We love to fish local lakes (Rough and Nolin) in October/November and normally catch crappie pretty shallow, around 2-4 feet deep tightlining jigs and using jig/cork. Can you catch them at KY and Barkley like that?
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We love to fish local lakes (Rough and Nolin) in October/November and normally catch crappie pretty shallow, around 2-4 feet deep tightlining jigs and using jig/cork. Can you catch them at KY and Barkley like that?
Okay, let me re-phrase my question... ...can anyone give us tips on how to catch crappie in the Fall at KY/Barkley?
brushpiles 8'-12'
What we do is watch the water temp. That's the most important thing, magic temps being 48-60 degrees. Of course, in the winter they will be falling. The fish seem to do the same thing in the fall/winter as they do in the spring but don't stay shallow as long. One difference is that in the winter when we get one of those nice warm weeks, the fish will run back up into shallower water (6-8 feet). Had the best day ever on January 2nd, two years ago when we had 60 degree temps for a week.
I also let the water temp and water levels dictate where & how I fish. Sixfin is right, the fish act just about the same as they do in the spring.
I fish year round and late Oct. thru late winter/early spring is by far my favorite time to fish. Fish will start moving into the bays as the lake levels stabilize around winter pool and temps drop into the low low 70's and lower. I was catching good fish in the bays this year as early as mid-September. Lots of small fish but good keepers mixed in as well as bonus BIG Bluegill.
I like checking brush in the 12' to 8' range and move up as the water temps dictate. I like vertical jigg'n but you have to be careful this time of year on cloudy days. Fish will often be high on the brush on cloudy days and spooky. I usually stay off the brush and cast sliders, Road Runners, or jigs under bobbers in these conditions. Early and late in the day the fish may even move toward the banks and shallow stake beds.
A couple of years ago in mid-Jan. I went fish'n as a front was mov'n in. The day started out with light rain turning to freezing rain and sleet and eventually snow. I was catch'n fish 2 at a time fish'n 10' deep in 12' of water in a bay. My phone rang. It was my wife at work. she said "where you at?" I told her I was fish'n. She said "have you looked outside?" I said "honey... I ammmm outside!" She said "Oh." It was funny as heck! I bout dropped my phone in the lake. You gotta know her. She's one of those "here's yer sign" types. Love'er to death! :D
I'm on the boat right now and I can hardly stand it. It has been raining today and the wind has blown hard. This along with the cloud cover will help cool the lake quick. After this I look for more fish to start moving off the ledges into the bays.
I get off this ol'towboat in about 2 weeks and with the exception of a few days of deer hunt'n I'm gonna beat'um up!
Good Luck! :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiskers
Classic!:D When the fish are bitin', it's never too cold or raining too hard.
We have been going to Ky lake in the fall for 4-5 years now. Actually we are leaving the 17th and headed to Ky lake for 9 days. We love fall fishing. Not too many boats or water lice(jet skis) this time of the year. Seems like we get more big fish then as compared to spring. As said before hit the brush piles in 8-20 ft of water.
Fall fishing is my favorite too. Usually have the creeks all to myself, and I don't care about the weather either as long as they are biting.
Great info, thanks all. We may try it this year.
Fished Rough River Thursday. Fishing was about as slow (4 keepers) as my trolling motor battery. Had to stop at Wally World to buy a new one on the way home. Fished Clover Creek (Ohio River) on Friday, even worse.