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Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
July 29, 2010
The summer fishing scene on Kentucky Lake is pretty much on schedule as
to lake levels, surface temps, and patterns. While warm weather is the
norm and some days have been above normal lately, the early morning
hours have been productive and quite tolerable.
Lake levels continue a slow decline as TVA’s curve for reservoir
drawdown begins in early July and is on schedule. Readings this week
have been in the 358.1 range around New Johnsonville Steam Plant and
358.3 at Kentucky Dam. Readings are down slightly from last week at this
time.
Surface temps remain in the 87 to 90 degree range. Water color is clear
throughout the reservoir with slight stain in the upper end of some bays
from thunderstorm runoff.
Warm weather bass fishing is holding up for a lot of anglers who are
hitting the lake in the early morning and late afternoon hours. Reports
continue to come in from activity in both deep and shallow water
patterns.
A few fish were coming from shallow weed patches, lilies and other
aquatic vegetation where pin minnows were found. The key to those
shallow fish is finding the schools of minnows which often relate to any
structure which provides refuge.
From blown down treelaps to grass and exposed crappie beds and boat
docks, the shallow pattern is holding on to a few fish that are active
in lowlight conditions. Shallow running crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Texas
rigged worms, and some topwater jerk baits or buzzbaits fished over
grass are still producing strikes.
Some mayflies were showing up earlier this week along the main river
islands and shorelines where bass and other species were partaking of
the natural buffet.
Drop-offs are producing summer bass and are popular during warm weather,
especially if current is present. Big worms rigged Texas style were
working such as Berkley’s Power Bait 10-inch style in the plum, blue
fleck, and pumpkin pepper colors.
Carolina rigged worms and lizards continue to work well. Storm’s Brush
Hog series in the green-pumpkin pepper, cotton candy, and Tequila
Sunrise colors have been popular choices.
Jerking jig and pig combos is working too when fished with a craw
trailer. Also, some swim baits in shad colored variations have accounted
for strikes when bass were schooling over ledges as have some Hopkins
spoons.
White bass schools have been scarce around the Paris Landing area and
not much surface activity has been seen. Traditionally, the early August
time frame sees an increase in action but the once popular summer
feeding frenzies are just not there like they used to be.
Finding these aggressive gamefish in the jumps makes the wait
worthwhile, however, as once these babies turn on it’s about as fast and
furious as it gets.
Crappie have been showing up on main lake ledges where anglers are
working the deep sides of ledges in the 17 to 24 foot zones. Bottom
bumping rigs fished with live minnows has worked best as probing that
deep structure is the norm.
A few fish continue to linger in 12 to 15 foot zones around stakebeds.
Dunking jigs in the submerged cover has worked fair and better when
tipped with a minnow or some sort of fist attractant.
There have been a few reports from night fishermen finding crappie
beneath the lights. Anglers can beat the heat that way, anchoring over
main lake ledges or deep brushpiles while using floating lights or
lanterns. Attracting the baitfish to the light usually draws the crappie
as well.
A few catfish have been taken around the Paris Landing bridge piers when
current is present. Not many anglers are working the edge of the main
river channel lately but that should improve on the days when current
enters the picture.
With TVA’s drawdown curve underway added to the power demands anglers
should see current present on a regular basis.
Despite the hot weather anglers are finding some fish but most are
avoiding the midday hours when the sun is high and the interest level of
the fish is low.
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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