Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Report for March 29th, 2001
Fishing this week has been good for crappie
anglers who are still finding them on the deep ledges. Depths of 18 to
25 feet are still giving up some good catches in the mouth of Big Sandy
River and up toward the power lines near Mansard Island area.
Some fish are trying to move up into shallow areas but the
persistent cold weather is a factor in keeping a lot of crappie
deep.
Surface temperatures remain in the 49 to 51 degree range as below
normal temperatures this past week kept the water cold. A few days of
sunshine saw the water attempt to climb up a few degrees but cold nights
that dipped below freezing have been stubborn to loosen a grip.
Lake elevation is somewhat above normal as the lake has been
rising slowly due to high water on the Mississippi River. TVA is holding
some water back due to abnormally high river stages on the Cairo, IL
gauge.
Lake elevation this week was in the 356 range here in the Paris
Landing area. Normally, TVA begins reservoir filling on April 1st each
year but the future lake stages here are uncertain until the Mississippi
River begins falling.
A lot of crappie have yet to enter the early phases of spawning,
in
terms of their whereabouts. However, many females are sporting some
hefty egg sacs and just waiting for warmer water so they can move up and
spawn.
This next week should see action improve in shallow water as
surface temperatures will likely rise into the mid to upper 50's. When
that happens, anglers can expect a significant improvement in the 6 to 8
foot depths.
Live minnows and jigs tipped with minnows are paying off right
now. Color combinations such as red/chartreuse, orange/chartreuse and
florescent chartreuse with red glitter are a few of the more popular
choices.
Normally, the male crappie have begun moving up and taking on a
darker appearance by now. Their hormonal changes usually have them
sporting a dark purple color and really running the shallow areas with
an attitude. That has yet to take place as cold weather seems to have
dominated the outdoor scene and pushing back the spawn this spring on
Kentucky Lake.
That's not all bad for anglers as the later it goes just might
mean
better fishing overall. It's likely the higher lake levels in latter
April
will be better for the success of the spawn.
In the bass department comes some fair reports as anglers are
chunking crankbaits and jigs along the rocky banks. A few smallmouth and
spotted bass are being taken there too, as are largemouth.
The shad and crawfish colored crankbaits are producing when
fished slow. The jig and pig combo in black and blue has been accounting
for some nice fish too.
A lot of bassers have been out this week in preparation for the
big Froggy Buddy Bass Tournament slated for Saturday out of Paris
Landing State Park. Most were hoping for some warmer weather as a lot of
anglers reported the overall fishing was tough. Those cold fronts have
not been kind this past week and the gusty winds have really been a
limiting factor for all anglers.
With a few warm days this next week things could really break
loose so stay ready. This is the time of year when things happen
quickly.
For Previous Fishing Reports
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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.
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