Finally Going to KY Lake but can't go till 3rd week of May!

[killum]

I am finally at a point($)where I can go to the Big lake with a decent boat (Tracker Crappie Pro), but alas will miss the spawn!Doh Can some of you experienced Slab hunters give me some advice. Not looking for honey holes just a little thumb in the right direction. I am booked at Moors Resort 3rd week of May, taking the wife along and don't mind fishing for other species to keep her busy but what general advise can you give post spawn? BTW I love this Forum! Learning a ton!Thumbs Up

[Old Guide]

Hi Killum,

Post spawn is good Killum. Probably one of the most underrated times of the year on Kentucky Lake. Things can slow in July and August as water gets to 80 or more degrees. But May and June they have recovered from the spawn and are hungry. You can work Big Bear from the mouth back in the bay drift fishing jogs, minnows, or double hooked rigs with one or the other. Drop them to the bottom, bring them up 6 inches to a foot, and drift with the wind. When you catch a crappie kick out a marker and circle the area checking for cover. When you find one there are usually more there. You can also work the west side channel from the Moors north, both Cambridge bays, Little Bear and Sledd. All great bays!

Also bass should be on big time. I have had 50 to 100 bass days or more in May. Texas rigged or shaky head with plastic worms, red eye shad, spinnerbaits, top-water, etc. all work well. Along with bass, bluegill and redear should also be shallow and nesting. You are far from out of the running for good fishing coming down in May. In fact the lake should be stable around summer pool (barring flooding), weather is more stable, and there are more fish shallow with less fishermen fishing for them. You will do fine! Thumbs Up

Lyndon

[badbrad]

I've had some success in May during post spawn. Seems like that time of year I can always find fish in 12' of water, that's where I spend most my time fishing. Probably common sense, but the bite is best during low light conditions. From daylight till it starts getting hot, fishing is generally good. Slows during midday, and then picks back up late pm. I've also caught fish trolling crankbaits during this time. I'd say if you come with crappie tackle, bass tackle and bluegill tackle, you'll find something willing to bite. Good luck.

[kyfishman]

Don't despair over coming to KY Lake in May. Old Guide and Badbrad are giving you some good advice. They know their stuff, so give heed to what they are saying. Many people give up on crappie during post spawn but they are missing some of the best crappie fishing of the year. Just fish a little deeper and search for them a bit. You'll find them. Old Guide mentioned some good places to try. I usually look for the first "significant drop-off or depth change" out from the spawning areas. Just after crappie spawn, they go into a kind of funk and can be slow to bite for a few days. But once that passes, they kick into a feeding frenzy. Some of my best crappie days on KY Lake over the years have happened in late May and early June. One of the ways I like to catch them that time of year (other than spider-fishing, which usually works for me) is with a jig and float. I've got a 9 ft jig and float rod which I rig with usually an 1/8oz jig under a small bobber and fish 8 to ten ft deep. I can cover a lot of water (along the drops, I mentioned) by fan-casting. And, as has been mentioned, usually when you find one crappie, you will others. So, good luck on your May trip. I think you'll be pleased. Besides, if you can't find the crappie, you will be hitting the bluegill and redear in full-stride. Bluegill...and redear fishing....on KY Lake in the last few years has been dynamite!

[Tube man]

That is all very good advice so be sure to pay attentionThumbs Up

[killum]

Thanks to all of you for the advise. Now I am getting excited about the prospect. It sounds like a really good time for us to be there! I will jot down all the tips on a notepad and start going over the Google and lake maps. BTW anyone know if the marked fish attractors are anywhere like close on the KY Fish and Wildlife links or should I just trust the electronics?

[rrcrappie]

Went to Ky Lake at Big Bear that week last year and had a BLAST catching redear. My fourteen year old son caught one 12". One that he will remember for a long time. Trying to make it back this year, not sure just yet. Good Luck!

[CatFan]

BTW anyone know if the marked fish attractors are anywhere like close on the KY Fish and Wildlife links or should I just trust the electronics?

The good fish attractors aren't marked. A lot of times my first day there I'll just idle around getting everything setup and looking for spots. Found some really good ones that way. It helps if you have a bunch that you know of at different depths so you can hit all the good ones when you find the right depth, but that takes a few years to accumulate.

[killum]

Thanks CatFan,

I figured as much. My wife works at Best Buy and she is gonna buy me a handheld GPS so I can start recording spots. If I know my wife she will be booking for next spring while we are on the road back to Louisville. I am a newbie when it comes to Fishfinders and GPS marking but work in IT so I should get the hang pretty quick. I have always been able to find a few good spots just eyeballin' it so the extra gear should just add to the success rate. (I Hope)

Thanks again!

Killum