trouble on ky lake

[jangle]

this is the first year that I have really gotten after the crappie. I set up a spider rig and iv been having some luck. But the last few times iv been out iv been skunked and then I hear of guys catchin limits! So it must be me and not the fish. I dont want anyones spot but could yall direct me In the right direction on depth or any other advice? Thanks and good luck out there

[M R Dux]

Shallow up as the water temps warm up. Afternoons have been better than mornings. Try lots of different color jigs rather than your old stand-bys.

[CrappiePappy]

Read the other threads concerning KY Lake .... the "planer boards" & "3ft of water" titles should tell you something.

... cp

[slabseeker1]

Not taking anything away from the two previous posts but I fished Jonathan Creek Monday and Tuesday with a water temperature that ranged from 50-52 degrees. I only fish the area twice a year but have fair success by cruising and watching for fish grouped at a certain depth and then the depth of the water. Try and stay at the same depth, within a foot or so either way and just cruise. Both days we fished they seemed to be in 14 fow with the fish just off the bottom and I'd drop to the bottom and raise up a crank or two. We kept 33 Monday and 34 Tuesday. We don't get fat over night and we don't learn all the spider rig tricks over night.

[jangle]

Thanks for the advice guys. Iv been fishing the north end on both sides. Im from calvert and am goin to school at murray so I may try to get my boat down here during the week to try jonothan and blood river.

[Wiskers]

There will be 2 or 3 "waves" of spawners.

Last year while darn near everybody was beating the banks I was hammer'n BIG white females 8' to 10' deep in 16' of water. It was on up into bout the 2nd week of April. With the water temps being as far behind as they are this yr. I'd think that same pattern would work toward the 3rd week of Apr. this year.

With that being said... I'll bet you are just not hit'n the right depth. I absolutely think a guy can go out right now and fish the deeper water, (12' to 16') especially near spawning areas, concentrate on the upper 2/3 of the water column, and locate fish. Too many times we tend to want to stay too close to the bottom.

Try long lining with some 1/16, 1/24, and 1/32 oz jigs. The water's warm enough now that they should chase a jig. By using 3 dif. size jigs you'll cover more depths and zero in on'um. Once you develop a pattern change over to what ever size jig is getting the most hits. Note: You can also vary jig depth by running bigger or smaller jig bodies on the same weight jig head. Bigger= higher, smaller = deeper. Line size will also effect depth. I like all my rods to have the same size line so I eliminate that variable.

Keep in mind that cloud cover, time of day, and sun light may change where the fish position themselves in the water column. You may have to swap up as the conditions change.

Right now there is a shallow bite from what I hear. Unfortunately that creates more competition for fish'n spots around the banks. I absolutely HATE it when they go shallow. You gotta be out there before the Rosters crow if you want a spot! And heaven forbid somebody see's ya catch 1. You have called the hogs!

[Liebeler]

Fished Johnathan Creek Wednesday through Saturday early morning. The fish we caught, were on black/chartruese jigs in 9-10 fow 4-5 foot deep. Thursday and Friday were tough with all the storms/rain/winds! Enjoyed my time down there, wish mother nature cooperated a bit more, as the high winds kept us in the coves for two days. Hope to get back soon to enjoy the area and the friendly people!