Club classic location?

[luvthsgame]

We have fished KY lake the past 3 yrs for our classic in mid-Oct. Like you, we have a low number of boats. While the experience was good and a great learning experience for possibly going back for a bigger T (eg. Midwest Sportsman classic, etc) the fishing has not been terrific. Granted, 75% of that was due to weather as they were "catching 18lbs the monday before our T". It took 7.5lbs in 2 days last year for 1st place. My advice would be that if you go down there, go further south than the KY dam village. Go far enough south that you get into the grass (which is void on the dam end). As you saw in the recent BassMasters tourney, KVD went all the way to TN to fish.

[fishman47346]

Thanks for that input. If we go there was thinking of Prizer Point on the Barkley side. Is there grass in that area? Several years ago we fished our first tournament of the year there in March or April and the Weather was terrible cold and windy so we didn't do very well but I do remember the place we stayed was nice.

Seems like every time we have tried Ky or Barkley, It's been in the spring and we have had bad weather. We have never been there in the fall?

[Moose1am]

Questions regarding Rend Lake. Where would you recommend staying the night? Any campgrounds? How much does it cost to get a IL fishing license and where would you get one?

What does it cost to get a cabin or motel room around that area? Do they have electric outlets so that I can recharge the trolling motor battery at the motel or cabin?

I've never fished Rend lake but it looks like it might be a good fishing lake.


Regards,

Moose1am

[Moose1am]

Two thumbs up for Prizer Point for both camping and fishing the mouth of the creek where it enters the river.
Regards,

Moose1am

[Dave Stewart]

Here is a thought for you....we would be happy to have you folks down here on Ky/Barkley for your Classic. Many of the club tourneys down here now meet at a certain location..ie..like Ky Dam and then allow their anglers to trail their boats if they desire and put in at other locations to fish. This does a number of things...saves gas, saves folks from taking chances running rough water if the wind gets up..allows them to fish whichever lake and area they want. Of course they have to be back at the release point on time for the check in.

Note: there is not much for grass on Barkley until you get well down lake into Tennessee. There is grass on the north end of Ky...at least there was when I fished it yesterday.

Staying and launching at Prizer Point will limit your folks unless they make long runs or long drives...staying on the north end of the lakes gives them more choices.

[Topwater2004]

Moose,

Rend Lake is excellent fishing, and there are big bass in the lake. You won't find much pressure on it either. There are several access roads off of Interstate 57 that take you right to the ramp areas. Very good ramps too.

If you like camping, there is a state run campground near the dam on the east side. Also a state park mid-lake on the east side.

You want to go cheap motel, Super 8 on the interstate is available, Days in just in Benton, or you could fork out for the Rend Lake Resort. I always go cheap on a fishin trip because I just need a cot and a shower and I am back on the water.

An Illinois fishing license for out of stater is $6 bucks a day. Internet purchase available, Benton has a Walmart and McNeil Sporting Goods.

Check the fishing report at www.rendlake.com, it says fishing is excellent for crappie right now with minnow tipped jigs. The rip-rap causeway near mid-lake is very long and always holds something. Also try the creek arms in the north end of the lake. A hotspot map is available for Rend Lake, and you can get snapshots of it on espn.outdoors.com for free.

Hybrid stiped bass are also available in the lake, as well as stripers and yellow bass too.

If you need to stretch your legs a while, the tailwater always has fish to be caught. Gar will hit Rebel crawdads all day long, they are fun to catch and the locals will take them off your hands cause they like to eat em.

Rend Lake has a huge timber field north of the causeway, and it is very dangerous cruising. Be careful.

I can also recommend Crab Orchard south of Marion for bass fishing. Nice lunkers, it might be goose season down there and you might find it full of hunters right now, I am not sure.

[thompmd]

Dave is right. Kentucky/Barkley can get dangerous this time of year to run with the water at winter pool is forces you to run the channel and depending on wind can be dangerous...been there in October. Moor's resort does a nice job hosting tournaments and has the facilities and restaurant and may even have a breakfast buffet early for you if you ask? Good People(including Dave).

[Moose1am]

Thanks for the Great information Topwater. Very much appreciated.

[apextrail]

I read an article somewhere this summer that mentioned the trailering trend in tournaments. I think it is a great idea and would definetly save gas and wear and tear on a boat when the lake is rough. I have a summer camp on KY lake and know first hand what it's like getting stranded miles away in a storm.I hear people talking about the tough bite here but in my opinion fall fishing is only second to early spring for big fish potential.

[MsgMills]

I have to say for such a small tournament, I'd go to Nolin Lake, the bite this time of year is awesome for topwaters and there isn't mush boat traffic this time of year, most pleasure boaters are done for the year. There isn't any grass in the lake but alot of rock, stickups, laydowns and boat docks to fish.... Great Lake for such a short drive from where your at. They even have Cabins to rent there cloase to the Marina, I believe they cost 85.00 dollars a night. Here is the # if you like to check on the Cabins 1-270-286-4069, cost of $ 3.00 to launch your boat unless you got a Corps of Engineers Launch Pass.:-)

[fishman47346]

I'm not familiar with Nolin. Where is it?

[fishman47346]

wHAT TOWN IS THAT CLOSE TO? RESTRAUNTS, HOTELS?