September 2, 2010
Kentucky Lake: Water Level at Ky Dam - 356.64 Surface Temperature - 82
Lake Barkley: Water Level at Barkley Dam - 356.65 Surface Temperature - 82
Both lakes are about two and one half feet below summer pool and on a slow drawdown. Expect both lakes to reach three feet below summer pool by the end of this month barring any unforeseen influx of water in accordance with the TVA River Operating Schedule.
The cooler nights over the past week brought the water temperatures down about four degrees. This drop in water temperatures has somewhat scattered the shad schools on the ledges as some seem to be moving toward the mouths of the creeks and bays to stage for the transition to fall patterns. Typically this transition begins in a week or two as the water temperatures cool below 80 degrees and approach the mid 70's. We will still have some numbers of fish on the ledges for a few weeks but as we enter this transition period, more fish will start showing up in the creeks and bays as the early transitioning shad start moving toward the shallows. Typically, the schools of smaller shad move in first with the schools of bigger shad coming in toward the end of the transition. This drawn out transition begins about mid to late September and lasts 4 or 5 weeks depending on water temperatures. This of course will spread the fish out, especially the bigger bass and one can see this reflected in the history of the big tournaments coming in here for their regionals and classics during this transition period. Most of these tournaments are two day tournaments and are won with about an average of 16 lbs a day although a few do have heavier weights now and then.
The Largemouth fishing this week has been fair with the ledges somewhat spotty still but some good fish have been taken and some good numbers. It is all a matter of timing to be on your best ledge when the shad get active. Most of the ledge bite has been on slow presentations of Carolina rigs, jigs and some shaky heads. An occassional fish is being taken on the ledges on deep diving crankbaits but only during periods when good current is present. Some good fish have been taken around the mouths of the bays on primary points and on secondary channel points just inside the creeks and bays. These fish are feeding on schools of young shad, especially early and late in the day. Some Largemouth are still being taken on secondary points in the backs of the bays as well as on the flats early and late in the day as they are feeding on schools of late spawned shad fry. The White Bass bite has been reported as fair to good this past week by vertically fishing along the old river and creek channel ledges near the mouths of the creeks and bays.
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth are being taken on the old river and creek channel ledges on the main lake and around the mouths of the creeks and bays. These fish are being taken on Carolina rigged creature baits, dragging football head jigs, Texas rigged worms and shaky heads. The Carolina rig has been the better bite with smaller lures the past few couple of weeks, fished very slow. A number of my clients have cashed checks in tournaments the past few weeks on the Carolina rig. Largemouth are also being taken on primary points and secondary points near the mouths of the creeks and bays. These fish are being taken on deep diving crankbaits, Carolina rigged creature baits, Texas rigged large worms, jigs and shaky heads. Largemouth are also being taken early and late in the day on the last secondary points and on the flats in the backs of the creeks and bays on topwater lures, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and lipless crankbaits as they are feeding on schools of fry.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth are being taken on the old river channel ledges on Carolina rigged small creature baits and jigs. Smallmouth are also being taken early and late in the day on primary points and main lake secondary points on Carolina rigged small creature baits and tubes, finesse jigs and shaky heads.
Night Fishing: The night fishing this past week was reported as fair with Largemouth and Smallmouth being taken on primary points, main lake secondary points and the first secondary points in the creeks and bays. These fish are being taken on dark colored spinnerbaits, Carolina rigged creature baits and tubes, jigs and tube jigs.
Some of the productive lures reported this week are: Lucky Craft Sammy in ghost pearl lemon and aurora black, Yozuri PopnSplash in ghost lemon pattern, Bomber Fat Free Shad in Chartreuse Sparkle, Strike King Series 6 in Sexy Shad, Bandit 200 and 300 in rootbeer, Strike King Red Eye Shad in sexy shad and blue/chrome, Slong's spinnerbait and chatterbait in blue glimmer, Charmer 10.5" gator tail worm in green pumpkin, Charmer Timber Pup in watermelon/purple and green pumpkin, Strike King Rodent in amistad special, Slong's football head jig in phantom and Last Cast Hairy Bug jig in green pumpkin with matching Net Baits Paca Chunk trailer. Night Lures: Booyah spinnerbaits in black/blue, Charmer tubes in road kill and Last Cast Hairy Bug jigs in black/blue with matching Net Baits Paca Chunk.
White Bass: White Bass are being taken on the old river and creek channel ledges, especially around the mouths of the creeks and bays. These fish are being taken by vertically fishing with inline spinners, small spoons and minnow rigs.
Bluegill: Bluegills are being taken on deep rocky creek channel banks and points near wood cover by vertically fishing with small jigs tipped with worms. Some Bluegill are also still being taken at night around lighted docks with wood cover. These fish are being taken with crickets and worms fished under bobbers.
Catfish: Catfish are being taken on the old river channels in 20-30 ft of water by bottom fishing with cut baits and yellowtail. The better bite is reported to be with current.
FLASH: On July 1st, one of the nicest and well respected members of the bass fishing community here was severely injured in and auto accident. Ronnie Brinegar, a tournament director for FLW Outdoors is now currently a patient at Shepard Center in Atlanta, Ga where he is beginning a long journey to recovery and rehabilitation. In addition to being a great all around person, he is also a young husband and father. On September 4th a benefit bass tournament will be held at Ky Dam Marina to assist the Ronnie and his family. Registration for this tournament will be held at Fast Eddie's Tackle on U.S. 68 East in Fairdealing from 5-7 p.m on September 3rd. A pretournament meeting will be held at 7:15 following registration. There will be free hotdogs and hamburgers compliments of Fast Eddie's. One can also register at the ramp up until 5:45 a.m. on Saturday morning. There has been a number of donations made to guarantee payout for this tournament so the proceeds can go to assist the Brinegar family. For more information contact Danny York 270-906-5477 or Steve Alvarado 270-841-4626.
If you are visiting the lakes area this summer to enjoy some of our great summer fishing, let me recommend that you stop by one or both of the two finest tackle shops in the region. You will find a complete selection of rod's, reels, lures and all the tackle you need to make your fishing trip a success. Both these shops stock the latest in national brand name fishing tackle and also many local custom lures that produce some great fish on the area lakes. Not only will you find the best tackle selection in these stores, but you will find the folks are service oriented and also knowledgeable about the local fishing conditions as well as being accomplished anglers. Fisherman's Headquarters, is located at the intersection of U.S. 68/U.S. 641 in Draffenville and The Cabin Bait and Tackle is located on U.S. 62 in Kuttawa just west of the I-24/U.S. 62 interchange.
For those of you that are planning a trip here to the big lakes this fall for a tournament or just some fun fishing, make sure you stop by Jet-a-Marina located on U.S. 62 in Calvert City just a couple of miles north of Ky Dam. You will find that they have the cheapest bulk oil prices for your DFI engines in the area not to mention a fully stocked showroom full of boating accessories as well as new Ranger and Stratos bass boats. You might want to note also, that Jet-a-Marina service department is known far and wide for doing everything they can to keep you on the water while you are visiting here with great service.
If you are in need of a bass fishing guide for some just for fun, catch and release bass fishing, tournament preparation, lake familiarization or technique instruction, don't hesitate to give me a call to make a reservation for one of my open dates:
I have the following dates available for booking in September, October and November:
September: 15 (This date just became available due to a cancellation...call now...it won't last long.
October: 24, 26, 27, 29
November: Plenty of dates still available...contact me via email or phone to make your reservation for some of the best fall fishing of the season.
Late October and the month of November typically offer some of the best bass fishing of the season with a lot of topwater action days. Make your booking now to get the date(s) you want.