2018 FLW Tour Kentucky Lake Day 1: Randy Haynes Smashed 26-03lbs!

Chris Johnston 26th, Gustafson 51st, Cory Johnston 89th & Richardson 98th
by Curtis Niedermier
FLW PRESS RELEASE

Ledge fishing is not dead at Kentucky!
(Photo: FLW)

Normally, when Randy Haynes catches them big on the Tennessee River, then reports a tough day and a lack of confidence that he can repeat a big limit for a second day, he’s sandbagging like crazy. This time around on Kentucky Lake, in the FLW Tour event presented by Costa, the Ripley, Miss., pro’s “tough day” statements might be more accurate … but he’s probably still sandbagging a little.

Haynes pounded out 26 pounds, 3 ounces to take the day-one lead, but instead of walloping fish all day long and targeting dozens of schools, he got it done from one key area, and he had to really lean hard on them to get there

“I kind of burned the hole down today, so I might have nothing tomorrow,” Haynes says. “I was very fortunate to have what I had. I grinded it out. The bites I had were just the right ones.”

His uncertainty stems from the fact that the fish just haven’t made it out in big numbers to Haynes’ favorite ledges. He checked spots deep and shallow, and areas traditionally good early in the season and late. They’re essentially behind schedule. If they continue to show up over the next few days, however, watch out, because he’s one of the best at the offshore game.

Haynes struck out on his first five or so spots this morning. He ended up catching a couple of keepers on his key area mid-morning. For the next couple hours, he bounced around and checked a number of spots without much luck. A return trip in the afternoon produced most of his weight. All totaled, he says he landed only six keepers.

“There were 10 fish on that spot. I caught six of them. My co-angler caught a couple. It’s burned to the ground now.”

The good thing for Haynes is he’s not encountering a lot of fishing pressure from the rest of the field. He says the area is “wide open,” meaning he can check just about anything he wants without having to dodge other boats. That’s the way he likes it.
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Protecting Our Resources

Help prevent the entry of asian carp into our waterways just got a whole lot easier. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters along with Invasive Species Centre have a new site and phone number to call if you spot one of these nastiest.

Report a sightings at: 1-800-563-7711 or www.asiancarp.ca

Asian Carp Forum November 8: All are Welcome

You may be aware of the threat to fish and recreational sport fishing in the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Ontario, posed by the possible introduction of Asian Carp. Currently, an electronic barrier at Chicago is keeping these fish from entering Lake Ontario. The threat posed by these fish is significant, and has been the focus of considerable activity on the part of the Canadian, U.S. and Ontario governments.

Please see attached a notice of a public meeting about a public forum on Asian Carp, at which experts from both federal governments, the province, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and others will discuss the issues and solutions to this pressing problem. The public is encouraged to attend, particularly all those who value the opportunity to fish in Lake Ontario and surrounding waters, to learn more about what is being done to protect the recreational sport fishery from this potential threat.

The Forum is being held on November 8, 2012, 8:30 –4:30 at the Palais Royale, 1601 Lake Shore Blvd. W., near Sunnyside Park on the Toronto waterfront.

If you are interested in attending, you can pre-register at www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/asiancarp