Cave Run info

[EFslabs]

Well, it's been about 15 years since my last trip to Cave Run so my dad and I are heading down in 2 weeks (from Cincinnati). Last time we fished there we used the lanterns at night and did very well. Will probably fish all day Saturday and Sunday morning before we head back. Any suggestions on what area of the lake to start with? My new boat doesn't have the best electronics, so timber will probably be the easiest fishing for us. We'll be staying in the campground, so any suggestions around that area would be appreciated. I mostly cast jigs and minnows, but am also setup to troll 4 poles if I need to. I do longline jigs and cranks around here, so I am familiar with that style. If you would prefer to PM some info, that's fine. In return, anytime you are around the Cincy area, let me know and the trip is on me.

[Powertroll]

Doing real well pulling cranks and longlining jigs.

[ekySlabber]

EFslabs,

The night fishing should be good around that time as well. I would take Powertroll's advice during the day and trolls cranks/longline and maybe spider rig some minnows if you find a nice school. Throw some lights out on the main lake at night and you should be able to at least get ya some dinner and definitely beat the heat. Good luck I may be up there saturday evening and possibly part of the night. Ill let ya know if I go for sure. BTW the thermocline was around 17 ft last time i was up so that will help ya some. I have caught a 38 and a fat 41 inch muskies up there the past two times I went and didn't fish very long at all for them. Just throw a big (7+inch) swimbait/soft plastic type lure and hang on. BTW, I usually never keep musky but hooked this one deep (bait is still in it in the pic) and pliers couldnt get it out without him bleending bad in the heat so I kept it. Filleted it though and had 8 1/2 lbs fillets and for a bigger fish it was surprisingly good. Even ate the pieces with the Y-bones and they were easy to pick around. These things even have good belly meat like a catfish LOL!



Slabber

[EFslabs]

Thanks for the info guys. If I am remembering right, there is no pole limit, and 10'' size limit, correct? Here in OH it is 2 poles, 30 fish, 9'' minimum. We may keep enough for a small meal Saturday night, but will probably release most. Last time there I got a 15'' white crappie and 11'' bluegill at night.... been wanting to go back ever since.

[CrappiePappy]

EF ... I don't think there's any size limit on Cave Run Crappie. Daily limit would be the "statewide" 30/person/day ... and no limit on number of poles you can fish with.

... cp

[ekySlabber]

Caught them pretty good this morning casting jigs in 15-20 ft water. Some really nice black and white crappie mixed together all very thick, two of those blacks were around 1 1/2 lbs really good summer fish 14+inchers. Bit good until about 930 and then we trolled cranks and caught a mixed bag of crappie and whites. Kept 24 nice crappie and a few whites. Nice weather though didnt get very hot at all til later on. Ill try to put some pics up of em tomorrow.

[Powertroll]

Man, I knew it I didn't get there till around 2:30-3 I had a doctors appt. in the morning. Great catch though, I didn't do to well about 10 keeper crappie and some whites pulling cranks. What area were you in; I don't need your spot just general direction Beaver creek, Licking, Scotts Creek ya know. I tried spider rigging on some fish that were stacked but nothing; I guess I was just too late, morning bite was on.

[ekySlabber]

Powertroll,

Stayed around zilpo fishing pockets on the channel/main road side of the lake. Fish were in the back half in the morning lots of shad activity early and even some whites in jumps. Brush was the ticket early saw some nice schools of fish but some could have been whites in more open water, one particular tree/brushpile produce most the fish curly tails and tubes/baby shads.

btw, id say really could have caught them good with minnows, may try soon and take a few dozen minnows.