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MARCH MADNESS FOR ANGLERS…WARM DAYS AHEAD
Spring is less than three weeks away. It officially arrives March 20th
so that ought to make anglers feel pretty good just knowing it’s close
at hand.
Kentucky Lake anglers know the Ides of March can dictate where and how
you fish the big pond. Wind is always a factor but never more so than
during the month of March.
This week has been a prime example. Warm weather is in the forecast as
the weekend approaches and that will stimulate activity among the ranks
in the aftermath of a midweek cold front that kept most fishermen
indoors.
Last weekend had some warm but windy days. Monday was great; above
average temps reached the mid 60’s and virtually no wind. A cold front
entered the picture Tuesday with some northwest wind so anglers had to
regroup and ride out a few chilly days as they wait for the approaching
reprieve.
Looks like temps will rebound to the low 60’s again this weekend paving
the way for some nice fishing conditions if the wind holds off. By the
middle of next week the extended warm spell will see temps jump into the
70 degree range! Both bass and crappie anglers should benefit when those
warmer days arrive.
Surface temperatures started the week off in the 48 degree range and
climbed to the low 50’s thanks to Monday afternoon’s warm sunshine. The
midweek cool snap robbed a few degrees but watch for a rebound to the
low 50’s this weekend.
Water color is quite stained across most of the reservoir as a
combination of runoff from recent rains and some high winds stirred
things up. However, the water color isn’t too muddy to fish.
Lake levels are projected to be in the 355.3 the next few days at
Kentucky Dam. Upstream in the New Johnsonville sector there is a
difference of two feet as elevation there is 357.3. The difference
indicates a significant amount of current in the main Tennessee River
channel.
Normal winter pool is 355 so TVA is pulling a lot of water through
Kentucky Dam this week in an attempt to get the reservoir back to normal
levels upstream. Expect current to continue for several more days in the
main river area.
Crappie anglers are finding some scattered fish along main lake ledges
in the 19 foot depth zone. Most fishermen reported several small fish
were taken with a few bigger slabs mixed in at times. However, not many
fish were taken in the mid-size range as it appeared the catch was
comprised of mostly small fish below the 10-inch minimum.
Tightlining minnows produced a few fish but the bulk were hitting jigs
tipped with either minnows or Berkley crappie nibbles in the pink or
chartreuse color. Florescent green, orange or red leadheads seemed to
have more appeal in the dingy water color as well.
Some boats were working midrange stakebeds and brushpiles in the 9 to 12
foot zone in the Paris Landing sector but numbers were low. Most were
vertical fishing jigs in the pink/chartreuse and fluorescent
green/orange color categories.
Bass fishermen have logged some decent catches lately on the sunny days
as some fish were taken on shallow gravel banks and points in the upper
ends of bays. Crawfish colored crankbaits have produced as have some
loud colors such as firetiger, orange/chartreuse and red/orange.
Other anglers are backing off the banks and working humps and ledges
with Strike King’s Red Eye Shad series style baits, assorted swim baits
and some deep diving crankbaits. Jig and craw combos have also worked as
have some Carolina and Alabama rigs.
A few anglers are still finding deeper bass off ledges once they locate
meandering schools of shad. Watch for the shallow bite to improve this
weekend once surface temps rebound into the low 50’s.
March has a reputation of being a great crankbait month here on the
abundant gravel banks and mud sandbars as bass stage but move up quickly
when warm weather descends. And, some of the year’s biggest bass are
taken throughout March as those hefty females put on the feedbag as
prespawn phases draw closer.
The typical weather pattern seems to deliver two or three days of
moderate to warm weather each week with the other days commanding an
overcoat or raincoat. Odds are the weather roller coaster will continue
for a spell so enjoy those nice warm days and calm winds whenever
they’re in the forecast.
March madness is here!
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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