Keep it safe on the waters this July 4th

By JOEL WILSON
For the Daily Times

GLASGOW July 03, 2008 05:36 pm

— If you intend to be on Barren Lake over the holiday, and especially to watch the fireworks from a boat, be advised that the Kentucky State Police and the Department of Fish and Wildlife will be ramping up their patrols. Make sure you have all the required safety equipment on board and above all, don’t be drinking and driving on the water.
This same effort is being made on all the state’s impoundments and rivers with the two state law enforcement agencies combining forces to keep down accidents over this holiday period.
Half of all boating-related fatalities in Kentucky involve alcohol, more than twice the national average. Drunk boaters become drunk drivers, threatening lives on Kentucky’s highways as well as waterways. When accidents do happen, life jackets and seatbelts can save lives. Officers will team to combat impaired boating and driving, and enforce life jacket and seatbelt laws to keep the Independence Day holiday weekend safe for all.
Wildlife writer Hayley Lynch reminds us this week that July 4th is the busiest boating weekend of the year.
Be aware of all other boaters nearby, especially personal watercraft.
The low profile of these small, fast boats makes them easily missed while operating a larger boat. Also keep a lookout for swimmers, tubers and skiers.
If you are a personal watercraft operator, never cut too close to other boats or jump another boat’s wake. These craft are required to follow all of the same rules as larger boats and operators must wear a life jacket.
Especially after the fireworks on Barren, boaters will be thick after dark. If you venture out after daylight hours, be extra cautious to avoid a collision with another boat. Make sure all navigation lights on your boat work.
Also, don’t overload a boat. Exceeding the listed weight limit can make the boat susceptible to being swamped in heavy traffic. That’s especially true when the fireworks show ends and everyone tries to leave at the same time. 
You must have enough life jackets for everyone on board including child-sized life jackets. All passengers under the age of 12 must wear their life jacket while underway.

Night fishing for hybrid striped bass and bow fishing for rough fish out of the dark will be highlighted on Kentucky Afield this week. The show airs on KET at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and repeats Sunday at 3 p.m.               

Bill Logsdon’s weekly fishing report says Barren is still producing a variety of fish as we head into the “dog days” of summer. Two bass tournaments over the weekend weighed in winning strings of 16 pounds and 22 pounds respectively. Deep running crankbaits (16-20 feet), swim baits and big worms have been producing some quality bass. Night fishing is still producing bass on soft plastics and slow rolling spinnerbaits.
Hybrid fishing has been good on the flats, humps and long points. Most of the action is coming between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. The majority are being caught on or near the bottom in 12 to 16 feet of water. Shad, nightcrawlers, chicken livers and spoons are all producing.
Some crappie are still being caught over cover 8- to 15-feet deep. Minnows have been the most productive, but the Tiny Assassins and tubes are producing some also.
Bluegill are still being caught in 3 to 8 feet of water around cover. Crickets and worms are your best bet.
Catfishing should begin picking up on jugs and trotlines over next few days. They are coming off the spawn and will begin to feed up to gain their energy back.
On Lake Cumberland, striper fishing is “hot” on the lower end of lake. Just look for the guide boats and get in line. Best time is first light until sun up.

And finally, if you notice the picture is different this week, it’s because I’m wearing the Oldtimers “fish of the month” hat for a trophy sauger from Cumberland River. The hat moves around among members who have the biggest or the most special fish of the month.

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