Carp Fishing; Kayak Fishing; Artificial Fish Beds
Season 37 Episode 35 | 26m 31sVideo has Closed Captions
Fishing for carp, kayak fishing, and learning about increasing fish populations.
We're fishing for carp, learning about jug and noodle fishing, kayak fishing on Elkhorn Creek and visiting biologists in western Kentucky to see how they increase fish numbers.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Kentucky Afield is a local public television program presented by KET
You give every Kentuckian the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through KET.
Carp Fishing; Kayak Fishing; Artificial Fish Beds
Season 37 Episode 35 | 26m 31sVideo has Closed Captions
We're fishing for carp, learning about jug and noodle fishing, kayak fishing on Elkhorn Creek and visiting biologists in western Kentucky to see how they increase fish numbers.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Kentucky Afield
Kentucky Afield is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipHOOKED UP?
>> YEP.
>> THIS WEEK ON KENTUCKY AFIELD... >> A LITTLE BIGGER FISH.
>> WE WERE AFTER ONE OF THE HARDEST FIGHTING AND MOST OVERLOOKED FISH THAT SWIMS IN KENTUCKY'S WATERWAYS.
THE CARP.
>> WELL THAT WAS A LOT OF FUN.
>> NEXT... WE ARE FLOATING ONE OF THE STATE'S BEAUTIFUL STREAMS AND CATCHING FISH ALONG THE WAY.
>> THERE HE IS.
GOT 'EM NOW?
>> I THINK SO.
>> THEN WE VISIT BIOLOGIST IN WESTERN KENTUCKY TO FIND OUT HOW THEY'RE INCREASING FISH NUMBERS.
IT'S ALL NEXT ON "KENTUCKY AFIELD."
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> THAT'S A PRETTY FISH.
>> BEAUTIFUL.
>> THIS POND IS PLUM FLOATED WITH FROGS.
>> THEY'RE EVERYWHERE IN HERE.
(GUNSHOT) >> THIS IS A GOOD FISH RIGHT HERE.
A REALLY GOOD FISH.
>> COME HERE, GIRL.
>> THAT'S A BIG RABBIT.
>> NICE JOB.
>> YES!
MY FIRST MUSKY.
>> LEO!
♪ WE GOT A KEEPER!
>> THERE GOES.
BOOM!
>> WOW, THAT HAPPENED FAST.
>> HELLO, WELCOME TO KENTUCKY AFIELD.
I'M YOUR HOST CHAD MILES.
JOIN US AS WE JOURNEY THE COMMONWEALTH IN SEARCH OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURE.
MANY ANGLERS ENJOY FISHING FOR CARP WORLD WORLDWIDE AND THEY'RE A HARD FIGHTING SPECIES.
BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, WE CONTINUE TO MISS OUT ON THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
THIS RIGHT HERE IS A PACK BAIT.
I MAKE IT OUT OF BREAD CRUMBS, STRAWBERRY GEL LOW, FLOUR, A COUPLE OF EGGS IN THERE, A CORN OF SWEET CORN AND A CAN OF HOMINY FOR FLAVOR.
IT USUALLY PACKS TOGETHER PRETTY GOOD.
MAKE IT INTO A DOUGH BALL AND I PUT IT ON THE LED AND IT ACTS AS A CHUM.
IT STICKS ON THERE PRETTY GOOD.
I USE A SLIP SINKER, THAT WAY HE CAN PULL OR DO WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO BEFORE HE FEELS THE HOOK.
>> THIS IS STRICTLY A CHUMMING METHOD RIGHT HERE, THE WAY TO DRAW THE FISH IN AND THEY'RE GOING TO HIT THIS WHICH ARE RUBBER PIECES OF FAKE CORN.
>> YES, SIR.
>> AND A LITTLE BITTY HOOK.
>> YES, THEY'LL INHALE THE HOOK AND IF ALL GOES WELL, THEY WON'T FEEL THE HOOK AT ALL.
MOST OF THE TIME YOU'LL CATCH THEM RIGHT IN THE LIP WHEN THEY INHALE IT.
SO NOW YOU'VE GOT THIS ROD HOLDER SET UP A TWO PIECE STYLE ROD HOLDER AND THIS THING HERE IS BATTERY POWERED.
>> YES.
