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ANGLERS YEARN FOR NORMAL FALL CONDITIONS
For the lion’s share of September Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene has been
dominated by above average temperatures. A series of 90-degree plus days
have prolonged a stubborn summer season reluctant to lose its grip.
Fall officially arrived on Thursday but summer weather continues to deal
the cards. Fishermen are ready to wave goodbye to the hot and humid
days. Even the nights have been above average, a situation that has not
allowed surface temperatures to cool much.
Despite the duration of warm weather fishing has been pretty good this
week for crappie and bass anglers. Crappie showed improvement with a lot
of fish now residing in the 9 to 12 foot zone.
Big numbers of fish were taken the last few days by anglers vertical
fishing the midrange depths. In fact, a few triple digit days have been
reported by anglers tipping jigs with minnows or Berkley power bait.
While a lot of small fish are biting, there are enough keeper size ones
mixed in to keep it interesting and enjoyable. Catching big numbers of
crappie should continue throughout the fall.
Biologists in both Kentucky and Tennessee say a strong year class from
2014 is dominating the crappie population. That means a lot of those
fish just shy of the 10-inch minimum length limit should be paving the
way for a rebound next spring too.
Meanwhile, anglers are culling several fish but you will encounter some
good ones at times sharing the same spots, not to mention a surprise
catfish now and then.
Lake levels this week have lingered around the 355.5 range in the New
Johnsonville area. Downstream at Kentucky Dam lake stages are in the
355.6 range. Water color is clear.
Surface temperatures reflect the unusually warm weather we’ve
experienced for several weeks. Readings are starting out around 82
degrees in the morning and climbing to 85 at midday.
Bass fishermen are finding enough fish to keep them amused too. Despite
a lack of grassbeds anglers are adjusting their approach and stalking
gravel banks and targeting main lake sandbars and flats.
There have been several stagnant days where very little wind helped the
cause. Not much current has been present either. Added to the challenge
has been very little cloud cover, which has pretty much shut down the
midday bite.
There have been some decent stringers taken by anglers working submerged
structure on drop-offs. Most of the decent stringers have been caught by
anglers backing off the banks, tossing big spinnerbaits, swim baits and
shad colored crankbaits.
The shallow bite could take hold quickly if some cloudy, rainy days
enter the picture.
Hopefully the weather patterns will change toward cooler conditions soon
and normal fall like temperatures will take over. Wave goodbye to hot
summer that separated the men from the boys on those sultry days that
seem to come in bunches like grapes!
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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