Lots of big crackers coming out of KY Lake

I've been looking at all of the pictures on this site and man there sure are some hog redear coming out of Barkley and KY Lake. Lots of these fish are 11/2lbs or better, monsters in my book. Which lake is better for crackers, Barkley or Ky Lake? Also, which lake would be easier to fish for someone that's never been there? Can you reasonably expect to do well on the flats and general areas redear like or do I need a guide? I'm pretty sure I could find them without spending the money for a guide but I know it's a HUGE body or water.

I've got to get down there, those big ole crackers are to good to pass up. My boats only 14 foot with a 6 horsepower motor.

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Originally Posted by redearhoosier

I've been looking at all of the pictures on this site and man there sure are some hog redear coming out of Barkley and KY Lake. Lots of these fish are 11/2lbs or better, monsters in my book. Which lake is better for crackers, Barkley or Ky Lake? Also, which lake would be easier to fish for someone that's never been there? Can you reasonably expect to do well on the flats and general areas redear like or do I need a guide? I'm pretty sure I could find them without spending the money for a guide but I know it's a HUGE body or water.

I've got to get down there, those big ole crackers are to good to pass up. My boats only 14 foot with a 6 horsepower motor.

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I didn't know there were redear in the lakes.LOL I really think you should get a guide we are not catching these fish on every cast. It takes alot of work to find them even more this time of year. I would not get out on those lakes with a 6hp motor that just my opinion. If you get a north or south wind with any speed your in alot of trouble. Good luck hope you find em!

Yes, everyone seems to be catching a lot of big redear, and the catfishing is good right now also.

The white bass fishing can be good right now in the right spots.

The largemouth/ smallmouth fishing is tough right now, in most areas of the lake.

you have to work very hard to find big numbers of them right now.


But if you come down and try to catch bluegill, and big redear you will probably have a good time.:)

The lakes are big

KY Lake is 160,000 acres and Barkely is around 57,000 acres of water.

The two lakes combined cover around 220,000 acres of water.

But there are a lot of good spots to go to, so you should have no problems with finding some good Redear, if you go to the right places.

Good Luck if you come to the lakes.:)

2.5 pound Bluegill taken at Paris Landing State Park. Fishing pier.

Here is a 2.5 pound Bluegill taken from Kentucky Lake.:)

Female redear.

KY are you the self-appointed cheerleader for KY Lake or do you have a financial interest in seeing every Tom, Dick and Harry come down to experience the unrealistic expectations you are so famous for?

X2

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Originally Posted by mrdux

Female redear.

KY are you the self-appointed cheerleader for KY Lake or do you have a financial interest in seeing every Tom, Dick and Harry come down to experience the unrealistic expectations you are so famous for?

X2

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I am famous for telling the truth, and for being open minded and realistic.

A large 2.5 pound Redear was caught, so I thought people may find it interesting. So I posted it.

I just said the bass fishing is very tough right now. But I was honest and I said the catfishing, bluegill fishing and redear fishing is good right now, if you go to the right places.

To me those are pretty realistic statements.

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Originally Posted by Kentucky Lake

A large 2.5 pound Redear was caught, so I thought people may find it interesting. So I posted it.

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The article was titled

"2.5 pound Bluegill taken at Paris Landing State Park. Fishing pier."

You might as well have said it was caught by Elvis on a worm grown by an alien. The facts would have all been the same.

let's not harp on this.

Sometimes people that don't know any better, call ALL sunfish, "Bluegill" ... just like they sometimes call them "Bream". :p

And we already know .... ain't no "Bream" in the USA. It's a European fish : bream (fish) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia .... and a member of the Carp family, and not even a "sunfish" :eek:

No need to "snipe" at each other, over such a trivial matter ... ;)

... cp :cool:

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Originally Posted by crappiepappy

let's not harp on this.

Sometimes people that don't know any better, call ALL sunfish, "Bluegill" ... just like they sometimes call them "Bream". :p

And we already know .... ain't no "Bream" in the USA. It's a European fish : bream (fish) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia .... and a member of the Carp family, and not even a "sunfish" :eek:

No need to "snipe" at each other, over such a trivial matter ... ;)

... cp :cool:

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pappy,
my beef is not about the whether it's a bluegill, a redear or a carp. My beef is the guy is always posting about huge catches of limits every day, KY Lake being the best lake in the country,etc. Others have called him out on it also. I think he's hiding a hidden agenda by trying to make those who don't do their homework think all you have to do is show up and the fish will jump into your boat. Ky Lake has some good fishing at times but I think he's way overboard most of the time and there is probably a reason for it in his mind. Is he essentially spamming so he can boost a business interest? I don't know but it would seem so.