>> AND YOU HAVE RUN YOUR LINE DOWN IN THERE AND YOU'VE GOT THIS SET WHERE YOUR DRAG IS ALMOST COMPLETELY OPEN.
>> HE PULLS THE LINE, IT FEEDS THROUGH, GETS TIGHT.
CATCHES RIGHT HERE AND HAS TO GO UP AND OVER A ROLLER WHICH WILL SET OFF THE ALARM.
>> AND LETS YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHEN YOU ARE GETTING A BITE?
>> YES.
>> TODAY HERE I'M LEARNING ABOUT SOMETHING COMPLETELY NEW TO ME AND THAT'S CARP FISHING.
I HAVE BEEN FISHING MY ENTIRE LIFE AND TODAY I HAVE SEEN MORE GEAR AND MORE EQUIPMENT DEDICATED TO CARP FISHING THAN I EVER THOUGHT WAS EVEN POSSIBLE.
ALL THIS STUFF TO ME IS A COMPLETE NEW WORLD AND IT'S A WORLD THAT I HAVE A LOT OF INTEREST BECAUSE I FISH AROUND THE STATE OF KENTUCKY, I ALWAYS SEE CARP.
IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK CARP ARE IN ALMOST EVERY SINGLE BODY OF WATER.
TODAY LET'S HOPE WE CATCH A FISH OR TWO AND I'VE ALREADY LEARNED A TON HOW TO TARGET AND CATCH CARP.
HERE WE GO.
>> HOOKED UP.
>> ALL RIGHT.
YOU KNOW, THERE IS SOMETHING SO COOL ABOUT TARGETING A SPECIFIC FISH AND CATCHING THE FISH YOU ARE TARGETING COMING BACK OUT NOW INON THE BANK, LOOK AT THAT THING.
DID IT COME OFF RIGHT THERE?
HEY, WELL YOU KNOW WHAT?
THAT'S ENCOURAGING.
WE HAD A FISH THIS CLOSE TO THE BANK.
>> THAT'S PROBABLY MY ERROR.
>> WELL, IT HAPPENS.
>> IT DOES.
TAKE A COUPLE PIECES OF CORN, POP YOUR HOLE CALL IT SFAK STACKING THE CORN UP.
I HAVE A LONG HAIR AND IT LOOPS OUT LIKE THIS OFF THE KNOTLESS KNOT AND YOU TAKE IT AND SLIDE 'EM ON.
AND THEY GOT THESE FANCY LITTLE BAIT STOPS.
IT KEEPS YOUR CORN FROM FLYING OFF.
>> SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE FISH FROM STEALING IT, TOO BUT PARENTALLY HE WAS WANTING IT MORE THAN ME.
>> THAT'S A SCREAMER!
(MACHINE MAKING SCREECHING SOUND).
>> HOOKED UP?
>> YEP.
I WOULD SAY THIS IS A CARP BECAUSE HE IS PURELY RUNNING.
>> THEY'RE GETTING RIGHT UP ON THE BANK.
LOOK AT THAT.
LOOK HOW FAST THAT FISH IS.
A LOT OF PEOPLE CONSIDER CARP TRASH FISH.
YOU DON'T THINK OF THEM AS BEING REAL ATHLETIC.
>> PRETTY ATHLETIC.
>> THEY'RE RELENTLESS.
THERE WE GO.
GOT IT IN THERE NOW.
THIS LOOKS LIKE A REGULAR COMMON CARP, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YES, SIR.
>> YOU SAID YOU CAUGHT MIRROR CARP OUT OF HERE.
>> YES.
>> EXPLAIN WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE.
>> BIGGER SCALES AND WIDER PATTERN.
MORE COLORFUL FISH.
>> OKAY.
>> WELL THIS IS PROBABLY WHAT, ABOUT A FOUR OR FIVE POUND FISH, SOMING LIKE THAT?
>> THERE YOU GO.
IT IS A PRETTY FISH.
>> EXTREMELY HARD FIGHTERS.
FOR ANYONE WANTING TO CATCH A FISH THAT WILL PULL YOUR LINE, SCREAM IT, PUT IT TO ITS LIMITS, THERE IS NOTHING OUT THERE BETTER BE A CARP.
>> AND LIKE I SAID, THEY'RE SO PLENTIFUL.
>> OH MAN, THAT FISH WAS RELEASED VERY HEALTHY.
