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June 2, 2012
COOL SPELL COMING…HOT FISHING HOLDS UP FOR BASS/CRAPPIE ANGLERS
Kentucky Lake anglers are getting a reprieve from warm weather as a cool
snap has entered the picture and lowered the humidity but not the
production of bass and crappie fishermen.
Overdue rain arrived earlier this week, escorted by some thunderstorms
that dropped some water on a thirsty TVA valley but the reservoir
remains some 18 inches below normal summer pool elevation. Lake levels
have not increased much since last week at this time.
A touch of fall will last a few days before losing its grip as light
north winds and potential rains will lead into a nice weekend for
fishermen.
Surface temperatures this week had increased to the 83 to 85 degree
range but will likely fall back several degrees by late this weekend
courtesy of the cool front. Water color remains clear.
Lake levels are reluctant to rise as not enough rain has entered the TVA
valley to bring Kentucky Lake up to its normal readying of 359.
Projections for the weekend will see elevation in the 357.4 range at
Kentucky Dam. Readings upstream at New Johnsonville will be 357.2.
Crappie action continues to hold up well as numbers were good this week
for those fishing stakebeds and brushpiles in the 12 to 14 foot range. A
few fish were taken deeper as well with some main lake ledges producing
more fish than last week at this time, a likely response to the warm
weather.
A pretty good grade of fish was showing up at times as anglers tipped
jigs with minnows and Berkley power bait. Although several small fish
are still schooling around the midrange structure there are plenty of
keeper size crappie hitting.
Anglers fishing jigs in a vertical presentation were doing well. A few
boats were trolling spider rigs or deep diving crankbaits with moderate
success.
This early summer crappie bite will continue to improve throughout the
month of June as the fish continue to transition toward cover that may
not be too deep but relatively close to deeper water.
Popular jig colors ranged from red/chartreuse variations to some
blue/white and blue/chartreuse. Mixed in with the crappie are some
decent catfish and bass at times too, not to mention some nice bluegill.
Bluegill were showing some late bedding activity this week as there’s
usually a second wave of the powerful panfish that make a blitz back to
spawning territory in late May and early June. That seems to be the case
as some nice bull bream were fanning deeper beds out away from shoreline
and showing their beautiful, deep colors reflective of hormonal changes
associated with active spawning.
Although not many shellcracker are being caught the late bluegill bite
is holding up well and with a full moon approaching anglers should have
another good week of activity before the big males back off bedding.
Once mayfly hatches resume the fish may scatter a bit but anglers can
still land big numbers but may have to cull through some of the smaller
ones in the weeks ahead.
Bass patterns are holding up well for boaters banging away at main lake
ledges. Some of the better fish are coming from deeper depths lately but
may well move up if surface temps cool off this weekend. Not much
current has been present in the main river which comes as no surprise
since minimal rainfall has occurred.
While the big crankbait bite has held up well for several weeks running
other patterns such as big spoons, jig and craws combos, Carolina rigs
and big Texas rigged worms have produced too. Some fish were relating to
the deep sides of ledges and occupying depth ranges in excess of twenty
feet in some areas.
Most anglers were hitting the upper sides of main lake sandbars or
perhaps the break but could be missing out on the deeper bite that has
taken place at times. No doubt the clear water conditions and lower lake
levels have pushed some bass deeper than usual.
Despite some anglers finding the big bite deep there have been some
ledges that have given up good numbers of fish from the 9 to 12 foot
zone, which is the norm this time of year. Cloudy days or in the midst
of some thunderstorms has seen some bass move up on top of ledges and
take on feeding sprees at various times throughout the day.
Big swim baits and the Alabama rig are still working too. Those big
Texas rigged worms are starting to produce even more with such colors as
cotton candy, green pumpkin pepper, blue/pearl, and red shad just to
name a few.
A few shallow fish were hanging around boat docks and piers at times but
the larger stringers are coming from main lake ledges across the
reservoir. Some aquatic vegetation is advancing from Danville Bridge
south to New Johnsonville so that pattern will continue to improve and
attract fish as schools of shad fry mature and become more attractive as
a forage base in the weeks ahead.
Catfish action has been fair with most fish hanging out on shallow flats
and around submerged crappie beds in the 7 to 12 foot zones. Some
females are still sporting eggs.
The approaching cool snap shouldn’t change the fishing too much but it
will sure improve the attitude of anglers. Anytime you get a touch of
fall in the air before hot summer arrives you better take advantage of
it.
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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