|
This page brought to you by:
Roger Binkley and Chase Binkley from TN
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
FISHING SCENE HEATS UP
Seems like mid-summer already. That’s what most anglers were thinking
this week as Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene really heated up courtesy of
record high temps a couple of days.
Jane and Tom from TN
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Surface temperatures reflected the hot days and warms nights too as
readings were in the 78 to 82 degree range. That’s above average
readings for mid-May.
Water color has cleared considerably from last week at this time. Lake
levels have held steady all week. The reservoir is resting slightly
above the summer pool mark and stayed at 359.3 this week at both
Kentucky Dam and New Johnsonville.
The hot and humid weather had thunderstorms in the forecast at midweek
but that’s typical when a summer pattern arrives a month early.
Bluegill and shellcracker continue to bite for anglers working shallow
shorelines and bushes where submerged grass is mixed in. Most of the
fish are bedding in shallow areas and haven’t shown much interest in
backing off the banks and fanning deeper spawning beds just yet.
That could change as higher surface temperatures and clear water
influence some fish to fall back in the days and weeks ahead. The next
full moon occurs on May 29 so watch for a surge in spawning activity to
increase as that phase approaches.
Some days the bull bluegill have been sluggish but seemed to take on a
more aggressive attitude once light winds and cloud cover enter the
picture. Watch for action to improve even more these next two weeks.
Bass action has been fair with most anglers still targeting the shallow
shorelines where weedbeds and buck bushes are scattered about. Some
anglers feel a few late spawning bass are still there.
Tossing Texas rigged craws, worms and lizards has been popular as have
several topwater jerk baits and floating fluke style worms twitched
gently around shallow stickups.
Spinnerbaits have been popular too around shoreline habitat and
boatdocks where some fish are relating to the shade and cover of piers
and docks. Tossing suspending jerk baits around boat docks has been
popular as well.
There are some boats backing off the banks and testing the secondary
points, humps and submerged ledges as a few bass transition away from
spawning territory and ease their way out to deeper venues.
Crappie have shown slight improvement this week as more fish have been
taken by anglers dragging long lines or crankbaits. Some spider rigged
techniques have worked too and those vertical fishing jigs and minnows
around manmade fish attractors have picked up scattered fish.
The crappie bite is still somewhat below average but fish are in a
post-spawn phase, which usually means they’re scattered and suspended.
Depths of 8 to 14 feet have given up a few fish this week.
As surface temps rise look for more crappie to take interest in
structure as opposed to a somewhat lethargic mood as seems to be the
case at present.
Catfish have been biting good this week as they continue to seek out
spawning spots. Good numbers have been taken by anglers targeting rock
bluffs and rip-rap areas. Bluegill anglers have been tying into catfish
on a regular basis as the fish are often cruising around spawning beds
and feeding on both the eggs or newly hatched fry.
Anglers wouldn’t mind a few cooler days with cloud cover or perhaps some
rainy mornings. A light wind would help too as those stagnant days make
the fish even more finicky.
The overall fishing scene is pretty good despite unusually hot weather.
An unusual spring continues!
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.
|
