another kentucky lake update

[gofish]

spoke to kenny today...seems the cats are bein a lil shy for the guys but the gills sure aint....kenny told me giller an schoe hit a honey hole and filled "2"...5 gallon buckets full of gills and redear yesterday......kenny an brewcat were only 20 ft away an managed to git 1/2 a 5 gallon bucket full...no report on dale an jason from him though.

[heath19]

i bet they are having a ball catching those gills and redear, and those redear sure do get big down there. glad to hear they are catching some fish, to bad the cats arent hitting though...

[Fishaholic]

cats or not, I wouldnt be complaining with buckets full of gills and redear!!!!

[gofish]

talked to zim-cat earlier .....white crappie were just movin up an they (him an his dad)got some good ones in the stakebeds.....waitin on another phone call from schoe or kenny now

[heath19]

Kenntucky lake crappie, wonder if they got any of them 2 and 3lbers that live in that lake:confused0018:. Sure wish i could be down there, one of these years i will be and i know exactly what i will be chasing, them big ole crappies.:icon_biggrin:

[zim-cat]

just got back will put pics on soon and talk about the trip as for cat bird talked to he and jason hit the water hard tues night for five hours not a bite they said when i was leaving .hope the catsturn on the water temp went from 58 to 71 when i left.

[msduann]

:confused0024:gofish, thats right Kenny forgot his better have and as i read he still miss out on all the fish i could have caught for him LOL.:evilgrin0031:

[gofish]

yep ifn he wanted ta fill the freezer he shoulda took you stead of brewcat!:icon_biggrin:

[Fishaholic]

yep ifn he wanted ta fill the freezer he shoulda took you stead of brewcat!:icon_biggrin: yeah but
I bethe can fit a whole case and ice in the livewell!!! so at least hes getting some use out of it!!!!.....:party0011:

[zim-cat]

yes i got pictures to prove it look at him on the couch lol zim-cat in my pics.

[Screen]

And I bet those are the only action shots of Kenny?

[cattracker16]

And I bet those are the only action shots of Kenny?


Your guessin wrong good buddy.

The fishing for cats was purty tough, if it wern't for the wind and the lake fallin about 7 foot in a weeks time i believe we might have got into some nicer cats.

But ya cannot beat a good bluegill bite, them lil stinkers were haven a feast on our waxies and jigs. I caught so many gills on one jig the pants fell off of it.

I used gillers 8.5 foot microlite one afternoon and tore emm up even more. I think i'll drop a hint to the wifey about needin a 8.5 foot microlite for my B-Day. :confused0024:

[gofish]

YYYEEEEHHHHAAAWWW !!!!!!!!!! kenny caught fish on his own!!!!!!! knew he could do er,attaboy kenny!!!!!!!!:icon_biggrin:

[Catbird]

Sounds like all of those lessons from the wifey are starting to pay off.

[Screen]

Ya! She finaly had to let him out on his own to show he could do it by him self. LOL
If Duann been there though she would have pulled up some cats.

[cattracker16]

real nice fellas. LOL on to another subject. We ate really good down there.

We had some homemade cookies from gillers wife, The oatmeal cookies were gone in no time. our diners were very good, sloppy joes cooked by brewcat, fried flathead/gills deepfried by catbird, chicken and noodles done by our own personal chef, along with a couple smoked pork butts. I believe i gained about 10 lbs while i was there. almost furgot the T-bones cooked on a charcoal grill.

When zimcat left he was nice enough to leave his leftover bait, it came in real handy, as all i had left were a few going south wax worms. all in all it was a great time, too bad alot more people couldn't show up.

[heath19]

Sounds like it was a great time all around, wish i could have been there.

[Screen]

To put things in perspective it sounds like more of us should be making this trip. Any one own a bus that will haul a bunch of us with gear? I know I would share the gas bill.

[Schoe]

Ole' Giller and myself had planned to leave a week early for our Ky. Lake Get Together but due to the weather forecasting we decided to hold off on that idea. So to make a long Story short we only left two days early to check out a couple of places in Southern ILL.

Since we were targeting Bluegills we decided on Murphysboro State Park Lake as it was highly recommended to us by several people.

The lake itself is 1 mi. West of Murphysboro in Jackson Co. and has 145 surface acres of water.

Since we arrived early Fri. there weren't a lot of people on the lake yet so we decided to do some exploring as the park road goes completely around the lake giving bank fishermen lots of access to the water.We did stop at a few places and give it a try with minimal success and finally settled in close to the now closed concession stand. There were some fishing piers and some old pier frames that looked very inviting.

Our observation was correct as it didn't take Giller long before he started bringing in Bluegills and some Crappie. By the time I got started Mike had caught at least a doz. An older fellow down a ways from us was fishing for Catfish and asked us to keep a few small Gills for him to use for bait which we did.

