Total Newbie- Needs Help!

[NewDad]

Hi Folks!

I live in Lexington, KY, and I'm a brand new proud poppa of an amazing 17 year old foster boy. He LOVES fishing.
Now, I was raised camping, but not fishing, so I know virtually nothing (i've been trying to do my research though). He has a decent knowledge base but has had to teach himself everything, so there are definite gaps in what he knows. Plus he isnt from around here.

We bought some starter gear. We had some small luck in Jacobson Park, caught absolutely nothing at Cave Run Lake, and nabbed one tiny bass in the Elkhorn at Switzer Bridge. We're bank fishing since we do not have a boat.

I want to take him for a good trip this weekend. He gets really frustrated when we don't catch anything. Could y'all point me in a good direction? He is a really good kid who has had a really tough life. I just want to give him an amazing fishing trip Any suggestions of places to go within a two hour drive of Lexington? What baits and lures should we be using? Don't care what we catch- but i know he really wants to catch something we can take home and have for dinner.

Thanks, y'all! I really appreciate it!

~Ted.

[crappiepappy]

Ted ... consider these options :

Take him to the Salato Wildlife Center in Frankfort, and fish the KDFWR ponds. (free fishing)

Take him to a pay lake. ($$)

Take him to a lake that has rental boats. ($$$)

Hire a guide that specializes in the species you're interested in. ($$$$)


Now, having said that ... this coming weekend is the 4th of July weekend, so most every body of water is likely to have huge crowds of people ... guides are likely booked up (usually months in advance) ... so options #1 & #2 may offer the least amount of competition for bank space (though, there's no guarantee of that). And campgrounds will most likely be full, as well, if you had considered camping.

... pappy

[Jasonfishin]

Congrats to the new dad! I am getting into fishing with my 5yo and being at Jacobson multiple times I have to say I would try elsewhere. It is so overfished.

A lot of fisherman I have talked to have recommended cedar creek lake. It's about an hour south of Lexington. They have said the bank fishing is good there.

If you put down a bit of money and go to dicks sporting goods you can get a couple of decent kayaks, then the world is your oyster. They have a number of affordable ones. Plus nothing is more relaxing than a nice paddle.

[Drew1233]

There's a small lake called Willisburg lake in between Louisville and Lexington which shouldn't be more than an hour drive for you. The lake is very small and doesn't get very much fishing pressure, as a lot of people have never heard of it. I was there today trying to put my grandpa on some crappie and we had a good time. I am a bass fisherman but enjoyed being able to sit back and watch a bobber for a day, as we caught a ton of fish! we didn't catch that many crappie but caught a ton of rock bass, bluegill, and smaller catfish. We just used minnows fishing them anywhere from 4-7 feet deep under a bobber. I may be wrong but I believe they do have a rental boat you could use. Just google the name of the lake and call the number it gives you and the guy at the marina will be able to help you out. There really isn't anywhere to bank fish on the lake unfortunately, but if you can get a kayak, canoe, or they happen to have a rental boat then I would highly recommend the lake. I've also heard good things about the catfishing there. If I were to try that I'd use chicken livers or hot dogs. Good luck and if you have any questions feel free to message me. Also get him on a high school fishing team. I know a couple Lexington schools have them. It's been a great experience for me and I've learned a ton doing it! Good luck, drew