Hot fishing action happens at night

By JOEL WILSON

We’re smack in the middle of dog days and high temperatures have mostly shut down fishing at Barren during daylight hours. Most of the action, and there is still some, is happening at night, or at dusk and dawn.

That’s the gist of Bill Logsdon’s weekly fishing report that follows:

The heat goes on, but it hasn’t slowed the hybrids down. If you are looking for some fast action the hybrids are in the “jumps” in a big way. Several good catches have been reported. The best action has been from sundown until midnight. Shallow running lures and topwater are both producing. Spoons, such as Kastmasters, Sidewinders and Hopkins are a good choice also as long as you keep them near the surface. Topwater stick baits and banana baits are catching hybrids as well. Find the “schools” of shad and listen for the thrashing of the water and start casting.

Some largemouth are still being caught shallow, but the bigger bass are on deepwater structure. Big worms in the 8- to 11-inch sizes and swimbaits at night are a good choice for summertime bass.

Some crappie are still being caught on cover in the 10- to 18-feet depths. Minnows are the best choice in tough conditions most of the time. You can also catch crappie trolling ledges at the same depths. One of the best trolling lures for crappie is the Bandit 200 series or 300 series. You will have to experiment with depth until you get some action. Trolling for crappie in the summer can be productive. When you get a strike mark the area and concentrate on that area looking for cover and fish on your locator. I haven’t gotten any reports on the catfish this week.

If you catch a good fish, we invite you to come by the store and let us get a picture. It could very well make the paper.

The next big event for hunters is dove season. At one time, I loved the sport especially when I could take my son. However, when I got involved in bird feeding and the doves congregated at my feeders, I gave up hunting them. But I know it still remains a popular sport for many and it’s a proper way to keep the species under control.

This week, Hayley Lynch, outdoor writer for Kentucky Afield, gives a few tips on the sport with the assistance of some of the department’s experts.

“Doves are harder than clay targets to hit because you have varying angles and they can change directions and speeds,” said Major David Casey, assistant director of Law Enforcement for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “Most people don’t lead them enough.”

If you’d like to improve your chances in the field this year, now is the time to start practicing. Skeet and sporting clays provide good practice for dove shooting.

“If you miss the first two birds, add three feet to your lead,” Casey recommended. “Don’t shoot where the bird is – shoot where it’s going to be. The vast majority of the time when people miss, they’re shooting behind.”

The speed of the shells you choose can affect your success. Select a higher velocity shell, usually with No. 7 1/2 or 8 size shot. The faster shot will reduce the distance necessary to lead your target, eliminating some guess work and likely putting more birds in your bag.

Kentucky’s dove season traditionally opens Sept. 1. Be sure to check the 2008 Kentucky Dove Hunting Guide, available in mid-August, for confirmed season dates. The guide will be available wherever hunting licenses are sold and on the department’s website at fw.ky.gov.

Speaking of dove hunting, the department also reports that sign-ups for the popular mentor-youth dove hunts will begin next week.

Each fall the department contracts with landowners to provide leased dove hunting fields for the public to enjoy. Six of these fields will be closed to the general public on Sept. 1, the opening day of dove season, for mentor-youth hunting. These hunts give hunters ages 15 and under a chance to experience an early-season dove hunt with an adult mentor.

Hunters must pre-register for these hunts by calling (800) 858-1549 weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Aug. 11-22. Registrations will not be accepted prior to these dates. Mentor-youth dove fields on wildlife management areas reopen to the public Sept. 2, while private fields leased by the department reopen for general public hunting Sept. 6.

Mentor-youth hunting fields in our area include a 20-acre field near Bloomfield around the Nelson/Spencer County line; a 20-acre field near Fredricktown in Washington County and a 20-acre field in Green County.

An adult mentor may take two youths on these hunts and both the adult and the youth may hunt. Participants are assigned a shooting location.

Hunter education and licensing requirements apply to the mentor-youth dove hunts.

]Hunter education is required for all hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1975, except kids under 12 and hunters who are license exempt.

However, a one-time temporary hunter education exemption permit is available for $5 online, which allows hunting for one year from the date of purchase without a hunter education card while accompanied by a legal adult hunter.

Bluegrass Army Depot does not accept this exemption permit.

Log on to fw.ky.gov to find a hunter education course near you, or to purchase an exemption permit.

Should you have a question about hunting or any other outdoor game, this week “Kentucky Afield” television will air live Saturday with a panel of experts on wildlife diversity answering questions phoned in by viewers

The one-hour special features experts on the state’s non-hunted and lesser-known creatures and their habitats, such as songbirds, bald eagles, bats, snakes, frogs, turtles and more.

The wildlife diversity program, operated by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, has made great strides in helping protect Kentucky’s threatened and endangered species.

Viewers statewide can participate by calling the show toll-free. The “Kentucky Afield” call-in show airs Saturday at 7p.m. on KET 1.