Lake barkley Vacation

[artcarney_agr]

What part of Barkley Lake? This time of year, as it gets hotter and hotter, the white bass bite starts getting hot. I know of a few places around the Buzzard Rock area that will get you bit, and can let you in on my catfish honey hole down there.

[nate4023]

hey, sorry for the late reply, i have been staying at the lake barkley state lodge, and have yet to really do either cat or bass fish, but was planning on going out the following couple nights and mornings for fishing. i would love to know the secret catfish spot, if you just wanted to pm me about it that would be great.

thanks
nate

[artcarney_agr]

You're a little bit too far south of my honey hole.

But what I would if I were you is to head out to the main river channel. It makes a bend towards the mouth of Little River at the central island, which should have a white diamond sign on it. That's where I would start.

Best bet is to use two rods set for different depths. Have one rod with a split shot and hook, and let it down not much deeper than 8 ft or so with a night crawler - it's usually a sure thing for the 1 lb. blue catfish this time of year, which tend to school up in the upper part of the water column.

Now for the other rod, I would take a 3 way swivel, and tie about a 1/2 oz. or larger bell sinker on a leader to one, and a leader with a crappie minnow and hook on the other. The size of the weight kind of depends on how strong the current is. The idea is to bounce the rig lightly on the bottom while trolling or drifting over different depths. Usually between 15 and 20 ft is best this time of year. I've caught blues up to 35 lbs. doing this. If you come across some stumps in that depth, along the edge of the main river channel, it should hold a big one or two. Sometimes you'll get into some sauger doing this as well, which will readily eat that crappie minnow. Plus, if you do find stumps like that, there's a good chance bass with be hanging around too.

[kc]

The mouth of little river and goose creek are both good for catfish on the river drop. 20' to 25'. Mostly blues but channels sometimes too. Yellowtail Shad work great.

kc