Largemouth Bass

If you're chasing largemouth in eastern Kentucky, Jackson offers some under-the-radar opportunities. The area's smaller lakes and the North Fork Kentucky River hold decent populations. What makes fishing around Jackson unique is the combination of clear, rocky water and the surrounding Appalachian scenery. Focus on areas with submerged timber, rocky outcroppings, and creek inlets – largemouth here often relate strongly to structure. Spring and fall are prime times, with pre-spawn and post-spawn activity in the spring and fish feeding up for winter in the fall. A local tip: the river can be accessed at various bridge crossings, but be mindful of water levels after heavy rains. Also, try using a Carolina rig with a lizard or worm around deeper structure for consistent results. The largemouth in this area tend to be scrappy fighters, but don't expect trophy sizes; numbers of 2-4 pounders are more common.