Ky lake crappie

[crappiepappy]

Crappie pappy would be the crappie expert

LOL ..... uhhh, no. Not an "expert" by any stretch of the imagination. And I haven't fished KY/Barkley Lake in decades.

What I can say is : according to this ( http://www.gokentuckylake.com/Level/ ) the lake is back below Summer Pool by about 4ft, and is scheduled to start filling back up to Summer Pool starting April 1st & at Summer Pool by the end of April. With the lake still down that low ... be very careful running the lake !!

All the reports I'm hearing are : spider rigging producing fish - fish also being caught trolling jigs in 8-12fow - most guides I know are booked solid. I've also heard that water temps are starting to inch up into the mid 50's ... so the Crappie should be on the move into the spawning areas (which is probably why various trolling methods are being used).

There's no law that says you can't watch the guides (from a safe distance) & see how they're fishing ... then get like'em and try the same techniques in your own favorite creeks/bays. Or for that matter, talk to their clients when they get back in and ask "how" they caught the fish & on "what" ... that should be enough to put you on the right track.

[Rob1678]

Great information. I am downloaded navionics maps and read through several years of fishing reports based on water temp. I tried to hire a guide a month ago, it ain’t happening. Most already booked through early June. I am observant of other people fishing and if they offer info great, but I really try to give the guides their space. That’s what they do for a LIVING and I respect the hard work and studying they put in on keeping up with the fish. Thanks for the info. I’ll let you know how I do. I WILL get WET!!

[Rob1678]

Struggled yesterday and most others did as well who I talked to. Did much better today. Minnows in about 20’ about 2-3’ off the bottom. Be patient. Found a spot with shallow water nearby. Seems like singles just moving in from the main lake. Water temp is 55.8.

[Moveon]

Struggled yesterday and most others did as well who I talked to. Did much better today. Minnows in about 20’ about 2-3’ off the bottom. Be patient. Found a spot with shallow water nearby. Seems like singles just moving in from the main lake. Water temp is 55.8.

They are still deep but can comer up to the beds if the water warms the shallow surface wates. In clear water they can spawn deep. In Muddy water they may come up and spawn in 1 or 2 ft of muddy water in the back of the bays if the water is warm for a while.

If we get another cold front they may stay deep.

The lenght of the day also has a pronounced effect on both them and the rest of the life cycle that they feed on. Insects and other pry items are also affected by the weater and the water temperature as well s the length of the day light.

When the Dogwood trees bloom it's time for the crappie to spawn, Right now the Bradford pears trees are blooming.

[jfw]

LOL ..... uhhh, no. Not an "expert" by any stretch of the imagination. And I haven't fished KY/Barkley Lake in decades.

What I can say is : according to this ( http://www.gokentuckylake.com/Level/ ) the lake is back below Summer Pool by about 4ft, and is scheduled to start filling back up to Summer Pool starting April 1st & at Summer Pool by the end of April. With the lake still down that low ... be very careful running the lake !!

All the reports I'm hearing are : spider rigging producing fish - fish also being caught trolling jigs in 8-12fow - most guides I know are booked solid. I've also heard that water temps are starting to inch up into the mid 50's ... so the Crappie should be on the move into the spawning areas (which is probably why various trolling methods are being used).

There's no law that says you can't watch the guides (from a safe distance) & see how they're fishing ... then get like'em and try the same techniques in your own favorite creeks/bays. Or for that matter, talk to their clients when they get back in and ask "how" they caught the fish & on "what" ... that should be enough to put you on the right track.

They were up close at Nolin ...we were jig bobbing at 2 ft deep and doing well..

[jfw]

Got these sunday...they were up shallow

[Rob1678]

Nice mess! Here is my final report for you guys going to Ky lake this week. Spider rigging is the most productive, BUT it is slow! Guys were catching 6-10 keepers for the day and that was the story in Jonathan creek. Most people were in the deeper holes. Fish in 21’ of water with minnow or jig/minnow rigs. The fish were biting in 17-19’ range NOT 16’ OR 20’. It was that critical. Spent hours at different depths in different water columns. Fish are scattered. The fish want it slow 0.4mph but not just dead sticking. The white bass were a lot of fun. Caught pretty good messes each day of them. Find riprap banks still in the water. Put your boat in 8-10’ and fish 2-6’ with road runner heads and jig bodies. I used pearl or clear with red flake. Some guys found some blacks in the shallows, from the mouth of Jonathan creek to the bridge. Fished under the bridge several times and never had anything to write home about. I bass fished several hours each morning but did not catch anything with any size. I threw crankbaits, arigs, jerk baits and jigs. There is a BFL going out of Moor’s in the morning so be careful. There are plenty of boaters in the mouth of the creek. This morning I counted 38 boats within 500 yard radius. GOOD Luck and watch running in creeks. Follow the channel buoys, there is lots of 2.5’ water in the middle of the creek.