Ky Lake in May

Looking at dates for a possible Ky Lake trip in mid-late May with my wife. This is later than I normally make it down there and I'm not sure as to what to expect. No one can guess the weather or water conditions so I don't worry about it when making plans.

I'm looking at either the week of May 13 or the week of May 20 with a preference to the week of May 20th because it's after most of Ohio's turkey season. I know some of the crappie will be post spawn but what about the gills and redear?

Any info is appreciated.

That should be a good time for gills redears and bass .If you can find the gills and readears you will do good ,bass on tubes and big twisters on rock ledges ./we went down there week before Memorial day couple years ago water temps was low 70s and the bass on the rock banks were crazy,

Some years it's a little late....others you will be right on time for the bluegill and redear. There will probably be some black crappie on beds. Memorial weekends a couple years was some of the best fishing I have ever experienced on Kentucky Lake,others it was a little too way late. Have caught more crappie than you would expect,killed some real nice bass,caught 200 or so redear and bluegill in a weekend.

Part of the problem is finding a bed that has not been fished to death.....or you get lucky and fish move in late when a lot of people figured it's over and quit fishing . Then you hit it just right.

Catching fish this time of year can mean running around from spot to spot. One spot may be fished out, then another,then you find one missed or overlooked. Or a bed fished hard early than forgotten and another wave of fish come in. And you are catching fish on beds now...not prespawn fish...the fish are not just in the area swimming around and feeding...they are guarding a bed. You have to put it right on them.

I learned where a lot of the best banks where over the years (many years) and specific beds. I didn't fish randomly, just go from spot to spot. Some bays only fish like three places then off again. Would cover miles in a day. Some beds on main lake bank not even in bays or creek arms.

The best part is the water is now warm enough you're not waiting on that. Weather has stabilized,less cold fronts rolling in and cold rain. Now you just have to watch for thunderstorms mainly. Generally less windy days. Fishing in the rain can be good this time of year and it's not so cold out. Have caught them good on beautiful sunny days too though.

I probably would have never fished that late if not for my wife. She never like to go early. And always like to go in May and like to go holiday weekends. She pushed me to go...so while there I set my mind to finding any fish I could still spawning so I wasn't bored. Learned a lot by doing that.

Crappiemax pm about time and area you are staying I might be able to help you.
Bassky

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Originally Posted by Bassky

Crappiemax pm about time and area you are staying I might be able to help you.
Bassky

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If we make it I will.
Pulled something in my knee on Saturday so MRI this morning. My wife came home last night with her ankle all swollen from playing tennis.
This staying active when you get older is going to kill us.
If I do get down there my wife wants to go to Kenlake.

Definitely pm me I can put you in some areas close by. We stayed at kenlake area and did real well about 5 years ago. Let me know if you go.

We have had and weird weather this year 4/7/18 we had snow just a bit today is cold so the water temps will be lower in May I'm wanting to get out in my newer boat 2015- 1648 SS Xtreme ShellCracker fishing and hand size BlueGills next years I am going south not coming back home till May 1 .
i live in Clarksville,Tn

Crappiemax. Was at KY last year in May for only Bluegill fishing. Only advise is find the small coves with what they call buck bushes in the back of the coves. We were in Blood River, but I think it should will work anywhere. The Bluegill were bedding just a few feet outside of these bushes, we anchored about 50-100 feet away and cast bobbers, or small gigs with waxworms. We kept only about 50 per day, but caught over 200 each day. We used wax worms, but I think red worms would have worked anywhere if you find them. Only caught a few Shellcrakers, probably since we were not using night crawlers or red worms. Now, not simple, but just go into each small bay and check it out for these bushes. We ONLY found them in 1 of 5 bays we checked, but if they are there, they are easy to catch. It's a Little work, but when you find them, it's a lot of fun. We left several spots just to not wipe out the fish that were still there. Hope his helps.

Later, Jim

Excellent post Perchjerker.

Thanks for the reply's guys. Now I just have to hope I can make the trip. I tore the meniscus in my right knee and have to get surgery on May 3rd. I'm not sure of the recovery time but my guess is I'll be out of commission for a month or so. It's been a messed up year and I was really looking forward to a trip down there. I'm keeping my fingers crossed....
It's a shame I always like visiting that area.

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Originally Posted by crappiemax

Thanks for the reply's guys. Now I just have to hope I can make the trip. I tore the meniscus in my right knee and have to get surgery on May 3rd. I'm not sure of the recovery time but my guess is I'll be out of commission for a month or so. It's been a messed up year and I was really looking forward to a trip down there. I'm keeping my fingers crossed....
It's a shame I always like visiting that area.

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:yikes:Doh: :praysent for speedy and full recovery.

Speedy recovery I hope. I Just went through surgery in January for torn meniscus it’s a breeze you will fell better soon as your out of surgery and when the meds wear off! Just do what they tell ya in therapy! Don’t over do it ! You be up and running in couple weeks! Good luck on your trip !

Speedy recovery I hope. I Just went through surgery in January for torn meniscus it’s a breeze you will fell better soon as your out of surgery and when the meds wear off! Just do what they tell ya in therapy! Don’t over do it ! You be up and running in couple weeks! Good luck on your trip !

Thanks again, I hope the recovery is quick.
I'd sure like to make the trip.

I think May is going to be great for shellcracker this year. I've caught two healthy crackers already over here on Barkley just throwing jigs from the roads here in Kuttawa.

I'm going to crank it up with the redworms really soon. This weekend would've been fantastic with the new moon but the water is still cool.

Crappie should fire up SOON!