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Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
CRAPPIE SPAWN HAS ANGLERS OFF GUARD
Some folks are catching crappie; others are wondering what’s up!
The early phases of spawning this year for Kentucky Lake crappie have
many anglers off guard as to just what timetable the fish are on. Warmer
days this week have really heated up surface temperatures and lake
levels have been rising slowly.
That combination normally stimulates a transition for crappie to leave
deep water venues and slowly stair-step their way toward spawning
territory. To some degree that has been happening but fish have been
reluctant to target structure in the form of stakebeds, stump fields and
brushpiles in midrange depths this week.
Jane and Tom TN Crew
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Reports have been coming in from a few successful anglers and yes
there’s been some improvement but the overall scenario has been somewhat
inconsistent. Seems the fish haven’t gotten the memo that it’s time to
blitz toward structure and shallow shorelines.
Most of the crappie caught this week were taken by boats long lining
Road Runners and curly tail grubs as the fish still seemed to be staging
out away from spawning spots and suspended. Those using spider rig
techniques have done well too as the multi-pole presentations trolled
slowly with their buffet of jigs and live minnows continue to pay
dividends.
Tom and "OC" from Chicago
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Covering a lot of water seems to be the key as fish are not relating to
structure. They’re overdue to head toward a structure oriented pattern
but thus far, that hasn’t happened.
Pontoons and boats drifting or dragging who have mastered the art of
slow trolling and locking in on the right depth and speed have been the
most successful these last few weeks.
However, there are a lot of boats that seem to be doing the right thing
but in the wrong location. Not every boat trolling the vast waters of
Kentucky Lake have found buried treasures. So, if you’ve had tough luck
at times you’re not alone!
Depths of 8 to 14 feet were holding several fish earlier in the week but
fish seemed to move up as water temps climbed. By midweek anglers
working the 7 to 10 foot depth range---some even less than that---seemed
to be finding increased activity.
Up Big Sandy anglers that were finding scattered fish in 18 to 25 foot
depths last week had to adjust and move toward shallower water this
week. Places that were void of fish last week seemed to be attracting a
few fish this week.
Some increased activity was reported the last few days in the New Hope
and County Junction sector.
Surface temperatures started the week off near the 60 to 61 degree range
and warmed to the mid-60’s by Tuesday courtesy of nice warm sunshine and
light winds.
Roger Binkley and Chase Binkley
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
A few male crappie were caught in the last few days that showed the
biological clock was ticking. Males exhibit a slightly darkening color
phase as spawning time nears and that started showing up late last week
here in the Paris Landing sector.
Still, male crappie have been reluctant to blitz toward shallow spawning
grounds and take on their territorial attitude as is usually the case
the first week to ten days of April.
Water color has cleared considerably the last few days in the Paris
Landing sector as well as up Big Sandy and West Sandy.
Lake levels climbed a few inches each day and at midweek were up to the
357 range. That’s up about a foot from last week at this time and
somewhat ahead of TVA’s normal curve for early April.
Meanwhile, somewhat confused are shallow water crappie anglers who have
been casting curly tail grubs around shallow stakebeds and gravel banks.
Some have used slip bobbers while working the prespawn spots that
traditionally produce this time of year but shallow zones have been
mostly unproductive thus far.
Also slow have been vertical fishing techniques where boats have been
stalking main lake drop-offs in the main lake sector. Manmade fish
attractors such as stakebeds and brushpiles have not paid their normal
dividends at this stage of April.
There have been a few exceptions for some lucky anglers but the overall
bite hasn’t been what it should be, given the recent upswing in weather
conditions and slow rising lake levels.
However, those boats using the pulling, long lining and spider rig
techniques experiencing success seemed to like what’s going on just
fine. Some fish have been staging out over open water flats and playing
their game the last few weeks.
Dave and Jeff KY Crew
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Anglers should see improvement each passing day so perhaps the fish are
just a bit slow to kick things in high gear as to active spawning
phases. Until that happens the lion’s share of spring crappie anglers
are waiting in the wings for fish to occupy traditional spawning
territory.
Sharing some concern for the spring fishing saga have been bass
fishermen here on Kentucky Lake who have experienced tough times of
their own.
Catch rates have been off in several recent tournaments with low numbers
taken across the field of competitors. Despite some decent weather and
lake levels the bass bite has been sluggish too.
A lot of veteran bass teams are having trouble catching a limit in
weekend tournaments. Some are grumbling about the Asian Carp saga.
Others yearn for the return of aquatic vegetation that seemed to really
help the overall bass fishery.
With rising lake levels and warmer surface temps bass should be moving
up to shallow gravel banks and perhaps out from pockets in bays,
awaiting prespawn phases. Male buck bass should be showing up in decent
numbers as bays heat up but seems that’s not the case.
Crankbaits are still the ticket but more anglers are turning to shallow
runners this week plus Texas rigged craws and similar variations.
Spinnerbaits and swim baits are popular choices too and topwater should
sooner enter the picture.
Several good bass and crappie anglers have struggled this spring to find
the missing parts of the Kentucky Lake fishing puzzle. Seems a lot of
fish just haven’t been playing by the old rulebook!
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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