Help! Need Kentucky Advice

[Fred McIntire]

I am thinking of coming down to Kentucky March 29th thru April 5th.

I have only fished Kentucky once years ago. I'd like to do some Crappie, Bluegill, and Bass fishing.

Where would you suggest for me to go for some great fishing? Any local guides that you could refer me to that aren't outrageous?

All input is appreciated.

Thanks!
Fred

[SmallmouthChaserGLX]

For those three species and this time of year I would highly suggest Kentucky Lake. Sorry, I don't know any guides but any conventional technique should work (minnows, crickets, spinnerbaits). Just hunt for warm water and you should have no trouble catching fish there.

[Dave Stewart]

I am a guide on Kentucky Lake. I do not however guide for Crappie or Bluegill...only bass. I am not available as I am booked up until the first of June but you can find a list of guides for north Kentucky Lake at www.kentuckylake.com . Of course I don't know what you consider outrageous...you will find the rates here between 275 and 300 per day right now...which after we pay our overhead doesn't leave much.

[roadrunner]

I am a guide on Kentucky Lake. I do not however guide for Crappie or Bluegill...only bass. I am not available as I am booked up until the first of June but you can find a list of guides for north Kentucky Lake at www.kentuckylake.com . Of course I don't know what you consider outrageous...you will find the rates here between 275 and 300 per day right now...which after we pay our overhead doesn't leave much.

For a good guide who will teach you what the fish are doing on a particular lake $300.00 plus tip can be a bargain. If you think what gas cost are, and what a week in general cost on a fishing vacation; guide fees are a small part of your expense. Just be sure you get the guide early in your trip first day or two. What you need to do is make sure you get a guide that knows what he is doing and is willing to help you out not one that is cheap. I would much rather pay $350.00 for a very good guide than waste $200.00 on a poor or mediocre guide. What you learn in that boat that day will be a lifetime investment. Most guides are hoping your experience to the lake will be positive so you will come back and tell your friends to come to their lake. Their livelihood is based on tourism.

Also do not be upset if you hire a guide and have a tough day on the water because if you hired a good guide you will see a lot of his spots and you can still learn what to do.

[Col Forbin]

I would be up front and tell the guide what you want to do as well. If you just want to catch fish, tell your guide that. Most guides will have no problem with that. However, the really good guides, are more into educational/informative trips. They are going to teach you the techniques and teach you to differentiate locations that would be productive, rather than take you to specific "honey holes." Sure you will probably catch fish on these days, but what you learn will help you catch more fish on your own by making educated decisions, rather than trying to replicate exactly what you did on given day with a guide. I have had several guides - now if I was deep sea fising for one day - I want the guide that is going to get me on the most fish (how often do I get to do that). If I was bass or crappie fishing, I want a guide that can teach me what to do, so I can take what they taught me and use it again and again (I get to hit lakes pretty often).

The dates you are coming is typically one of the best times of year for all fishing - and a guide should be fun. If you are planning on coming back, I suggest you book Dave Stewart in advance for your next trip. He has built quite a reputation for being the best guide in this area. I fish these lakes pretty often, but I still have him booked later on.