Bluegrass Woods and Water

Episode 14 - Chasing Gobblers and Trophy Stripers — Spring Adventures Across Kentucky

Spring in Kentucky means one thing — it's time to spend as much time as possible outdoors. In this episode of Bluegrass Woods & Water, I recap our annual Spring Classic Striper Trip on Lake Cumberland, where our crew put together one of our best trips ever, boating 37 stripers over four days. From early-morning bait runs and limit catches to great food, good bourbon, and time spent with friends, we'll break down everything that made this year's Spring Classic one to remember. I also share stories from Kentucky turkey season and Turkey Camp, including Youth Weekend, hunting with my sons, the challenges of henned-up gobblers, and Aiden's unforgettable last-day turkey hunt that ended with a wounded bird, an empty shotgun, and a tackle that he'll never forget. Later in the episode, I’m joined by my friend Billy Martin as we discuss a day on the Cumberland River chasing trophy stripers and trout, proving once again that sometimes the best fishing trips happen when you're willing to adjust and fish what the river gives you. We'll also spotlight the latest happenings with Xtreme Bait Tanks, cover the latest news in Kentucky Wildcats athletics, Cincinnati Reds baseball, and Bengals football during the Sports Minute, and wrap things up with another episode full of hunting, fishing, family, and Kentucky outdoor traditions. 🎣 Topics Covered: • Spring Classic 2026 Striper Trip Recap • 37 Stripers in Four Days on Lake Cumberland • Turkey Camp and Kentucky Turkey Season Stories • Aiden's Last-Day Gobbler • Cumberland River Trout and Striper Fishing with Billy Martin • Xtreme Bait Tanks Tournament Hub Spotlight • Kentucky Wildcats Sports Update • Cincinnati Reds and Bengals News 📺 Watch videos, read articles, and find past episodes: www.bluegrasswoodsandwater.com Cast. Hunt. Kentucky. 🎣🦌🇺🇸 #BluegrassWoodsAndWater #CastHuntKentucky #LakeCumberland #StriperFishing #TurkeyHunting #KentuckyOutdoors #KentuckyWildcats #CincinnatiReds #CumberlandRiver #OutdoorPodcast

Episode 13: Spring Gobblers in Kentucky — History, Hunting, and Opening Weekend at Turkey Camp with Zak Danks, Ruffed Grouse & Wild Turkey Program Coordinator, KDFWR

🦃🎙️ Episode 13 of the Bluegrass Woods & Water Podcast is all about getting ready for spring turkey season here in Kentucky. In this episode, Rick breaks down the history of wild turkeys in Kentucky — from near extinction to one of the greatest conservation success stories in the country — and takes a look at the current state of the turkey population heading into this season. Rick is joined by Zak Danks, Ruffed Grouse & Wild Turkey Program Coordinator with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, for an in-depth conversation about turkey research, population trends, poult recruitment, and what hunters can expect this spring. This episode also includes a look at Kentucky turkey season dates and regulations, along with a personal segment on opening weekend at Turkey Camp at Team 154 Hunt Club and Hunter’s first real turkey season. Rick wraps things up with Kentucky-specific turkey hunting tips — including strategies that have worked for him over the years — and a full Sports Minute covering Kentucky basketball, Kentucky baseball, and the Cincinnati Reds. We also recap our Annual Spring Classic Striper Trip on Lake Cumberland 🎣 — 37 fish in the boat and one of our best trips yet. Be sure to check out upcoming content, including striper fishing videos 🎥 and a full Turkey Camp report with photos and videos on the website. Listen now and get ready for turkey season in the Commonwealth 🦃🌲 Website: https://bluegrasswoodsandwater.com [https://bluegrasswoodsandwater.com/]

Episode 12 - The Science of Live Bait: Stripers, Oxygen, and X-Treme Bait Tanks with Damon Melcho

Rick breaks down a tough fishing trip to Lake Cumberland with Brian, Chris, and Paul where stripers were hard to find and bait was even harder to catch. Even local outfitters were seeing the same thing, with some trips cancelled due to poor fishing conditions. The episode then dives into the science behind live bait with Damon Melcho from X-Treme Bait Tanks. The conversation covers oxygen systems, bait stress, and what it really takes to keep bait healthy during a long day chasing stripers. Rick also talks about his new predator hunting setup featuring a PSA AR-15, thermal scope, and suppressor — and the first coyote he ever called in and harvested while specifically predator hunting. To wrap things up, the Sports Minute covers: • Kentucky Men's Basketball • Kentucky Women's Basketball and the SEC Tournament • Kentucky Baseball • Cincinnati Reds Spring Training 🎥 Watch the coyote hunt video here: 📱 Check out the hunt on TikTok:

Episode 11 - Inside Kentucky’s Southeast Fisheries System with Marcy Anderson: Stripers, Dams, and the New Oxygen Injection System

In this episode of the Bluegrass Woods & Water Podcast, Rick sits down with Marcy Anderson, Program Coordinator for the Southeast Fisheries District with the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, for an in-depth conversation every Lake Cumberland and Cumberland River angler needs to hear. Rick and Marcy dive deep into how Kentucky’s Southeast Fisheries System works and how management decisions impact the waters we fish every day. From striped bass in Lake Cumberland to striped bass and trout below the dam on the Cumberland River, this episode pulls back the curtain on the science, strategy, and real-world results behind fisheries management. A major focus of the conversation is the new oxygen injection system — what it is, why it matters, and how it affects fish health, habitat, and fishing opportunities above and below the dam. If you fish either side of the dam, this episode will help you better understand what’s happening in the water and why it matters to your success on the water. 🎣 Topics include: • Kentucky’s Southeast Fisheries System • Striped bass management in Lake Cumberland • Tailwater fishing below the dam • The new oxygen injection system and its impact • Why anglers should pay attention to fisheries science 🎧 Whether you’re chasing stripers, trout, or just want to better understand the water you fish, this is a must-listen episode. 👉 Cast. Hunt. Kentucky.

Episode 10 - “Looking Ahead to 2026: Kentucky Seasons, Striper Talk, and Catfish Pro”

Episode Description — Spotify 🎙️ In this episode of Bluegrass Woods & Water, Rick looks ahead to 2026 and helps Kentucky hunters and anglers start planning for the year ahead 🗓️🦌🎣 We break down Kentucky’s tentative 2026 hunting season dates, talking through what they mean for archery 🏹, crossbow 🎯, youth hunts 👦🦌, and muzzleloader seasons 🔥—and why a little planning now can pay off big once fall rolls around 🍂 The conversation then shifts to the water 🌊 with some striper talk, upcoming fishing plans 🎣, and reflections on what’s shaping up to be another strong year on Lake Cumberland and the Cumberland River 💪🐟 Wrapping up the episode, Rick sits down with Mike Baker from Catfish Pro Rods to talk about building rods designed for real-world fishing 🛠️, what separates quality gear from the rest, and why the right equipment matters when you’re chasing trophy fish 🏆🐟 Whether you’re planning next deer season 🦌 or gearing up for big fish in 2026 🎣, this episode keeps it grounded, practical, and Kentucky-focused 🇺🇸 🎣 🦌 Cast. Hunt. Kentucky.