HOPEFULLY ONE OF THESE DAYS IT'S ON THE END OF YOUR ROD AGAIN.
>> HOPEFULLY I CAN SEE HIM WHEN HE HITS 20-25 POUNDS.
>> THERE YOU GO.
THAT THING KEEPS ON GOING.
>> HOW MANY DAYS A WEEK DO YOU FISH FOR CARP.
>> THE ONLY THING I DON'T FISH IS IN THE LIGHTNING.
I GOT A WATERPROOF CANOPY I SET UP HOOKED UP?
>> YEP.
>> THERE YOU GO A LITTLE BIGGER FISH.
BIGGER CARP.
THIS IS ABOUT THREE TIMES THE SIZE OF THE LAST ONE I BELIEVE AM I GOING ABOUT THIS DIFFERENT THAN YOU NORMALLY WOULD?
>> A LITTLE BIT.
BUT IT WORKS.
ANOTHER COMMON CARP.
THAT THING PUT UP A GOOD FIGHT.
>> YES, HE DID AND HE STILL HAS A LOT OF ENERGY LEFT IN RESERVE.
>> I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I KNOW NOW WHY WHEN THAT THING WENT BEEP, BEEP AND STOPPED, YOU CAN'T GET EXCITED BECAUSE WHEN THEY DECIDE TO EAT, THEY USUALLY JUST GO THERE WAS NO PLAYING AROUND JUST GONE.
THIS TABLE YOU'VE GOT THIS FISH IN IS STRICTLY FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING RIGHT NOW.
IT'S ACTUALLY FOR PUTTING THE FISH IN AND HANDLING THEM, HANDLING THE FISH SO YOU DON'T HURT THEM A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL GET THE HOOK OUT BEFORE YOU GET THEM OUT OF THE WATER.
I GET HIM OVER HERE IF HE IS THRASHING AROUND, HE IS NOT THRASHING ON THE BANK.
HE IS SUCKING WHATEVER IS ON THE BOTTOM.
BUGS, WORKPLACES, MUSCLES.
>> MUSSELS AND THEY HAVE REALLY, REALLY SOFT LIPS.
I MEAN EXTREMELY SOFT LIPS.
>> I'M GOING TO GET THIS ONE BACK IN THE WATER.
SO, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE TALK ABOUT BASS FISHERMEN, THEY MAY SAY, IF I EVER GET A CHANCE, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO GO TO ST. CLAIRE OR IF YOU'RE A LARGE MOUTH FISHERMAN, IT MIGHT BE OKEECHOBEE.
WHERE IS YOUR DESTINATION LOCATION, ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD TO GO DO WHAT YOU ARE DOING RIGHT HERE?
>> I WOULD GO BACK TO DALE HOLLOW EASILY.
>> THAT'S THE CRAZY THING.
PEOPLE WORLDWIDE START THINKING ABOUT THEIR DESTINATION LOCATION ANY PLACE TO GO TO CARP FISH.
IT COULD BE RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY.
>> YEAH AND THE GROUP I'M IN, THE CARP GROUP, THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE DESTINATION SPOT.
EVERYONE SAYS I WANT TO GO TO DALE HOLLOW.
I'M GOING TO DALE HOLLOW.
I'M PLANNING A TRIP TO DALE HOLLOW.
WHAT DO I NEED?
THAT IS THE POT SPOT.
DOWN THERE IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO CATCH 30, 40, 50-POUND CARP.
>> IT'S GOT THE BAIT RUNNER.
FLIP IT DOWN.
COMING TOWARD US MAN, I'LL TELL YOU ONE THING.
CARP ARE FAST.
SOMETHING SO SLUGGISH, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEM IN VIDEO, CAN HAVE THAT ENERGY TO JUST BURST OUT OF THE POCKET LIKE A HOLESHOT IN A BASS TOURNAMENT.
WHEN I SEE, WHEN YOU GET THEM HOOKED, MAN THEY GO.
OH MY GOSH, THEY'RE MUCH FASTER THAN I THOUGHT.
KIND OF BLOWING ME AWAY.
>> YOU HAVE TO KEEP IT BURIED.
YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU START THINKING ABOUT CARP FISHING AND I WILL TELL YOU THE FIRST I'VE EVER TARGETED CARP, BUT I'LL TELL YOU, YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT THE SKILL THAT IS GOING TO BE REQUIRED TO LAND A FISH THIS STRONG ON SUCH A LITTLE HOOK.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT TAKES A LOT OF TECHNIQUE AND QUITE A BIT OF FISHING SKILL.
I BELIEVE HE IS IN THERE.
AND THAT'S EASILY THE BIGGEST ONE OF THE DAY.
>> I'LL TELL WHAT YOU?
>> NICE JOB CHAD,.
>> I WILL TELL YOU THIS.
THIS IS DEFINITELY THE VERY, VERY, VERY FIRST TIME I'VE CAUGHT A CARP WHILE TARGETING CARP.
LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THE TAIL.
THIS IS WHERE FISH GET THEIR STRENGTH.
OF COURSE THEY GOT TO HAVE THE MASS HERE TO BE ABLE TO WHIP THAT TAIL BUT LOOK HOW MUCH WATER THAT TAIL CAN PUSH?
>> QUITE A BIT.
VERY POWERFUL FISH.
>> IT IS.
WHAT A PRETTY FISH.
LOOK AT THE BELLY ON THEM.
THAT WAS A LOT OF FUN.
LET'S GET HER BACK IN WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
(MACHINE BEEPING).
>> THERE YOU GO.
>> LOOKS LIKE A GOOD FISH.
>> A NICE ONE.
PROBABLY NOT AS MONSTROUS AS YOURS.
WELL, THAT IS COMPLETE PURE LUCK I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, IF YOU EVER THOUGHT, YOU KNOW WHAT, THERE NOTHING BITING IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER, HARD TO FISH AND YOU HAVE SOME CARP, GET YOU A COUPLE LITTLE HOOKS, THE LONGEST SPINNING ROD YOU HAVE AROUND AND GIVE THIS A TRY BECAUSE I'LL TELL YOU THIS WILL TEST YOU BECAUSE IT TAKES A CERTAIN LEVEL OF SKILL TO BRING IN A FISH THIS POWERFUL WITH A VERY, VERY SMALL HOOK AND SUCH A SMALL MOUTH.
>> I'M HERE AGAIN WITH LIEUTENANT McQUERY, HOW ARE YOU DOINGED?
>> GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN, CHAD.
>> SOMETHING HAS GOTTEN POPULAR FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR IS JUG FISHING, NOODLE FISHING.
NOODLE FISHING IS WHAT 1234.
>> BASICALLY YOU ARE EITHER USING A JUG OR SWIM NOODLE YOU CUT INTO SMALL TEXTS PLACING BAITS TO CATCH A FISH.
>> THERE ARE SOME THINGS HAVE YOU TO MAKE SURE AND LOOK OUT FOR WHEN YOU ARE DOING THIS, HAVE YOU TO MAKE SURE THE BODY OF WATER ARE ON IS LEGAL TO DO THIS, RIGHT?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK REGULATIONS AND IF THE LAKE YOU ARE GOING TO ALLOWS YOU TO JUG FISH.
>> SECONDLY, THERE IS A LIMIT PER BOAT, CORRECT?
>> CORRECT.
SOMETIMES IT'S 50 PER PERSON BUT IT'S ACTUALLY 50 JUGS OR NOODLES PER BOAT.
>> AND THIS YEAR THERE IS A CHANGE, YOU ALWAYS HAD TO PUT INFORMATION ON THERE BUT THIS YEAR THE INFORMATION HAVE YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT IS ON THAT JUG ATTACHED TO THE JUG OR LINE IS WHAT IN.
>> CUSTOMER I.D.
NUMBER FOUND AT THE TOP OF YOUR 2019 LICENSE.
WHEN YOU PUT THAT NUMBER ON YOUR NOODLE OR JUG, YOU PLACE IT IN A WAY THAT LIT NOT WEAR OFF EASY.
>> ANYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT CONSIDERING JUG OR NOODLE FISHING?
>> KEEP UP WITH THE NUMBER OF JUGS OR NOODLES YOU PUT OUT AND CHECK THEM EVERY 24 HOURS.
>> THAT'S GOOD FOR THE FISH SAFETY AS WELL AND ALSO THEY CAN LOOK RATTY OUT THERE ON THE LAKE.
MAKE SURE THEY'RE PICKED UP AND REMOVED FROM THE WATERWAY.
