Coming to KY Lake May 20th

I am coming down to bass fish KY Lake for a long weekend starting May 20th. I will be staying at Big Bear Resort. I'm semi-familiar with the area and names of the bays, but not sure what type of structure to target in mid-late May down there. Would it be wise to try fishing the mustard flowers and buck brush shallow? Or would most of the bigger fish be back off on the ledges and dropoffs? If they would be on dropoffs, does this mean I need to try and find the old river channel or are there some dropoffs and ledges besides that semi-close to Bear creek? I know a lot of that depends on the weather but what are usually the main lures and methods used to catch bass around that time of year? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Not a pro on Ky Lake but I would say the flower bite will be over by then. The flowers will die and give off gases that will drive the fish away by then. You may catch some fish in the buck brush but one great wise fisherman told me once (Dave Stewart) would you rather fish where 20% of the population are at or 80% of the population. I would guess 20% may still be in the brush and live in the brush. Usually by the end of May the fish will be heading towards the ledges if not already on them by then. Certainly this pattern or mouth of the bays heading out to the ledges should produce some fish. Break out the C Rig and Deep Cranks, just my opinion but this is where I would start.

Tight Lines

Frenzy, e-mail me. [email][email protected][/email]

Last week I was down on Barkley and KY both, two days between trips, and KY was about 4 degrees cooler than Barkley. One thing, it seems the water warmed earlier this year than years past. however, my anniversary is May 23rd, and I remember one trip there a few years ago, actually on Barkley, Eddy Creek, where I was just throwing a spinnerbait following the shore on the secondary points and wore them out.

As I said, it seems the water is warmer this year, but if we have the cool down that is predicted, it may slow things down, I really don't know.

So, I am saying you should be able to find many fish still in the post spawn and transition areas, as well as on the drops.

My best advice is to check out the board closer to the date and see what fishing reports are coming in, and of course make sure to check out Dave's fishing report he posts every Thursday.

Danny

The carolina rig on the ledges will be a good start. There are alot of good ledges along the secondary creek channel right out in front of Big Bear. Get you a map and start looking for them! Should be a fun time - and I'd consider booking a trip with Dave Stewart if you can. He's great on KY Lake and for that kind of trip, it will be well worth your money.

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like I'll try the banks early and move out deeper as the day goes on. Anyone know of some specific spots that have produced well for Largemouth? Also, would it be a waste of my time to try and fish the big rocky main lake shores on the Land Between the Lakes side? I know it's a little steeper on this side, just wondering if you think any bass might be able to be caught there.

On LBL side on KY Lake you may find some Smallmouth Bass on Crankbaits, fish the pea gravel banks.

Thanks for the info. I've always heard that the LBL side was more smallmouth territory. How about some of the bays around Bear? Any certain bays anyone might recommend looking for bass in? Do most of them have buck brush in the back of them or is there one or 2 that are especially good?

Has anyone fished the long island north of the 68 bridge? I was checking some areas out on a map and noticed it continued to point out under water and had some good possibilities, just wondering if anyone has had much luck there and if so, what did you use? Is bass fishing hot down there right now? I'll be there in less than 3 weeks. Can't wait.