First thing you need to do is get a good map of the lake regardless of whether or not you get a guide. Best bet is to get a guide for a day.

However, if the guide is out of the question, then do some internet searches as suggested earlier on and co-ordinate the info you can pull together off the internet along with the map info. The Hotspots map will give you seasonal patterns, basits, names and locations of flats, creeks, rivers, dropoffs, etc. Then start to put together your game plan.

Cave run is a Corp of Engineers Lake and you can get all the info you need regarding water levels and conditions from the COE Cave Run site at http://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/crl/default.htm.


Next, again as suggested, skip Bass Pro completely. Get to the lake early enough to get your parking/ramp passes and visit as many of the local shops as possible, specifically Crashes Landing. The local stores will have plenty of info and the right baits and tackle you will need for the lake.

Finally, use all the information to finalize your game plan, find out what ramps are usable with the low water and get on the water and keep throwing. Fish of a thousand casts you know! Some sound advice, do not leave anything in your vehicle you don't want to lose. I leave my doors unlocked with no valuables in the vehicle. If they want in they will get in by breaking your window. Do not go to any of the upper Licking River Ramps to launch and park, a lot of vehicle breakins up there.

The bests suggestions I can give you is to fish the Zilpo Flats, Leatherwood and Buck Creek. These could keep you busy for at least a day if you fish them correctly. Then try up and around the marina at the upper end of the lake, past Buck and Leatherwood Creeks.

If all that fails, go toward the dam and try Big and Little Cave Run Creeks, Caney Creek and Scott Creek. That will finish off any 3 day weekend at Cave Run.

As suggested earlier, stay out of the Licking River. Nothing but trouble for the newcomer and if you don't plan on many return trips to the Cave, dont bother taking the long idle up the Licking River and risking boat, health and loss of limbs or props!!!!

Have fun, be careful on the water this time of year. A fall in the lake now means potential loss of life situation with hypothermia. Good luck and Merry Christmas.