I need some "Barren" help for Oct 24 and 25th!

[cra97]

How you all been, long time no post! I have been caring for my terminally ill mother (yeah the doctors gave her two weeks, every two weeks, for the last 2 plus months and she is still "hanging on"). I have not had ANY time to go out fishing in that time and have the KBFN end of the year tourney on Barren the weekend of Oct 24th. I have only been tourney fishing for this one year and thus do not know much about fishing the different bodies of water during different times of the year (heck, if not for you all on this site I wouldn't be fishing at all, but that's another story and a HUGE THANK YOU to you all).
Can anyone tell me what I should stick on my line, depths to fish, any other helpful info at all for this event? I am planning on pre-fishing at least ONE day, provided my wife can handle mom at that time for the 3 days, and I am TOTALLY clueless on what to do to have ANY chance (even though I probably do not deserve a "chance" in this since others have put in the time and effort while I was caring for mom). I normally rely on my Shakey head with a Green Pumpkin, cause its what I am comfortable with and has worked this first year tourney fishing, but I am not sure if this is going to "get'er done" at this time of year and on that body of water. Any help would be greatly appreciated, but either way thanks for reading and considering my post.
Listen, I also wanted to thank all those who sent prayers for my mom. I don't know what God has left for her to do her on earth, but I am sure there is a reason she is still with us and I just appreciate the Hospice people being able to make her comfortable as possible while we try and figure it out. The men, and women, on this site have treated me SO WELL and I want ALL OF YOU to know how much I appreciate all you have done for me, my boys, and my family in just providing prayers and a place for me to come to "get away from things" from time to time. Even though I have not been posting, I have been reading when I need to "get away". I have just been so depressed the last few months that I haven't felt like doing anything. I have NO friends in life, except for those of your here who I have e-mailed with, so thank you so much for having me and provding this site to come to when I have needed it so much.
As for those of you having problems with "jerks" on the water, give me a call and I would be happy to have you pull up next to them, board their boat and beat the living life from them anytime for you all (I have PTSD, so we can blame it on that and I will get off scott free .
God Bless you all and, again, any advice or help would be appreciated for the upcoming butt whooping I am going to take on Barren.

Rob Appleby
11010 Lavender Way
Louisville, KY
502-689-5528

PS. I say I plan to "pre-fish" a day or two, but I do not have a boat and my only fishing buddy (Chuck) seems to have lost my number so if you have any ideas on "how" to get on the water in a boat (either a guide or whatever) please mention that too if you reply. Thanks again for everything guys and God Bless all of you and your families.

[Bandit1]

Cra, you have a private message.

[bandman]

I spoke to a couple of friends and they tell me that the main lake part is tough at the moment. If you have a smaller boat though they tell me to go up into the creeks and you can have some luck. Cranks and spinners seems to be the tackle of choice for the moment. I have had great luck with buzz baits lately but they tell me that bite is off.