It was soon getting time to look for a place for dinner so we gave the old gentleman what fish we kept and about that time a couple of Bass fishermen came along and also gave him their catch. Needless to say, him and his family had enough fish for nice Fish Fry.

After dinner we found a Motel close by for a good nights sleep.

The next morning "Sun" we had plenty of time before we could get into our cabin at Ky. Lake so we decided to go back to where we were the evening before.

The Crappie were biting fair along with the Bluegills and it didn't take long to gather enough for a breakfast or lunch after we checked into our cabin.

So, it was off to Murry Ky. Schoe

[Illinoisgiller]

Thanks schoe, Good write up on the trip down. You forgot to mention you got the largest crappie at Murphysburro. I'd bet there are a lot of nice fish in there if one searched it with a boat. Mike

[Schoe]

Mike and I arrived at the Ky. Beach Resort just at check in time finding that Catbird and Jason had arrived early and was out catching bait. As we were signing in Kenny and Brew pulled in, so all were present and accounted for.

We had the same cabin that we had last year so everything was familiar. After unloading everyone was tired from traveling and just socialized .

The next morning everyone did their own thing with Mike and myself looking for Gills and Red Ears,(Shell Crackers). And the other fellas looking for big Cats out in the main lake. Mike and I tried a couple of spots that produced good last year but did better at new places close by. The first three days went pretty much the same with Gills and an occasional Crappie. Everyone caught plenty of Gills for "Bait" with lots of them being big enough for the table.

Mike has a Canoe that we brought along to use for fishing with trot lines way back in the shallows for Catfish. We wanted to get some for smoking. The Canoe would have been tippy to use for this but Mike bought a set of outriggers that worked just perfect and kept the Canoe very steady. After we figured out the system it worked very smooth.

Last year we had to go for a six mile boat ride to get to the shallow from our Cabin which added up in gas cost twice a day. The Blood River fed that arm of Ky. Lake and I had taken a boat up there several times Crappie fishing in the past about 1/2 Mi. where there was a log jam blocking the river but, there was a gravel road and boat launch with a small parking area right there. Last year I asked around how to get there by road with no luck.

This year was a different story, we talked to a nice lady that worked at the local Hair Care, Gas Station, Restaurant, and Deli who put us with several of the old regulars that fished and lived near by. One of the fellas knew exactly where I was talking about and gave us directions. I was very anxious to see if this was the place I was looking for. It was, and the boat launch area wasn't being used by many people at all as I think it has been kept a local secret because it is the fastest way to all the Crappie stake beds in Crappie Cove.

That evening Mike and I unloaded the Canoe with a 9.8 motor and putted down river almost hearing the dueling Banjo's as we headed for our destination. Not long at all we were there and put the lines out baited with chunks of Chicken Livers and were on our way back to the Launch as darkness fell. By the time we got our gear loaded and the boat chained and locked for the night it was darker than a sack of Black Cats.

We got back to our Cabin just before the rest were headed out to the main lake. It would be nice to be young again to put in the hours fishing that those boys put in. After a bite to eat and some chatting it was bed time for us older fellas.

The anticipation of having some nice Cats was building as we neared the launch area with the Canoe untouched. I think we had 7 nice Cats ranging from 2 lbs to 10 Lbs. that morning. What a nice mess of fish.

I had some out dated Oysters I brought along and used them for the daytime bite cutting them in small pieces.

The rest of the day Mike and I devoted to Pan Fishing again doing very well again. We saved a few small Gills for the evening baiting of lines. We baited that evening with cut Bluegills after removing 4 nice Channels that bit the Oysters during the day. The next morning we had 11 nice Channels with 8 of them being 8-10 lbs, they liked the cut Bluegills. We baited the lines again with cut bluegills that evening and had about the same as the previous morning.

Having all the Cats that we and some of the others wanted we pulled the trot lines and devoted the next 3 days to seeking out Pan Fish. The photos will tell that successful story.

I have quite a lot of video footage of everyone doing their thing and hope to get it edited and up asap. One in particular of Brew Cat catching a 10 Lb. Channel.

Mike and I had planned on maybe stopping by Southern ILL. on the way home but decided to stay there at Ky. Lake a couple extra days. We had a great time and caught lots of fish. One other important thing is that during our stay in Ky. We met a bunch of nice people that were very helpful and courteous when ever we needed anything, residents and tourists alike.

I have lots of still photos for a slide show but in the mean time here’s a few teasers. Schoe

[Schoe]

Picture explanitions is as follows, Schoe

1. Kenny doing his new found love, smoking meat

2. A few Gill fillets frying

3. Our fancy T.V trays

4. Dale with his 13 Lb.+ Channel Cat the biggest of the trip

5. Kenny with a couple nice Crappies

6. My personal best Shell Cracker just a little over 15 ozs. and my new avitar.

[Timotha7]

Did I see some yellow perch in that mess of pan fish Bob??
What a great trip you all had, some very very nice fish

[Schoe]

Yes, you did see a couple Yellow Perch, they were caught by Brew and Kenny I believe while fishing for Bluegill near another Marina.

