April 1st, 2011

Lake Conditions … Currently both lakes are approximately two feet below summer pool and in the midst of a slow drawdown for several days before TVA reverses this trend and begins the slow rise to summer pool next week.  With more water coming in than normal and the Dams spilling water, there is significant current. On Kentucky Lake the creeks and bays have a little color to them while the main lake itself is slightly stained. The majority of the lake has what I would consider ideal fishing water.  On Lake Barkley the main lake and some of the bays with large tributaries are lightly stained.  However bays with smaller creeks running into them, especially on the LBL side have some ideal water for fishing.  The surface water temps on Barkley are in the low 50’s and temps on Kentucky Lake have risen to the mid 50’s. Remember, with fronts coming and going the water temps can fluctuating up and down.   
 
Weather … Warmer weather is on the way!  Upper 50’s today and warming to the 60’s Saturday & Sunday and maybe even the 70’s before a week cold front hits the area on Tuesday. 
 
A Transition Time for Fish … With the receding water levels some bass that had moved up and located near flooded bushes have backed out to cover along the creek channel edges.  Those that were on the way to the bushes have relocated to the creek mouths and flats.  Bass that were staging on the mouths of the bays and secondary points are staying put. Crappie are still suspended in the bays but with rising water temps will move towards shallower flats and cover. 
 
Barring any heavy precipitation TVA plans to draw the water down to approximately 356.35 by April 2nd and then start the gradual rise to summer pool shortly thereafter. You can follow this process on the TVA website for predicted water levels here: http://www.tva.gov/lakes/kyh_r.htm  
 
Fishing Report

Bass Fishing … It has been both an exciting and frustrating time to fish. One day the bass will bite like crazy, and the next day the high winds of March and fluctuating water levels and temps really hamper the fishing. However, some of our clients have managed to catch some really nice fish. Jeff Swearingen of Illinois, (Photo) with a huge pre-spawn female bass caught on a PJ’s Bass Extractor Shakey Head Jig and Z-Man Finesse worm.  The good looking guy on the right is his brother Gary who graciously paid for the trip … in more ways than one!

Several patterns emerged with some being more productive than others.  Bass had been caught in the back of the bays flipping and pitching the bushes on tubes, worms, beaver baits and jigs.  However this pattern has diminished with the drawdown in process.  Where there is still enough water around the bushes to hold fish they’re staying put, if not they’re relocating to the flats and creek channels.  As the water gradually rises again those fish that have moved out will most likely relocate to the bushes but a substantial rise in the water level is a week or so away.  Another pattern that seems to be pretty consistent is to fish main lake points and mini-flats at the mouth of the bays with Shakey Heads, Jigs and Jerk Baits. A mini-flat is an area where a creek channel swings back and forth from the bank forming an underwater flat.  This pattern seems to be pretty consistent as the fish aren’t as affected by the fluctuation in the water levels.  Also the presence of current by the Dam spilling has helped keep these fish in position.  Shakey Heads with Z-Man Watermelon/ Red Flake finesse worms on a PJ’s 3/16 oz bass extractor jig head caught a fair share.  (Photo - Kick’n Bass with a couple of nice pre-spawn females caught fishing Shakey Heads.  One lure that has definitely made a comeback is the Jerk Bait.  As the water levels were lowered and water temps dropped, fish have congregated on main lake points and chunk rock banks and the jerk bait has caught several quality fish.  This technique is real sleeper so don’t count it out. Shallow running crank baits and a moderate retrieve has caught a few fish along gravel banks mid-way in the bays but this pattern has waned as the temps and water levels dropped. On windy days casting a Steel Shad blade bait on main lake points has taken several big fish and quality-sized keeper fish.  A slow pull and retrieve seemed to be the best technique.  Best colors have been Gold on cloudy days and Silver when it’s been Sunny.  Adding a little red finger nail polish to the nose and weight hasn’t hurt either.
 
