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Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
May 14th, 2004
This week’s fishing report has bedding bluegill and redear
“shellcracker” sunfish topping the list. Action has been good as these
feisty panfish are hitting crickets and wax worms, along with
nightcrawlers.
Look for another two weeks of peak fishing for these two species so
don’t delay that fishing trip. Those ultra-light rigs were made for days
like this.
Meanwhile, the reservoir has been relatively stable this week. TVA
predicts lake levels going into the weekend will be 359.3 at Kentucky
Dam. Upstream at New Johnsonville the elevation will be slightly lower
with a prediction of 359.1.
Surface temperatures have warmed into the 74 to 76 degree range this
week. Watercolor is somewhat stained in many of the Tennessee River
pockets and bays while the Big Sandy remains relatively clear in the
main lake. Some dingy water is still found in the upper basin around the
gravel pits and portions of west Sandy.
Crappie fishing is fair but showing some signs of improvement this week
as a few fish continue to related to structure in the 11 to 13 foot
zones. Brushpiles and stakebeds are paying off with some scattered fish.
Some crappie are still suspended out on the main lake as trollers and
drift style fishermen are still picking up a few. Depths of 12 to 14
feet have been paying off but some of the fish are at that depth range
but over much deeper zones such as 20 foot depths within the main river
channel of Big Sandy.
Small jigs in the 1/16 (one-sixteenth) size and sporting green leadheads
are producing. And, the fish seemed to prefer a jig tipped with a live
minnow.
The strikes are light so the fish are still showing a somewhat finicky
mood but action has improved.
Bass anglers are finding success with a variety of patterns. There’s
still a lot of fish in the shallow bushes and weedbeds where lizards,
flukes, spinnerbaits, and some topwater jerk baits are paying off. And,
buzzbaits over shallow grass are working well in the early mornings and
late afternoons.
A lot of smaller fish are hanging out in the shallow shoreline habitat.
The larger fish appear to be backing off the banks and in-between the
deep summer ledges and shallow banks.
Several anglers are tossing Carolina rigged lizards and worms around
long points and sloping sandbars at the mouth of large bays.
Crankbaits are also entering the picture for some anglers who are trying
to cover a lot of water and catch scattered, but larger, largemouth.
Catfish have been improving with several fish now coming from rock
levees and bluffs where fish are spawning.
Some anglers are catching fish while jugging too. Several boats have
been drifting jugs in the backwaters of large bays this week.
Baits of choice have been chicken livers and nightcrawlers.
From the backwater of West Sandy WMA comes word of good bluegill and
crappie fishing. Several good stringers have come from there recently as
a lot of water remains in the Springville bottom, although TVA is
attempting to dewater the areas for TWRA waterfowl management.
Pumps are running around the clock so anglers can take advantage of the
action around the Springville pumphouse where a variety of species can
be taken.
The weather is warm and the overall fishing scene is good.
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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