Big Kentucky Lake Largemouth

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KENTUCKY LAKE GIVES UP BIG BASS
(COLD WEATHER OUTING WAS WORTH IT)
by Steve McCadams

There was a time when bass fishing in this area pretty much shut down from November through March. In the opinions of most anglers the winter months were just too cold for bass action as the frigid surface temperatures slowed the metabolism of the fish. Chasing down a lure didn’t occur until early March.

When the dreams of fighting a big bass on a warm day and cabin fever peaked, most fishermen headed to southern states such as Florida where weather was different and fish were biting.

That’s changed. It seems winter weather here is different. The extended spells of bitter weather seem to come up only in conversations of yesteryear.

The opportunities for winter bass fishing here on Kentucky Lake suit local angler Bob Hehn just fine.

After retiring to the Paris area two years ago and putting his northern Chicago area home in the review mirror, he wasted no time in hitting the water.

Last Sunday Bob landed the largest largemouth bass of his fishing career. The trophy fish took his Tennessee Shad colored crankbait and quickly gave him a warm feeling on this winter’s day.

What did the big fish weigh? The hefty largemouth tipped the Tower Sports Center scales at a cool nine pounds! How about that for the first day of February on Kentucky Lake?

“This was the biggest bass of my life,” said Hehn, who is a member of the local Two Rivers Bass Club. “I was excited and as soon as I landed him I left the lake and headed home. This fish made my day!”

Hehn said he had landed a couple of smaller bass off the gravel bank but once the lunker hit, his day was complete.

“The surface temperature was showing 43 degrees,” said Hehn, who had visited here over the years and done some summer fishing.

“I liked the area and had relatives here so I decided to move down here once I retired. I love it here and this big fish really confirms my decision to retire here.”

Hehn said the fish is headed to a taxidermist. He plans to display it on the wall and relive the catch with warm thoughts of a cold day on Kentucky Lake.

The catch comes after frigid temperatures descended on the area just 24 hours before. Ice had formed in shallow bays and pockets on Saturday morning as temperatures dipped to the 12-degree mark.

Yet light winds and sunshine helped warm things up throughout the weekend. Anglers had fishing pox and the only treatment of the symptoms is a trip to the lake. Tossing a few lures around rock bluffs and gravel points helps lower the level of cabin fever. If a few fish strike it’s just a bonus.

For Bob Hehn the winter fishing trip to Kentucky Lake was well worthwhile. After all, not many bass anglers ever land a 9-pound fish; mush less during the winter season.

When asked if he wished he had waited until later in the year and taken the fish during one of the bass club tournaments Hehn just laughed and said; “Yeah, it would have been nice to catch it during a tournament but I’m just glad to land a fish like this anytime!”

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