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November 13, 2013
ANGLERS BOUNCE BACK FROM COLD SNAP
Winter weather slipped through the door earlier this week and pretty
much sent anglers back to the bank to put another log on the fire. Yet
warm weather regained its grip quickly and by this weekend temps are
expected to rebound to the upper 60’s and low 70’s.
Fall conditions chased away the cold front but not before bone chilling
winds and below average temperatures descended at midweek, putting a
chill on the fishing scene. Bass and crappie anglers should see normal
temperatures return quickly and fishing should resume, although some
rain is in the forecast later this weekend and early next week.
Lake levels fluctuated a few inches this week and rose back to the 354.5
level at Kentucky Dam. Upstream in the New Johnsonville sector elevation
is projected to be 354.6 as the weekend approaches. Those readings are
still near the low ebb of winter pool and could increase this weekend if
rains descend.
Water color remains clear across the reservoir. Surface temperatures
dropped this week in the aftermath of the severe cold front. Readings
fell into the 52 to 55 degree range, which is down several degrees from
last week’s mild conditions.
Crappie action was fair prior to the cold front and should rebound by
this weekend as winds will return to a southerly flow and warmer temps
return. With some cloudy, rainy days ahead it could deliver some good
fishing conditions as those days with low pressure usually stimulate
activity for both bass and crappie.
The weatherman indicates some wind may enter the picture as temps warm
this weekend and by the middle of next week another cool snap enters the
picture.
Meanwhile, some of the better catches of crappie have been coming from
deeper drop-offs on the main lake where depths of 15 to 22 feet have
given up decent numbers. Finding some deep stumps or manmade brushpiles
and stakebeds in the deeper venues has been the most productive
territory.
There are still some crappie scattered about midrange depths, however,
as a few stakebeds and brushpiles in the 8 to 12 foot depths have given
up some fish. It’s taking a lot of stops to accumulate numbers in the
midrange depths but some rainy days might see that zone improve.
Most anglers are tipping jigs with Berkley crappie nibbles or adding a
minnow to entice bites.
Bass were relating to gravel roadbeds, rocky points, and sloping gravel
banks prior to the cold front and that bite should return by this
weekend. Shad colored crankbaits have been working well as have lures
like Strike King’s Red-eye shad and Bill Lewis Rattle Traps in shad
colors.
Spinnerbaits were still working too around grassbeds as a lot of
vegetation was showing up in the low water around island rims and flats
south of Lick Creek and down around Bass Bay, White Oak and further
south toward New Johnsonville where more vegetation is showing.
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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