Bank fishing near Lexington

[tylert6785]

I live in Lexington and Im looking for some places to fish off the bank... I've tried several places of Elkhorn, under the Goodnight Bridge of Taylorsville, and have been overall unsuccessful. What do you all suggest to fish with for bass and where are some good places to go that arent too far from Lexington? Thanks!

[know1]

Good luck. I'd like to know the same thing. I even have 2 kayaks so it wouldn't even have to be from the bank, but I usually struggle to find a place to go.

[tylert6785]

I know Elkhorn has several places to put in kayaks but I dont even have that so its strictly bank fishing for me. Im going to try Van Buren sometime this week to see what kind of action I can get out there...

[bassman_ky]

There are some good places to bank fish Elkhorn in the Frankfort area. Jim Beam and Switzer covered bridge are two good areas to try. I have personally caught good smallmouth at both of these areas from the bank. They are the areas I fish if I only have a couple hours to fish since they both are within 15 minutes of my house. Small rebel crawfish and green pumpkin Zoom small tubes are the ticket. Some topwater is possible with small sammys and pop rs.

[CreekChub]

There are some good places to bank fish Elkhorn in the Frankfort area. Jim Beam and Switzer covered bridge are two good areas to try. I have personally caught good smallmouth at both of these areas from the bank. They are the areas I fish if I only have a couple hours to fish since they both are within 15 minutes of my house. Small rebel crawfish and green pumpkin Zoom small tubes are the ticket. Some topwater is possible with small sammys and pop rs.

If you dont mind sharing, where exaclty is the Jim Beam bridge?

[know1]

I know Elkhorn has several places to put in kayaks but I dont even have that so its strictly bank fishing for me. Im going to try Van Buren sometime this week to see what kind of action I can get out there...

What/where is Van Buren?

[tylert6785]

Van Buren is a ramp on Taylorsville that I've heard you can catch some nice catfish from the bank.

[know1]

Van Buren is a ramp on Taylorsville that I've heard you can catch some nice catfish from the bank.

I should have known that. In fact, I took my kayak there earlier this year, so it was a stupid question. There was room to bank fish there, but it was fairly crowded.

I actually do not consider that very close to Lexington, though. I think it takes me at least 30 minutes to get there if not more. I guess it depends on where you are.

If you're going that far, you could also fish below the dam at Taylorsville too. I've caught some fish from there in the past.

Also, you could just go to the Game Farm Ponds in Frankfort to fish from the bank.

I thought you were talking about closer to Lexington than that.

[tylert6785]

Well I guess you have a point, it takes me about 45 min to get to Taylorsville from where I live. Anything closer than that is considered close to me haha. I've heard people catching decent fish in the rock quarry over by Goodnight Bridge but I didnt have any luck last time I was out there. Maybe I wasn't throwing the right bait?

[know1]

I'm always happy to let someone use the other kayak, so if you find a place or want to try paddling, let me know. I'll bring them both along. There's a place on Elkhorn where I've put in and was able to paddle upstream for a little ways and caught some smallmouth and cats.

The funny thing about Van Buren - I was getting ready to put out my catfish bait at the first spot and I let the line dangle in the water over the side of kayak for a few seconds while I was stowing gear, etc., and when I lifted up to cast out the line, I had a 12inch catfish on. That's the first time I've caught one BEFORE the first cast!! It was also the last one I caught there, but I only stayed an hour or so.

[bassman_ky]

It really is the Jim Beam factory. I can see where you think its a bridge the way I typed that. If you are driving on us 460 from georgetown to frankfort it is just past the forks of elkhorn up on top of the hill. You pass up the entrance to JB and there is a electric structure just past the entrance. You can park there and walk back into the woods. You can't miss the trails. There is a dam back there with quite a bit of current and big smallmouth. My brother caught a 4 lb plus a few years back.

[tylert6785]

I think me and a buddy are going out to the JB area sometime early next week if anyone wants to join us. We'll head out there around 6pm or so.