>> EXACTLY RIGHT, CHAD.
>> GOOD LUCK AND NOODLE AND JUG FISHING A LOT OF FUN AND CAN BE EXTREMELY PRODUCTIVE.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ARE YOU AN ANGLER LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL ACCESS TO MORE WATER?
KAYAK FISHING MIGHT BE JUST THE THING FOR YOU.
SPENCER PARKER, WHO YOU HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY?
>> GREAT, CHAD, PLEASURE TO MEET YOU.
>> WHEN IT'S TOO HOT TO SIT IN A BASS BOAT, CATCHING FISH IN MOVING WATER IS THE PLACE TO GO.
>> IT'S REALLY BLOWN UP THE PAST FEW YEARS, ABSOLUTELY.
AND THE KAYAK SELECTION IS AMAZING NOW.
I MEAN YOU CAN GO FROM $200 KAYAK UP TO 4 OR 5,000 DOLLAR KAYAK.
IT'S A BLAST.
>> YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT WILL ASSIST STRICTLY FISHERMEN NOW.
A PERSON SAYS I WANT TO FOCUS ON FISHING, YOU HAVE GUYS THAT CAN HELP THEM OUT WITH THAT.
>> I'M ONE OF THEM.
JUST AN AVERAGE JOE, I'M NOT A PROFESSIONAL FISHERMAN.
I HAVE A PASSION FOR FISHING AND I HAVE A PASSION FOR KAYAKS THAT I LOVE TALKING TO PEOPLE ABOUT KAYAK FISHING.
>> YOU LIVE IN A GOOD PART OF THE STATE TO HAVE A PASSION FOR FISHING AND KAYAKING, ELK HORN CREEK IS GREAT FOR THIS.
>> YOU CAN'T BEAT IT, ESPECIALLY IN MOVING WATER.
>> GOT 'EM NOW?
>> I THINK SO.
>> THAT'S NOT A BAD FISH.
>> NO.
SO MUCH FUN.
HERE WE GO.
NOT A VERY BIG FISH.
THAT THING CAME OUT OF THE WATER THREE FEET.
>> AND HE WAS STRIPPING DRAG, TOO, WASN'T HE?
>> I'LL TELL YOU ONE THING, DINT TAKE THAT TINY BRUSH HOG LONG.
>> THERE YOU GO.
>> HE WANTED IT, TOO BECAUSE WHEN HE HIT IT, HE TOOK OFF AND GRAVE GAVE ME AN AERIAL SHOW.
>> AWESOME.
THERE YOU GO, BABY.
THANK YOU.
GUARANTEE YOU HE HAS A BELLY FULL OF CRAWFISH.
>> THINK OF IT, THE SECOND CAST AND HE POPPED IT.
PUT ON A SHOW.
THIS SEEMS LIKE A REALLY GOOD SPOT.
MOVING WATER DEEP ENOUGH TO HOLD A FISH.
WE OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO CATCH A FISH HERE.
>> HERE WE GO.
A LITTLE BIT SMALLER FISH BUT HE WANTED THE JIG.
>> GOT SOME FIGHT TO 'EM.
>> DON'T THEY?
>> TELL YOU WHAT, SUPER FUN CATCHING THESE JOKERS.
HE WANTED BACK IN.
DON'T EAT MY SMALL MOUTH.
GET OUT OF HERE.
YOU KNOW SPENCER, THIS IS A LITTLE BIT UNIQUE, ANY TIME YOU ARE FISHING ON A CREEK IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY, IF YOU ARE STANDING ON THE BOTTOM, YOU ARE ON SOMEBODY'S PROPERTY, YOU ARE TRESPASSING BUT FRANKLIN COUNTY, HAVE PASSED LEGISLATION THAT ALLOWS YOU TO FISH THIS, RIGHT.
AS LONG AS YOU GAHN AK GAIN ACCESS BY PUBLIC MEANS THEN YOU CAN WADE ANYWHERE IN THE WATER.
NICE LITTLE 13-INCH SMALLY.
THERE HE IS RIGHT BEFORE YOU GET INTO THESE RIPPLES ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE RIPPLES, MAN IF YOU ARE GOING TO FISH CERTAIN SPOTS ON A FOUR MILE RUN, THAT'S WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.
>> YES, SIR.
