Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
April 19th, 2002
Fishing continues to improve for crappie anglers
here in the Tennessee portion of Kentucky Lake and spawning is well
underway. Anglers have seen increased activity the last few days as
aggressive males are coming from the 4 to 8 foot zones.
Surface temperatures have been in the 65 to 68 degree range this
week. Observed lake elevation in the Paris Landing area was 357.8 at
midweek and rising slowly each day.
Watercolor has cleared dramatically in the mouth of Big Sandy and
several large bays this week. Most crappie anglers had rather see
stained conditions as it enhances shallow water activity.
Some very good stringers came in the last few days, anchored by
several crappie in the two-pound plus range. Most fish are coming on
jigs in the lime/chartreuse sporting a red metal flake, along with
red/chartreuse, aqua blue with metal flake, and some purple and white
combo colored skirts.
Brush piles and stakebeds are producing some good fish all over the
Big Sandy area as anglers vertical fish jigs and live minnows down in
the structure. Success has come from depths ranging from 4 to 12 feet in
the Paris Landing area while upper West Sandy and into the Country
Junction area has seen action improve in very shallow depths.
Trolling multi-pole rigs and drifting have been accounting for some
decent catches this week near the power lines at Mansard Island in Big
Sandy. Depths of 10 to 14 foot where stumps are found on the flats
continue to produce.
A few fish are still coming off shallow gravel points and rock banks
as anglers cast light spinning tackle and grubs such as the twister tail
style baits and the weedless Charlie Brewer crappie sliders.
Crappie have been on the move this week and some areas that produced
at midweek were considered slow last weekend.
I found some slabs in stakebeds and brush piles at midweek that
seemed to be void of activity a few days ago. Early morning and late
afternoon times have been best for the shallow areas as the lowlight
conditions seem to stimulate activity.
It appears many fish are spawning in areas away from the shorelines
and out on main lake flats. That's due to clearer water conditions this
week, which allow sunlight to penetrate down to the structure.
Expect spawning to continue for another two weeks but it's likely
the peak is underway at this time as all conditions of surface
temperature and lake levels indicate it.
The warmer weather seems to have also stimulated bass movement as
some fish are already on the bed. It seems a bit early for bedding to
take place for largemouth but I've seen several females beginning to fan
out areas in shallow grass and pea gravel areas this week.
Bass action has been good and will likely continue in the weeks
ahead as many buck bass will turn aggressive in shallow pockets and
backwater bays.
Top water action has picked up as several jerk baits are beginning
to produce around dead grass and shoreline that has just received water
this week. Lizards, worms, jig and pig combos, and spinnerbaits are
working well.
Crankbaits along rock banks are still working too. Some hefty
smallmouth are still showing up at area tournaments with some in the
7-pound plus range being taken!
Bluegill are slowly working their way into shallow areas and around
boathouses and stickups. Look for increased activity from these little
rascals in the week ahead.
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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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