Road trip thoughts on KY lake

[cart7t]

I decided to start a thread for attendees who wanted to post impressions about the lake. We've had some threads concerning other aspects of the trip so I thought the lake deserved one.

All I can say is WoW! This lake is only 230 miles from me and I can't believe I haven't fished it more than once in 30 years.

Despite the age of this lake, the amount of diversity of both cover and bottom structure in the lake is amazing. If grass or weeds would be present during warmer months the amount of fishable water gets bigger.

The other thing that was incredible was the size of year class of bass in the 12-14" range. I probably caught over 100 bass over the week and I can't say that any had been caught previous. Many other members reported the same thing. Just knowing that the larger fish weren't cooperating like they should this time of year makes one realize this lake has an incredible bass size structure.

Oh, and the crappie! I've seen the iced down coolers the resorts bring with them to the boat show here in St Louis in Feb. It's always, yeah, right. Geezo Peezo this lake is like some genetic crappie experiment gone out of control. The peanut I caught, around 2lbs, wouldn't even turn heads.

Smallmouth. These were the mystery fish all week. CJ's fish was impressive but it seems the SM were caught more by accident vs. actually fishing for them. I along with others were really looking forward battling with them during the week.  I will be back to try again.

All in all, this is one incredible fishery. Truely worthy of a road trip and 3 thumbs up.

[5bass]

Kentucky Lake is FULL of bass.

[ProCrafter]

I noted the same thing....even a guy fishing from shore can spend an an entire day whackin fish and getting a decent bag!!! of course he would have red shoes due to the clay in the soil!!!

I would like to go back just to get to see more of the lake...Me and CJ went only 10 miles up river and found too many bays and main lake Points and Secondary Points that held fish...it would take 100 years to fish them all and the weather conditions not to mention the fact this is a river system constantly changes this environment so youd have to start again!! I am so envious of the folks who live in this area and bummed I do not!

[Big-O]

One of KVD's and many of the other Strike King Pros, all time favorite lakes and this tells us why....

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[roadwarrior]

I suspect the smallmouth are concentrated, find one and you're on

them. Ledges should hold both brown and green fish in the summer.

The fish last week were generally scattered, but much of that had to

do with the 10 degree drop in temperature from the previous week.

As the vegetation continues to emerge, I suspect the shallow bite will

improve, but structure is the dominating feature of Kentucky Lake. CJ

might have a comment or two on this, he's usually the guy drifting out

in the middle of the lake!

8-)

[CWB]

I noted the same thing....even a guy fishing from shore can spend an an entire day whackin fish and getting a decent bag!!! of course he would have red shoes due to the clay in the soil!!!

I would like to go back just to get to see more of the lake...Me and CJ went only 10 miles up river and found too many bays and main lake Points and Secondary Points that held fish...it would take 100 years to fish them all and the weather conditions not to mention the fact this is a river system constantly changes this environment so youd have to start again!! I am so envious of the folks who live in this area and bummed I do not!

I think you liked fishing from the bank better anyway!

Everytime we pulled in you were casting to the rip-rap around the marina. Great lake. Caught bunches of fish in snow, wind, rain and for fishing the lake for the first time , I was impressed. Too bad we didn't hit numbers of bigger fish but got enough of them to keep us interested. Uncle Leo's 4lb+ fish from 1 foot of water was pretty exciting. Caught fish on everything we threw- topwater, cranks, jerkbaits, jigs, shakey heads. I think you would have to try to get skunked on this lake. We usually had our first fish in the boat within the first 10 casts.

Thanks again to all involved for the work put in and the help and advise given. Alpster- A special thanks to you and sorry you couldn't make it.

Hey Cart- I think my dink beat yours. 4" if you stetched it.

[firefightn15]

I noted the same thing....even a guy fishing from shore can spend an an entire day whackin fish and getting a decent bag!!! of course he would have red shoes due to the clay in the soil!!!

I would like to go back just to get to see more of the lake...Me and CJ went only 10 miles up river and found too many bays and main lake Points and Secondary Points that held fish...it would take 100 years to fish them all and the weather conditions not to mention the fact this is a river system constantly changes this environment so you'd have to start again!! I am so envious of the folks who live in this area and bummed I do not!

Hey Cart- I think my dink beat yours. 4" if you stretched it.

Seems a little personal there CWB.  ;D

[Uncle Leo]

This is absolutely a great fishery. On  Monday it was windy with sleet and rain. Not the best conditions even for the most seasoned fisherman yet we still caught 30+ fish that day. As i would not consider the week we spent there prime time I an not wait to get back at a prime time. It was unbelievable the amount of fish that we caught in the 2.5 to 4.5 lb range, granted that more were in the 2.5-3 lb range but catching is catching. If you catch nothing rest assured a 6 lber is not possible. Even more important was the time spent with a bunch of great folks. This experience in itself I will cherish the rest of my life. Thanks guys for allowing Old Uncle Leo the chance to be part of you week, I will never forget you folks.

