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Kentucky Lake Crappie fishing
photo courtesy:
Crappie Action Guide Service
MUGGY DAYS CHALLENGE ANGLERS
It’ late August and anglers are facing some muggy days this week as
temperatures returned to the mid 90’s, reminding us that summer is still
in charge.
We’ve been lucky for most of the summer as all anglers knew those cool
crisp mornings that slipped through the door back in July and early
August wouldn’t last forever. It was, however, a nice reprieve from the
dog days but fishermen have to sweat it out now as heat and humidity are
dominating this week’s weather for the Kentucky Lake fishing scene.
Surface temperatures have responded to the warmer days and are now in
the 84 to 86 degree range, which is up slightly from last week at this
time. Water color remains clear across the reservoir.
Lake levels are down a few inches from last week but about on schedule
for TVA’s drawdown curve. Projections for the weekend indicate an
elevation of 357 in both the Kentucky Dam and New Johnsonville area.
Lower lake levels continue to expose more aquatic vegetation and the
summer bass bite has been pretty good around the shallow grassbeds
lately. While most anglers have a tendency to go deep when hot weather
arrives the bass still seem to follow their forage and endure the warmer
surface temps if the baitfish are there.
Several fish have been taken lately by anglers tossing weedless frogs,
rats, buzzbaits, floating worms and flukes style baits around the
vegetation. Around the parameters surface lures have worked well too as
have spinnerbaits and Texas rigged worms in pockets and edges near
deeper water.
Thicker grass forms a canopy to provides both shade and cover so that
appeals to summer bass and baitfish.
A few fish are still lingering around some of the main lake ledges as
that pattern always pays off this time of year, especially if a little
current enters the picture. I found a few fish taking big deep diving
crankbaits last week but action of fair at best and the fish were quite
scattered.
Typical summer baits such as jig and pig combos, big Texas rigged worms,
shad colored swim baits, Carolina and Alabama rigs, and some spoons are
still producing too.
Summer crappie action has been mediocre this week as fish were scattered
and sluggish in the 9 to 14 foot depth range. I did find a few fish
taking jigs tipped with minnows, however, but bites were very light. No
doubt the heat slowed activity but a few cloudy days or cooler weather
will see action resume soon.
Catfishermen are still landing a few fish but the overall bite has been
off this summer along the main river channel as many veteran anglers are
not catching big numbers in some of their favorite spots. A few catfish
are still lingering in the midrange depths and that might be the answer
as to why more for fish haven’t ventured toward the main river hideouts.
Odds are this week’s hot weather will move more catfish toward their
summer venues on the edge of the main river channel.
Every day makes fall a little closer!
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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