Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
September 12th, 2003
From this week's fishing scene comes continued reports from catfish,
crappie, and bass anglers who are having successful outings.
Fall fishing patterns are slowly taking place as the transition time
is underway for most species as cooler weather approaches.
Kentucky Lake has been falling slowly this week and is some six to
eight inches lower than last week at this time. Current has been visible
each day in the main river channel.
Observed lake elevation at Kentucky Dam is expected to be 355.4 this
weekend, according to TVA. Upstream at New Johnsonville the lake level
will be slightly higher with a forecast of 355.5.
Surface temperatures this week were in the 79 to 83 degree range.
Watercolor is relatively clear in most of the bays as the falling
lake levels have pulled out the dingy water left after last week's rains
and runoff.
Bass action has been fair on gravel banks in the early morning and
late afternoon as anglers toss topwater lures around breaking schools of
shad. Some bays and mudflats now have shallow aquatic grass showing due
to lower lake levels.
The grass is full of baitfish and casting jerkbaits and floating
worms over the vegetation has produced several small bass. Working
spinnerbaits and buzzbaits on the parameter of grass has also accounted
for several strikes.
Some bass are holding on shallow structure such as exposed crappie
beds, logs, boathouses, and stumps. Shallow running crankbaits and
plastic jerk baits have worked well in those areas lately.
Some of the larger bass have continued to relate to ledges or
roadbeds near deep water. Big crankbaits, jig and pork combos, and
Carolina and Texas rigged worms are still working on main lake drops.
Look for improved action this week around shallow gravel banks and
roadbeds as rainy days and cooler nights should stimulate activity.
White bass action continues to be practically non-existent.
Sightings of surface activity have been rare this summer and most
anglers feel the white bass numbers are very low.
Crappie action is holding its own as several fish are lingering in
the 12 to 14 foot zones with a few fish in the 10 to 12 foot areas. As
the cooler conditions approach anglers will see more activity in the
midrange depths as fish begin leaving deep ledges and move to bays and
flats off the main lake.
Several crappie were taken this week from stakebeds and brushpiles
as anglers tipped chartreuse jigs sporting red metal flake, with
minnows. Adding Berkley Power Bait's crappie nibbles has enhanced the
appeal.
A few days crappie were sluggish as stagnant winds had the fish in a
finicky mood. I found a few scattered fish on deep ledges in the 18 to
20 foot zones but most were just above the break of the drop-off on
stumps in 15-foot zones but sporting a sluggish attitude toward jigs and
live minnows.
Action was better on the days when some cloud cover and a little
ripple on the water was present.
Catfish action is fair along the main river channel, as the current
has helped. Some fish have left the deeper venues and moved up toward
the edge of the river's overbank in depths of 15 to 20 feet.
A few fish continue to be taken by anglers who are jug fishing out
around the main channel. Nightcrawlers continue to be the bait of choice
but some chicken liver seems to still be on the menu.
Lower lake levels and cooler conditions this next week will continue
to see movement from the fish as they head toward shallow areas in
pursuit of shad.
For The Lake Barkley Report
Click Here
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.
|
