KY or Barkley

[newblade]

Which is better and why?

[Jigboy]

KY Lake, because I know the lake better and won't sink my boat hitting a stump on Barkley. I truly believe it is a matter of taste. Both are great but I really do know KY Lake better so I stay on it more because Barkley does have a lot of shallow stumps to watch out for. Stay in the river channels and you should be ok though.

[crappiemax]

I've heard you have to be carefull on Barkely. I was planning on fishing there for a day or two this year on our annual trip in mid-April. We'll probably fish the north end as we stay at Hillman Ferry. Any advice? Anything or anywhere in perticular to avoid? We have Hot Spot maps for general info. Thanks in advance.

[caseydrew]

Both lake are great fisheries.....just depends on what you like. Kentucky is clearer and it seems like I catch my fish a little deeper. Bark has a little more color as well as visible cover and the bite seems like it stays shallow longer for me. Learn either one and you will catch plenty of fish. Personally I prefer Kentucky only becasue I'm more familiar w/ it.

[SpeckWick]

I used to like Barkley better cecause it is more like the lakes I fish here in my area with more stain to the water and a lot more visible cover like laydowns and stumps. It almost seems like they drag any trees that fall into Kentucky Lake out of the water, as it is harder to find many good laydowns. But, I have caught more big crappie out of Kentucky. The biggest crappie I've seen caught came out of Barkley in the mid 90s though. A friend of mine caught a beast that had to go 3 plus. Then to my horror, when we got back to the cabin that night, he had already fileted it. What a waste of a fish of a lifetime, at least for him. He fishes like once a year. Anyway, if you like to fish the cover you can see, like laydowns, go to Barkley. If your comfortable trolling or jigging more open water brushpiles and stakebeds, go to Kentucky. Can't really go wrong either way.

[Meat on the Table]

I fish both regularly. Barkley last year 147 trips and Kentucky 91 trips. Sometimes both lakes on the same day. I can be on Barkley in 5 minutes and on Kentucky in 15 minutes. I like them both and usually the wind determines which one. Over the last forty years I have caught 6 crappie that weighed three pounds, four out of Barkley and two out of Kentucky. I tend to fish deeper in Kentucky and breaklines instead of brushpiles. One thing to remember both lakes can become killers quick when the north or south wind begins to blow.

[crappiemax]

That wind can be rough and it's the reason I am considering Barkley as an option on some days. There always seems to be a day or two when the wind keeps us off the main lake. Thats my main reason for wanting to try some spots on Barkley.

I have noticed the lack of visible shorelike trees and stumps on Ky Lake but all the sunken trees and brush makes up for it. I seem to do pretty good on points and ledges in Ky Lake with or without cover. I do like the idea of finding a few laydowns to work over.

[caseydrew]

I fish both regularly. Barkley last year 147 trips and Kentucky 91 trips. Sometimes both lakes on the same day. I can be on Barkley in 5 minutes and on Kentucky in 15 minutes. I like them both and usually the wind determines which one. Over the last forty years I have caught 6 crappie that weighed three pounds, four out of Barkley and two out of Kentucky. I tend to fish deeper in Kentucky and breaklines instead of brushpiles. One thing to remember both lakes can become killers quick when the north or south wind begins to blow.

All I can say is WOW!!!! That is a heck of a lot of time on the water.....I'm sure we could all stand to learn a thing or two from you! Once again...WOW!

Also....been fishing Kentucky Lake all my life and still don't have a legit 3 lbs. crappie......congrats on 6 as that is something very impressive as well.