Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
March 15th, 2002
This week's fishing report has shown some
improvement but is still in need of some back-to-back sunny days. Last
weekend's gale winds had the lake under a wind advisory but began to
improve on Sunday and Monday.
Surface temperatures are hanging in the 46 to 51 degree range but
should warm up some by early next week, assuming the rains pass and
allow sunny days to take over.
Observed lake elevation in the Paris Landing area was 354.7, up a
few inches from last week but still hanging near the winter pool
reading.
Watercolor had cleared in the mouth of Big Sandy early this week but
some stain was still present in the back of creeks and up Big Sandy and
West Sandy.
Crappie continue to dodge the hooks of a lot of anglers as brisk
winds and cool days still make the overcoat standard equipment.
The fish are still scattered and not concentrating on the deep-water
areas. However, some successful stories are coming in from crappie
fishermen who are using the slow trolling techniques of spider rigging,
the multi-pole presentation that allows several baits to be fished at
one time.
When crappie are scattered or suspended, the vertical presentations
where a double hooked crappie rigged bounced on bottom and around
structure, has moderate success. Yet other techniques like the slow
trolling, multi-pole rigs can cover more water and produce better
results.
Spider rigging is growing in popularity here as legions of anglers
continue to partake of the method. Some have done it here for several
years but overall, anglers here are adapting to the style that has long
been popular in other southern states such as Georgia and South
Carolina.
Other variations such as "pulling" or "drifting" are but a
variation. The key seems to be several different baits fished at the
same time in several different depth zones. For years Tennessee had a
three-pole limit but that regulation is no longer in effect.
Jigs are producing with popular colors being such combos as lime and
chartreuse, pink and pearl, black and chartreuse, and straight
chartreuse with red metal flake. Tipping the jigs with Berkley Power
Bait crappie nibbles seems to help.
Live minnows are also producing but it seems the jigs are improving
and accounting for a few more fish this week.
Look for improved action in the 6 to 12 foot zones this next week in
the Paris Landing area as a few fish begin to move up. The upper Big
Sandy basin has already seen some crappie hitting in 4 to 8 foot zones,
while the Paris Landing area is still seeing some of the larger fish
hanging around the 18 to 24 foot areas.
Bass have improved some this week with more action coming from big
chunk rock points and bluffs as anglers toss crawfish colored crankbaits
and jig and pig combos.
With the water warming next week, look for improved action around
rock and gravel banks, bridge piers, and some shallow crappie beds or
exposed stumps.
Smallmouth are still showing up from the rocky bluffs and gravel
points too. Some finesse baits such as small hair jigs and in-line
spinners are accounting for a few bronzebacks.
This is the time of year when a lot of trophy bass are taken here on
Kentucky Lake so put on some new line, oil the reel, test the drag, and
head on out to the lake.
For The Lake Barkley Report
Click Here
For Other Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Click Here
Steve McCadams
is a professional hunting and fishing guide
here in the
Paris Landing area and host of The Outdoor Channel's television series IN-PURSUIT.
|
|
