|
This page brought to you by:
Roger Binkley and Chase Binkley from TN
December 2017
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
WINTER FISHING
RESUMES…ANGLERS BACK OUT IN FORCE
After several weeks of inclimate weather that had Kentucky Lake anglers
staying indoors and close to the fire the winter fishing scene has
resumed and not a bit too soon. Most anglers were suffering from cabin
fever and anxious to wet a hook.
Jane and Tom from TN 2017
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
A few had worn
out a pair of shoes just walking the floor waiting on better weather.
You get the drift!
Some mild days with light winds allowed crappie anglers to hit the open
water and test those main lake ledges or manmade fish attractors which
had either been iced in during most of January or vulnerable to nasty
bone chilling winds.
Some areas that hadn’t been fished in a month were finally getting some
attention by weary anglers hoping the fish were hungry and congregated.
Most anglers are reporting a few fish caught that eclipsed the 10-inch
minimum length limit. Although somewhat scattered, the fish are coming
from the deep side of drop-offs in depths of 18 to 20 feet at the mouth
of Big Sandy in the Paris Landing sector.
Not all the fish are relating to deep water, however, as a few boats
working manmade structures such as brushpiles and stakebeds found a few
crappie taking jigs in depths of 9 to 13 feet.
Water color this week has been quite dingy in the Big Sandy and West
Sandy area. Rains last week drenched the area and sent a lot of runoff
into the reservoir which stirred up sediments and stain the water color.
However, the water color was clearing each passing day and now appears
to have a pretty good stain for fishermen.
Surface temperatures at midweek were in the 40 degree range. The weather
roller coaster is still alive and well. At midweek temperatures were
climbing to the upper 50’s but it was a short hiatus from the chilling
conditions that have dominated the overall fishing scene as of late.
Lake levels are staying relative stable across the region. TVA projects
an elevation of 354.7 at Kentucky Dam this weekend. Upstream around New
Johnsonville lake levels will be in the 354.8 range.
The level hasn’t fluctuated much lately, sleeping near the winter pool
mark now for quite some time.
Kentucky Lake crappie and bass fishermen have not seen the normal shad
die-off this winter that usually occurs when extremely cold conditions
descend. Traditionally threadfin shad are vulnerable to quick surface
temperatures declines and often go into shock when trapped in shallow
water as temps bottom out.
The shad kills are normal during very cold times like we’ve just
experienced. However, the lack of visibility of a shad kill further adds
concern to many bass and crappie anglers who have been quite concerned
dating back to last spring, summer and fall when lower numbers of
baitfish were observed.
Also showing some red flags were the physiology of the crappie and some
bass too. Several fish were sporting very thin profiles, an indication
their forage base was less than adequate.
Commercial fishermen that frequent the lake year round have voiced
concern as well about diminishing shad numbers. They usually toss
throw-nets in shallow water to catch baitfish for their trotlines but
most said locating schools of shad has been extremely difficult and
downright impossible at times!
Other signs such as lack of visibility on gravel banks throughout the
fall months when shad usually congregate in lowlight conditions while
feeding on midge hatches. That scenario was not present last fall in the
Paris Landing area like it has been for decades!
From my vantage point I did not see the “fry” coming off this spring
from the usual shad spawn. Clouds of tiny baitfish are usually present
around shorelines, boat docks, buck bushes and weeds as they emerge. I
did not see those young of the year present late last spring.
So, both sport and commercial fishermen are voicing concern as to the
forage base of threadfish shad on Kentucky Lake. In the weeks ahead I’ll
be interviewing fisheries biologists from both Tennessee and Kentucky to
get their input on the overall fishery.
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.
|
|
