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Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
March 10, 2010
Has spring already sprung? Judging by the number of boats on Kentucky
Lake last weekend it appears the season is somewhat ahead of itself.
Warm weather, plenty of sunshine and light winds teamed up to offer
anglers and boaters beautiful weather last weekend and earlier this
week. Anytime you get warm weather and light wind in early March it’s a
bonus.
Fishermen were out in force as every boat ramp’s parking lot was just
about full. Fishing fever has struck. Folks are anxious to get out and
about after a mean winter.
Crappie were calling anglers all over the lake and some of the most
consistent catches were reported in the mouth of West Sandy and
throughout the Sulphur Well Island area near Mansard Island and south of
the TVA power lines in Big Sandy.
Most anglers were slow trolling spider rigs while a few were pulling
long lines of twister tail grub and Roadrunner style jigs. Others were
vertical fishing jigs and minnows over deep structure and manmade fish
attractors in a variety of depths ranging from 14 to 20 feet.
Reports from a few anglers fishing the Springville pumphouse area
indicated crappie were scattered there and not biting too good. Action
was better toward the mouth of West Sandy.
Activity appeared to improve some for anglers fishing 1/16 to 1/8-ounce
jigs over stakebeds and brushpiles around the 14 foot depth range.
Popular color combos were red/chartreuse, bubble gum/chartreuse,
blue/pearl, and some white/yellow just to name a few.
A few more warm and sunny days will see dramatic changes in those areas
as fish respond to warming surface temps and enter prespawn patterns.
Anglers working deep drop-offs down around the mouth of Big Sandy near
Paris Landing were still having trouble finding good numbers of fish.
Crappie were scattered in the 18 to 22 foot depth zone with a one-here;
one there pattern.
Bass action has been improving with some hefty fish taken off gravel
banks and points from anglers tossing crankbaits.
The rock and gravel pattern is popular on Kentucky Lake this time of
year and low lake levels expose plenty of spots where fish move up and
stage on sloping points. Warmer surface temps will see bass move up
during the day and become more active.
Crawfish and shad colored crankbaits are the most popular choices right
now with some black/chartreuse accounting for a few fish as well.
Shallow running crankbaits and some suspending jerk baits such as
Bomber’s Model A and Smithwick’s Rogue are two popular choices.
Jig and pig combos are worth tying on too as are some Carolina rigged
crawfish worked slow on gravel banks and points. A few smallmouth were
being caught on small hair jigs and grubs too.
While some anglers were reporting a lot of small bass being caught,
March is a month when some of Kentucky Lake’s biggest bass are taken.
Those females really put on the feed bag this time of year in
preparation for spawning.
Water color remains clear in the Paris Landing sector while up Big Sandy
more stain is present. Surface temps responded to warmer days this week
and have climbed into the 46 to 49 degree range.
Lake levels have been stable this week with readings in the 354.5 range
around New Johnsonville. Downstream at Kentucky Dam the elevation has
been holding around the 354.7 range.
Rain is in the forecast so lake levels could rise slightly going into
the weekend.
Overall fishing conditions really improved since last week at this time
and while a few crappie anglers had trouble finding fish on days when
winds were stagnant, things are looking up.
It appears normal temperatures will remain in the forecast which is good
news for fishermen. However, don’t put the overcoat and coveralls too
deep in the closet just yet. It’s that time of year when you need
sunscreen one day and the insulated underwear the next!
Also check out our past:
Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Steve McCadams is one of the nation's best known Crappie Fishermen
and a full time resident of Paris, Tennessee. Steve is also a
professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing area.
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