ohio river fishing around owensboro

[fredcombs]

Hey all, heading up to owensboro this weekend and thought i would drop the boat in the ohio. first time fishing it and was wondering first of all, is it safe to run bank to bank on it or should i stay within the channel markers. also what is hitting this time of year best. and what are the best baits to catch them on, not looking for any hotspots, just some general info. any help would be appreciated

[iggypop]

You can run just about anywhere, just be careful around tail ends of the islands. I've been catching fish on jig and tubes. River is coming up, should be a good bite, if it doesn't come up to much.

[sailfish]

planning on heading that way in couple of weeks for camping/fishing. are there any good camping spots along the river? is camping allowed on any island? was heading to c-land, but gas $$$$$! thanks for any info.

[iggypop]

There isn't any camping spots along the river in Owensboro. I've seen people camping on the islands but just a overnite thing. Up river at Rocky Point there is some camping spots. Down river there is a place called French Island Marina, I don't know what they have. They do have a web site frenchislandmarina.com.

I'll do some checking to see if I can find something.

[iggypop]

Fred, babrbecue fest is this weekend, there will be a big crowd on the river bank. The ramp in Owensboro will be closed. You will have to use Little Hurricane boat ramp. Be careful there, not the safest place in town. If you more info let me know?

[fredcombs]

thanks so much for the info, i have heard little hurricane boat ramp is not the best, guess i will go across the river into rockport and give that a shot, are there good ramps there

[Danny]

Fred,

Head west about 30 miles to Henderson, and launch over there. Go down river a mile or two maybe, from the downtown launch ramp, and there are a couple of islands. My family and I used to camp down there all the time. Nice sandy beaches and nice woods. Also it used to be some nice shallow water between the islands for swimming, kind of out of the current.

Now know that that report is old. It's been many, many years since we camped down there, but it seems like yesterday as good as the memories are.

Danny

[Frenzy]

Go across the 231 bridge by Owensboro to the Indiana side and take a right onto 66 I believe right after crossing the river. Follow that a few miles to Grandview and there is a really nice ramp there on your right. Lots of parking space and a big ramp. There is a big island east of the ramp that I know people camp on and you can find another several more that direction as well. Be careful if we end up getting heavy rains they are talking about. Last time I was there it was clear and very safe. Good luck to ya.

[fredcombs]

thanks so much for the help guys, sounds like grandview over in indiana is the best bet, good ramp with good parking

[HoosierDon]

If you like to tournament fish there is a tournament out of Little Pigeon Creek at Yankeetown, In. About 30 minutes from O'boro. It's an open tournament. $60 per boat. You can fish alone or with a partner. The ramp is about a mile from the river. You can go down the creek and fish the river or fish up in the creek. If you fish the creek remember you need an Indiana license. The river can be fished with either In or Ky. If your interested I can provide you with better directions to the ramp....

[fredcombs]

please do that sounds like fun any info on the tournament would be helpful

[HoosierDon]

To get to the ramp from O'boro: Out of O'boro take the blue bride to the Indiana side, I believe that is now 131. Go north until it ends at In hwy 66, go west on 66 untill you get to Yankeetown. There is a traffic light there. Go south at the light, through the four way stop at the fire house and continue south over the hill and you will come to the ramp. If you have any questions you can call me at 812 568 5442. Hope to see you there.

Don