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Originally Posted by mrdux

pappy,
my beef is not about the whether it's a bluegill, a redear or a carp. My beef is the guy is always posting about huge catches of limits every day, KY Lake being the best lake in the country,etc. Others have called him out on it also. I think he's hiding a hidden agenda by trying to make those who don't do their homework think all you have to do is show up and the fish will jump into your boat. Ky Lake has some good fishing at times but I think he's way overboard most of the time and there is probably a reason for it in his mind. Is he essentially spamming so he can boost a business interest? I don't know but it would seem so.

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... to promote fishing, or a particular lake. Doesn't matter if he's a self appointed "cheerleader" OR has a business interest that he's promoting .... as long as he doesn't openly advertise without being a paying sponsor.

You pointed out that the title of the article in question read ... 2.5lb "Bluegill" ... when in fact it was most likely a Redear. THAT'S what I quoted you saying, and why I replied to those quotes. The title was not his doing ... the fish was not caught by him ... he just showed a mislabeled link, but that's still no foul on his part.

... cp :cool:

Thank You C P :)

you are right the title of the article I posted did say it was a bluegill.

In another section of this forum, I actually mentioned that I thought it looked like a redear, in my original post.

And as you know, I really don't post that much stuff on this forum about Ky lake.

Usually I just reply to other peoples post. I rarely start any new threads. I used to a few months ago, but in the last 1 or 2 months I have not.


And the post I reply to usually involve people asking questions about KY Lake.

And I usually tell them the truth, and I usually give them good and usefull information.

And to anyone who thinks I have a financial interest in recruiting fisherman to Kentucky Lake.

Well, I do not

If I did I would be telling people to fish only in 1 specific area, or I would tell them to stay at 1 specific hotel, or resort.

But the truth is I usually tell people where 3 or 4 good locations are on the lake.

And then they can choose to go to those locations if they would like to.:)

I can only get to Ky Lake once a year and only for 4 or 5 days. I have to say it is a fantastic fishery. I only get there in the spring. I don't know what its like the rest of the year but I'm sure if you do your homework, the fishing is just as good.
That being said, I don't think it's an especially easy fishery. The times I've been there we work hard for the fish we get.
Kentucky Lake, I don't think your post appear self serving at all. Just mentioning "the truth is I usually tell people where 3 or 4 good locations are on the lake" doesn't seem to give up all the lake secrets. I personally think some people don't want the Ky Lake posts to sound too good so everyone stays away.
It's depressing to come back to SW Ohio after a few days down there.

I guess you can call me lucky cause I am a local. It is a great place but I agree, sometimes you have to work hard for a mess of fish. Between the recreational boaters, tourney fisherman, and wind, it can be downright difficult at times.

It's obviously a great lake and that's why I want to go down there. I live directly across the river from Louisville KY and several of my friends have just recently started going down there for shellcracker/bluegill. That's how word travels because now I'm planning a trip in Sept.

If I was a local I wouldn't want all of the out of towners, I would be fearful of overfishing and all of the other problems associated with hoards of people. BUT, Kentucky Lake and Barkley are regional destinations...places where fisherman from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tenn, Ky, Missouri and probably other states come travel to for it's fishery. Heck, Dale Hollow and Lake Cumberland are too, Kentucky has some awesome fisheries. These are huge bodies of water that can support the pressure though, Indiana's biggest lake is Monroe at 10,500 acres.

That's why the creel limit on crappie keeps going backwards. ;)

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Originally Posted by mrdux

pappy,
my beef is not about the whether it's a bluegill, a redear or a carp. My beef is the guy is always posting about huge catches of limits every day, KY Lake being the best lake in the country,etc. Others have called him out on it also. I think he's hiding a hidden agenda by trying to make those who don't do their homework think all you have to do is show up and the fish will jump into your boat. Ky Lake has some good fishing at times but I think he's way overboard most of the time and there is probably a reason for it in his mind. Is he essentially spamming so he can boost a business interest? I don't know but it would seem so.

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[QUOTE

all you have to do is show up and the fish
[QUOTE]
THAT'S ALL I DO ,,
200 FISH THIS YEAR ....Out of KY-& -Barkley Lake

S0 ,,,what do want him to do post about people not doing gOOd:( get off it/ if you can cast a reel you CAN DO GREAT on KY-or- Barkley Lake eH;)

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Originally Posted by olducker

[QUOTE

THAT'S ALL I DO ,,
200 FISH THIS YEAR ....Out of KY-& -Barkley Lake

S0 ,,,what do want him to do post about people not doing gOOd:( get off it/ if you can cast a reel you CAN DO GREAT on KY-or- Barkley Lake eH;)

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I've been read'n this post & been quiet but I'll chime in on this one.

