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October 2018
Tom and "OC" from Chicago
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
ROOLER COASTER WEATHER FOR ANGLERS
Although fall has a reputation for stability this past week was a roller
coaster of weather patterns for Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene. After
last week’s hot weather heavy rains preceded a cold front that thrust
itself on anglers with a vengeance and turned the fishing world upside
down.
Jane and Tom TN Crew
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Brisk north winds brought chilly temperatures to the region to kick the
week off. That has thrown anglers off balance to some degree as more
rain and cool conditions are expected to linger into the weekend. Above
average temperatures one week; below average the next!
Surface temperatures have really fallen since the cold front descended.
Last week temps were in the 79 to 80 degree range but have dropped some
15 degrees or more in some areas. Readings at midweek were in the 64 to
65 degree range and may cool another degree or two by this weekend.
Roger Binkley and Chase Binkley
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Actually anglers welcomed the decline in surface temperatures, which
should set the stage for improved fall fishing conditions in the days
and weeks ahead. Surface temps for mid to late October usually range
around the low to mid 60’s so normalcy has returned in that department.
Throwing another curve to the fall fishing this week has been both
fluctuation of lake levels and rapidly changing temperatures. That’s an
unusual scenario for this time of year.
Water color was changing at midweek in the upper Big Sandy and West
Sandy area as a lot of runoff entered the reservoir and brought muddy
water to some areas. Around Paris Landing some shallow pockets and the
upper ends of big bays are quite dingy but main lake areas remain clear.
In addition to changing weather conditions have come changing lake
levels too. TVA had really pulled the plug late last week and had the
reservoir down slightly below winter pool for a few days, apparently
anticipating the heavy rains.
At midweek elevation was 355.3 and rising slowly but last weekend the
lake had fallen to 354.7 in some areas. A few areas across the region
received 3 to 4 inches of rain prior to the arrival of the cold front.
By early next week mild temperatures and light winds should return.
That’s the norm for mid to late October.
Crappie fishing has been fair lately with several fish lingering in the
9 to 12 foot zones. A few fish were taken in 5 to 9 foot depths recently
but falling lake levels last weekend appeared to pull a few fish out of
very shallow venues.
Now that lake levels are rising slowly anglers should see the shallow
bite resume to some degree, especially if mild weather or some cloudy
days enter the picture.
There are still several small fish out there so expect to measure a lot
of your catch. However, a few keeper size fish are being taken but
patterns are scattered and inconsistent. The north and northeast winds
earlier in the week no doubt had an adverse effect on the overall bite.
There’s just something about the back side of a severe cold front that
causes a mood swing in fish and that certainly seemed to be the case
this week.
Anglers tipping jigs with Berkley Power Bait or live minnows were
scoring the most fish. Popular jig skirts ranged from pink/chartreuse to
some shad colors sporting glitter.
A few anglers have ventured out near the edge of the main river channel
stalking deep brushpiles in 16 to 19 foot depths zones and found a few
keeper size fish there. However, no real schooling fish were taken in
the deep venues.
Overall the crappie bite had been mediocre but should improve by next
week. Although anglers are landing enough to keep them going very few
20-fish limits have been taken.
Bass anglers had been tossing topwater around gravel banks and finding a
few scattered fish busting a jerk bait or buzzbait at times.
Also popular have been Rattle Traps and Red-Eye Shad style baits toss on
main lake flats and back in some large bays where anglers have been
searching for a few schooling fish or just some isolated good ones
chasing shad.
Crankbaits on gravel have been producing as well with some fish
occupying shallow roadbeds or rip-rap shorelines.
Lower surface temps should help the shallow bass pattern in the days
ahead. Watch for more opportunity for anglers tossing spinerbaits around
stickups.
Hopefully Kentucky Lake fishermen can put the coveralls and heavy
jackets back in the closet soon. The raingear has really gotten a
workout lately too so anglers are around ready to dry thing out and stay
day for a few days!
Also check out our past:
Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Steve McCadams is one of the nation's best known Crappie Fishermen
and a full time resident of Paris, Tennessee. Steve is also a
professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing area.
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