>> NICE LITTLE PRETTY SMALL MOUTH.
LOOK HOW BIG AND WIDE THESE TAILS ARE ON THESE FISH.
FOR A FISH THAT SIZE, THAT'S WHERE THE POWER COMES RIGHT THERE.
>> VERY HEALTHY, VERY STRONG.
BEAUTIFUL SMALLY.
>> GOT 'EM.
I GOT ONE, TOO.
LITTLE GUY.
>> YOU GET TO A SPOT LIKE THIS, WHAT MAKES THESE SPOTS SO GOOD IS THE REASON THE FISH ARE SETTING HERE, BECAUSE THEY'RE FEEDING.
THAT'S WHERE THE BAIT IS GETTING PULLED.
THERE ARE FISH OUT HERE ALL OVER.
THE FISH THAT ARE WANTING TO EAT AND MAKE IT EASY, THEY'RE SITTING RIGHT THERE.
>> CONGREGATING IN THAT ONE SPOT.
THEY KNOW WHERE TO GO.
>> IN THE RAPIDS, WE HAVE CAUGHT ONE OR TWO FISH THAT WERE NOT RIGHT IN THE CURRENT.
THERE HE IS.
>> FEEL LIKE HE IS BETTER BUT I CAN'T TELL IN THE CURRENT.
THAT MIGHT BE A RED EYE.
NOPE.
NOPE.
SMALL MOUTH.
IT ALWAYS PUTS A SMILE ON MY FACE.
EVERY TIME NO MATTER IF THEY'RE BIG OR LITTLE.
NOW IF THEY GET REAL BIG, THE SMILES GET A LITTLE BIGGER.
BUT THEY'RE ALWAYS FUN.
>> YEAH.
>> A FRIEND OF MINE WENT TO CHURCH WITH WHEN I WAS ABOUT 12 YEARS OLD AND HE INVITED ME TO GO OUT TO THE FARM.
I REMEMBER PICKING UP A CHEAP LITTLE, GOSH, IT WASN'T A ZEPCO AND GOING OUT TO THE FARM WITH HIM AND THE GAME FARM WITH HIM AND ALL IT TOOK WAS THE FIRST FISH AND I WAS HOOKED.
NO PUN INTENDED.
>> 30 YEARS LATER AND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
>> YEAH, LITERALLY.
>> YEAH YOU WANT TO STOP AND GET OUT AND CAST THAT DOWN FROM HERE OR WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO.
>> WE CAN, IT LOOKS LIKE A GOOD SPOT.
>> I THINK SO, TOO.
>> THERE HE IS.
THERE YOU GO.
A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
A GOOD FISH.
>> IT'S GETTING READY TO GET GOOD RIGHT HERE I JUST GOT HAMMERED.
JUST GOT HAMMERED AGAIN HERE WE GO.
ABOUT 13 INCHES.
12 INCHES ALL ABOUT FINDING THIS MOVING WATER.
THERE IT IS GOT ONE UP.
NICE.
THIS HAS BEEN A BLAST.
YOU CAN COME OUT HERE AND BRING SMALL SOFT PLASTICS OR SMALL SPINNERBAITS AND YOU CAN FLY FISH AND CATCH THEM.
WE ARE VERY LUCKY IN KENTUCKY TO HAVE AS MANY CREEKS AND STREAMS THAT WE'VE GOT AND IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT GETTING INTO FISHING AND YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MORE ACCESS FOR MORE WATER, THIS IS THE WAY TO DO IT.
IT'S SO MUCH FUN, LIKE YOU SAID YOU GAIN ACCESS TO PLACES YOU CAN'T IN A BIG BOAT AND SOMETHING ABOUT BEING IN A KAYAK HERE IN NATURE WE USE THE KAYAKS IN A WAY TO GET US TO THE GOOD SPOT WHICH IS THE MOVING WATER.
>> THERE HE IS.
>> KENTUCKY AND BARCLAY LAKES ARE AMAZING FISHERIES.
THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS ARE STUDYING HARD TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON.
>> TODAY WE ARE AT THE BANKS OF KENTUCKY LAKE AND I'M HERE WITH ADAM MARTIN, SPORTS FISH BIOLOGIST HERE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE.
TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SPORT FISH BIOLOGISTS.
