|
Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
July 15, 2010
TVA BEGINS SLOW DECENT OF LAKE LEVELS…BASS BITE HOLDS UP
Kentucky Lake is falling slowly as TVA’s annual drawdown begins in early
July each year. Lake levels will continue a slow decent until late fall
when winter pool elevation is reached, which creates more storage
capacity for fall and winter rains.
Bass fishermen have enjoyed some shallow water success the last few
weeks as an abundance of fry has been present around buck bushes and
weed beds. Schools of pin minnows are everywhere, indicating multiple
hatches took place this spring during the high water saga.
While high water can be tough for anglers at times, it is usually good
for recruitment of several species. It appears shad and various
species---ranging from bass to bluegill---got off a good spawn. Perhaps
crappie did too.
Despite some hot weather bass have been taken on buzzbaits, floating
worms, assorted jerk baits, and Texas rigged worms and brush hogs around
weeds and bushes. The pin minnows have really attracted the bass to
shallow areas were structure provided both shade and refuge.
In the weeks ahead the falling lake levels will pull the minnows and
bass out of shallow structure and to deeper water, although some
treelaps will continue to hold fish on the deeper end.
At the same time some anglers were enjoying success with shallow water
patterns others have continued to stalk the main lake ledges with
Carolina rigged lizards, worms, and brush hop style baits. Texas rigged
worms such as the 10-inch Berkley Power Bait in blue fleck, red shad,
and black/blue have been popular.
Watch for current to be present this next week as falling lake levels
put a slow flow in the main river. That should work in favor of deep
water anglers.
Crappie action has been fair with some fish coming from deep ledges in
the 18 to 24 foot depth range. Fish were taking live minnows fished on
bottom bumping rigs and some jigs tipped with minnows.
A few fish were lingering in deeper stake beds located near drop-offs in
the 13 to 15 foot range.
Bluegill were also holding on main lake ledges where some current was
present. Sometimes fishing that deep water and slow crawling redworms
and meal works across the bottom can produce a lot of fish that often
lay deep awaiting mayfly larva swept by underwater current.
A few bluegill and assorted sunfish were hanging around treelaps and
overhanging willows on steeper banks this week. Scattered mayfly hatches
occurred earlier in the week.
Catfish were showing interest along the main river channel in the 25 to
35 foot depth range.
Some pontoons were night fishing over main lake ledges and using lights
to attract a few scattered crappie and white bass.
Surface temps were staying around the 85 to 88 degree range. Water color
was clear in the main lake but some feeder creeks had stain in the upper
ends of bays and pockets from thunderstorms earlier in the week.
Elevation around New Johnsonville was down a few inches from last week
at this time. TVA projected a reading of 358.6 this weekend. Downstream
at Kentucky Dam the reservoir was falling slowly as well but still
showed a reading of 358.9 range.
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.
|
|
