SUMMER FISHING WORTH THE TRIP 

    From the summer fishing scene comes good reports from crappie anglers working the deep ledges of Kentucky Lake. Bass action continues to hold up very well in shallow areas while mayfly hatches descend and catfish head deep.

    Surface temperatures this week had warmed slightly from last week with readings in the 82 to 85 degree range.

    Observed lake levels at New Johnsonville will be in the 358.7 range this weekend. Downstream at Kentucky Dam TVA predicts a reading of 358.5. The reservoir is falling slowly as the annual summer draw down normally begins in early July.

    Watercolor remains clear in the mouth of Big Sandy and up in the West Sandy and upper basin. Over on the Tennessee there is some stained water in the main river and along river islands but the bays are clear.

    Summer crappie action is good and continues to be overlooked by most anglers. A few fish are still lingering in the 112 to 14-foot stakebeds and brushpiles but action has increased on main lake ledges in depths of 18 to 24 feet.

    I found a few fish taking jigs tipped with minnows this week in 12 to 14 foot stakebeds located near deep water. Several small fish were present but a keeper now and then would make his presence known.

    Activity was better when I backed off to deeper ledges at midday. Crappie were taking live shiner minnows fished on double-hook bottom bumping rigs worked slowly around structure. The fish appeared to be schooling somewhat around various spots where clusters of cover could be located.

    We took several doubles as two fish at one time took the bait dangled in front of them. A bonus sauger and catfish also helped straighten out the kinks in the line.

    Look for main lake ledges to continue producing crappie in the weeks ahead as warmer water and falling lake levels push the fish back out.

    Bass action has held up well in shallow areas where schools of pin minnows have kept the fish relating to weedbeds and buck bushes in bays and along the edges of main river islands. Several blow-downs are holding fish too as the tree laps provide good cover with deeper water on the end.

    Spinnerbaits, worms, lizards, and topwater jerk baits have worked well lately. The key is finding the minnows as the bass are right there with them.

    The bass story has been lots of small fish but few big fish. However, with lake levels falling look for improved action on the main lake drop-offs as this normally pulls fish off the banks and out to open water venues.

    Some deep-water anglers have been fishing Carolina rigged worms and lizards, along with Texas rigs. The big crankbaits have been somewhat slower this summer for unknown reasons. But that can change on any given day.

    Catfish action has improved this week with the daily current now becoming a factor. With the draw down underway the main river will likely sport current each day, especially around midmorning when power generation demands increase.

    Catalpa worms are out and the big green leaf trees provide excellent sources of bait. Nightcrawlers, liver, leeches, and shrimp are also still on the menu.

    Depths of 20 to 35 feet have been producing, especially on the edge of the main river where irregular cuts in the riverbank provide havens for lazy catfish to hang out and wait for the current driven baitfish to fall prey to their appetites.

    Mayfly hatches continue along the main lake so bluegill and bass action is still available. Look for another couple of weeks of hatches before the flies begin to taper off.

    Sauger are still scattered and inconsistent along main lake sandbars as trollers are finding one now and then. Not many white bass showing up yet but that will change in the weeks ahead.

    Night fishing for bass, white bass, and crappie enters the equation now that hot weather has arrived.