Shellcracker fishing in kentucky

Shellcracker and bream fishing robert webster of hamlet, nc who has a camper at the lake tillery family campground, adjacent highway 2427, has been keeping a watch on the fishing conditions for shellcrackers and bream. Jul 30, 2018 shellcracker, or redear sunfish, are the biggest of the beam, with the world record a 4 pound ounce monster caught in florida in 1986. Hendricks creek resort offers rental houseboats, 7 cottages, a full service marina, a ships store, and a 5600 sq. Ive been wanting to put together a bluegill shellcracker trip to lbl for the past three or so years and have never really had the time or money to do so. Shellcracker, bluegill bedding times near outdoors. Theres no better time to catch panfish on kentucky lake than now. Steves reports cover kentucky lake from paris landing to new johnsonville. Later in the season they move to much deeper water or into heavy cover, where they are difficult to locate. Guntersville also receives plenty of fishing pressure, so theres quite a. Fishing for shellcrackers panfish rambling angler outdoors. We join daren bowen of creek candy lures for some fun fishing for large redear in western kentucky. Redear sunfish are caught most often on earthworms around the full moons of march and april when their spawning activity peaks. Both kentucky and barkley lakes are dropping pretty fast, so things should improve even more once levels begin to stabilize. Id like to hear from people who have personal experience too but everyones welcome to chime in.

Favorite baits are worms, crickets, grubs, and shrimp fished in the spring and summer during the bedding season. What is the best bluegillredear lake outside of ky. I kept geting short hits and realized theyy were probably bluegill. The redear is similar in shape to the bluegill, but lacks the dark spot at the base of the posterior portion of the dorsal fin and has a red or orange border around the ear flap. What is the best bluegillredear lake outside of kybarkley lakes. Shellcracker fishing and new lake recordhigh water. The big bluegill are starting to get on the beds, mccadams says. Here youll discover hardfighting smallmouth bass kentucky is home to the world record smallmouth, striped bass, blue catfish, shellcrackers, muskellunge, crappie and more. State record fishes and awards kentucky department of fish.

The redear sunfish, also known as the shellcracker, is arguably one of the best fighting, best tasting and hardest to find and catch throughout the season than any panfish you pursue. Theres another two or three weeks of prime spawning time too so grab a friend and head on out. A fishing rig is a set up designed for use in catching crappies. What is the best bluegillredear lake outside of kybarkley. In kentucky, its possible to catch three species of trout then trailer your boat a short distance to tie into. While its a great way to introduce a youngster to the great sport of fishing, it tends to bring out the kid in all of us once the bobber disappears time after time. They will spawn in eight to 15 feet of water depending on how clear the water is. Shellcracker bite is going on now in about 5 feet of water. As their name tells, they eat snails and muscles, crushing the shell with a tough muscle in their gullet. For best delta bream fishing, a small boat of some kind.

Have any of you tried it here in kentucky and had any luck. I have been fishing crappie in the river channels on toledobend and doing quite well. Fishing for bluegill and redear sunfish with light tackle is one of lifes simple pleasures, although it isnt always quite so simple. If any questions or problems arise, call the kentucky department of fish and wildlife at 18008581549. Family owned and operated since 1953 hendricks creek resort is a family owned and operated resort one of the few on dale hollow lake. Whats the better choice for big shellcracker, barkley or ky lake. The shellcracker, which gets its name from eating shells and mollusks, really thrive in aquatic vegetation.

Fishing for redear is one of lifes pleasures kentucky new era. However, insect larvae and cladocerans may also be found in their diet. The redear sunfish eats food similar to that of the bluegill. Crappie fishing, bluegill, shellcracker and crappie fishing. Shellcracker, or redear sunfish, are the biggest of the beam, with the world record a 4 pound ounce monster caught in florida in 1986. Catching shellcrackers is hit or miss hartsville vidette. Detailed requirements are listed on the third page of the application. Crappie fishing, bluegill, shellcracker and crappie. Greenbo lake fishing reports recently shared catches and fishing spots. A few years ago, fishing buddy bob sherborne and i found some shellcracker beds in leatherwood cove on kentucky lake. All guide boats are also equipped with cellular phones u. I like to catch plenty of fish that fight hard, test my tackle and my angling skills an d taste delicious when i eat them.

