Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
May 9th, 2003
KENTUCKY LAKE ON THE RISE…ANGLERS FACE HIGH WATER
Fishing
this week has been interrupted by the violent weather passing through
the area. Anglers have dodged thunderstorms, lightning, and gale force
winds with tornado warnings also entering the picture.
Wind
warnings on area lakes have been part of the fishing scene for a few
days but despite the strange weather some good stringers of bluegill,
redear, and bass have been taken.
Spawning
time is at hand for bluegill and redear (shellcracker) and action is
good. If you're waiting for some good fishing opportunities for the
whole family then wait no longer.
Areas
such as Springville bottom (West Sandy) and bays and coves on the main
lake will continue to produce good bluegill fishing this next week. The
high water will be a factor but watch for the fish to move into some
shallow areas if the water stays high for an extended period.
Bluegill
are bedding in some 3 to 5 foot zones where sandy, gravel-type bottoms
are found mixed with a little mud here and there. Many of the good beds
will be out from the shoreline and in front of weedbeds and buck bushes.
Some
redear are being taken around buck bushes mixed with grassbeds. And, a
few of the deeper water shellcracker beds may be in 3 to 5-foot zones on
the east side of the lake where clear bays have some aquatic vegetation
present.
Crickets
are the best bait going right now for the bluegill and redear but meal
worms, redworms, and artificial nymphs or grubs will work too.
The
popular style is casting light spinning tackle with 6-pound monofilament
where a bobber regulates depth. Seeing the bobber fade away is part of
the panfish mystery. However, you'll also catch a lot of fish by fishing
the bottom and slowly retrieving the bait as you tightline it through
the beds.
Male
bluegill, or bulls as veteran anglers refer to them, sport a dark purple
color and a burnt orange belly compared to the females, which have a
pale yellow appearance.
Most
anglers prefer to release the females and keep the males. This seems to
keep the bedding areas active for anglers.
While
fishing the bream beds you'll likely encounter other species such as a
few yellow perch and a meandering catfish or two.
The
other species move in and feed off the eggs and fry that are hatching.
The bull bream act as defenders of the nesting areas, which is why
action can be so fast and furious for anglers tossing bait their way.
Bass
action continues to hold up very well. A lot of shallow water action is
underway as the fish relate to the abundant shoreline habitat such as
buck bushes, willow trees, and grassbeds.
Anglers
tossing tube baits, lizards, worms, spinnerbaits, and various topwater
lures are catching fish. When lake levels rise above summer pool there
is a multitude of habitat for both the fish and anglers.
Water
has been clear across much of the reservoir but the heavy rains earlier
this week, combined with some high winds, have created some stain in
some bays and creeks.
Expect
lake levels to rise this weekend due to heavy rains. TVA is predicting
the reservoir will reach the 363.2 level at New Johnsonville this
weekend, which is four feet above summer pool! Kentucky Dam is expected
to see lake levels in the 361 range. Surface temperatures have been in
the 67 to 71 degree range.
Catfish
are also on the prowl. Action has improved in many feeder creeks and
along spawning areas such as rock banks and levees. Several fish were
caught this week along the Ned McWherter Bridge rip-rap on both the
Paris Landing side and the Stewart County side.
Such
bait as nightcrawlers, beef liver, and shrimp have been producing. Watch
for some great catfish action this next week.
For The Lake Barkley Report
Click Here
For Other Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Click Here
Steve McCadams
is a professional hunting and fishing guide
here in the
Paris Landing area and host of The Outdoor Channel's television series IN-PURSUIT.
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