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June 28, 2013
BASS/CRAPPIE HEAD TO MAIN LAKE LEDGES…MAYFLY HATCHES UNDERWAY
Bass and crappie continue to transition toward summer hangouts as warmer
surface temperatures enter the fishing scene this week. Activity has
been pretty good this week for bass anglers working main lake ledges and
the summer crappie bite continues to hold up well.
Mayfly hatches are beginning to enter the picture too, bringing
bluegill, bass, and a wide variety of species to the table as this
natural buffet seems to appeal to just about every fish in Kentucky
Lake.
Surface temperatures this week reflect the warmer weather patterns as
readings have been in the 82 to 85 degree range. Water color remains
clear in both the Big Sandy basin and throughout the Tennessee River.
Lake levels this week were falling slightly and that put a lot of
current in the main river channel and around secondary sloughs and
islands. Projections for the weekend indicate the reservoir will rest at
normal summer pool (359) at Kentucky Dam. Upstream in the New
Johnsonville sector lake levels will be in the 358.9 range.
With the falling lake levels throughout the week catfishermen scored
decent catches beneath the Ned McWherter Bridge at Paris Landing. There
have been some decent catfish taken by jug fishermen in the bays too,
not to mention crappie anglers working the midrange stakebeds and
brushpiles where some dandies are still lurking and testing tackle at
times.
Summer crappie action held up again this week despite some warm, windy
days that challenged boaters at times. Most anglers want some light wind
but it’s somewhat unusual to battle whitecaps this time of year but that
was the case for me several days running. Area thunderstorms and rising
humidity seemed to stir up stubborn winds that dictated fishing routes.
When cloudy days were present there have been some dandy catches of
crappie coming from 13 to 15 foot depths where deep stakebeds and
brushpiles are holding fish. Vertical presentations of jigs tipped with
either live shiner minnows or Berkley Power Bait have scored nice
stringers.
Other patterns producing have been trolling crankbaits along drop-offs
and out over deep water venues this week.
Popular jig colors have ranged from chartreuse glitter to
yellow/black/chartreuse and even some purple with glitter at times.
With surface temperatures increasing watch for more crappie to fall back
to the deeper sides of main lake ledges in depths of 18 to 24 feet in
the weeks ahead. Catch a cloudy day and the fish seem to move up some
but fall back deep when bright skies enter the equation.
Bass fishermen are still catching good numbers of fish on main lake
ledges. Anglers are catching numbers but having trouble finding
concentrations of bigger fish. Most winning tournament weights remain
around the 20-pound mark but a lot of limits are coming in with weights
in the 13 to 15 pound range.
Tossing big crankbaits is still working on the ledges. Also consistent
have been nine to ten inch works rigged Texas style. Carolina rigged
worms and craws are producing too as have jig and craw combos hopped
along the ledges.
There are still some bass hanging around island rims and blowdowns in
shallow water, especially if mayflies are around. There are areas of
pondweed and various aquatics visible in shallow areas and anglers have
been finding minnows using the grassbeds with bass hot on their trail.
Floating fluke style baits have worked there as have some buzzbaits and
spinnerbaits at times. Tossing weedless frogs and other surface lures
are popular choices too.
With hot weather entering the picture both crappie and bass anglers are
finding some of their best action during the lowlight periods of early
morning and late afternoon. That midday sun can curtail activity at
times but the overall fishing scene has held up well this week and shows
no signs of changing.
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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