Safty Concerns for Nite Fishing KY Lake

[Rayman]

Looking for some pointers on safety issues that one should be aware of when out at nite fishing for smallmouth on the big lake. Never go out alone? Do people do that? Travel at lower speeds? Things like that.

[MrSplitshot]

I've never night fished KY Lake, but in general I'll always pull back the throttle quite a bit and usually try to launch fairly near to where I want to fish to avoid those long runs in the dark. Make sure that you've got the nav lighting that is required on your boat (red/green up front and 360 degree white in back), pack a good spotlight and an extra flashlight or two just in case you need them...it never hurts. Something I learned a few weeks ago when the conversation came up on another site that I frequent, is to avoid using a constant spotlight/headlamps when you're running. It's actually against the law, because it prevents another boat from seeing your red/green. So, go easy on the spotlight. Watch out for other dummy boaters, floating debris, etc. By the way, fog is not your friend.

As for Kentucky Lake specific info for fishing in the dark, there are plenty more qualified folks here than me to help with that!

[Col Forbin]

I just fished it last night, and it is fairly easy to fish in the dark - I fished it by myself, but I am pretty familiar with the north end. If you have a gps with one of the newer navionics cards it is a piece of cake. Barges will run periodically up the east bank, and through the canal. I guess just educating yourself on the lake will help more than anything. For the most part, you can run across the lake anywhere from the moors to the dam. South of that, use some caution, there is some shallow spots and islands down the west side. The most usefull part of the GPS with the newer card is it has the marker bouys on it. There are quite a few marker bouys, especially out in front of each bay. If you have a general idea where they are, you can find them quick with spot light (they are reflective) and avoid them. Slow down - and take a bath in bug spray. I covered myself last night, everywhere except my feet as I was wearing tennis shoes. I have about ten bites on each foot where they bit throught the mesh of my shoes.

If you can find some Stan Sloan's short arm spinnerbaits buy them. They work great here. Stan passed away last week, so the few left in stores are the last.

[Dave Stewart]

First..I would think twice about crossing the lake in front of the Moor's whether it is dark or daylight...you can right now as long as you do not hit a barge or yacht wave...hit one of those or cross there in a couple of months when the water is down more and you will be treading water with the bottom of your boat gone to the concrete foundations out there.

Some things to think about:

Weather: You better watch the wind and weather forecast and then don't believe them when it says it is going to nice and calm. If you think it is fun on Ky Lake in rollers during the day...it is one wild and dangerous ride at night.

Go slow...just because the law says you gotta have a 360 degree anchor light on when you are stopped or anchored does not mean everyone is doing it.....lots of folks out there that either can't read or don't care if they get run over by someone that can't see them.

Hint: A barge coming straight at you, you will not see until he runs over you unless he just happens to sweep his spotlight. First rule of thumb...the rookie pilot gets to stay up late and work the midnight shift.

[jgevedon]

I can definately vouch for wild and dangerous. Made a real dumb move one night trying to get back from Barkley to Dam Village in one of those pop up bad ones and had the wildest 2 mile drive ever. God's grace and GPS allowed me to make it through that one. Just kept my head down and endured. Guys behind us ended up at Bear creek.

[WacoWildcat]

I can definately vouch for wild and dangerous. Made a real dumb move one night trying to get back from Barkley to Dam Village in one of those pop up bad ones and had the wildest 2 mile drive ever. God's grace and GPS allowed me to make it through that one. Just kept my head down and endured. Guys behind us ended up at Bear creek.

I've been through the exact same situation. We were fishing down at Sugar Creek this past May when a big storm blew in fast right at dusk. When those waves are really rocking you can't see a bouy at night at all. The seas were angry that night as we plowed our way back to moors getting soaked.

[artcarney_agr]

There's no telling how many nights I've spent on the water between the months of November and January in the pitch black...with the occasionally high winds, big waves, and ice...navigating Kentucky and Barkley to get to a duck blind. The main thing is to just go slow, stay alert, and always know where you're at. A spotlight is your best friend, and it's always a good idea to take someone along with you...two sets of eyes are better than one!

[elnutsmalljaws]

Night fished Ky Lake for 2 years with some good success. I mainly fished the north LBL side of the lake and pretty easy to navigate, at least for me, put in at Fenton and stay on the right side going north. That being said: I saw a BUNCH of sailboats anchored up in the middle of Duncan and Smith bays without any lights on, a bunch of jet ski's running after dark and the wind is not kind when it gets up. Bad enough trying to run those waves in the daytime much less than night. As you leave a bay and move out to the main lake, stop, turn off your motor and shine the light out into the main lake for it can be ROLLING there and you won't feel it as bad in the bay. Dave Stewart and I enjoyed one certain boat ride from Sugar Bay area to the west side of the lake one night in some enjoyable 6 footers at about 2 in the morning. One of those trips that you tell your great grandchildren about for just surviving. Bug Spray is a must or Avon Skin So Soft (Dave Stewart told me about this and it works great, plus you will smell PRETTY). If you are running the main lake, the barges can and are dangerous. I have seen them beached up against the sand bar between rhodes and higgins bay on the right and you will not see them coming from the south if heading north for you will not see any lights (luckily I was on the water before dark and saw this one beached and knew it was there after dark to avoid it but you can not see it in the dark). Plus if you are running towards the 68/80 bridge from the north to the south and decide to cut across to Ken lake, make sure you see all the green and red lights on the bridge. One night as we were coming that way, there were a few lights in the midle missing, then a green would appear but a red would disappear on the other end, the problem was that a barge was coming towards the dam (towards us) and did not have a light one on. His moving down and us moving up river caused the bridge lights to disappear and appear behind his moving barge. I always stop, turn off my motor, and listen for the barge before crossing the channel. When I am fishing the ledges that are in the main river channel, my lights are kept on (yes I know it is the law but I turn off my running lights when I am fishing up inside the bays closer to the banks or points). I usually fish besides myself and have not had any problems other than those above. I do run full open throttle and if I was to hit something, I want to make sure it is over quick and don't want to limp away. Good Luck

[Downwind]

Don't forget top attach your KILL SWITCH

[offdtop]

Don't forget top attach your KILL SWITCH

TO YOUR LIFE JACKET!!!!!!!

You'll never see me at night without one on, Let me say this - when you go out at night expect the worse, if it doesn't happen great but you will at least be prepared for hitting a rogue wave that comes out of nowhere, Spotlight, spotlight, spotlight, tell someone where your fishing even if it's a note on your truck, watch out for johnboats and pontoons that are sitting and relaxing - THE ANCHOR LIGHT YOU SEE IN THE DISTANCE MAY BE CLOSER THAN IT APPEARS. I have had some great nights and 2 of the 5 worst boat rides I have EVER had was at night because the wind blew up and I was in the back of a cove and when I came out to the main lake to go home and 2 waves later I was airborn doing 30 to 40 mph!! Trot lines, they have spun me 180 degrees almost flinging me out of the boat so use the spolight and keep an eye out for floating things they just may be attached to something.

be safe, and you'll be blessed