Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Report for May 3rd, 2001
This week's fishing report is a good one for
anglers in pursuit of bluegill and redear (shellcracker) sunfish. Action
is also improving for catfishermen, as well as in the bass
department.
Surface temperatures on Kentucky Lake are in the
68 to 72 degree range. Lake elevation in the Paris Landing area is still
staying around the summer pool stage of 359.
Bluegill, better known locally as "bream", are on the
bed and spawning. Fanning the little craters in the shallow mud and
gravel bottom has been underway for several days now.
That means some great fishing is underway for anglers who love the
light tackle approach for this feisty panfish. Every year the bluegill
go on bed in early May and normally stay shallow in big numbers through
early June.
Peak spawning usually occurs from early May through the latter
part of the month with a lot of influence from the full moon. Already
action has been good as anglers toss crickets, redworms and meal worms
around submerged grass beds, near buck bushes and the shallow gravel
bars.
The shellcracker are on the bed too and some dandies have been
caught this week. The backs of coves, especially on the east side of the
lake, are producing some prime fishing opportunities.
Depths of 1 to 4 feet are where you'll need to look. Most of the
time you'll need to lay back and cast your bait and bobber to the areas
so as not to spook the fish in the clear water.
Catfish continue to improve as successful anglers report activity
in the rocky bank areas where the fish are coming to spawn in the holes
and crevices. Places like the little rock island in Big Sandy near
Sulphur Well Island, the embankment to Paris Landing bridge and the
Danville levee are a few of the more popular venues.
Nightcrawlers and cut shad are producing well. Look for catfishing
to remain good in the weeks ahead.
Bass action has been pretty good this week as anglers continue to
find fish in the shallow buck bushes and weedbeds. Tossing a spinnerbait,
worm and lizard has been working well. Crawfish imitations are good too
and some are finding fish taking a floating worm worked slowly on
spinning gear.
There's a few bass on bed this week. Most of the fish that are
striking appear to be the male buck bass. The clear days have been slow
for topwater action but the late afternoon and early morning has seen
some surface action. Buzzbaits and jerk baits have been working well
when fish over submerged grass beds and around logs or deeper bushes.
Crappie fishing is still under the spell of a sluggish, post-spawn
mood. A few fish are hitting but remain scattered and finicky.
Some fish are holding in the manmade stakebeds and brushpiles in 9
to 14 foot depths but it's a one here; one there scenario.
Anglers drifting and trolling along the deeper areas of Big Sandy
are finding a few fish still taking the slow moving jigs and minnows. A
few fish were reported in 18 to 21 foot zones this week while upper Big
Sandy near New Hope landing and across West Sandy found fish in the 12
foot zone.
Most of the fish have spawned and the ones being caught are thin.
And, the bulk of the fish appear to be suspended still and not relating
much to structure.
Live minnows and jigs tipped with minnows are working best. Dull
colors such as motor oil with metal flake, clear with sparkle, and
chartreuse with metal flake fish on unpainted leadheads seem to be
working best.
Overall, the water is clear. The wind has been tolerable this week
with light breezes from the south to southwest.
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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