WHAT SPECIES ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
I MANAGE THE SPORT FISH IN THE WESTERN COUNTIES OF KENTUCKY, PRIMARILY KENTUCKY AND BARCLAY LAKE.
THE OVERALL GOAL IS TO HAVE HEALTHY FISH POPULATIONS AND CATCHABLE FISH POPULATIONS SO ANGLERS CAN COME DOWN HERE AND ENJOY CATCHING FISH TELL ME WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN STUDYING BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT NESTING AND BEDDING FISH, RIGHT.
>> UH-HUH.
>> TELL ME ABOUT THAT.
>> OUR MOST POPULAR SPECIES ON KENTUCKY LAKE AND LAKE BARCLAY ARE THE BLACK BASS, LARGE MOUTH,SMALL MOUTH SPOTTED BASS AS WELL AS CRAPPIE, BLUEGILL, RED EAR, ALL OF THOSE SPECIES WILL MAKE DEPRESSION NESTS WHENEVER THEY SPAWN IN THE SPRING TIME.
YOU HAVE SEEN THEM, A FISH MAKING A BED EFFECTIVELY.
THAT INSPIRED A PROJECT, WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE THE RECRUITMENT OF OUR BASS POPULATION.
>> WHEN YOU SAY RECRUITMENT, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT RECRUITMENT?
>>Y SECTIONALLY THE NUMBER OF SMALL FISH ENTERING THE LAKE WHAT YOU WOULD DO IN A SMALL SPAWN IS IMPROVE THE SPAWNING HABITAT.
YOU MIGHT ADD IN ROCKY MATERIAL IF IT WAS MUD AND SWITCH THINGS UP LIKE THAT.
WELL, THIS OBVIOUSLY ISN'T A POND BUT THE SAME PRINCIPLE SHOULD APPLY.
YOU JUST HAVE TO DO IT A LOT MORE WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIMENTING WITH ARTIFICIAL SPAWNING HABITAT.
WE ARE MAKING ARTIFICIAL SPAWNING BEDS OUT OF CONCRETE.
THEY'RE ABOUT 32 INCHES IN DIAMETER.
THEY'RE BOWL SHAPED AND LOOSE GRAVEL IN THE BOTTOM OF IT 10 TO 11 INCHES TALL ON THE OUTSIDE PLACING THOSE ALONG THE SHORELINE OF KENTUCKY LAKE AND LAKE BARCLAY IN THE HOPES THAT FISH WILL USE THEM AND IT'S LARGELY BEEN PRETTY SUCCESSFUL SO FAR.
>> WHEN DID THIS PROGRAM START?
>> IT ACTUALLY STARTED IN EARLY 2019 AND WE HAVE BEEN COULD BE TEMPLATE CONTEMPLATING IT AND FIGURING OUT WHAT TO DO SINCE 2018.
>> NOW THAT THE PROGRAM HAS GOTTEN GOING THIS IS SOMETHING YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND LEARNING FROM THIS.
>> WE HAVE 500 OF THESE ARTIFICIAL SPAWNING BEDS IN THE LAKE SO FAR AND WE HAVE BEEN SURVEYING ABOUT 686 THEM EXPERIMENTALLY BY DOING SNORKEL SURVEYS EVERY WEEK FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.
SOME OF THE SPORT FISH YOU MANAGE SPAWN AT DIFFERENT TILES.
SO YOU BUILD THIS PERFECT NEST FOR A BLACK BASS SPECIES AND THE BASS COME IN AND THEY SPAWN.
THEN WHAT HAPPENS?
>> THE BASS WILL START SPAWNING AROUND 57°.
THEY'LL CONTINUE THAT ACTIVITY UNTIL ABOUT 64 OR 65°.
AFTER THAT, YOU SEE RED EAR MOVE IN AND YOU SEE BLUEGILL.
AND FINALLY YOU SEE LONG EAR SUN FISH MOVE IN.
THEY'RE IN THERE STARTING VERY EARLY WHENEVER THE RED EAR ARE SPAWNING TRYING TO EAT EGGS.
SO IF YOU ARE AN AREA AND YOU ARE ONLY CATCHING SUN FISH AND IT'S EARLY, THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING.
THEY'RE THERE FOR A REASON, THERE ON THE NEST OF THE OTHER IF ISSUE.
