Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley--info??

[HiDefFisherman]

Hey everyone,

Not been out for a week or so, under the weather. I know I can get a very comprehensive report from the site by Dave, but I kind of like hearing the stories from us "regular Joes". Not that there is anything wrong with what Dave provides, but it seems the larger the pool of contributors, the more diversity in style and areas are shown. For example, we all know some fish stay shallow all summer, and I imagine there are some of you that catch them that way all summer very well... hey, I'm not one of you. But I do like reading about your methods, and then I try to learn from you. That's why I spend a lot of my fishing days doing things I am not very good at doing.


I wish there was a way we could create a fishing network between all of us on here. We all fish differently, or even the same methods but worked differently. I would love the chance to "steal" your methods and add them to what I do. Unfortunately, there is so much distrust, and now danger, that it is impractical for us to say "hey, let's meet for the first time in the dark at some ramp, where there is likely no one else, and go fishing." Heck, you never are really sure who is going to show up.

So, any help on information, your fishing story, etc... will be greatly appreciated.

HDF

[Fishin is life]

I'm leaving in the morning for my first trip to KY Barkley....have read Daves report and anything i can get my hands on...just hoping to put some fish in the boat and hopefully stumble on some good ones

[Owskiwoski]

saw a lot of fish busting water and chasing bait last week. usually on a flat near a drop and shallow(3-5 feet). Caught them on rattle traps. Mostly small fish but a lot of fun. The biggest was a 3lb smallmouth. This is a lot easier if you aren't familiar with ledges.

[Dave Stewart]

Actually my report is not just what I am doing...but a mix of what I have been doing and what the folks that I network with down here have been doing...it takes two like reports from my network to make my weekly report so there are always some things working that do not make my report...I try to make mine as accurate as possible.

That being said...as my report stated...the better ledge bite all week has been late morning and afternoon.....earliest I have seen it is about 10:00 this week...there are shallow fish.....they ate Hook Some Bass blue glimmer vibes today with twin tail Yamamoto trailers and Texas rigged Charmer timber pups in watermelon/purple..back on the flats around wood cover.

[Bass Addict 170]

Hey Dave, seem pretty knowledgeable on KY/Barkley. I don't do bad on local lakes and stuff (Nolin, Rough, etc.), but KY Lake is a whole different beast. Was wondering, without giving away honeyholes, what do you look for when the ledge bite is on when locating staging bass? I've been there in the spring pre-spawn, and wacked a bunch, less than 3 lbs. though. Have trouble finding bigger fish and getting the ledge bite down though. When summer fishing there, I've heard that working soft plastics off ledges typically out produces deep cranking. Is there any truth to that? Thanks in advance. >Matt

[davidsa]

Hey Dave, seem pretty knowledgeable on KY/Barkley. I don't do bad on local lakes and stuff (Nolin, Rough, etc.), but KY Lake is a whole different beast. Was wondering, without giving away honeyholes, what do you look for when the ledge bite is on when locating staging bass? I've been there in the spring pre-spawn, and wacked a bunch, less than 3 lbs. though. Have trouble finding bigger fish and getting the ledge bite down though. When summer fishing there, I've heard that working soft plastics off ledges typically out produces deep cranking. Is there any truth to that? Thanks in advance. >Matt

I'd be very interested in the relative effectiveness day in and out of deep cranks, vs. C-Rig Plastics vs Jig/trailer as well. Not having a single ledge honey hole myself, I would be interested in knowing how long you would recommend I fish a specific ledge before I try a new spot.

[Dave Stewart]

There are no honey holes...only high percentage spots...LOL. The first thing you have to do to be more consistant whether your are ledge fishing or fishing banks and points...you need to know how to eliminate water to find the highest percentage spots. To write here how to do that would take more time than I have....and besides...I make my living teaching how to do this so I really am not going to write it down here or anywhere else while I am still guiding. There is no secret to catching more big fish other than getting your lure in front of more of them and you do this by only concentrating on the higher percentage spots. I would be more than happy to take you out on one of my teaching trips...or if you would rather...wait until this winter and I will be teaching the class on how to eliminate water again this winter during my off season.

As far as the question about crankbaits vs finesse baits (soft plastics, jigs) on ledges. Early in the ledge season they both work good (May and June)...as the water warms up in July, August, Sept: the crankbaits still work but in my opinion the soft plastics and jigs will be more consistant in catching the ledge fish.

[863 bassmaster]

There are no honey holes...only high percentage spots...LOL. The first thing you have to do to be more consistant whether your are ledge fishing or fishing banks and points...you need to know how to eliminate water to find the highest percentage spots. To write here how to do that would take more time than I have....and besides...I make my living teaching how to do this so I really am not going to write it down here or anywhere else while I am still guiding. There is no secret to catching more big fish other than getting your lure in front of more of them and you do this by only concentrating on the higher percentage spots. I would be more than happy to take you out on one of my teaching trips...or if you would rather...wait until this winter and I will be teaching the class on how to eliminate water again this winter during my off season.

As far as the question about crankbaits vs finesse baits (soft plastics, jigs) on ledges. Early in the ledge season they both work good (May and June)...as the water warms up in July, August, Sept: the crankbaits still work but in my opinion the soft plastics and jigs will be more consistant in catching the ledge fish.

Hey Dave whens your class going to start I,m interrested.

[GeoFisher]

Hey Dave whens your class going to start I,m interrested.

I took the class last year.........and I'll tell you this.............WORTH every penny.

[Dave Stewart]

I took the class last year.........and I'll tell you this.............WORTH every penny.

Thanks George...glad the class has assisted you in catching more fish. I have had a lot of feedback from the classes last season and this past winter and the feedback has been all positive....nice to know that I have been somewhat instrumental in assisting folks to be more productive on the water.

[Dave Stewart]

Hey Dave whens your class going to start I,m interrested.

Well, I do teach the class now in conjuction with my ledge teaching trips and my lake familiarization trips. (3 hours classroom and 5 hours on hands on the water) I teach the same class in the winter Dec, Jan, Feb as an expanded version of the 3 hours class I teach on these trips...basically you get more one on one time with me in the expanded class for questions and more fishing tips. The winter class lasts 4-5 hours and is all classroom. I have not yet set the dates for the winter classes, but will announce taking reservations for the class in my late Oct and November weekly fishing reports. Basically, at this time I expect to run the classes the entire months of Jan and Feb with some early December classes (just not sure of the December dates as my wife wants to go on vacation). Last winter I ended up booked up for every day in Jan and Feb, 7 days a week...and had to turn down folks so if you want the class...watch for my announcement and make your reservation early.

[davidsa]

As far as the question about crankbaits vs finesse baits (soft plastics, jigs) on ledges. Early in the ledge season they both work good (May and June)...as the water warms up in July, August, Sept: the crankbaits still work but in my opinion the soft plastics and jigs will be more consistant in catching the ledge fish.

Thanks Dave!