One thing I forgot to mention is the way the Fat Cat Oil people are doing their damnedest to shut this country down it looks like the Ky. lake get together may be history for next year with the $5:00 a Gal. for gas prediction.

Let's not for get the 17% tax average that our politicians don't want to talk about or that huge reserve this country has. I understand it will last for quite a few years if it is opened up again to get the prices back affordable.

Who knows what will happen. I am just grateful I grew up and worked in the best years this country has ever seen and it is a shame to see what has happened the last few years. I didn't work for my retirement just to sit home and watch how much the oil people are raping this country out of and I don't just mean foreigners. Yes, I am pissed, Schoe

[Screen]

Great write up Schoe - Great fun by all!

You are right about the travel - Fewer will travel alone any more to find their friends to fish. That is what makes it so nice about this web site. A group can help with the whereIfish and as a group help pay for that trip.
That is why I brought up the need for a WhereIfish bus previously in this thread. One of those smaller ones that seats about 20 or less that can still tow a boat and take 8 to 10 guys with gear to places like Ky. Lake. All going can share the gas as well as lodging. It's not funny guys cause with all the cost going up the price of an old bus for this purpose with shared expenses might be the only way a bunch of us here in the general area will be able to afford as a group travel to WhereHeFishes.

I was just wondering... How far is it to Alaska... Lets see, 10 guys with all their gear and tents for lodging... OOOOPS! SORRY, I was getting ahead of myself. Painted off white with WIF pictures... Redone like a cheep camper... Oh! Stop yourself...

[Schoe]

I only paid $669.00 for a round trip from Moline to Ancorage. I would guess to drive this it would cost well over $2000.00 one way. I'm just fortunate to have a friend there that has a big boat for us to go off shore with for Halibut and smaller boats for Salmon fishing in the Keani River. Our only cost is what fuel we use. Schoe

[Illinoisgiller]

Thank you Schoe, for the good report.:icon_cool: You put it into words much better than I could have.:confused0024: Lots of good memories came home with me.
Thanks also for not elaborating on how bad you were outfishing me in a couple of those hot spots. Ole Rex's red worms done well for you. Details slipping already, Did you ever lose that T.H.E. Jig you caught a few hundred on?
I don't recall reading about you hanging the big channel cat on that little Acadia rod and reel either. That was a blast to watch. Great times, Mike

[Fishaholic]

looks like good times for all, too bad for the economy the way it is,gas is outragous!!Id like to have made the trip for a few days and im sure many others would like to have also!!

[cattracker16]

I have to say i have never smoked anything as big as them there pock butts, if i remember right it turned out quite nice. My mouth is still watering looking at the pics.

That is one great write up Schoe. I truely enjoyed the learnings that you and mike (giller) have taught me about them (baitfish) LOL them lil guys are very tasty.

I have a pic of Schoe and Giller in that said canoe with (training wheels) LOL extra floatation/stabiliation they had a few extra pounds of cats in there with them, and if you never been in a canoe it's an experiance you won't forget soon. But giller and schoe looked like were right at home in that canoe.

Here's a couple of the finest fishing you'll ever do on ky lake. great job jason

[Schoe]

Fellas, I would have to classify this years Ky. trip as one of the best ones I have ever had. This is due to the quality of the people that I was with and the fishing was secondary being at it's finest.

I don't remember Jason fishing sideways out of a bucket. Schoe

[jason454ci]

Man ya gotta love that lake, it's like catching fish in a bucket. lol. Thanks for the report Schoe made me feel like I was there. Oh wait a minute I was there. lol. I think we all had a great time as usual. Can't wait for the next trip, I have a feeling it is going to be a blast. See ya in a month Schoe.

[cattracker16]

Fellas, I would have to classify this years Ky. trip as one of the best ones I have ever had. This is due to the quality of the people that I was with and the fishing was secondary being at it's finest.

I don't remember Jason fishing sideways out of a bucket. Schoe


Well schoe maybe it was the photographer that was a tad bit slideways at the time. LMAO

[jason454ci]

Well schoe maybe it was the photographer that was a tad bit slideways at the time. LMAO

Now that is a real good possibility. :icon_biggrin:

[heath19]

Great report Schoe and all i can say is i wish i had been there for it all. Looks like it was one heck of a time. I sure hope this nation figures something out to get this gas crap under control or before long its gonna be to expensive to go fishing anywhere let alone to Kentucky lake. I sure want to make one of those get togethers one of these years, that is if they still happen with the prices of gas right now.

[Stump Bumper]

Really enjoyed the trip report and pictures. That's a great idea that Mike had with the canoe "outriggers"....Ray

[gofish]

ole kenny sure fergot ta say anything bout perch lol.....knew you guys were slayin em but the pics say it all.