>> YOU SAY THEY STAY TO THE VERY END BECAUSE THEY SPAWN LAST.
>> EXACTLY.
>> AND WHILE OUR USAGE RATES WERE ABOUT 60% FOR BLACK BASS, SMOWDZ AND LOWDZ, OUR USAGE RATES FOR SUN FISH WERE 96%.
PRETTY MUCH EVERY SINGLE NEST YOU CAN COUNT ON A FISH BEING THERE.
THE NUMBER BEING INTRODUCED INTO THE LAKE BECAUSE OF THE SPAWNING HABITAT, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, RIGHT?
>> EASILY.
A SINGLE RED EAR WILL PRODUCE 30,000 EGGS.
NOW SURVIVAL RATES ARE VERY LOW.
LESS THAN 1%.
THAT'S THE SAME FOR EVERY FISH BLUEGILL HAS MORE EGGS, A BASS WILL HAVE 12,000.
THE WAY THEY DEFEND THEIR NESTS ARE VERY DIFFERENT BY SPECIES AND THE INDIVIDUAL FISH, TOO.
A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT RED EAR ARE EXTREMELY SKITTISH, LIKE HAVE YOU TO SNEAK UP THERE AND CAST FROM 40 FEET AWAY AND DON'T SPLASH IS KIND OF THE GENERAL THOUGHT PROCESS.
THAT'S NOT WHAT I'VE SEEN, YOU KNOW, SNORKELING ON THEM.
IF YOU ARE RIGHT THERE ON THEIR NEST THEY'LL STAND THERE AND LOOK AT YOU,.
>> HOLD THEIR GROUND.
>> A BLUEGILL IS MORE SKITTISH, LEAVE AND CIRCLE BACK.
LONG EAR SUN FISH AR AGGRESSIVE AND THEY'LL STAY THERE AND DEFEND THEIR NEST.
>> HOPEFULLY WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHY CERTAIN NESTS ARE USED AND WHY SOME ARE NOT AND THEN HELP THAT NATURAL HABITAT SO THE BASS HAVE MORE OPTIONS FOR SPAWNING AS WELL AS BLUEGILL AND RED EAR AND ALL THOSE OTHER SPECIES, CORRECT?
>> UH-HUH.
>> THIS IS GREAT INFORMATION AND I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HOW THE PHONE CALLS AND THE REPORTS FOR CATCHES CORRELATE TO SUCCESS OF THE SPAWNS THAT MATCH DATA UP IN A COUPLE OF YEARS.
THIS COULD BE CUTTING EDGE STUFF.
>> WE HOPE IT HELPS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> NO PROBLEM.
NOW LET'S CHECK IN AND SEE WHO ELSE HAS BEEN OUT HAVING FUN IN THIS WEEK' ONES THAT DIDN'T GET AWAY.
HERE WE HAVE 13-YEAR-OLD RAINA GARDENER WITH HER FIRST TURKEY TAKEN IN CLARK COUNTY KENTUCKY.
SHE HUNTED ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND GOT THE HUNT AND OPPORTUNITY AND SHE WAS SUPER EXCITED.
>> A PICTURE OF BECKHAM DONNELLY.
HE HAS HIS VERY FIRST TROUT EVER CAUGHT IN BOON CREEK.
HERE WE HAVE DENNIS RAY OF LOUISVILLE WITH A NICE OLDHAM COUNTY GOBBLER.
TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT IS GRANDSON KNOCKS.
HERE LISA FROM ALEXANDRIA KENTUCKY WITH A NICE 20-INCH RAINBOW TROUT.
THIS FISH WAS CAUGHT BELOW WOLF CREEK DAM AND HER FIRST KENTUCKY TROUT.
IT MIGHT BE THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER HERE IN KENTUCKY BUT OUR FALL HUNTING SEASONS WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.
IF YOU NEED TO TAKE A HUNTER SAFETY COURSE, DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST FIBT GO TO FW.KY GOFF AND SIGN UP ONLINE.
HUNTING AND FISHING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY IS A PRIVILEGE.
ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION AND THANK THE LAND OWNER.
UNTIL NEXT WEEK, I'M YOUR HOST CHAD MILES AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU IN THE WOODS OR ON THE WATER.
Support for PBS provided by:
Kentucky Afield is a local public television program presented by KET
You give every Kentuckian the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through KET.