The water temperature is 48 degrees and the lake is rising. For boat rentals, please go to bottom of this page and click on fun things to do. Just got back from a one day trip to lake barkley in kentucky 5102011. Immediately after those caught one that was slot bigger than my hand, but could t get a pic before he flopped out. The 10 day forecast right now looks good, but we all know that could change. It is made up of the main line, a weight or base sinker, swivels, bobbers and multiple fishing hooks attached to the rig. Now is the time to strike a trot to the lake and wet a hook for these babies.

The fish must be weighed on a scale certified legal for trade, and the weighing must be witnessed by at least. This fish will congregate about brush, logs and stumps hence its local name of stumpknocker. This massive expanse of bayous, creeks, backwaters and big rivers has a strong population of both bluegill and redear sunfish, also called a shellcracker, but they are not always easy to access. I was looking at last years data and the lake peaked at 369 on may 7th. Most fish are taken on cane poles with small hooks, corks, and split shot for weight.

The redear sunfish panfish lepomis microlophus, also known as the shellcracker, georgia bream, cherry gill, chinquapin, improved bream, rouge ear sunfish. They also eat other food like insects, worms, and crawfish, but feed on the bottom. This seems to be the year that i finally get it all lined up. In kentucky, its possible to catch three species of trout then trailer your boat a short distance to tie into some largemouth bass, walleye and spotted bass. Welcome to dale hollow marina dale hollow fishing info. Doug wynn talks about three different accessories from millennium marine that are helpful when fishing on kentucky lake and lake barkley. You can access steves previous fishing reports in our fishing report archives. Shellcracker fishing tips sheelcracker fishing florida. If so, what depth and are you tightlining with worms around brush in deep water or do you find them out of points. By the end of march, depending on water temperatures and water levels, redears shellcracker start migrating to the shallows in preparation for the spawn. Locating bluegill and shellcracker when they are not on. To qualify for consideration as a state record, the fish must have been caught in kentucky waters by rod and reel or on a pole and line. Lets fish tv kentucky lake, tn shellcracker fishing. Redear sunfish panfish florida bass fishing experts.

Both kentucky and barkley lakes are presently at or near summer pool. A member of the national fresh water fishing hall of fame and legends of the outdoors, steve mccadams is a professional guide and outdoor writer from paris, tenn. Big bluegillshellcracker winter fishing in kentucky. As may enters the fishing scene along kentucky lake, so. The shellcracker and bluegill bite is considered strong with a good number of these fish on a strong spawn pattern. The redear sunfish lepomis microlophus, also known as the shellcracker, georgia bream, cherry gill, chinquapin, improved bream, rouge ear sunfish and sun perch is a freshwater fish in the family centrarchidae and is native to the southeastern united states. Early may is the start of the best fishing for bluegill. However, the portion of barkley lake in tennessee is a breamladen body of water that is often overlooked in this portion of the state. As the peak spawning phases arrive, anglers can count on several weeks of great fishing fun. Since it is a popular sport fish, it has been introduced to bodies of water all over north america. State record fishes and awards kentucky department of. If you can get there in the next 4 days or so you will. Transition time is at hand for kentucky lake anglers.

Youll find an amazing diversity of fish in kentucky. Walleye, largemouth bass, and hybrid striper fishing at canton lake in western oklahoma. Folks today, i explain ways you can locate bluegill and shellcracker when they are not bedding. You can also call a t 18008581549 or send your request by email to this site. Ive read where several people from states south of us have been catching good bluegill in the winter. Ive fished with guide bob latendresse for many years and he has yet to fail to put me on big shellcrackers. Kentucky s lake cumberland being stocked with redear sunfish, releases to continue through 20 kentucky department of fish and wildlife 09. For a long time i think kentucky lake was overlooked for panfish, but the word is getting out and more people are fishing for them. In kentucky, its possible to catch three species of trout then trailer your boat a. Kentuckys lake cumberland being stocked with redear sunfish, releases to continue through 20 kentucky department of fish and wildlife 09. Your bluegill or crappie fishing trip will be done in the comfort and safety of our fully rigged bass boat. Ive been wanting to put together a bluegillshellcracker trip to lbl for the past three or so years and have never really had the time or money to do so. Shellcracker fishing tips and information on shellcracker fishing in florida on some of the top lakes in the country. Apr 30, 2016 for a long time i think kentucky lake was overlooked for panfish, but the word is getting out and more people are fishing for them.