[Uncle Leo]

I noted the same thing....even a guy fishing from shore can spend an an entire day whackin fish and getting a decent bag!!! of course he would have red shoes due to the clay in the soil!!!

I would like to go back just to get to see more of the lake...Me and CJ went only 10 miles up river and found too many bays and main lake Points and Secondary Points that held fish...it would take 100 years to fish them all and the weather conditions not to mention the fact this is a river system constantly changes this environment so you'd have to start again!! I am so envious of the folks who live in this area and bummed I do not!

Hey Cart- I think my dink beat yours. 4" if you stretched it.

Seems a little personal there CWB. ;D

Now you bring it up! I shared a room with him for the week and slept soundly.

[firefightn15]

Next time with one eye open? ;D ;D

[Uncle Leo]

Next time with one eye open? ;D ;D

And on my back

[CJ]

There really isn't anything you can't say about Ky. Lake. Really to me, it is a text book lake. It has all the features as far as structure and cover. It also has all the elements that keeps anglers on their toes.  Yes, the vegetation emerges in the warm months but, it is known for it's ledge fishing after the spawn. The beautiful thing about it is that there is adequate cover near or on the best structures, in a lot of spots. The grass does grow right out in the middle of the lake on the shallower flats.

 

[CWB]

Next time with one eye open? ;D ;D

And on my back

Great (or should I say sick) minds think alike.

What do you expect from a cheesehead and a White Sox fan. ;D

[burleytog]

I don't like any lake that teases me with a five pound fish right off the bat and then gives me nothing but junk the rest of the week.

[Big Tom]

I don't like any lake that teases me with a five pound fish right off the bat and then gives me nothing but junk the rest of the week.

Thats how my Erie trip was last year.  Five pound smallmouth right off the bat.  No bass the rest of the week that would match it.  Sure was fun though.

[Jimzee]

If there are any thoughts of going back to this lake again for another road trip, let me be the first to cast a vote in favor of it. It was almost shocking the day we got there how aggressive the fish were. It seemed like you could do no wrong with any kind of bait. I was burning a spinnerbait, slow rolling it, letting it fall at dock edges and just killing it on the retrieve, all resulted in fish. The only bad day I had was the few hours I went out with 5 Bass and Burley. The weather that day was pathetic to say the least, but they were catching them. (Must have been standing too close to Burley resulting in some kind of funky mojo preventing me from catching fish)

I know we hit the lake at a bad time for the weather but the same happened in Guntersville last year. That's the chance you take in planning something so far in advance. I would be willing to take another chance for next year. It's an awesome fishery.

[Uncle Leo]

Next time with one eye open? ;D ;D

And on my back

Great (or should I say sick) minds think alike.

What do you expect from a cheesehead and a White Sox fan. ;D

Come on I am sure he is also a White Sox fan, can't be a Cubs fan afterall. Sick minds, I am not sure I understand?

[Ky_Lake_Dude]

One of the best and most underrated lakes in the nation. I'm glad to call it my home lake   8-)

[cart7t]

I don't like any lake that teases me with a five pound fish right off the bat and then gives me nothing but junk the rest of the week.

Gee dinkles.  You finally got to test the drag out on one of those green reels and you're complaining....

[strikekinger]

I wouldn't go as far as say Ky Lake is underrated at all.  I personally know several of the Elite pros, KVD for one and on national Television during the classic, he was asked by Sanders and Zona about the lake he looked forward to fishing this year...the answer....You guest it....Kentucky Lake.

Most guys who are underwater structure fishermen/fisherwomen who like ledges , drops , etc.... love Ky Lake.

I will agree with you that the lake doesn't have the 12 to 15 pounders like some of the Texas and California Lakes has but day in day out this lake ( Ky Lake ) will out produce any of them.

Just right now, the lake is divided into two sections....from the Blood River Area South, it is taking anywhere from 22 to 29 pounds per 5 bass to win first place or even place in the money.  North from Blood River to Ky Dam, It is taking around 18 to 22 pounds to win  and so on.

Ky Lake is as HOT as it has been in many many years and should be this way for the next 2 years or so according to the TWRA Biologist.

[coffee]

Greetings all, this is my second post and am a newby to the site.  Looks like a great bunch of anglers here, glad I found the site.

I have lived about ten minutes from Kentucky Dam for the last five years (originally from Chicago) and this will be my first year really going for largemouth bass.  Up till now, I have been concentrating on crappie, bluegill and at first when I moved down here...catfish.  

I have to say, this lake has some of the bigger panfish I have ever caught and some absolutely huge catfish.  Every year they seem to get bigger and bite easier, or I might be getting more accustomed to fishing the lake.  I can only assume the largemouth are just as abundant and healthy.  Fishing for smallmouth seems like a good challenge here, I might have to take that up too.  

I think the lake is great, for recreation and for fishing, and its one main reason I have made this area my home.  The trick this year is to talk the wife into a boat. :'(