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I'm super excited about going to kentucky lake. Going to bass pro tomorrow for crappie madness. I think im going to need a drift sock though as i read the wind can be tough. the deep v is easily blown by wind. any suggestions and i have never used one, so are they pretty easy to use?
We have a Cabela's drift sock & a drift sock harness & buoy that we bought to use at Kentucky Lake because of the wind. They are easy to use.
I also have a Cabela's drift sock.Quote:
Originally Posted by liprippersc78
Drift socks are pretty easy to use. We used to use them at Erie and in Alabama. We used to like to drift sideways so finding just the right spot on the side of the boat to tie off the sock to get the boat to turn and drift just right took a little work. If possible you may want to bring a c-clamp to attach to the side of your boat. You can move the c-clamp up and down the side of the boat until you find that perfect sweet spot to get the perfect sideways drift.
Make sure if you get the drift sock you get one the right size for you boat. Good luck with it.
Aside from some local lakes...we have family vacations/fishing trips scheduled for Lake Marion end of May and Kentucky Lake early August. Get a week on both waters and looking forward to it!
crappiemax,
What is your favorite equipment/lures/bait to take down to Kentucky? I went to Bass Pro yesterday for their Crappie Madness and picked up a little bit of everything. Is there any type of presentation or lure you like to start with down there during the first couple weeks of April? Being our first trip down I just wanted to get an idea of what to try out first. Thanks for any help.
Favorite equipment or tactic is kind of a tough thing to answer. We are continually changing tactics until we find what's working.
Our normal set up is working 2 rods off the front (right & left side) while we cast jigs with a 3rd rod. Here's a pick of EFslabs and you can see the rod to the left. There will be one off to the right also. Normally those rods will have slip floats set at 6'-8' deep depending of course the water depth. The guy in the back of the boat is set up similar fishing 1 rod off of each corner while casing jigs also.
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps35ba65c8.jpg
The black crappie seem to favor rock, the whites seem to favor cover of some sort
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps15b4fc9f.jpg
Over the years we have caught crappies every and anyway possible from long lining jigs, to casting jigs, to working slip floats or even using jig and cork around the shore. One thing for sure is don't fall in love with anything unless you are catching fish. Keep moving and keep changing.
I guess my favorite way to catch crappie is to cast and swim jigs, it just may not be the most productive way all the time.
Some years you can get into some nice redears & gills too.
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...kylake4001.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...lakeredear.jpg
I think the number 1 "trash fish" in Ky Lake is bass. Some days 30-50 (mostly small) bass can keep you busy. We've had areas so full of bass we leave.
Not all the bass are small though. I caught this one on my "last cast" a few years ago.
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...8kylake008.jpg
Our goal again this year is to get EFslabs a true 16"er.
Crappiemax,
Thank you for the information. We picked up some Marabou and Curly tail jigs so we will see what those can produce.
Do you ever throw small crankbaits or does it attract too many bass?
The bass at KY lake are unreal. We have a really hard time keeping them off the minnows, I would think that crankbaits would be just as bad. Most days you'll average 20-40 crappie and 50+ bass, all while crappie fishing. Occassionally you'll get into a school of skipjack also, which can be a hoot...
DaveBuckeye01
We use tubes, curly tails, BG Baby Shad, Lake Fork Trophy lures....just about any kind of jig. Like EFslabs said the cranks will probably catch some but those munchkin bass can be a pain in the rear sometimes.
Here's a old pick of some of the tubes we use, of course they're all mounted on Nightprowler's weedless jig heads. I prefer the #2 hooks on the left.
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...de/jigs005.jpg
In a way I hate to say what lure works because conditions and the fish change quickly and anything can or can't work at any given time. We usually have 3 or 4 rods rigged at the same time and we switch baits or tactics often.
The inside of my has more jigs and bodies than most full service tackle stores so I'm ready to switch.
Brian, I forgot about those skip jack. They were like mini tarpon. Pretty cool.
Here's one of EF slabs green carp from Ky Lake last year
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps13d1fd6a.jpg
Crappiemax,
Thanks again, do you go with weedless jig heads down there for any particular reason or is it just personal preference?
Do you ever tip your jigs?
I know this is a crappie forum....but those are some pretty bass!