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Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
May 28th, 2004
This week’s Kentucky Lake fishing report shows an improvement in the
crappie department. Catfish are still hitting good and bass action
continues to hold up well.
Lake levels have been relatively stable this week and TVA indicates
more of the same going into the weekend.
Predicted lake stages this weekend for New Johnsonville will be 359,
which is the summer pool mark. Downstream at Kentucky Dam lake levels
will be slightly higher with a reading of 359.2 predicted.
Surface temperatures are in the 77 to 80 degree range.
Watercolor has cleared in much of the mouth of Big Sandy near Paris
Landing while a little stain remains in portions of West Sandy near
Springville pumphouse and in the upper end of Big Sandy near Country
Junction.
Some dingy water remains along the main Tennessee River and along
feeder bays and creeks, especially on the west side.
Crappie anglers have seen action improve this week as several fish
were caught in the 11 to 14 foot zones. Most of the fish are coming from
manmade fish attractors such as brush piles and stakebeds. A few fish
are beginning to show up on the natural stump rows out on the main lake
too.
Live minnows have accounted for several fish this week but jigs
tipped with minnows are also working quite well. Some chartreuse
leadheads with a variety of skirt color combinations have paid off such
as smoke and sparkle, chartreuse with red metal flake, and pink and
chartreuse.
I found several crappie taking a slip-bobber presentation over
deeper structure as the fish were suspended. However, with the clear
water many fish will come up from the structure to take a suspended bait
and that could be the case.
Anglers have had several days where cloud cover helped stimulate the
bite, especially in the midrange depths.
Overall, crappie action is pretty good and much better than it was
in late April and early May here in the Paris Landing sector. However,
wind continues to challenge anglers attempting to fish open water areas.
Bass action continues to hold up well. Several fish are still
relating to shallow structure as a lot of small “pin” minnows are
hatching out, offering an abundant food source for both bass and larger
shad. There appears to be a good early hatch of “fry” roaming the
shallow weedbeds. This serves as a good forage base several species of
fish too.
Watch for increased action around shallow weedbeds, buck bushes, and
blowdowns along the main river and also along river islands.
Success has come for anglers working worms, lizards, jig and pig
combos, and spinnerbaits around shallow cover. And, some topwater action
is still paying off, especially on cloudy days and early mornings or
late afternoons.
Buzzbaits have produced well as have small, finesse jerk baits such
as Slugo or Fluke style lures. Some popper style lures are also
accounting for strikes such as Storm’s Chug-Bug and Rebel’s Pop-R.
Other patterns developing are the ledges and humps, where anglers
are tossing both crankbaits and Carolina rigged lizards. Some scattered
grass is also showing up in clear bays and offering refuge to minnows.
Some decent fish have come from the clusters of grass, which are growing
off the main shoreline in depths of 3 to 5 feet.
Watch for action to hold up in shallow areas while some of the
larger fish continue to move toward main lake ledges and humps hear the
mouths of large bays.
Catfish action is fair but some anglers are doing well off rock
levees and bluffs where the fish continue to spawn. Nightcrawlers and
chicken liver have produced well this week. Jug fishing is still paying
off for anglers too.
West Sandy anglers are still finding some bream and scattered
crappie behind the levee at Springville bottom. Pumps are still running
in an attempt to dewater the area but there has been ample water there
this spring for fishing.
Bluegill are still hitting but seemed to have backed off many beds
the last week or so. The big bull bream haven’t been fanning the beds
too much but that could improve as many females are still holding eggs.
With a full moon fast approaching, bluegill will likely make another
spawning run this upcoming week before tapering off. Not many redear (shellcracker)
have been taken this week, although some are still lingering in the
visible grassbeds and buck bushes.
Fishing is good and many species are beginning to show movement
toward their summer patterns.
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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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