Barren Hybrids

[FusionMan]

Fished Barren on 4/2/06- caught 2 Hybrids. 1 @ 11lbs and another @ 20lbs on a chartreuse rogue jerkbait about 100yrds North of Hog Pen along the Eastern bank. The Hybrids were STACKED UP in the area. Since I am a bass fisherman I moved immediately, but those 2 fish were caught in 4 casts. The water temp was 58. If anyone heads to that area and the wind is blowing against the eastern bank and you are throwing a suspending jerkbait...hold on.

[theshadbat]

You sure it went 20, the state record is 20.8. That's a heck of a fish! Where do you guys think the next state record hybrid will come from? I'm positive there are some swimming around in herrington. Herrington or the Ohio River would get my vote.

[justfishin]

well I can not tell you if this one fish went twenty, but I was there when the state record was caught at the tailwaters at Barren. it was by no means the largest I have seen caught there. until now my personel best has been a fifteen pounder. but up on the lake there are several trophy fish and tons of 5 to 10 pound fish and you would be amazed at wht they will bite. any kind of lure and most baits chicken livers work great on these brutes now we did have a fish on last year in the spring it broke off 25 pound spiderwire like a five pound bass on a fly leader. then a few more litterly broke off hook points when we went and dug up a salt water reel with fifty pound braid on it. So are there new state records in barren. THE answer is Yes. and live shad this time of the year are a sure bet over the narrows.

[FusionMan]

I've caught several bass in the 7-9lb range in Florida and this sucker was a MONSTER. I'm really not lying. If it wasn't 20 it absolutely had to be 18+. I had to put both thumbs into it's mouth to lift it out of the water...and still could barely lift it! If I catch anymore I'll report it.

[Jansen]

20 lbs???

Usually the hybrids won't fire up at night until the shad start spawning. I have noticed a little spawn activity but not much yet. One school of thought is that the hybrids run up the river and creeks to spawn (I know they can not reproduce)this time of year. If it is true, I still think many stay behind. While I am sure one can catch them right now, I wouldn't think they will be fired up for another two or three weeks.

Hope this helps. Have fun.

[bdboti]

I'm new to hybrid fishing. A friend took me last year to Cumberland Lake and we caught three. I have been trying to get started at Barren. My friend used shad to troll behind the boat and I asked a bait dealer(no names) if he had shad. He said there were no shad in the lake and they weren't allowed. I thought shad were everywhere. What gives?

[thebassman30]

Dude....just get a cast net and head for the backs of coves. Forget it if it's windy. This technique seems to work best late June, July and August. Once you catch them and locate some Hybrids on your electronics. Troll with an egg sinker like you would for stripers at C-land. 4-5 cranks off the bottom or at the depth your marking fish.

I'm totally against using live bait to catch fish....but this could be a great way to get a large meal for your next fish fry. Plus, I feel like it's little more sporting to catching your own bait.

Go check it out and let me know how you do. The turkey's are calling me bro.

Artificials at Barren....
I prefer Kastmasters in the 1/8-1/4 oz, 1 oz white Zorro's Single blade or top water chuggers like Chugbugs or Pop-R's on the main lake points early and late. What you do depends on the conditions.