In Kentucky, we have a total of 242 different species of fish to catch! Catching a specific type of fish takes a lot of practice and knowledge of the species. In order to hook what you’re after, you need to do some homework. There are hundreds of different fishing techniques, tackle, artificial and natural baits, as well as a variety of line weight and material. I like to clean and eat what I catch, so here are some tips for catching some of our tastiest fish here in Kentucky. Most people I know only fish for Catfish because that’s all they know how to catch. They drop a line and wait. I hope this will make your next fishing trip a small more exciting!
Let’s start with bass fishing. This truly is an art, and is such a thrill. There is the Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted Kentucky Bass, White Bass, Yellow Bass, Rock Bass, Striped Bass, and the Hybrid Striped Bass. Similar fishing techniques are used for all types of bass. Most Bass are found approach rocks, logs, submerged islands, or along grassy banks. Crank-baits, spinner-baits, jigs, artificial worms, and flies are just a few of the artificial baits you can try out. Natural baits include crawdads (or crayfish/crawfish depending on what you call them), minnows, earthworms, golden shiners, and frogs. They usually strike at anything they reckon is alive and the best time to fish is early morning or late evening. In weedy or grassy areas, you can exhaust a weedless hook setup and work down into the weeds. With crank-baits, most expend a light line (10-12 pound test) to help gain more depth on a deep running lure. Heavy line (14-17 pound test) can be used to keep a running crank-bait shallow and give you the advantage of helping to control the bass. These baits work best when they are deflected off of a log, rock, etc. You give the illusion that something alive is jumping into the water, and the crank and pause technique will get more strikes than just reeling it in. Spinner-baits are the most versatile of baits. You can run it deep, run it across the top of the water, flip it around like a jig, and I usually stick with black or crawdad colors. With artificial worms, I usually use a Texas Rig. This is done by first threading a toddle sinker onto the line. Then, a hook is tied to the end of the line. The hook is then inserted into the head of a worm for about one-quarter of an slither and brought through until only the gawk is still embedded in the worm. The hook is then rotated and the point is embedded slightly into the worm without coming out the opposite side. The thought is to get the bait down to the bottom and exhaust the weight to stir things up and attract attention to your lure. When using jigs, silicone are much simpler to fish with. When they get wet, they become somewhat snag-proof, making them simpler to slide around and through the weeds. I expend something called the swim and hop contrivance. You let the jig sink down to the bottom, slowly lift it up and let it fall support down. After a few “hops”, swim it a small ways, then start hopping again. The trick with Bass fishing is to fabricate them reckon whatever lure you are using is alive.
Now we’ll occupy a look at fishing for Rainbow Trout. You don’t have to know how to flit fish to catch these gorgeous and tasty fish. Rainbow trout strike on nearly any bait, but retract live bait. Insects, small red worms, night crawlers, minnows, and crawdads work perfectly. Cloudy, overcast days are usually best, and you want to cast into grassy areas. Spinners and spoons can also work well for trout, but I usually use live bait, a light weight line (4-6 pound test), split shot sinker, and a gang hook. Rainbow Trout usually stay in shallow, certain water, and are easily spooked. The smaller the hook or lure, the better. Like Bass, Rainbow Trout want to reckon they’re going after live bait. Try fishing in the evening hours, and have fun trying out different baits.
Another “excellent eatin’ fish” is the Walleye. The ideal time to fish for Walleye in Kentucky is sundown to midnight. Walleye will strike at just about any live bait such as small fish, crawdads, worms and insects. Crank baits, spoons small spinner baits, and jigs also work well to lure the Walleye in. Of course, you can always give the plastic worm a try. In the springtime, the Walleye will be closer to the water surface preparing for spawning season. Like Bass, they like to hide under rocks, logs, and hang out in shallow basins. During summer, the sun and rising temperature pushes them deeper into the lake, but when the sun starts to fall, they go back towards the water surface. Rough water and high winds tend to be the best conditions for Walleye fishing, they take advantage of their brilliant vision, and feeding activity increases. They tend to be nearly nocturnal feeders, so plot to fish for Walleye on your next camping trip!
Crappie fishing is fun for the whole family! They are the most highly prized pan-fish of Kentucky, and are tasty! Ultra light gear should be used (2-4 pound test), and they prefer small minnows (2 inches long or less), or spinners/small flies/jigs. You want to attach a small slip shot sinker, and hook the live minnow just below the back fin using a #4 or #6 hook. They like lots of movement, so Crappie fishing is fantastic for those who can’t stand to throw the line out and wait. For children, you can attach a bobber, minnow, throw it out, and honest have them perceive the bobber. Jigs are also an brilliant way of catching Crappie. You have more of a variety, don’t have to distress about keeping them alive, and they don’t get hung up as easily as lures. Early morning and late afternoon are ideal for Crappie fishing; so when it’s hot out, they’ll be hiding under logs, rocks, and in the grass as well. Impartial remember to keep that bait moving!
Each fish offers a unique experience, and catching different species of fish keeps it fascinating and sharp. Knowing I could pull out any one of the 242 species is enough to withhold me going back for more! Just remember to earn the required license, respect the wildlife, and always obey the size and creel limits. Release any fish that aren’t substantial enough to hold, and stop when you’ve reached your limit. I don’t want anyone to have to pay any fines.
For Kentucky Statewide Size and Creel Limits, please visit http://www.fw.ky.gov/fishlimits.asp
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