Kentucky Lake Fall Trip

[CrappieKing2400]

Looking to come to Kentucky Lake 2nd week in Nov. Can anyone recomend a good place to stay. There will probably be 4 of us. Looking at Big Bear, Johnathon Creek, and Blood River. We've only fished Blood River and never been down with the water low. How dangerous are these creeks this time of year as far running into sand bars or unforseen objects below the water. Not to mention, I've always heard how good fall fishing is Kentucky but I haven't really seen many posts of how anyone is doing? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[pab1981]

Going to Blood River tomorrow, haven't been to Blood River in a couple weeks but did fish a little bit at Johnathon Creek last weekend. They been pretty tough for your average guy like me(and for a lot of the out of towners camping where we did last weekend), but the more experienced anglers around here have been catching them pretty good. The water temps have just in the last week dipped into the 60's, so maybe the best fishing is still ahead of us and your timing will be good. I'm more familiar with Blood River than the other areas mentioned and I don't consider it treacherous to navigate from the mouth of Wildcat Creek to the where it joins the main lake, but past Wildcat Creek towards the back of the creek it is really shallow. I've also read posts on here that the secondary channel on the main lake around the mouth of Blood River is kind of tricky and you have to stay close to the buoys. Will post a report for you tomorrow after I get back and I'm sure others who know much more than I will add to what I have said.

[crappie&shrooms]

We just got back from Big Bear. We spent 8 days down there. Fishing was good for the most part. Crappie were a little scattered but it should be getting better. Had a couple days of wind but we managed to catch fish anyway. We caught crappie every day. Many were 1 to 1.5lbs. Biggest was 15inch and weighed 2 even. Had a half dozen at 14 inch. We arrived on the
17th and water temp was 70*. We left on the 27th and water temp had dropped to 60.4*. Big Bear is a good place to stay and close to some good fishing. They also run some good prices in the fall. Their marina as most of the marinas in the area close the 31 of Oct. So getting bait and gas means a trip to town. If you can't get into Big Bear then just a few miles up the road is a motel called Bel Air. It is very reasonable and has kitchenetts. Very nice people that run it. They really cater to the fisherman and have outdoor electrial hookups for your boat. If you want a guide go with Rodney Hairgrove.
Oh we also caughts tons of yellow bass, a few white bass, one 8# channel cat, several BIG BIG bluegill a few nice rockbass(warmouth) and two 16" walleyes. Mainly used minners but we took some on a black/orange jig and a blue/chartuse jig. Find the brush piles.

[pab1981]

They kicked my butt on Blood River today, only caught 1 keeper, actually it was the only crappie. Catfish and yellow bass bit well if your into that. Lowest surface temp was 53 early am, highest this afternoon was 60. Don't let me discourage you though, I'm a fall fishing rookie and they've had me scratchin my head since the end of Sept. Maybe sooner or later I'll figure something out, I did better in the middle of July by a long shot than I have this fall. Think I need to move more often, I'm bad about putting the rods and trolling motor out and just pushin jigs. Hope ya'll have a good weekend if you end up coming down, should'nt be much traffic on the lake next weekend as it is the opening of rifle season for deer around here.

[CrappieKing2400]

Thanks pab and c&s, sorry you didn't have any luck. Still undecided as where are going. Did you try fishing brush piles, stake beds, channel ledges or just troll around? I guess if worst comes to worst there is always the illusive red ear to try and find down there. Went bluegill fishing earlier this year there and caught a monster but lost it trying to boat flop him. Unfortunately it was the only big red ear of the trip so if nothing else we will switch tactics and target gills or sauger or another species. We really pummeled the gills in June so I wouldn't mind getting ahold of another mess of them. Anyway I'll report back with the results.

[speckfinder]

Catfish should still be good on the river channel, it's about time for sauger to start also

[Yodibuzz]

speck,

what type places should a guy look for in the lake for sauger in nov.?
do you use jig and minnow or some other lure? thanks

[speckfinder]

speck,

what type places should a guy look for in the lake for sauger in nov.?
do you use jig and minnow or some other lure? thanks

On KY lake I fish main lake from Johnathan Creek to about 5 miles upriver from bridge. Fish ledges 20'-30' deep. Minnow jig combos seem to work the best, though you can use them by theirself. Minnows alone will get catfish and drum too. Bite seems to be better early am or on cloudy days. Also try Barkley where canal meets river channel. If they are biting the boats will be there.