Kentucky Lake and Barkley

[GeoFisher]

OK guys and gals.....

There's been alot of discussion about dangers on KY and Barkley....Mostly low water, sandbars, channels, BASIC stuff that can get you hurt QUICKLY if you don't know what you're doing.

So, with that in mind, how about some input...POSITIVE input about ideas regarding staying safe.

I for one have only been down there 1 time with a boat. I did pretty good but was following someone who fishes the two lakes a BUNCH. I still managed to tear up my prop.

Any help would be greatly appreciated......

Also, if any of you know of specific areas on the lakes that are not marked particularly well, or bouys that are wrong, etc that would also be of GREAT help.

My idea, is that I can take some of the info here, take my maps, and MARK the maps to make things more clear, and hopefully SAFER.

Thanks,

[SlopFishin]

Here's my advice if you don't know the lakes. When on plane, stay between the channel markers. If you're out of the boating lanes then you need to idle and keep an eye on your depth finder.

[artcarney_agr]

Get a Hot Spots map and study it! There's only a few places on KY that you need to be concerned with. Barkley is a little more hazardous, but not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I've been navigating both lakes since I was 8 years old and have never torn up a prop. All it takes is a little knowledge about channel markers and knowing what areas to avoid. Seems like the guys that tear up props just absolutely cannot stand to take the long way IN THE CHANNEL! When you start cutting corners, you're pushing your luck.

[elnutsmalljaws]

The Hot Spots map is a good map and I started with these but the GPS Map is much closer to reality. Shows the contours better and I feel way more comfortable navigating with it than the Hot Spots. If you have not checked out this map, take a good look at it, Dave Stewart turned me onto them and they are much more detailed once you get to them.

[Danny]

George,

I don't know if you are talking about the coming weekend and a classic or not, but if you have time, the best thing is hire Dave Stewart for a day. Take your maps with you, and then ask him to end the fishing a little early and if he would be willing to mark your maps for some danger spots, and some clear areas to fish. If you don't have time for a day, contact him, see if you could hire him for a couple of hours one day or evening to provide this service for you.

I know of a couple of un-marked creek channels to cross Barkley at low water, but there is no way I could ever put it into words so you would understand where they are.

Scott is right, Barkley is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be, especially if you have been fishing it for over 10 years. But I can tell you the first time my wife and I took our pontoon out of Eddy Creek Marina in March, I ran aground straight out from the mouth of the creek, and still well over 200 yards from the other shoreline.

You know the old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Good luck, and stay safe.

Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

[Danny]

I was talking with Dave the other day and he is gone to do some trout fishing.

So if you need it quickly, you might try giving artcarny_gar a shout. Maybe he will sell you some of his knowledge. Being a college kid, I'm sure he could use the extra sheckles in his pocket.

Good luck,

Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

[GeoFisher]

Hey......

Thanks........

I do plan on getting a guide, but just have NOT.

I recently purchased a new boat, and don't want to mangle it down there. Maybe I will wait until the spring and hit it hard then.

I know FNF is close and maybe I will save my vacation days for DALE and FNF.

Later,

Geo.

[artcarney_agr]

I'm currently between bass boats right now and will be available this weekend. If you want to go boat riding, tell me when and where to meet you! Otherwise I'll be home this weekend getting the duck hunting boat ready to go and putting the pontoon away for the winter....might venture down to the Aurora Festival too! :)

Regards,

Scott Brown

[Danny]

Hey George,

Listen, don't know if your schedule permits week day trips, but I'd also be happy to go out there with you. If you want, I'll take my boat, and you can ride with me, or follow... or whatever. I almost need my GPS unit to help me out. I've not been on Barkley hardly at all this year. I've been on KY much more... trying to learn to catch fish over there on a consistent basis.

Good luck,

Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

PS, Don't you live over in Eastern KY? I've got a couple of others that I've exchanged emails about fishing together, maybe we could make a little get together out of it? Just for the fun of it?

Danny

[GeoFisher]

Man......this is why I LOVE this site.....

I will definitely take you guys up on this.......I cannot go this weekend, but am planning 2 or 3 trips before middle November.....

I will post here when I get something MORE confirmed.

Thanks,


Geo

[roadrunner]

Ky Lake is not bad if you stay in the channel.

Remember it is red right return. You will keep red markers on your right if you are going into the current. If you are going into a bay you will be returning up the creek so red on right. If you are going on main lake the river flows north so keep red on your right when you are headed south.

You will not always see both red and green however when you pass a buoy you should be able to spot the next one, if you can't slow down until you find it. Always watch your depth finder if it gets shallower than seven feet slow down until you are sure you are in the channel. The best thing about KY. Lake is if you are on the east side the river channel runs fairly straight you will probably be in 20+ ft. Just watch going into the bays as the have sand bars coming out from the banks. A good map will show were the bars are.

If you are not sure if you are in the channel make sure no one is right behind you and slow down or stop until you are sure where the channel is.

Go slow until you are familiar with the channel and you will be fine.

Good luck