First I'll qualify my response with this... If you haven't been fish'n these lakes for the last 40+ years like some of us have, you have not seen what we have seen. Over the last 40 years the crappie fish'n on these lakes has declined dramatically. The crackers have come a long way in the last 10 years and it's get'n better all the time. If you've grown up call'n a 5 fish day a good day then I can understand your statement.

Some of us around here grew up catching what you say you have caught this year (200 fish) in 1 day. Sure it used to be if you could "cast a reel" you could do great on these lakes. I can assure you that is not the case these days. How many days did it take you to catch those fish. I'm talking about crappie and crackers. If you're talking about other fish like bluegill... well maybe. But if you're talking about taking a rod and reel and pull'n up to just any stickup on the lake and casting out and catching crappie or crackers,,, If you can do that you need to be guide'n.

There ain't many people that spend more time fish'n these lakes than I do. I have almost 3000 spots GPS'd and I fish year round. I consider myself a pretty darn good crappie fisherman and I take it serious (gross understatment), but I have days when I struggle just to catch a few.

I try to help anyone that I can but sometimes I fail to get folks on fish. So; to give people the impression that anyone, at anytime, can come to these lakes and do well is just, excuse my language, BS! If you're coming to these lakes, even during "prime" fishing times, you better do your homework if you want to maximize you time here.

I want everyone to have a good experience. It kills me when I can't get folks on fish! I have helped dozens of people on here catch fish but I have probably let that many or more down. Been more than a couple of CDC members in my boat and I have never turned anyone down that has asked for help. If the fishn's good I'll tell'um. If it's tuff I'll tell'um.

So if you've figured out how to just "cast a reel" and catch these things let me know the secret. I'll cut back to just 1 good rod and reel and sell about $2000 worth of poles and reels, about $3000 worth of electronics, about $500 worth of jigs and bodies, $400 worth of rod holders, and about $300 worth of map cards and have a lot more room in my boat. :D

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Originally Posted by Wiskers

So if you've figured out how to just "cast a reel" and catch these things let me know the secret. I'll cut back to just 1 good rod and reel and sell about $2000 worth of poles and reels, about $3000 worth of electronics, about $500 worth of jigs and bodies, $400 worth of rod holders, and about $300 worth of map cards and have a lot more room in my boat. :D

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Sorry,,but I have been fishin the Lakes FOR 40+ YEARS ,,, I'm 61 ,,and all you have to do is keep your EYES Open...

We did have one ,,,,100 fish day,,fished 12 days for 200 fish ,,so 11 days were a lot less,and yes 5 fish can be a good ,,last day I fished two good Stripers were a goood day...we fish for Whitebass,Hybrids,,Striped Bass,,LM Bass,,SM Bass,Crappie,Bluegill,Crackers aNd Cats,,,that's why we do gOOd...



and no you do not need $3000 worth of electronics to have a good...day,,you just need to go and have FUN,,



DO have 20 rods,,worth $600 or so,,and a good map,,lots of rod holders in my 20' boat,,,,oh and can one good fish be a good day?

I do read your post,,,Wiskers:D

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Originally Posted by olducker

Sorry,,but I have been fishin the Lakes FOR 40+ YEARS ,,, I'm 61 ,,and all you have to do is keep your EYES Open...

We did have one ,,,,100 fish day,,fished 12 days for 200 fish ,,so 11 days were a lot less,and yes 5 fish can be a good ,,last day I fished two good Stripers were a goood day...we fish for Whitebass,Hybrids,,Striped Bass,,LM Bass,,SM Bass,Crappie,Bluegill,Crackers aNd Cats,,,that's why we do gOOd...



and no you do not need $3000 worth of electronics to have a good...day,,you just need to go and have FUN,,


DO have 20 rods,,worth $600 or so,,and a good map,,lots of rod holders in my 20' boat,,,,oh and can one good fish be a good day?

I do read your post,,,Wiskers:D

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That makes since. If you take what's given you can stay fairly busy. I just mainly fish for crappie.

Well bring yourself on down here 1 of these days and bring your Lab. We'll put them in the back and we'll get in the front and crappie fish. :D

I usually make it over two or three times a year to fish. Can't say that I have ever really had a great day other than when fishing for catfish.

IMO those redear don't just run up to a spot on the bank. They have specific spawning areas that you must first find and then put a pattern together. I have caught a few and most have been nice fish, I just don't have the time or history on the lake to put together and mark those spawning flats.

It ain't as easy as throwing out a worm under a bobber and pulling out 13 inch redear. Same story for crappie. I have come over there and threw jigs at marked fish attractors, what you have to do when you don't get over to sink or mark your own brush, and pulled maybe five keeper crappie a day out. All the while the local guys are able to fill limits spider rigging over brush that either they sunk or have marked from finding from many days on the water.

Not griping just showing that the reality is that you don't just dump the boat in and start catching fish over there save for really special days.