No boat

[KYHorseflys]

I don't own a boat and don't know anyone that does. As much reading and watching as I've done, I've seen very little, in fact nothing about fishing from the shore, other than, good luck getting to a good spot and better luck catching much. Does anyone here have good suggestions on fishing w/o a boat and good spots for it (especially on anything within two hours of Louisville, which would be most of our fine state)? Thanks!

[crazyfishinnut]

well here is my suggestion
Join a draw club. i did 7 years ago when I moved to southern ky
in a draw club U get to fish out of other members boats just for the cost of half the gas and fish some of the best ky has to offer .. you cant drag ledges on ky in july or float n fly dale in march from the bank. give it a shot
Rodney
Tight lines
NEVER DRIVE FASTER THAN YOUR ANGEL CAN FLY !!!

[plowboy]

Ponds and small lakes are where I got my start. You have a better chance of landing a large bass in a farm pond than in a lake. Most lakes also rent small fishing boats, you just supply the trolling motor and battery. When we fish at Reelfoot it has so many stumps we just rent a boat and put our trolling motor on it. Does anyone know if Taylorsville lake has any small boat rentals? Thats fairly close to Louisville. Stream fishing is alot of fun in the Summer also.

[KYHorseflys]

Taylorsville has boat rentals, and I've already planned on that - but thanks for the head's up. I think it's like $50 to rent the boat and you pay the gas, which really isn't too bad I guess. Also, Lake Jericho (which is pretty close to Louisville too) has boat rentals, they have oars, but you can bring your own motor. So would it really be worth while to buy a trolling motor and just use it for those situations? I really haven't looked at them much.

As far as draw clubs go - I've never heard of 'em. How do I find out about them?

[pontooner]

Are you targeting any specfic type of fish or just interested in catching fish? You really can't go wrong at any of our fine tailwater areas as far as catching fish. Just take a couple of different baits with you and you can usually cath something. Crawlers, livers, minnows, cut shad and of course some artifical baits to cast around will net you something most days. Even if you don't catch anything pay attention to what other people are doing that are catching fish and put it to good use next time. Heck maybe even walk over and ask them what they are using, and how they are fishing it....... most people don't mind sharing some of their info, but then again I've seen guys hide what they were using for bait if anyone got within 10 yards of them. I've invited people over to fish the area I was catching fish in if they were having a bad day more than a few times and have had the same done for me.

Good luck

[Danny]

First, consider yourself invited to come to KY and Barkley Lakes to fish with me sometime. I would welcome you on a day of fishing.

Draw clubs like Rodney, aka crazyfishinnut, is talking about are great. I have fished with Rodney's club in Bowling Green, and may do so again this year. I just haven't decided yet... a lot will depend on my job interview...LOL

The way draw clubs work is that they have both boat owners and non-boat owners in the club. At a pre-tournament meeting there is a drawing to pair anglers. First the non-boat owners are paired with a boater via the draw, then the rest of the boaters, if any remain, are paired. Then the two boaters make a decision as to which boat to use. It may be as simple as one saying "we'll take yours" or a flip of the coin.

Probably the best thing about draw clubs is that as a novice you will bet to fish with a lot of different anglers. This will lend you to learning many different fishing styles, and many different spots.

However, there is some ettiqutte involved. ALWAYS make sure you offer the boater gas money. NEVER take another's spot and show it to others. And a personal thing I do is this, if I am fishing, even in a tournament, and I am fishing a spot that was shown to me by someone else, if they show up, even if they are in the same tournament, I always offer them the spot. So far, none of them ever asked me to leave, and only one really stayed to fish the same spot. Most see your offer as setting the example and they generally just respond, hey, you beat me here.

Finally, the most important thing is that I have found I have made many friends through the draw system.

Good luck and good fishing...

Oh, wait, your question about shoreline fishing. Farm ponds are by far the best. However you can find other places as well. I am not familiar with Louisville, but over here take Lake Malone as an example. It has an earthen dam, and uses a overflow spillway. As a result, there is always some water coming into the small spillway wash out, and then the little creek that leaves it. A person can always fish there. Also, take Audobon Park in Henderson. Not only does it have a nice lake in the main part of the park, but you can hike back to a natural lake, at least you used to be able to, and there was good fishing in there. Also, in Henderson Iused to fish the river back waters in the lowlands. I used to fish an area called horseshoe bend. Mostly catfish, but occasionally would find bass or crappy.

Good luck and Good fishing....

Danny

[crazyfishinnut]

You are welcome to come try out our club as a non boater but i am sure there are a few in your area probably still fish down this way though. All you need is a rod ,good attitude , licence, small tackle box and gas money and we fish

most were draw clubs years ago and then people became so secretive about their spot and selfish with info. they didnt want to share it even with a nonboater so most went to partners. The benifit to a person like you is MOST not all of the time the boater has the experience to know what to try and where to go first. and the you can just follow suit and learn some things mosty the hows and the whys BUT BE WARN$ED this can cause you to buy a boat in a few years. to
Rodney
Tight lines
NEVER DRIVE FASTER THAN YOUR ANGEL CAN FLY !!!

[decker]

This time of the year you can try the sauger over at the hydro in Clarksville. On the right day you can have a ball. But i don't know how they have done this year. Good luck

[zx150]

If you live in Louisville there are a few places to bank fish. I have not done it in years so I can't advise how good the fishing is. Long Run park has a nice big pond with lots of bank fishing, fishermans park in J-Town has I think ponds they used to let you fish at Cherokee Golf Course and there are several ponds on Shelbyville road it is kind of accross from Vallaha Golf Course. Hope this helps your fishing. If you need more help give me an email [email protected]

[sparrow75]

Jump in a creek and start fishing...always a good time and a good place to start experimenting with diffent lures. I'm from Richmond area, so unfourtantely I don't know any specific creeks around Louisville, but I'm sure someone on here knows of a few. I you want to start creek fishing, I would invest 15$ in a KY Gazateer (map) and start looking for access to creeks. Good luck.

[KYHorseflys]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Mar-01-06 AT 12:28PM (EST)[/font][p]Thanks for the invites Danny and Rodney!! I might very well take ya'll up on it!

I'd love to fish KY or Barkley anytime... just to learn more through actually fishin' - not just reading and watching - would be great! I don't think it's too far a drive to get down that way, and I'd really enjoy gettin' out on the lake and learnin' and havin' fun.

The draw club idea is great too! I'll see what I can find in this area. I know I'm nowhere near good enough to be in tournaments, I'd probably slow down and be in the way of whoever I was with, but it would be a great idea as I get better!

Also, just jumpin' in some creeks and gettin' that map especially sounds like a good idea!

[smljaw]

Creek fishing is some of the best fishing. Go on a good day with good water flow and catching 40+ is no problem. Investing in a set a waders and/or canoe is a whole lot cheaper than a bass boat too.

Check out this link for KY stream fishing info:

http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us/smallmo...0&NavPath=C101

You can also pick up some good creek tips at www.thecreekbank.com. The creek info on this site will pick up quite a bit as the weather/water warms.