Kentucky Fishing Help

[ranger_391]

I can't take this winter any longer. It was 6 degrees below zero again this morning! My boat has been parked since November, so I decided today that I am heading south.

I plan to leave March 15th from here in norther Wisconsin for Kentucky/Barkley (unless some of you have a better idea?)

I see the BASS weekend series has a T that day on Barkley, and BFL on Kentucky, so I assume the water (and air) temp are warm enough to be out all day.

I do not need to catch a lot, mostly just being on the water would be great. I would appreciate any tips that might get me to an area or pattern that I should be trying.

Post here or email me. I appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,

Scott....
[email protected]

[ryan_ekubass]

they usually schedule those tourneys at the begining of the year the water temp is still in the 40's out here on dale and cumberland... but some people are catchin some nice fish on both cumberland and dale i dunno nothing about ky lake and barkley but dale is the premier smallmouth fishery in the world and lake cumberland has some really nice fish in it too... if u come just be sure and bring warm clothes and thinner clothes its ky weather and one day it will be in the 50's and close to 60' and thundering and then u will wake up in the morning to an ice storm or a few inches of snow on the ground... the weather this time of year down here is pretty unpredictable.....

[stockcars6]

you could expect air temps around the mid 50's and water temp in low 50's on a normal year but this winter has kept the water temps down a bit, water should be approaching 48 or so and it is only 44-45, water is also heavily stained on barkley and will be for quite some time

if i were you, i wouldn't plan on fishing until the water hits 52-53 (check http://www.orn.usace.army.mil/pao/lakeinfo/BAR.htm for water temps)

if we get some warm rain and sun (haven't seen either in a while), things may turn around... if you do decide to come down, find the clearest water possible(probably on ky lake), a primary rocky point facing the sun and throw a jerk bait, jig, or possibly a spinnerbait

early march is really not looking good for bass fishing on the big lakes, but things may clear up... pm me before you come down and i will be glad to give you the current lake conditions

[stoner]

I would go further south, but if the lakes are a have to destination then I would stay on Barkley. Jerk baits and Rattle traps (1oz) maybe a jig from time to time.
Good luck
Stoner

[Dave Stewart]

The Largemouth are biting very good on Ky Lake right now...the Smallies are hit and miss but some nice ones taken over the past few days. Barkley is muddy and the fishing is slow. I will be putting up my first weekly report of the season on the site here tomorrow evening. Check my report before you come down for the latest in lures and patterns.

[JoeB]

I'm not sure how set you are on KY / Barkley, but that's usually a little early for the best of the bass / crappie bite. (although I'm sure D. Stewart can put you on fish at any time of year) Here on Cumberland, mid-March is the start of the best striper bite of the year. It's mostly live bait fishing, but some of the fish that turn up are monsterous. Have fun in KY, there's lots of options.

[roadrunner]

Watch Dave Stewart's fishing report and come on down you won't have to cut a hole in the ice.
places to stay MOORS 800 626 5472, BELL AIR MOTEL 270 362 4254
CALVERT CITY SUPER 8, 270 395 5566 This is for the north end of KY lake.
you might want to look at http://www.kentuckylake.com/

[MarkW]

I'll be out there this weekend---I'll report back. Water should be in the mid to upper 40's.
BASS Weekend Series is going out of Barkley on March 8th.

[artcarney_agr]

I see the BASS weekend series has a T that day on Barkley, and BFL on Kentucky, so I assume the water (and air) temp are warm enough to be out all day.

Don't assume anything about the weather here! Last year, we had very warm weather for a few days in early March causing the water temp to jump big time! We had bass ready to spawn on a full moon night during the third week of March. It was crazy! Two days later (the night before the Jet-A-Marina Classic) the temp dropped below freezing and pretty well stayed there for a day or two...on the day of the Jet-A Classic, I had frost on my reel and frozen fingers nearly all day! Add in the wind factor, and it was a bone chiller!

I'd say that you should keep a close eye on the weather before making the haul down here. Heck, I'd probably wait until April, or even early May and try to catch the yellow flowers bite at the right time...that's some awesome fishing during that time!!!

[ranger_391]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback!

Scott...
[email protected]

[condusivecranker]

I'll be on Kentucky on the 15th as well, but just for pleasure fishing. I was actually on KY Lake last year when that cold snap hit that the previous poster was talking about. Even after the cold snap, we were able to muster some crappie and yellow bass. All in all, theres always something biting on KY Lake.