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FALL TRANSITION UNDERWAY…ANGLERS EMBRACE AUTUMN’S ARRIVAL
It has been a beautiful week in the outdoors.
Things are changing on the Kentucky Lake fishing scene as lower surface
temperatures in the aftermath of last weekend’s cool snap seemed to have
a positive effect.
Fall officially arrives Wednesday. Anglers have already seen the early
phases of some fishing patterns taking place as the recent cool snap
helped jump start the transition.
Although a warming trend kicked in at midweek another cool spell is in
the forecast and that should help the overall fishing scene by early
next week.
Surface temperatures fell from last week’s 85 degree mark down into the
78 to 79 degree range earlier this week, a change of some five to six
degrees. A few warm days saw surface temps climb a degree or two but
anglers should see surface temps fall back into the mid to upper 70’s
early next week as cool nights will help the whole scenario.
Lake levels have been falling slow and are down a few inches from last
week at this time. Projections for the weekend will see an elevation of
355.5 at Kentucky Dam and 355.4 at New Johnsonville. The reservoir is
approaching its low ebb of winter pool.
Water color remains clear across most of the reservoir.
Crappie seemed to perk up a bit this week as the cooler surface
temperatures mixed with some cloud cover to provide nice fishing
conditions. I found a better grade of fish the last few days in the 8 to
13 foot depth range compared to last week.
No doubt cooler surface temperatures improved the bite and sent a few
more fish toward midrange depths. Several areas that harbored mostly
small crappie last week seemed to have a few larger fish this week.
Tipping jigs with minnows is still paying dividends as are jigs tipped
with Berkley power bait in the white and chartreuse colors.
A few boats are trolling deep diving crankbaits near drop-offs and even
out over deeper zones and finding a few scattered crappie suspended in
12 to 15 foot depth ranges.
The overall crappie bite should continue to improve on a daily basis but
days with cloud cover and light breezes will work in favor of fishermen
as the midday bite seems to taper off when high skies and bright sun
take over.
Bass anglers are still beating the grassbeds with a combination of
topwater baits in the early morning hours when a little fog has helped
filter the bright sunlight. Buzzbaits and assorted jerk baits, along
with some weedless frogs, have accounted for a few fish.
On the parameters of the thick grass located near deeper water bass
fishermen are relying on Texas rigged worms, spinnerbaits, and Rattle
Trap style lures.
Not everyone is relying on grassbeds as some boats are holding on to
deeper drop-offs and summer patterns of jig and craw combos, swim baits,
big deep diving crankbaits, and Texas rigged worms. The ledge bite has
been inconsistent but most anglers report numbers have been down a bit
in both grassbed patterns and ledges.
Both crappie and bass should become more aggressive as surface temps
cool and some rainy or cloudy days enter the picture.
Catfishing reports have been ho-hum at best. Not many anglers are
targeting catfish along the main river channel despite a slight current
present this week along the main river channel.
Autumn angling officially arrives by the middle of next week. Most
everyone is ready for the return of cool nights and crisp, foggy
mornings where a jacket is standard attire before you ever start the
boat.
Welcome fall. We’ve been anxiously awaiting your arrival!
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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