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March 15, 2013
FISHING SCENE HEATS UP…SPRING ARRIVES NEXT WEEK
It’s time to say goodbye to winter fishing weather
and that will officially take place next Wednesday once the seasons
change.
Both bass and crappie anglers are ready for spring to take over and hold
on. The upcoming weekend weather appears to be working in favor of
fishermen too as a warm transition is expected to pave the way for
spring’s approach.
Surface temperatures have been sleeping in the 46 to 48 degree range
this week but should begin edging up in the days ahead. Some stubborn
northwest wind and cool nights have held a grip but a warming trend now
underway should see Kentucky Lake’s cold water finally cross the 50
degree threshold by early next week.
Last year at this time anglers were the beneficiaries of some unusually
warm weather that had things ahead of schedule as to spring fishing
patterns. Crappie and bass anglers were talking about early spawns last
year at this time but both water temperatures and lake levels are pretty
much on schedule this time around.
Lake levels this week have been falling slowly and are hovering close to
the normal low ebb of winter pool. Projections for the weekend will see
an elevation of 354.4 at Kentucky Dam. Upstream at New Johnsonville lake
levels will be in the 355.1 range.
Water color is in good shape for fishing across the reservoir. A slight
stain was present in some areas due to high winds whipping up shorelines
but overall things look good.
Crappie action has improved some with the success rate lately somewhat
dependent on the wind. March is always an iffy month for open water
crappie fishing as it dictates the rules of engagement. On days when
winds have been tolerable anglers are catching decent stringers from the
deeper main lake areas of 18 to 25 feet.
A lot of fish are suspended in deep water and hanging out in the deeper
zones awaiting a warm-up. Several boats were scoring as they slow
trolled jigs and live minnows over the main channel and deeper sloughs
of Big Sandy.
Popular techniques have been spider rigging, drifting, pulling and
trolling long line presentations of Road Runner style jigs or even tube
skirted jigs. Others are using live minnows and slowly maneuvering along
the deeper sides of drop-offs and finding fish on structure.
Increased success was also reported in West Sandy this week too as
boaters were dodging the wind around the Britton Ford sector.
Expect a lot of movement from fish next week as they respond to warmer
surface temperatures and move up to midrange depths in their prespawn
phases. Action has been slow in midrange depths but watch for structure
in the 12 to 15 foot zone to improve soon.
Big stingers of bass continue to come in as anglers are catching some
dandies in a variety of depths. Those deeper schools of bass have really
been holding up for anglers who have learned their whereabouts thanks to
some updated sonar technology.
Finding the suspended schools of shad near deeper creek channels far out
from shore has been the ticket for bass fishermen tossing the Alabama
rigs and suspending jerk baits. Some very big fish have been taken the
last two weeks.
With warmer weather now entering the picture watch for more big fish to
move up toward those gravel points and big chunk rock shorelines.
Tossing shad and crawfish colored crankbaits will be popular choices.
The colder surface temperatures have been keeping a lot of the bigger
bass out deeper as they are hot on the path of schools of baitfish. Once
temps warm baitfish will transition toward those shallow mud flats and
gravel bars.
March is holding up to its reputation as being one of the best months of
the year to catch big bass here on Kentucky Lake. Those big females are
putting on the feedbag as prespawn approaches.
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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