Ky lake or Barkley?

I'm planning a trip down there in late April or early May for bluegill and redear. What lake is easier to get around and how big of a boat do I need. Sixteen foot boat with a forty horsepower big enough to hit the big water?

Which lake produces better redear, KY or Barkley? I'm basically a redear fisherman, I fish on the bottom 80% of the time when I go out fishing. But I've been wanting to plan a trip down there because of the quality of fish I've seen and heard about. Are camp sites easy to obtain or would a cabin be better? I've got a 14 foot tri hull boat but the motor isn't big enough. I need some pointers from you experienced KY and Barkley fisherman. Don't want to drive from Louisville for nothing.

[QUOTE=redearhoosier;433021]I'm planning a trip down there in late April or early May for bluegill and redear. What lake is easier to get around and how big of a boat do I need. Sixteen foot boat with a forty horsepower big enough to hit the big water?

Which lake produces better redear, KY or Barkley? I'm basically a redear fisherman, I fish on the bottom 80% of the time when I go out fishing. But I've been wanting to plan a trip down there because of the quality of fish I've seen and heard about. Are camp sites easy to obtain or would a cabin be better? I've got a 14 foot tri hull boat but the motor isn't big enough. I need some pointers from you experienced KY and Barkley fisherman. Don't want to drive from Louisville for nothing.[/QUOTE]you can go anywhere as long as its not windy. i dont think youd enjoy life if it got up about 10mph though. barkley is better shielded in the wind though.but a lot shallower . just to give you an idea, we were going 25 mph in a 20 ft skeeter saturday on KY. it was fairly rough that morning. you can stay in the bays and usually be ok though

You can do fine here with that boat...just keep it in the creeks and bays and don't do a lot of traveling on the main lakes. There are plenty of public ramps here that can keep you ramp hopping and in the creeks and bays. Since you are fishing for Bluegill and Redear, there is no need to be out on the main lakes that time of year anyway. Campsites you can find...both improved and primitive. If you want a cabin that time of year you need to be making reservations pretty soon or you won't get one.

I appreciate the responses guys, I guess I'll take the fourteen foot boat with the biggest motor I can find. What lake is better for LARGE shellcrackers...KY or Barkley?

Can I catch these fish in Blood Creek, Jonathan Creek or where? I've never been down there and don't want to screw around five days looking, I'd like a general direction to the fish if at all possible. Thanks in advance, Troy.

[QUOTE=redearhoosier;433021]I'm planning a trip down there in late April or early May for bluegill and redear. What lake is easier to get around and how big of a boat do I need. Sixteen foot boat with a forty horsepower big enough to hit the big water?

Which lake produces better redear, KY or Barkley? I'm basically a redear fisherman, I fish on the bottom 80% of the time when I go out fishing. But I've been wanting to plan a trip down there because of the quality of fish I've seen and heard about. Are camp sites easy to obtain or would a cabin be better? I've got a 14 foot tri hull boat but the motor isn't big enough. I need some pointers from you experienced KY and Barkley fisherman. Don't want to drive from Louisville for nothing.[/QUOTE]

That time of year If I were fishing for blue gills I would be bobber fishing or throwing beetlespins up to the bank. You can catch fish in either Blood River or Jonathons Creek or just about anywhere in the lake at that point. I prefer Kentucky Lake, but its up to you. Also my advice is book a cabin. Camping from my experience can be very draining when your fishing sun up to sun down, a bed/shower and some a/c sure feels awesome at night! You can get really cheap rooms at Sportsman Lodge right on Jonathons Creek. However If it were me and I were bluegill fishing I would come down 1st of may, and just start looking for the beds along the shallows!