Kentucky lake can be can be fantastic when they are pulling a lot of water thru the dam, those basses love the current.

Do you want the amount I actually spent, or the amount I told my wife I spent?

Been a non posting member for years. Spend my time reading the posts, articles, and watching videos. Soooooo much information, and helpful members. Thanks

I live 30 miles from Ky Dam marina but haven't been out in a couple of weeks. Right now the bays on the northern end are iced over. I don't know the depth of the ice but a tournament this past weekend was cancelled due to the frozen water. I don't know how far the freeze extends south on the lake. Let me know if I can help you out before you make the trip

Mine on Kentucky lake is a bass pro green pumpkin tender tube exposed hook.

WOW, that is a trip one dreams about. Way to go.

What a beautiful fish, WOW! I sure would like to catch a smallie like that.

I use 20lb PRRO, also use fluro tail. No problems with this setup.

I am 35 minutes from Ky and Barkley (north end). I fish fairly often so if any of you want to share my boat with me you are more than welcome. Just send me an email and perhaps we can work out a trip. Will keep you from having to tow you boat. I am not a pro, just a week end fisherman so don't expect too much lol.

Jerk bait, float & fly, jig.