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ANGLERS DODGE WEATHER
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene has yielded to the weather change this
week. Most anglers are staying indoors or dodging the high winds, rain
and falling temperatures somewhere other than out on the lake.
Last weekend and earlier this week conditions were pretty good for fall
fishing but that all changed Tuesday when gale force winds preceded
heavy rains that night and throughout the day on Wednesday. Cooler
temperatures are in the forecast for the weekend and well into next week
before moderate temps return but it appears rain is not part of the
picture for a spell.
Lake levels have been staying just below the normal winter pool mark for
several consecutive weeks but watch for some increase in elevation in
the aftermath of heavy rains across the region at midweek. Some areas
received two or more inches of rain Monday night and got another
drenching Tuesday night and Wednesday morning so a lot of water is
entering the watershed.
TVA had been keeping the reservoir around the 354.6 range at Kentucky
Dam and a few inches lower than that upstream at New Johnsonville. Watch
for a slow rise to occur throughout the weekend however. Projections for
the weekend see a slight rise back to the 355 range for a few days
before a slight decline begins.
Surface temperatures have been in the 60 to 62 degree range but will
fall back into the upper 50’s by this weekend as cooler nights influence
things. Temps are expected to drop at night below the freezing mark this
weekend so no doubt cooler surface temps are ahead.
Prior to the weather change earlier in the week some crappie anglers
scored decent catches. Several fish were taken in midrange depths of 8
to14 feet out on the main lake areas and back in some bays as well.
Most of the better catches were coming from anglers tightlining jigs
over manmade structure.
Bass activity diminished this week as anglers were also victims of the
disgruntled weather patterns. Some fishermen are tossing shad colored
crankbaits around gravel points and shorelines and picking up a few
while others continue to stalk grassbeds with topwater and suspending
jerkbaits.
The fishing scene may cool off a bit this weekend but look for moderate
conditions to return by the middle of next week before turkey day
arrives.
PARKER LANDS SLAB
Vanice Parker of Springville had some good fishing reports last weekend
and again on Monday when she landed the largest crappie of her 21-year
fishing career.
While fishing Kentucky Lake with her husband Larry she boated a hefty
slab crappie that tipped the scales at 2 ¾ pounds. The big black crappie
fell prey to a jig fished over a stakebed in the 12-14 foot depth range.
“We are originally from Dyersburg and have been fishing Kentucky Lake
for about 21 years. We built a place here in 2001 and made it our home
in 2013 after Larry's retirement from the Tennessee Division of
Forestry.”
“Even though it was raining Monday morning, we knew the forecast for
Tuesday and Wednesday was even worse (rain and wind),” said Parker of
her recent outing. “So we put on our rain suits and headed for the
lake.”
“We love to single pole jig fish. That's the way we fish 99% of the time
and that's the way we were fishing Monday. We were using black and
chartreuse jigs--no tipping with minnow or nibble,” continued Parker
when asked about details of her fishing.
“When that crappie hit my jig, I knew I had a big fish and told Larry to
get the net. When I got it close to the top of the water, I could see
how big it was,” said Parker. “I felt my heart rate go up dramatically
to say the least”!
We have told others since our retirement that our first priority in life
was to serve our Lord....then to see how big of a crappie we could
catch! The Lord blessed me on Monday for sure!
The Parkers have logged stringers of 17 last Friday and 30 on Saturday
during their 4 to 6 hour outings.
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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