I would like to add another theory I have that goes along with the tough fishing on Ky/Barkley ( I believe)
Just got back from 4 very hard days on N Barkley, 5 keepers, casting jigs.
I live in central Ky and fish mostly Green and Nolin. I always struggle on Barkley for crappie but do pretty well here. Given I do know these lake better but one thought occured to me over the weekend. KY and Barkley have a tremendous amount of bait fish and fertile water compared to the lakes here. The crappie on Ky/B are so much thicker and heavier than they are here for the same length.
My theory on why I can catch fish here , year round is they are just more hungry.
Does that make sense ?