Barkley Redear

Comment

Comment by Troy Dorman on June 8, 2010 at 4:16am

Doug,
My wife and I are planning a trip to KY Lake/Barkley in Sept, it will be the first time I've ever been there. Where I live, I generally have success targeting shellcrackers on flats where the water tapers off gently to 10-12 foot of water. Of course my bait of choice is a straight line with a lively worm on the hook.

What would you recommend at Barkley or Ky Lake? Is the Blood River area a good area, I'd be coming from Louisville. Do I need a guide or just common sense?? I do know these two lakes are becoming shellcracker hotspots.

Comment by Doug Wynn on June 7, 2010 at 8:19pm

Thanks for the comments. This was a tough year for me as far as shellcrackers but OK for gills. I did mount the fish and won state and national ribbons for it. I get to mount several shellcrackers every year. They are a tough fish to mount but great to paint since the coloration is so different from fish to fish. I'm hoping to learn more about tactics used in more traditional shellcracker areas like GA and SC. I hope I can be of assistance to others also (just don't ask for GSP coordinates and we will get along fine--LOL).

Comment by Troy Dorman on June 7, 2010 at 5:11pm

Kentucky Lake and Barkley are quickly gaining a reputation for HUGE shellcracker. Great fish, I'd probably mount that.

Comment by Bruce Condello on June 6, 2010 at 1:14pm

Excellent fish.

Comment by John Sheehan on June 6, 2010 at 11:29am

Great catch Doug!