How many big fish?

[Xi Bowhunter]

How many big fish, lets say 4 pound and over, have you caught out of big lake impoundments in the state of KY? I usually catch my biggest fish from small ponds and private lakes, but I hear of people who catch big fish on the big lakes. I have caught a few fish over 4 lbs out of big lakes, but I would like to know how to target them more effectively. I am a good fisherman, catching my limit of fish 15" and over more often than not, but I think I could do more to catch bigger fish. What do you guys do to catch bigger fish on big lakes? With each year my fishing gets better and better, but I always try to listen to what others have to say to improve.:)

[sirgiovanni]

I'm not sure what type of fish you look for. I pretty much just fish for Largemouth and my father raised me on the deep flats off chanels. Lot more people doing it these days so it's tougher, but still the only great option in the heat of the summer, IMO.

[quackrstackr]

How many big fish, lets say 4 pound and over, have you caught out of big lake impoundments in the state of KY?

Dunno.. never kept track of them.

It's been a bunch though.

[Multidigits]

Several....most in late winter, early spring before the spawn. Females are biggger then anyway. Get a flipping stick or jig pole and learn how to use it.

[mcdenney]

Speaking about largemouth and smallmouths, I have no clue but several. I was at Douglas for a few days the last of March and had 6 over 5lbs in 4 days. IMO, winter, early spring and up to the spawn is the best time and probably the easiest time to catch a big fish. Not saying it is easy just easier. Some lakes are better at producing big fish than others also. IMO big fish are different than most fish and must be treated as such in order to catch them on a somewhat frequent basis.

Just off the top of my head, here is what I have had so far this year:

Cumberland: 1 over 6lbs LM, 1 -5lbs SM
Nolin: 4 over 4lbs LM
Douglas: 6 over 5lbs LM, 1 4lbs SM
Barren: 1 over 4lbs

[westkybanded]

I assume you're talking about largemouth?

Big lakes - Several

Small impoundments - TONS

Difference for me was the ammount of time I spent fishing strip mines and farm ponds.

[Xi Bowhunter]

Sorry guys, I was talking about largemouths/smallmouths. Sorry I wasn't specific enough:o. I have caught several big fish from big impoundments, but not as many as I am capable of I think.

[westkybanded]

The biggest things that I had to get used to was the type of cover that you fish, and the size of the baits. I learned to bass fish in tiny ponds and strip mines where you could "see" structure. Treetops, ditchlines, ect.... Fishing by depthfinder was almost totaly foreign to me.

I also kept wanting to fish the same baits in the big lakes. I just couldn't see using a 9" worm or huge zara spook. The two biggest bass I've ever caught were 8.5 and 9.75 and both came from lakes that were less than 50 acres. One was caught on a crickethopper and the other one was on a beetlespin. Since I never threw big baits, I almost never learned to use a baitcaster either. I own a couple that I use for catfish, but I can't cast them very well unless I've got a bowling ball tied on.

The biggest bass I've ever caught on a "big" lake in KY was a shade over 6 on a white sluggo.

[Chief Huntum]

Most of my big bass come as a result of slop fishing in very shallow water in the heat of summer. By slop I mean thick algae mats. The best ones are near deeper water. Its so dark under them that the plants go dormant, but the big fish love the shade and don't worry about the water temp. What I do is create holes in the matts then leave them alone for about an hour. I sneak in with a push pole and pitch creature baits (I like Yamomoto Ikas) in the holes and shake the bait. If I don't make a hole, I'll rig a 1/2 oz weight or more so it penetrates through the algae mat (heavy jig and pig is good for this too except you will be peeling algae off the weed guard). Another great way is a frog over the matts and don't worry if its high noon, they will pound it. The fish see the disturbance and blow up on it. I can catch 1 to 3 pounders all day long in more open water, but if you find thick algae matts, that's where the lunkers are.

Remember, like a big buck, big bass are not the norm, but don't give up on shallow slop. It only takes one slob to make your day.

[notimlmit]

I've caught one 5 and two 4 lb largemouth in Barren already by flipping a bitsy bug jig up in the creeks. Spring and fall are the best times for big bass as you know I'm sure. I like jig and pig early spring then as the water warms switch to a spinnerbait. Fall it's the same thing.

[cornbread]

Numerous over 5lbs from Cumberland, Barren, Dale Hollow and Lake Barkley.
Lake Malone has been very good to me: Several over 5lbs, 1 over 7lbs, one 8 1/2lbs and one 9 1/2 lbs. I think I could see Duster from the spot that I caught the 9 1/2 pounder from. I have caught big bass using several methods and lures. Everything from crankbaits, top water, flipping to 10inch plastic worms. All depends on body of water, time of year............

http://www.americasoutdoorsman.com/LRGC-trophy-shots/albums/userpics/normal_scan0001%7E0.jpg

[DHull]

dad caught 2 yesterday, check out the caverun bass and musky thread for pics

[mmayes]

I have caught hundreds of them out of KY lakes mostly out of Beshears. I have also caught quite a few at various ponds slough and small lakes. The best fights have always be 1-4lb bass and not the bigger ones.

I used to religiously target Bass. Now I only go after Crappie and Bluegills.

Mayes