by Steve McCadams
October 13th, 2000
Fishing this week has had a little bit of summer, fall and winter
mixed in. Seems like there was a dose of all three seasons encountered
this past week by anglers on Kentucky Lake.
Cold fronts are normally the culprit in early spring but one found
its
way down south last weekend, bringing with it bone chilling winds that
whipped the open waters of Kentucky Lake with white caps. Temperatures
fell some 25 to 30 degrees in just a day.
The drastic change hampered fishing last weekend but by Tuesday
warm and sunny days returned. Light winds made it feel good on the lake
and the fish rebounded.
Surface temperatures have cooled dramatically this week. Last week
we were reading water in the 75 degree range but by Tuesday, surface
temperatures had dropped to 62 degrees!
Observed elevation in the Paris Landing area of Kentucky Lake was
354.9, a few inches lower than last week's report. That's nearing winter
pool and exposing some hallow stumps and sandbars all over the lake for
boaters.
Crappie fishing has bounced back somewhat from a slow
weekend when high winds and falling temperatures curtailed activity by
both the fish and the fishermen.
Several fish are being taken on the deep ledges in depths of 16
to 20
feet. Seems those deep water fish have not been turned off by the
cold front quite as much as the shallow fish. Minnows are
producing good on the double hook bottom bumping rigs but other anglers
like local
fishermen Jim Breeden are finding success tipping jigs with
minnows.
Jig skirt colors in lime, red and chartreuse or pink and pearl
combo
colors are working well. Most anglers are using a 1/8 ounce leadhead
while often tying on two jigs rigged some 18 inches apart with a small
bell sinker on the bottom.
With the warm weather returning look for increased activity in the
crappie department these next few days. There's some great fishing
ahead, not to mention some beautiful scenery forthcoming as the leaves
begin to turn these next two weeks.
Bass anglers are still down in the dumps as to the overall
success
this fall. There's a few nice smallmouth showing up as anglers
work the rocky banks or sloping sandbars on the east side of the lake
with small crankbaits or finesse lures such as leadhead grubs, Carolina
rigs and light tackle presentations.
Some bass are hitting spinnerbaits around wood such as logs,
treelaps,
visible crappie beds in the backs of creeks or bridge piers. A few fish
have also been taken around boathouses as anglers cast shallow running
crankbaits and jerk baits.
Look for some good fishing days ahead as moderate weather
dominates and fall holds up to its reputation a stable season for
outdoorsmen. The coming weeks will offer anglers some great
times on the lake so make plans to take advantage it.
Previous Fishing Reports
Oct. 7th
Sept. 25th
Sept. 18th
week of Sept. 11th
week of Sept. 4th
week of Aug. 28th
The information above is
compiled by outdoor writer
Steve McCadams
Steve is a professional hunting and fishing guide
here in the Paris
Landing area and host of the The Outdoor Channel's television series
IN-PURSUIT.
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