Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
September 10th, 2004
BASS ACTION IMPROVES IN SHALLOW GRASS…FISH
ENTERING FALL PATTERNS
This
week’s fishing report is showing some improvement for bass in shallow
grass beds and rock banks while crappie show some signs of early fall
patterns.
Kentucky
Lake is falling slowly now but was on the rise earlier in the week.
After rising several inches last weekend TVA indicates the reservoir
will see a gradual drop in lake levels through the upcoming weekend.
Lake
levels are estimated to be 356.1 at New Johnsonville this weekend.
Downstream at Kentucky Dam estimated lake elevation will be slightly
higher with a 356.3 prediction.
Anglers
and practically all lake users were watching the long range forecast
last week with anticipation of heavy rains in the aftermath of Hurricane
Frances. However, most of the rain fell in middle and east Tennessee,
dodging Kentucky Lake.
Heavy
rains across portions of the TVA valley could send some runoff our way
so lake levels could rise some next week, although no high water is in
the forecast at this time.
Watercolor remains clear throughout most of the Paris Landing area and
upper Big Sandy basin. Strong northwest winds whipped the lake up on
Tuesday and Wednesday, stirring up some stain on shallow points along
the main lake but very little dingy water is present.
Bass
action continues to hold up around those visible grass beds where lots
of baitfish are present. Several fish have been taken in shallow water
this week as anglers work topwater plugs and spinnerbaits around
grassbeds both in the backs of bays and along main river island rims.
A few
bass are hitting shad in the lowlight conditions of early morning and
late afternoon on the gravel banks. This is the time of year when those
twilight hours produce some nice surface action as midge hatches are
underway, attracting thousands of threadfin shad that show their silver
sides in the placid waters.
Buzzbaits, along with a variety of chugger style plugs, often entice
strikes as can shallow running crankbaits and chrome colored Rattle
Traps. Some of the soft plastic jerk baits are worth tying on too as
they make a soft and quiet entry when hitting the water, unlike some
other lures that might scare a fish in shallow water.
Some
visible treelaps and exposed stakebeds are giving up some bass too. A
few boat docks offer shade and cover as well.
Some
smallmouth have shown up off rip-rap levees and around bridge piers
lately. Some main lake sandbars have produced a few smallmouth too as
anglers work finesse baits along the ledges or slow crawl Carolina rigs.
Crappie
are showing some improvement as fall draws closer. There’s still a lot
of small fish being caught in midrange depths of 9 to 12 feet. There’s
an abundance of black crappie out there but they’re sometimes short and
chunky but slightly shy of the minimum 10-inch length limit.
Some of
the larger fish are still lingering on main lake ledges in 16 to 20 foot
zones with a few fish residing even deeper.
Look for
action to improve next week as a few of the larger crappie begin to move
toward midrange depths. A few cooler nights and some overcast days will
see shallow action improve.
White
bass action is still slow with very few jumps reported.
Catfishing is holding up well along the main river channel. Depths of 25
to 35 feet have produced this week as anglers bump bottom with
nightcrawlers, leeches, catalpa worms, and hotdogs soaked in garlic
powder or various stink baits.
A few
catfish are moving up on flats in 10 to 14 foot areas. Jug and trotline
fishermen are still landing a few from those areas.
Surface
temperatures remain in the 79 to 83 degree range.
Look for overall fishing to respond favorably in the aftermath of
the next cool spell.
For The Lake Barkley Report
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Also check out our past:
Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Steve McCadams
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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