Thread: Big Sandy area

Anyone out there with information on places to fish in Big Sandy? I have fished some creeks South of I-40 but my boat up to this point wasn't big enough for me to feel comfortable on Big Sandy. I am in the process of buying my first "big" boat and am excited about exploring this area and catching fish. I have looked at the area on virtual earth and it looks "big". Can anyone give me any ideas on proximity of existing stake beds and structure in the area. I guess I will find it sooner or later but thought you all might be able to narrow it down a bit for me. Thanks!!!

crappie hound the only thing to worry about on big sandy is the high wind in a small boat as long as you have a 15' or better then you have enough to fish the big sandy. as far as where to go the question is where not to go there is structure everywhere just turn on your depth finder and gps and go riding just stay off the refugee right now until march.

specific locations north of mansard island, power lines, east of mansard, mouth of girl scout camp, you can put in across from mansard island dock and fish any of these areas easliy. put in at britton ford at the new ramp and there is enough structure to fish for weeks down there and you dont even have to leave the bay

my suggestion is order some good maps or get KYHYDROGRAPHIX maps for the computer and setup your GPS.

all big sandy needs is exploring there is structure everywhere just get out and look for it

"LIVE FOR THE THUMP"

Really appreciate your input. I currently have a 14 ft. jonboat w/ a 9.9 johnson. I knew better than to go out there in that thing. I have heard of people swamping boats there when the wind gets up. I am purchasing an 18 ft. Xpress w/ 90 Yamaha. Hope to have it next month...I CAN'T WAIT!!!
Maybe I will see you on the water!

Got a GPS? I will point u to some stuff. It is like Thump said. Lots of stuff. Just need your sonar. Get the KY Hydro maps as suggested. Best bang for the buck.

What and where u teach?

Teach in Bolivar...8th grade Science. Live in Jackson and fish anywhere I can!
Don't have my GPS yet but I will soon. I will PM you when I get my unit if that it okay.

the hydrografx cd's and a GPS are all you need too be deadly on the big sandy...but it still takes TIME on the water to learn the "fish"..try to find out the depth they are at..search...dont try to fish with the crowd..only 1-2 of the 10 boats are cathing fish..read steve mcadams report each week..check the forums..and work out a game plan...best ramps are port and west sandy..port is best if they are on the main lake ledges or when they are relating to deeper water...west sandy is best when they are on the mid range flats or on their way to the shallows..i have fished the big sandy exclusivly for 25 years..what took me 15 years to learn the hard way the hydrografx maps will show you in a few hours...good luck..maybe i'll see ya there.

Originally Posted by CrappieHound

Teach in Bolivar...8th grade Science. Live in Jackson and fish anywhere I can!
Don't have my GPS yet but I will soon. I will PM you when I get my unit if that it okay.

anytime

Originally Posted by pappacrappie

the hydrografx cd's and a GPS are all you need too be deadly on the big sandy...but it still takes TIME on the water to learn the "fish"..try to find out the depth they are at..search...dont try to fish with the crowd..only 1-2 of the 10 boats are cathing fish..read steve mcadams report each week..check the forums..and work out a game plan...best ramps are port and west sandy..port is best if they are on the main lake ledges or when they are relating to deeper water...west sandy is best when they are on the mid range flats or on their way to the shallows..i have fished the big sandy exclusivly for 25 years..what took me 15 years to learn the hard way the hydrografx maps will show you in a few hours...good luck..maybe i'll see ya there.

I agree, but I need me sonar too.

There is a boat show coming to Jackson Civic Center in Feb. Ky Hydrographics will prob be there. Pat Hahs gives demos of the maps. They easy to use. If an "old man" like me can use the maps, then anyone can. Me and a few more folks usually go on Friday night to check things out (that is after we fill up on shrimp at the China King) .

Be sure to get a temp gage. Best all around indicator you can fish by as far as I am concerned. Here is a little gif I made about water temp (surface) of the Big Sandy. It is a good rule of the thumb temp gage. It contains the averages of about 20 year fishing info.

The Big Sandy is a crappie highway..ha

Thanks guys...I knew there were some folks that would have some good tips for that area. I hear the crapie fishing is really good there but there's a lot of water. I will pick up those maps and get to studying. The hydro maps were located on the north side of the stage last year. I took a peak at em'...they looked real good. How much do they cost? I picked up a Kentucky Lake map from Elliot Outdoors and have looked at the water. Found a few areas that look good and there are some GPS coordinates as well. I can't wait to get the boat and break it in so I'll be ready when the time comes. Do you know how long it takes to break in an 07' Yamaha 2 stroke? I figure around ten hrs. but guess that's a question for the dealer. Thanks A LOT guys...Hope to see you on the water and maybe I will see you at the boat show.