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Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
April 1st, 2005
CRAPPIE SPAWN ABOUT TO BEGIN
Crappie will likely enter the early phases of spawning this next
week here on Kentucky Lake.
Most anglers consider it to be crappie fishing’s peak yet there’s a
big window of opportunity throughout the year. Still, there’s no
question as to the popularity of spawning time here on Kentucky Lake.
That phase is about to begin.
Action has improved throughout the week for crappie anglers here in
the Paris Landing area as surface temperatures continue to warm,
signaling to weary crappie that the annual ritual’s time has come.
Despite inclimate weather where high winds have whipped up whitecaps
on the main lake, some dandy stringers of fish have been taken this week
from a variety of depths. The fish have really been on the move,
meandering along main lake ledges enroute to secondary bays and shallow
territory.
I found fish hitting good in the deep water for a few days and the
20 to 25 foot zones produced some hefty fish in good numbers. However,
late last week crappie moved into 7 to 12 foot manmade fish attractors.
Then, after thunderstorms and heavy rains Easter Sunday that sent
muddy water flowing into many bays, the fish seemed to back off for a
day or two and scatter. The deep venues were still holding some fish but
numbers were less concentrated.
By Wednesday, surface temperatures were rebounding and that pulled
some fish back to structure in 7 to 12 foot areas that were void of fish
the day before. So, a lot of movement is underway as the fish seek
spawning areas and migrate into midrange and shallow depths.
Surface temperatures are now in the 55 to 58 degree range. That’s a
few degrees warmer than last week. Crappie will begin spawning when
surface temperatures reach 62 degrees but prefer the range of 62 to 66
degrees without interruption of cold nights or drastic weather changes.
Water levels have been rising slowly this week in the aftermath of
heavy rains. TVA normally begins reservoir filling on April 1 anyway but
the lake got a little head start this week due to the runoff.
TVA indicates the reservoir will rise for the next few days and
reach the 355.8 level at New Johnsonville this weekend. However, lake
levels will fall slightly for a couple of days, according to the
forecast, and recede back to the 355.5 range by early next week.
Watercolor is good throughout much of Big Sandy around the TVA power
lines and Sulphur Well Island while some dingy color is present in the
Paris Landing area. Some of the extremely shallow bays are muddy in the
upper ends but sporting a good stain for fishing in the middle and
toward the mouth.
Several male crappie are under the spell of hormonal changes and
turning a darker shade of purple, a clear indication that spawning time
is fast approaching.
Some male crappie have already approached shallow gravel banks and
structure in 3 to 6 foot depths while the larger females are laying out
deeper until conditions are just right for egg deposits.
Popular colors in the stained water areas have been florescent
painted leadheads in the chartreuse, hot pink, green, and yellow colors
armed with white and chartreuse, black and chartreuse, lime and pink,
and some blue and green color combinations of tube skirts.
I found fish hitting good on 1/16-ounce and 1/8-ounce jigs fished in
a vertical presentation over structure. And, jigs tipped with minnows
worked well when fished turned finicky. Tipping with some Berkley Power
Bait also stimulated some strikes.
Several other anglers are pulling jigs or drifting over stump fields
and finding fish too. Several fish are suspended at 7 to 10 foot depths
over 12 to 15 feet of water in the Mansard Island area.
Other popular techniques have been trolling Road Runners on
long-line presentations and drifting jigs and minnow rigs using wind
socks to slow the boat speed down in the high winds.
A few anglers are casing light spinning tackle and using twister
tail grubs or weedless jigs such as the Charlie Brewer sliders.
It’s that time of the year when a multitude of techniques produce
fish from a variety of depths or locales here. Crappie will often seek
shallow water and being spawning a few days earlier in the upper Big
Sandy when compared to other sectors of the lake.
That’s likely due to the shallow basin where stained waters warm
quicker.
Meanwhile, action in the bass department continues to hold up well
but has, at times, been a victim of cool night and some high-pressure
days were the clear blue sky slowed the bite.
Those rock points and gravel banks are still producing this week.
Crankbaits, slow rolling spinnerbaits, and jig and pig combos have
worked well. Some smallmouth and largemouth have taken suspended jerk
baits fish out away from the bank as well.
Crawfish and shad colored crankbaits continue to be hot items in the
tackle box. Some chrome colored Rattle Traps have produced as have some
loud colored crankbaits fished in the dingy water.
Watch for bass action to hold up well this week as the fish also
turn on to topwater lures around shoreline cover.
Some stripers are still being taken along the main river channel,
especially where current is present around rock points or along main
river ledges.
Spring fishing is in high gear. It’s time to wet a hook!
For The Lake Barkley Report
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Also check out our past:
Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Steve McCadams
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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