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August 2, 2013
SUMMER TEMPS RETURN…COOL SPELL SHORT AND SWEET
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene had a nice reprieve for a few days last
week when fall like conditions descended, dropping both temperatures and
humidity to make it feel great on the lake for a few days.
At midweek summer conditions returned and the cool snap was in the
rearview mirror of fishermen as they wiped sweat and dodged
thunderstorms. Ah, but every day makes fall that much closer!
Action has held up pretty good lately for catfishermen enjoying a
moderate amount of current in the main river channel. Bass are still
hitting pretty good for anglers working the main lake ledges and summer
crappie have managed to show interest in the baits of anglers too.
Lake levels this week were falling slowly this week as TVA continued its
gradual drawdown. However, some heavy thunderstorms at midweek were
dropping a lot of water across the southern end of the reservoir so it’s
likely a little rise in lake stages could occur in the next few days.
Elevation was projected to be 357.2 at both Kentucky Dam and New
Johnsonville as the weekend approached but TVA could revise that in the
aftermath of the runoff that entered the pictured on Wednesday.
Surface temperatures the last few days were resting in the 83 to 85
degree range but actually cooled off a bit last weekend. Water color is
clear in Big Sandy but the main Tennessee River channel will likely
inherit some stain these next few days from upstream.
Bass fishermen were tossing Carolina rigged craws, worms, and lizards on
a regular basis and catching decent numbers on drop-offs, especially on
the main channel areas when current was present. Earlier in the week the
current subsided for a day or so and bass activity fell off but
rebounded at midweek.
Big crankbaits are still producing too when fished along the ledges in 9
to 14 foot depths as have jig and craw combos and some swim baits. Texas
rigged worms in the 10-inch size range have continued to be popular
choices too.
Catfish action improved the last few days as slow current was working in
favor of catfishermen baiting with nightcrawlers fished in 25 to 40 foot
depths. Bouncing rigs around the submerged feeder ditches and creeks
that enter the main channel has worked well as have some piers at the
New McWherter Bridge area.
For summer crappie anglers the action has been fair lately and they
enjoyed the cool snap last week that made it feel like fall was knocking
on the door. With warmer weather returning look for more crappie to
relate to the deep sides of main lake ledges in the 18 to 25 foot depth
range.
Most anglers are using live minnows on bottom bumping rigs with fishing
the deeper hideouts but there are still a few scattered fish hanging
around deeper stakebeds and brushpiles in the 12 to 14 foot zone.
Anglers vertical fishing manmade beds are still having success with 1/16
to 1/8-ounce jigs tipped with live minnows or Berkley Power Bait crappie
nibbles.
Mayfly hatches have been sporadic as of late. A few flies have hatched
around the Paris Landing area at times and up north around Cypress and
around river islands down toward Danville levee but no massive hatches
have been seen like those of yesteryear.
The summer scene has been pretty good to anglers lately and with the
return of hot weather that early morning and late afternoon time frame
will be the most appealing unless you choose to really beat the heat and
try some night fishing.
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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