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August 23, 2013
DECENT FISHING SCENE HOLDS UP
Bass and crappie action have held up pretty good this week as has
catfishing along the main river channel thanks to a slow, steady current
that has stimulated activity.
Anglers continue to enjoy nice fishing conditions as August mornings
have been cooler than normal with several cloudy days that helped
diminish the summer sun’s rays. A few foggy mornings also made it feel
nice out there and everyone is still talking about the unusual summer
weather, although warmer temps returned at midweek.
Surface temperatures this week were still a bit below the norm for the
third week of August. Readings were in the 81 to 83 degree range the
last few days. Water color has been clear throughout most of the Big
Sandy area with a slight stain showing up in the main Tennessee River
channel but the overall color is good for fishing.
Lake levels are projected to be in the 357 range at Kentucky Dam by this
weekend. Upstream around New Johnsonville a reading of 356.9 is
expected. Elevation has been falling slowly throughout the week and
about a foot below last week at this time.
TVA will continue a slow, gradual drawdown in the days and weeks ahead
barring any more heavy rains across the watershed.
Bass action has been pretty good again this week as a variety of
patterns are paying off. Lots of boats are venturing south toward the
New Johnsonville sector in search of aquatic vegetation. Some milfoil is
showing up there and bass have been relating to the grassbeds where
schools of shad are hanging out.
Here in the Paris Landing sector bass fishermen are working the main
lake drop-offs with big deep diving crankbaits and scoring some nice
catches. And, slowly working Carolina rigs with worms and craws have
continued to score as have the big Texas rigged worms work around the
ledges.
A few anglers are casting swim baits, Alabama rigs at times or altering
to a jig and craw combo hopped around the deep water venues.
Some big schools of shad are showing up along the river channel ledges
and meandering out on flats as well where a few schooling bass have been
busting them on the surface at times.
Other boats have focused on shallow areas where the back of creeks,
shallow gravel banks, roadbeds, boathouses and bridge piers have
produced a few bass when minnows were located. Working smaller
crankbaits and spinnerbaits have produced a few fish with some topwater
action underway in the early morning and late afternoon low light
periods.
Catfish were back on the prowl this week too as the slow current is the
cat’s meow for boaters working their bottom bouncing rigs along the edge
of the river channel. Depths of 30 to 40 feet are holding some good
numbers as anglers continue to work nightcrawlers, chicken livers, and
cut shad along the submerged river bank and play the current.
Summer has been kind to crappie anglers as well. Decent stringers have
been taken this week with most of the fish relating to the edge of the
main lake ledges or holding on the deep sides around the 17 to 22 foot
depth range.
A few scattered fish remain in midrange stakebeds and brushpiles too.
Depths of 11 to 15 feet are holding on to some crappie these last few
weeks, especially if you catch a cloudy day with light winds. Seems the
fish have had plenty of forage in the midrange areas as shad have
meandered along the secondary flats and inside the bays for several
weeks now.
Live minnows have been producing well for crappie fishermen but jigs
tipped with minnows have done alright. A jig tipped with Berkley Power
Bait has been appealing too but expect to encounter lot of annoying
yellow bass and small bluegill using this presentation.
Mayfly hatches rebounded last week as a big hatch occurred south around
Lick Creek and down toward he Danville area for a day or two. That
brought a few bass and bluegill up shallow to feast on the natural
buffet too.
August is about to lose its grip and the late summer bite has held up
well courtesy of an unusual August that has paved the way for an early
fall transition.
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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