Advice for Smith Bay on 12-1-12

[danpa14]

I am going to Smith bay on 12-1 since the wind is out of the south and west and my boat is smaller. I would really like to catch some bluegill/ shellcrackers, but crappie would be good too. Any advice? I am looking forward to getting out. I have had way too much stress this summer and fall and need some time on the water. Thanks

[rnvinc]

With a south wind....
Get on the contour line along the south bank in the bay ...out close to the mouth...

Pick a depth and follow the contour...spider riggin, long lining, dragging corks....(search type presentations)..
Follow the contour for a hundred yards or so...

If you don't pick up any fish .... Move the boat over 2ft shallower or deeper and retrace the contour or search the new contour depth...

Stop at any brush found and probe the brush with vertical jiggin, drop shotting, Ky rigs, etc..

Try to determine a depth pattern for the fish....then apply that depth pattern at similar spots along the contour...

If the wind comes out of the west, you might have to move around the point more into the bay...



Rickie

[M R Dux]

Isn't the back of Smith Bay closed until spring?

[Old Guide]

Yep, the back half (approximately) of Smith and Duncan until March 16. I fished them the other day. But I do good on the west end of both in the winter. Also saw gulls hitting on shad the other day in Duncan. I didn't have any baits that would work but if I had a blade bait with me I would have been casting into them. I am sure a guy could have gotten into some white bass or stripers. If I were you I would have a rod rigged up with one this weekend just in case.

[danpa14]

I think I will have to give that a try rnvinc, Fall turkey hunting early, and fishing too. Hope I get on 'em. Thanks for the warning about the closure.

[rnvinc]

Just curious...

How is bay designated as back-half closed...??

Is there buoys or something marking the back half...??

Rickie

[ifish]

LBL Wildlife Refuge Closures on Lakes

GOLDEN POND, KY - Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area will close nine wildlife refuges to human entry and all activities including, hunting, fishing, and boating beginning November 1.

These closures provide undisturbed resting and feeding areas for waterfowl, shorebirds, and eagles. To serve this purpose, human activity must be minimized while migratory birds are present. LBL staff asks for public cooperation with refuge regulations designed to provide needed sanctuary.

The wildlife refuges include portions of Duncan Bay, Smith Bay, and Rushing Bay on Kentucky Lake; Fulton and Honker Bays on Lake Barkley; and Long Creek Refuge at the back of Elbow Bay. These areas are marked with buoys or signs. Entry is prohibited from Nov. 1 to Mar. 15.

Hematite Lake and Honker Lake, two inland bodies of water, also carry the Nov. 1 to Mar. 15 closure dates for fishing and boating, but the hiking trails around these two lakes remain open to hikers during the refuge period. The western one-third of Energy Lake is closed as a refuge from Nov. 1 to Mar. 15. All of Energy Lake and Bards Lake are closed to hunting; however, the eastern two-thirds of Energy Lake and all of Bards Lake remain open to fishing.

Hunters should be aware that no hunting is permitted within 150 yards of any LBL facility.

Land Between The Lakes is managed by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, in partnership with "Friends of LBL", to provide public lands outdoor recreation and environmental education. We encourage visitors to review our website at Land Between The Lakes each season, and throughout the season, for our Calendar of Events, updates on programs and policies, and temporary trail and road closures. Additional LBL information is also available on our website or by calling 1-800-LBL-7077 or 270-924-2000. You can find out more about "Friends of LBL" at Land Between the Lakes Association.

[Old Guide]

Hi Rickie,

There is a string of bouys running from the south bank to the north bank mid-ways into the bay(s). You can't miss them. You can find angling info on the LBL at LBL | Angling Guide