|
Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
April 27th, 2007
BLUEGILL AND BASS BEDDING
UNDERWAY…CRAPPIE IMPROVE
This week’s fishing report shows some improvement for crappie
anglers while good bass action continues. Bluegill are beginning to go
on bed too as their spawning time arrives.
Catfish are heading toward shoreline areas as waters warm and those
rocky banks attract spawning fish.
Lake levels have remained a few inches above normal this week. TVA
indicates elevation will be relatively stable going in to the weekend
based on its three day forecast.
Presently, elevation at Kentucky Dam is 359.4. Upstream at New
Johnsonville lake levels were in the 359.1 range. Normal summer pool
level is 359 so the reservoir has been above normal for over a week.
Water color remains clear throughout the reservoir. Some stain is
present along shorelines where wind has whipped up sediments but overall
the lake is clear.
Surface temperatures have warmed the last few days. Present readings
are in the 65 to 69 degree range and could rise a few degrees by early
next week if warm days continue.
Crappie showed signs of improvement at midweek as fish returned to
structure in the 11 to 14 foot range. Last week fish were quite
scattered for a few days as rising lake levels teamed up with post-spawn
moods and made it tough on crappie anglers searching for finicky fish.
Once lake levels stabilized crappie seemed to settle down as good
catches were reported at midweek where fish were taking chartreuse jigs
tipped with minnows. Stakebeds and brushpiles were producing fish the
last few days in midrange depths where just a few days before bites were
hard to come by.
Some fish were moving up toward shallow buck bushes and dead
grassbeds in the upper Big Sandy River area this week as cloudy days
helped the shallow zones. Most of the success from shallow shoreline
structure came in the early morning and late afternoon lowlight
conditions as clear water continues to be a factor.
West Sandy, the upper portion of Big Sandy’s mud flats, and some
pockets around the Elkhorn area were giving up shallow crappie from
shoreline structure at midweek.
Several anglers were still finding crappie suspended across the Big
Sandy area where pulling and trolling road runners, curly tails grubs,
and hollow body tube jigs were accounting for some decent stringers from
9 to 14 foot zones around the TVA power lines and south toward Country
Junction.
The weeks ahead should see crappie action hold up well as the fish
get back to cover and over their post-spawn finicky biting phase.
Bluegill are beginning concentrate in shallow bedding areas as
surface temps signal spawning time for the powerful panfish. Some good
catches were taken this week by anglers using crickets in 3 to 5 foot
zones.
A few shellcracker were also showing up as anglers fished scattered
buck bushes and dead grass areas.
Bass action has been good as anglers toss a variety of lures toward
the abundance of shallow shoreline habitat. Buck bushes and grassbeds
have been producing as those ever popular yellow flowers harbor bass.
Floating worms, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, chatter baits, Texas rigged
lizards and worms and assorted jerk baits have been producing well. Some
larger fish have been taken on shallow running crankbaits and black and
blue jigs pitched around bushes and trees.
Overall bass fishing has held up well for a variety of patterns and
it should be another good week ahead as some fish go to spawning beds.
Catfish are heading toward the big rock bluffs and roadbeds. Watch
for an improvement next week for shoreline areas.
Although windy days have interfered this week, fishing has improved
compared to last week as lake levels settled down and fish show more
signs of cooperation.
For The Lake Barkley Report
Click Here
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.
|
