Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Report for May 10th, 2001
This week's fishing report still has top billing
for the bluegill. They' re on the bed and hitting good. Spawning time is
at hand and a full moon this weekend further signals a peak time for
catching the little fish that packs a big punch.
Some redear (shellcracker) are hitting too in the areas near the
bluegill beds or around scattered bushes and grass beds. The bays on the
east side of the lake such as Panther, Lost Creek, Standing Rock,
Leatherwood, Hurricane and White Oak are a few of the more popular areas
to look for shellcracker beds.
Wax worms and redworms are producing for the shellcracker while
crickets are still the bait of choice for bluegill. A few anglers are
finding success by casting a small beetle spin or nymph on ultra-light
spinning tackle. Dragging it slowly along the bottom and through a
spawning area is sure to produce some strikes from a territorial bunch
of bluegill and shellcracker.
Depths of 2 to 5 feet are producing the bluegill, who seem to
favor the backs of small coves where gravel and mud bottoms are
mixed.
Presently, the water is clear on most of Kentucky Lake, although
some wind and thunderstorms early in the week stirred up some stained
water in a few areas.
Lake elevation has been a few inches below summer pool this week
with a reading of 358.8 in the Paris Landing area. Surface temperatures
are warming and dancing around the 72 to 77 degree range.
Crappie are still somewhat scattered and under the spell of
post-spawn. A few fish are being taken in deep stakebeds and brushpiles
as anglers work jigs tipped with minnows. Dull colors in the light blue
and chartreuse shades are working as most anglers use them on unpainted
leadheads.
Some crappie were improving in the deep ranges of 18 to 20 feet
this week out on the main lake ledges. A few good fish were mixed with
smaller ones in the deep areas but action had improved some over last
week.
Bass have improved, especially for anglers fishing for smallmouth
on rock banks and sloping river sandbars. The clear water continues to
attract more anglers to the smallmouth techniques of fishing a jig and
small grub on light tackle.
Some fish are still taking surface baits around bushes and grass
beds in the early morning and late afternoon hours. Spinnerbaits and
floating worms are working as are lizards fished around buck bushes.
Catfish are hitting good along rocky areas this week. Many have
been spawning around those type areas and anglers are finding them by
casting nightcrawlers and various cut baits such as shad and liver.
Several bank fishermen are catching channel catfish off the rocks
at Paris Landing and on the Danville railroad levee. Some action was
reported near Springville pumphouse this week too.
The weather has been good this week with warm days and light
winds. Look for action to remain good for bedding bluegill, catfish and
bass this next week. Crappie should continue to improve too as they
slowly work their way back to secondary flats and deep ledges out on the
main lake.
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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