Bank Fishing Help for a New Kentuckian
I have read a lot of posts on here and wanted to give my background and ask a few questions.
I recently(March 2016), moved to the Lexington area for work from New Orleans. I am a redfish/ speckled trout fishermen my entire life. Since I have been here, I have been hard pressed to find a decent fishing spot but I like traveling around and getting to know the area. I really want to catch catfish or drum. Why Drum? Well I caught one on the green river and reminded me of home. Yea I know kind of silly but they are fun to catch. I only caught one so I dont know if it was a fluke. I don't have a boat due to my new move and don't have the proper wheels to haul a boat yet. Below I will list the spots I have fished so far and the amount of times and my observations. Please let me know what I am doing wrong or other spots I can try.
Cedar Creek Lake. I have went here about 4 times. Twice when the water was really low and twice when it has gone up. When it was low I did pretty good with bluegill and two small crappie. I used popeyes with wax worms, nightcrawlers, minnows,chicken lover and a mix of lures
Green River-Snake Creek Ramp. 4 times. I had one really good day. I also saw an alligator(No BS took a few pics and reported it to Wildlife & Fisheries). Alot of bluegill and one drum. Looks like a great area. I am concerned about fishing pressure here. Also I am not sure if right now is the time for catfish here because of spawning or location. I used nightcrawlers, chicken liver, cut bait, live bluegill, shrimp, live crawfish that I caught, mix of lures and minnows
Jacobson park-4 times all around the park. Alot of people fishing didn't like it here. Caught one small largemouth. and 2 12 inch catfish. Nightcrawlers and mix of lures.
Elkhorn Creek-at one of the VPA's. Really nice land to many canoes. Stayed 20 min. Had one large mouth chase my spinnerbait. Didn't like it here.
Boonsborough State Park- Strange area because this looks like a prime spot. One of the park rangers was really negative about fishing there and he talked down to me for fishing on the bank. I caught a few bluegills, a baby striper and a few turtles. I also had a big pull and a run on my drag but line went limp, and then got snagged. I don't know if that was a fish or a limb. I used cut bait, shrimp, nighcrawlers, liver and minnows.
Those are the spots I have been to and as you can see I am ready for professional tournaments, i am waiting to get my own signature rod and reel. HAHAHAHA.
I want to try the Meldahl Dam fishing access, Robinson Dam on the South Fork Licking River, and anywhere else that i can drive within two hours.
I have studied the Kentucky wildlife and fisheries forecasts and tried to plot out other local spots, I just don't want to waste a day in a spot that is over fished or doesn't have room to hangout for the day. Plus i really want to catch a few big ones or alot of medium sized fish. IF anyone can help me it would be great. I am also the guy who sets up his fishing area, throws the bells on the rods so I can get a trash bag out and clean the surrounding area of litter. I hate when people leave there trash. It brings flies and gives bank fishermen a bad rep. If anyone knows a good lake or river spot on private land, I am willing to do chores once or twice a month so I can fish there land the other remaining weekends.
Just waiting for an answer
I am just waiting to see some responses to new places myself.
But, props to you for cleaning up litter. Every time I fish Jacobson I end up cleaning up tons of garbage, too bad people love the outdoors so much that they throw all of their dip cans down.