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November / 2014
Great day crappie fishing Daryl Newport and Danny Richard
Photo curtsey of
Crappie Action
Guide Service
MILD DECEMBER APPEALED TO WINTER ANGLERS
There was a time when seeing hordes of bass boats headed to Kentucky
Lake during the month of December was rare. Not so anymore.
Winter just arrived on the calendar last Sunday yet the late fall period
of November and the weeks in December leading up to winter’s arrival
pretty much dropped the curtain on bass fishing in times past for the
bulk of anglers.
Crappie and sauger fishermen were known to venture out on a regular
basis but not bass fishermen as the colder surface temperatures and bad
weather curtailed activity. Once surface temperatures drop into the mid
to low 40’s bass become lethargic and reluctant to chase down a fast
moving lure. Although not totally dormant they do become sluggish.
Mild weather the last several weeks has been attractive to bass anglers
who have extended their season and taken advantage of the abundance of
days when above average temperatures teamed up with calm winds to
provide nice fishing conditions.
Anglers had a lot of opportunities to battle cabin fever and fish at the
same time. Boat ramps at places like Paris Landing State Park have told
the story. In years past you might see two or three bass boat trailers
parked in the lot but lately it looked like a tournament was underway
even on some weekdays.
Several days had 30 to 40 trucks and boat trailers parked in the lot as
anglers were out in force. It has been that way all over the lake too as
rooster tails emerged from fast moving rigs as they zoomed down the main
Tennessee River channel.
No doubt the weather has been more in favor of fishermen than
waterfowlers who are yearning for a weather change with cold temps and
brisk north winds, which is exactly what fishermen don’t want this time
of year.
Meanwhile, Kentucky Lake’s elevation is resting at 355.3 at both
Kentucky Dam and New Johnsonville as the weekend approaches. Lake levels
are up a few inches this week as the lake dropped down to winter pool
for a few days but had a slight rise at midweek.
Surface temperatures are in the 47 to 49 degree range. Water color is
clear across most of the reservoir.
No doubt bass fishermen have been catching some fish along rock and
gravel points while tossing crankbaits, jig and pig combos, Alabama and
Carolina rigs and some spoons. Some are working ledges too at the mouth
of big bays.
Not much going on in the sauger department as anglers are just not
catching them. The sauger population has been in decline for quite some
time and isn’t showing any signs of a rebound.
Crappie fishermen have been out in force too as several decent stringers
have been taken. Depths of 9 to 12 feet had been producing crappie as
anglers worked stakebeds and brushpiles near drop-offs. As cooler
weather approaches watch for crappie to pull back to deeper sides of
main lake ledges in the 18 to 22 foot depth ranges.
It appears cooler weather will enter the picture next week as the
weatherman indicates some cool fronts are on the horizon. Anglers can’t
complain, however, as they’ve enjoyed a nice December at a time when bad
weather could have kept them indoors.
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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