Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
April 12th, 2002
CRAPPIE SPAWN IS UNDERWAY
by Steve McCadams
The crappie spawn is underway on Kentucky Lake. Warm
weather has finally arrived and sunny days chased away clouds and
another cold front early this week to send surface temperatures into the
60 to 64 degree range.
Observed lake elevation in the Paris Landing area was 354.7 early this
week but by midweek was rising slowly. Look for slow but steady rise
this next week, barring any drastic rains.
Big female crappie have been taken this week in 5 to 10 foot zones in
the secondary flats and bays. Male crappie are showing their dark colors
with more purple pigment visible than last week at this time, a true
sign of hormonal changes.
Females are ready to spawn as their egg-laden profile indicates the time
is at hand.
Anglers can expect some good fishing this weekend and into next week as
the annual ritual takes place. Some dandy stringers are showing up all
over the reservoir already.
Lake levels were somewhat lower than normal earlier this week but TVA is
expected to begin a gradual increase this week. A slow rise should
enhance shallow water fishing for both bass and crappie anglers as the
combination of warmer surface temps and rising lake elevation will send
more fish toward spawning venues.
While some fish are still residing in the main lake flats and drop-offs,
the bulk of the crappie will occupy the 4 to 10 foot zones this next
week. Stained water is still present in much of the Big Sandy and its
secondary bays such as West Sandy, Swamp Creek, upper mud flats near
Country Junction and near the power lines at Mansard Island Resort.
A few good stingers have come from the 10 to 14 foot flats as anglers
drift and troll north of the power lines on Big Sandy.
Chartreuse jigs have accounted for most of the fish as anglers are using
painted leadheads too. Some purple/chartreuse, yellow/chartreuse, and
red/chartreuse were producing. A few anglers are also tipping jigs with
live shiner minnows.
Other techniques such as casting 1/16 and 1/8 ounce leadhead jigs with
twister tails and hollow body grubs are producing too. The male crappie
are moving up on shallow gravel and points where a few stumps are
located and casting can be deadly for a week or two each spring.
Vertical presentation of jigs over manmade stakebeds and brushpiles is
producing too. That style has improved over the last few days as more
fish move to spawning areas.
Several fish in the two-pound plus range have been taken this week.
So, if you’re waiting for the spawning run to get underway here on
Kentucky Lake then wait no longer.
Bass action continues to hold up well with hefty stringers of smallmouth
still commanding the attention of anglers. Some trophy bronzebacks have
been taken lately on light tackle as anglers work inline spinners,
leadhead jigs with grubs, hair jigs, and crankbaits along rock bluffs.
The jig and pig combo has held up too with some nice largemouth and
smallmouth finding it attractive.
Working roadbeds and gravel points with wind blowing in has produced
this week. A few logs and shallow stumps have also produced as anglers
slow roll spinnerbaits. Some jerk baits and suspended crankbaits
continue to be popular.
A long overdue series of warm, sunny days is in the forecast. So, the
next week to ten days could be a peak for crappie anglers who want to
fish the spawning phases here.
# # #
NOTE:( Steve's Third Annual "Casting For A Cure" Kids Fishing Rodeo,
which benefits The American Cancer Society, will be held June 8, 2002.
Location will again be Carroll Lake, located near McKenzie, TN.)
(For news release on Steve's Second Annual "Casting For A Cure" Kids
Fishing Rodeo...click
here)
For The Lake Barkley Report
Click Here
For Other Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Click Here
Steve McCadams
is a professional hunting and fishing guide
here in the
Paris Landing area and host of The Outdoor Channel's television series IN-PURSUIT.
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