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Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
April 29, 2010
BLUEGILL BEDDING TIME AT HAND…FAST ACTION AWAITS ANGLERS
It’s hard to beat a bluegill bed for fast fishing action. Right now
Kentucky Lake’s rusty panfish are preparing to spawn and gathering in
big numbers so if you want to have some fun seeing the bobber disappear
now is the time!
After yet another cool spell anglers on Kentucky Lake this week
rebounded to warmer weather but not before sporting heavy coats earlier
in the week as brisk winds chilled things. Surface temps fell back to 65
degrees on Monday night after reaching the 73 degree mark a week ago.
After last weekend’s storms and heavy rains lake levels rose
significantly, cresting a foot or more above summer pool at one point.
Lake levels are now falling slowly and TVA predicts elevation to be in
the 359.7 range going into the weekend at New Johnsonville. At Kentucky
Dam the projection is for 359.8.
Current elevation is a foot or more higher than last week at this time.
More rain is in the forecast as TVA attempts to pull the reservoir back
down to summer pool level, which is supposed to be 359 on May 1.
Surface temps bottomed out at 65 earlier this week and were slowly
climbing back to the 67 to 69 degree range. Water color remains clear in
the main lake but a few coves and bays have some stain since last
weekend’s runoff from heavy thunderstorms.
Warmer weather is now in the forecast and anglers should see the bite
improve for several species now that cold fronts are in the rearview
mirror.
Meanwhile, the best thing going is the bluegill and red ear shellcracker
fishing. Once surface temps reach the 70 to 74 degree range each year
these rascals get in the mood. For the last week or more some hefty
catches have been taken around shallow shorelines.
Shellcracker usually get going a week or so before the bluegill but
right now both are awaiting your arrival should you dare to toss a
cricket, redworm, or meal worm their direction.
Expect excellent fishing to continue for the next few weeks as these
feisty fish will stay on bed through mid to late May. You owe it to
yourself to partake of the action and it’s a perfect time to introduce a
youngster to the sport of fishing.
Crappie have backed off and scattered for most fishermen. Once the fish
enter the post spawn phase seems they scatter and suspend for a week or
two before getting back to a structure oriented mode.
Although a few good size fish are being taken in a variety of depths,
numbers have been down this week. Some main lake ledges in the 18 to 20
foot zone are holding a few fish as are deep stakebeds and brushpiles in
the 12 to 15 foot zone.
Tipping jigs with minnows has enticed some stubborn crappie to bite
lately but it has been difficult to find a concentration. That will
likely change for the better in a week or two as the fish slowly recover
from the stress of spawning and get back to biting instead of roaming
and suspending in open water.
Bass appear to be on the bed as a lot of small fish are roaming the buck
bushes and shallow grassbeds this week due to the high lake levels that
inundated shoreline habitat. You can get lots of bites from buck bass
right now if you toss a lizard, crawfish imitation, Texas rigged worm,
spinnerbait, or various topwater lures around structure.
Judging by the light weights being brought in from local tournaments the
big sows are reluctant to bite and appear to be dodging baits thrown
their way. However, you can have a lot of fun catching big numbers right
now around shallow shorelines on the lure of your choice.
Some anglers are still tossing Carolina rigged lizards on deep gravel
points and sloping ledges in hopes of finding bigger fish but the
pattern is producing lots of small fish. With the surge in lake levels
bushes, trees, and grassbeds have appealed to anglers who love to pitch
and flip jigs, lizards, and crawfish.
Catfish have been turning up in pretty good numbers around those shallow
bluegill beds too. Once the bluegill start spawning the catfish often
move in and partake of the eggs and small fry hatching so be prepared to
encounter a hefty catfish while fishing for bream or crappie these days.
Soon catfish will be heading to rock banks and bluffs as their spawning
time is fast approaching.
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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