Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
April 27th, 2004
Fishing has improved since last week here on Kentucky Lake, thanks
to some help from the weatherman. Bass and crappie action is better.
And, the bluegill and redear (shellcracker) are on the threshold of
bedding as are the catfish, which are already prowling the rock banks
for spawning spots.
After a weekend of changing lake levels that saw the reservoir jump
almost two feet in the aftermath of heavy rains, things are returning to
normal.
Observed lake elevation at Kentucky Dam will was 359.7 today
(Tuesday) and falling slowly. Upstream at New Johnsonville readings were
in the 359.2 range. The reservoir is slowing return to the summer pool
mark of 359 and should be there by the end of the week.
Surface temperatures throughout the lake are in the 64 to 67 degree
range and will likely warm a degree or two later this week.
Watercolor is still quite clear in much of the Big Sandy and Paris
Landing area. There is some dingy water in the upper end of Big Sandy
around Country Junction and the gravel pits. A few pockets along the
main Tennessee River also have some stain such as Lick Creek and others
between Danville and Paris Landing.
Crappie have improved the last few days in the Paris Landing area as
the fish return to a more structure-oriented pattern. Several good
stringers have been taken in the 8 to 13 foot zone where anglers are
vertical fishing tube jigs around brushpiles and stakebeds.
Techniques such as trolling and drifting are also producing this
week as anglers offer a buffet of baits such as Road Runner style
horse-head jigs sporting spinners, tubes tipped with minnows, and
twister tails.
Popular colors are pearl, motor oil and glitter, chartreuse with red
metal flake, and hair jigs with light green leadheads. Many anglers are
still tipping jigs with both minnows and Berkley Power Nibbles to
enhance bites.
Many of the crappie taken on shallow cover are males, distinguished
by their darker appearance. Most of the fish are in the post-spawn phase
and taking baits with a very light strike.
There appear to be a few fish that had not spawned last week but
those numbers were in the minority as most are sporting a relatively
thin appearance indicating eggs have already been broadcast along stumps
and brush.
Bass fishing has been good as the rising lake levels really
inundated the shoreline structure last weekend, giving anglers ample
cover to toss lizards, jig and pig combos, spinnerbaits, worms, and
topwater lures.
Many bass are attempting to go on bed, seeking those shoreline
pockets where grass and bushes are mixed and out of the wind. The
abundance of visible structure such as yellow flowers (water willow),
buck bushes, willows, and other dead grass is a heaven for the
largemouth right now.
Some fish have been taken on surface plugs such as floating Rapalas,
Devil’s Horse, and Bango lures. And, buzz baits have worked too,
especially on cloudy days.
The bright days appear to work in favor of anglers flipping and
pitching jigs to structure where fish are holding tight to bushes and
trees.
Anglers are casting lizards and worms in the red shad, blue and
black with metal flake, green pumpkin-pepper, and black with red
glitter.
The falling lake levels should pull the bass back to the outside
shoreline structure this week giving anglers an even better pattern.
Bluegill and shellcracker should begin bedding phases this week. In
fact, several shell cracker have already been taken in the shallow
pockets off the main lake and the bluegill are showing signs too.
Watch for action in that department to break loose so keep the light
tackle and cricket boxes handy, along with a few mealworms and grubs for
the shellcracker.
Catfish are moving toward shallow rock banks in search of holes and
crevices to spawn. Watch for ole’ whiskers to go on the prowl in the
next two weeks as rip-rap levees and rock bluffs attract the fish and
improve the odds of success for bank fishermen.
After a week of unstable weather and rising lake levels, Kentucky
Lake is returning to normal and fishing is improving.
For The Lake Barkley Report
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Also check out our past:
Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Steve McCadams
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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