Thread: Kentucky Lake is rough!

I hit something submerged Saturday afternoon running back to the ramp. Luckily it just brushed the hull bottom and hit the lower unit but no damage. I was running full on pad at the time too. Slowed it enough to just drop it off the pad.

Originally Posted by Quackrstackr

I hit something submerged Saturday afternoon running back to the ramp. Luckily it just brushed the hull bottom and hit the lower unit but no damage. I was running full on pad at the time too. Slowed it enough to just drop it off the pad.

I still wonder what I hit in the channel in 60 feet of water on Barkley years ago. I was running an aluminum 4 blade prop and it took 2 blades off like nothing. This was in normal water level right after a high water event. To top it off I got the beginnings of a butt-chewing when I limped the boat to a private dock so I could change out props (I NEVER run the big lakes without a spare prop for outboard and trolling motor). I was laying on a dock with the outboard trimmed all the way up when the lady of the house commenced eating on me for being on her dock. She calmed down when I told her what I was doing.

I've had several really close calls where the canal connects the two lakes. Several years ago I hit a double whammy type situation. These 40ft cruisers had thrown off monster wakes that blended together with other wakes from bass boats that created this monster wave. I hit it right there where the canal meets Barkley, it knocked me completely out of my seat and I landed hard onto the floor.

I lost a $500 cell phone in that same spot, too. People run n gun through there with little regard for anything.

I envision something like this ...

I fish up here on Lake Erie spring, summer and fall. It can really kick up fast. You have to know how to take a wave or you go to the bottom. I have been out and a storm or wind comes in fast and flat water goes to 3 - 5 footers before you can get it. The only way to get back in safe is to take a long slow zig zaging ride taking the waves at a angle. Those people in that boat are beyond lucky to be alive today. JC

I got the story on the capsized boat in the OP pic. It belonged to one of the college tourney participants. They were supposedly warned prior to launch that crossing KY Lake that morning was hazardous and should be avoided. Tourney launched from KY Dam Village. Of course, that was ignored and the small (16-17 foot) bass boat and it's occupants ended upside down. There were 3 boats (including one in pic) that ended up disabled and had to be towed in that same day.

Any tournament where the director has to warn participants of the lake being too dangerous to cross should never be launched.PERIOD!!

Let me say this--I've seen several boats used in these college tournaments that I wouldn't consider fishing a day on KY or Barkley in. I realize many folks can't have new equipment and make the best with what they have (I was in that group for years) but these lakes will kill your arse in short order if one doesn't respect them. Fishing a 70s era bass boat or a small boat either aluminum or glass is an accident waiting to happen when the wind is up, especially north or south. I've witnessed it all.

Originally Posted by mrdux

I got the story on the capsized boat in the OP pic. It belonged to one of the college tourney participants. They were supposedly warned prior to launch that crossing KY Lake that morning was hazardous and should be avoided. Tourney launched from KY Dam Village. Of course, that was ignored and the small (16-17 foot) bass boat and it's occupants ended upside down. There were 3 boats (including one in pic) that ended up disabled and had to be towed in that same day.

Any tournament where the director has to warn participants of the lake being too dangerous to cross should never be launched.PERIOD!!

Let me say this--I've seen several boats used in these college tournaments that I wouldn't consider fishing a day on KY or Barkley in. I realize many folks can't have new equipment and make the best with what they have (I was in that group for years) but these lakes will kill your arse in short order if one doesn't respect them. Fishing a 70s era bass boat or a small boat either aluminum or glass is an accident waiting to happen when the wind is up, especially north or south. I've witnessed it all.

Yeah I have a 16' and I have never crossed Kentucky. I will Barkley on the right day in areas where it isn't too far to cross but I haven't crossed Kentucky. Really no need when there is so much area where you can launch and fish from without venturing too far. I know plenty of people do and on a nice day I'm sure I could without incident but then I always wonder what would happen worse case scenario and the motor gave out at the worst possible moment.

Originally Posted by mrdux

I got the story on the capsized boat in the OP pic. It belonged to one of the college tourney participants. They were supposedly warned prior to launch that crossing KY Lake that morning was hazardous and should be avoided. Tourney launched from KY Dam Village. Of course, that was ignored and the small (16-17 foot) bass boat and it's occupants ended upside down. There were 3 boats (including one in pic) that ended up disabled and had to be towed in that same day.

Any tournament where the director has to warn participants of the lake being too dangerous to cross should never be launched.PERIOD!!

Let me say this--I've seen several boats used in these college tournaments that I wouldn't consider fishing a day on KY or Barkley in. I realize many folks can't have new equipment and make the best with what they have (I was in that group for years) but these lakes will kill your arse in short order if one doesn't respect them. Fishing a 70s era bass boat or a small boat either aluminum or glass is an accident waiting to happen when the wind is up, especially north or south. I've witnessed it all.

In the spring crappieusa tourny last year it was windy.During the seminar they said fish at your own risk use your own judgement.We never crossed the lake we knew better,lol.

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[QUOTE=mrdux;3590339]

Any tournament where the director has to warn participants of the lake being too dangerous to cross should never be launched.PERIOD!!QUOTE]

That just to makes to much since to me Doug



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Thanks for the update!