It is a lover of deep water and usually stays there except during the spawning period. I spend a lot of my lunch breaks fishing a small storm drain adjacent to a wooden dock behind my house, but the usual bass and bluegill targets took a backseat to the unexpected appearance of bedding shellcracker. Jun 05, 2018 folks today, i explain ways you can locate bluegill and shellcracker when they are not bedding. Catching bluegill and shellcracker on kentuckhy lake. Dale hollow lake is home of the world record smallmouth bass, and continues to provide many anglers with lifetime trophy catches every year. The species is usually found near the bottom in warm water with little current and abundant aquatic vegetation. Fishing for bluegill and shellcracker in the peak of the spawn is one of them. Apr 09, 2018 this massive expanse of bayous, creeks, backwaters and big rivers has a strong population of both bluegill and redear sunfish, also called a shellcracker, but they are not always easy to access. Bluegill, shellcracker bite is best on kentucky, barkley. We both wanted to go after them with our fly rods aka buggy whoppers as acey wall, deceased use to call my fly rod. The redear sunfish will thrive in most warmwater lakes and streams. Kentucky lakes bluegill and shellcracker, known biologically as redear sunfish, are spawning and nice ones, like this dandy taken by guy harris of mount juliet, are showing up in good numbers. May 01, 2015 it was a rare opportunity that i couldnt waste.

Pound for pound, there is not another fish that out pulls these little bullies. Fishing for shellcrackers has become an annual endeavor for me and a time during spring that i look forward to every year. Barkley lake is often overshadowed in the bream fishing department by nearby big sister kentucky lake, which flows almost parallel only a few miles to the west. In the south, shellcracker fishing is common among pan fisherman. Redear sunfish often utilize snails as a major food item, hence the common name shellcracker. For best delta bream fishing, a small boat of some kind opens up the world of fishing possibilities. Added to the fishing fun is the fact that both bluegill and shellcracker are great to eat. But when the catching is as good as the fishing, it. From video fishing tips to whats currently happening on kentucky lake and lake barkley, our fishing reports provide the most uptodate information from professional anglers across the lakes. Guesthost crispin powley probes spawning beds for kentucky lakes bluegill and shellcrackers episode. Come join the best family orientated fishing website on the internet. You can also call a t 18008581549 or send your request by e. Best spots for bama bream fishing great days outdoors. You can follow any responses to this entry through the rss 2.

Locating bluegill and shellcracker when they are not on bed. Their small fillets are tasty morsels and will tip the taste buds of even the most finicky eater. All boats have an ice cooler for food and soft drinks, live wells and plenty of storage which will make your day enjoyment. Bedding time at hand for bluegillshellcracker outdoors. Lots of smallmouth bass are being caught on swimbaits, arigs, crankbaits and jigs while fishing points and steeper banks in 1525 feet of water. Early may in kentucky is not only a good time to set out tomato plants in backyard gardens, but its the start of the best fishing of the year for bluegill and redear sunfish. Early may in kentucky is not only a good time to set out tomato plants in backyard gardens, but its the start of the. Despite record high water levels, the fishing was great. Well share all of our favorite places to fish in kentucky from topnotch lake fishing to actionpacked river fishing. Corinth lake in grant county once boasted some of the best redear fishing in kentucky until an accidental introduction of shad into the lake eventually blunted the fishery. The other day i located a cut in the channel i was fishing, there was some brush there also. The souths best shellcracker holes hunting and fishing.

Redear sunfish to biologists, or chinquapin to louisiana anglers, these feisty fish typically favor deeper haunts, but when a. Immediately after those caught one that was slot bigger than my hand. And water clarity in the bays are currently very good, which always helps. Dale hollow lake fishing report by twra, report by creel clerks and located at huntfishbuddy. Guesthost crispin powley probes spawning beds for kentucky lakes bluegill and shellcrackers. Fishing crickets about a foot below a bobber, we caught over 100 one morning. We went back the next week to the same spot and they were gone. Kentucky department of fish and wildlife resources. Our report contributors and their latest reports are below.

Our area of kentucky lake is famous for its great black crappie fishing. Finding a nesting area usually means finding many pairs, and the fishing can be fast and furious. These characteristics describe the shellcracker redear sunfish with its nicknames of. We are pet friendly for our 80 plans, 40 plans, and our family cottages. Instead this is a fish that likes to be in deeper water. Fishing rigs are now frequently used by anglers because they can be used to catch more crappies at the same time. Dale hollow lake is located in scenic rural country along the tennesseekentucky border, the lake is renowned for its crystal clear water clarity and its fishing. Fish taken on commercial gear, by trotlines or by snagging, snaring or bowfishing are not eligible. These characteristics describe the shellcracker redear sunfish with its nicknames of stumpknocker and yellow bream. Starting on the 7th they pulled the lake down 8 feet in four days.