As you can see the bass are spread out somewhat and several presentations are catching fish.  We’ve put in a lot of hours on the water and I’d have to say that bass fishing has been either very good or just fair.  As the report indicates to be successful you must be willing to try different locations and be flexible in your choice of baits. 
 
Crappie Fishing …    
Some Crappie are moving closer to shallow cover.  In all probability these are most likely Black Crappie.  Three of us caught ten good fish casting a 3/32 oz Ken’s Kentucky Green curly tails along gravel banks 6-8 feet deep when we took a break from Bass fishing. Considering the nasty weather we thought that was a pretty decent catch.  Scanning with my Lowrance HDS I’ve noticed a lot of crappie suspended in the bays over cover 10-12 feet deep. 

Looking at the weather forecast for this weekend, one would think that the crappie are on the brink of busting loose.  My gut tells me that the good crappie fishing we’ve been waiting on is getting ready to happen.  We’ll be crappie fishing a lot over the next several days so stay tuned.  By the way, most of the tackle shops in the area stock the Kentucky Green curly tails and 3/32 oz green jig heads.

Catfish, Bluegill, Redear, Sauger … No Report
 
Sonar Tip of the Week

I have been asked many times what does a shell bed look like on a LCR?  Also how do you determine which is baitfish and which is bass?  The screen is a good example of when everything comes together including a Shakey Head being fished vertically.  The bass were moving in tight schools and were easily caught. 

Kick’n Bass can help you get more out of your electronics and become a better fisherman.  To schedule an on the water fishing trip & instruction email: rk@kicknbass.net 
 
Solunar Tables and Prime Feeding Times …Are For Real!
For those of you who follow my reports you know I’m big on being aware of the Prime Feeding times.  When possible I even plan my Guided Canadian Fishing trips to take advantage of this occurrence.  Fishermen, who enjoy fishing at sunrise and sunset and knowing when the Prime Times occur, will find that they often have more success during these times.  (Photo - Dan Geringer of Missouri with a nice pre-spawn female caught on a Shakey Head during a prime feeding time). The Major and Minor feeding times that fall near the times of Sunrise and Sunset during a Full or New Moon are a key event and at times fish will bite anything they see or smell. It’s no secret that fish tend to feed during dawn and dusk (sunrise & sunset).  What amplifies the activity is the effect of the moonrise or moonset plus the specific monthly periods of New (dark) and Full (light) Moons.  When these times coincide with a moon set and moon-set the action can be spectacular.

This time of year I pay special attention to the Solunar tables and identify when the prime feeding times occur.  Doing so has proven to be a very important factor in our success.  This week my clients and I found a lot of bass in pre-spawn mode and feeding heavily during these periods.  Our best catches came during the minor feeding times that coincided with first light and major feeding periods that occurred in the afternoon.  The Solunar Tables and Prime Feeding Times are no make-believe deal.  It’s a fact that fish are more active in these periods.  Click here to find your Prime Feeding times http://www.solunarforecast.com/solunarcalendar.aspx
 
Want to Go Fishing!  Open Dates …
April 14th & 15th now available due to a cancellation. 
 
Now is the time to Book your 2011 Fishing Trips with Kick’n Bass.  Dates are filling up fast! Only a few days in prime time left …
Thanks to all you early birds that have already booked your trips for 2011.  For those of you that are considering a trip but haven’t booked yet, doing so has its advantages.  Booking in advance not only gets you the dates you want to fish it allows you to get the best accommodations during the prime fishing times.  There really is no advantage to waiting.
 
Book Now! & Experience the Thrill of Bass Fishing at Night …
Last year our clients had a blast fishing at night and caught lots of big fish.  We will begin our night fishing season in May.  The dates available are the 16th, 17th & 18th.  The same lures you used during the day are very productive at night and the best spots during the day can be even better at night.  There is just something about catching a really big bass at night that really turns a fisherman on.  Have the lake all to yourself!
 
For more information on putting together a night fishing trip send an email rk@kicknbass.net or call 270-703-6133.

Tight Lines,