Lake Level, Water Temp & Weather Outlook:
 
According to the lake level gauge at my dock, the lake is close to a foot over summer pool.  This is very good news for those of you who are bass fishermen.  The rising water is submerging some shallow bushes and tree root systems creating ideal bass habitat.
 
Early in the week, with frontal systems and some very cool nights, the water temps dropped into the mid 60’s.  Currently the surface water temp is varying a few degrees depending on what part of the lake you’re at, but generally speaking, the surface water temps are creeping up once again into the mid to high 60’s.  On days of extended sunshine, surface water temps in the bays are in the low 70’s late in the day.  Remember, it’s the base water temps in the main lake that move the fish, not necessarily the surface water temps in the bays which can fluctuate several degrees daily. 
 
The weather early this week is more reminiscent of normal April conditions; cool at night, warm in the day and rainy at times.  As far as I can tell, the cool nights have had no ill affect on Bass fishing.  However, the fronts and the rise in water levels have scattered the staging panfish somewhat; although the early spawners are locked on the beds.  It appears we will have a frontal system headed our way that includes warm rain by the weekend.  With the water up and the air temps warm, we could be looking at perfect conditions for fishing for several species … especially Bass.  The warm days will move the big females in and the slightly higher water level will create ideal big bass habitat that’s ideal for flipping & pitching.  I would expect some of the tournament boys to bring in some really big weights anchored by some really huge bass.  Somebody, somewhere always catches them!
 
“Redear & Bluegill to the Max”!  If this weeks redear & bluegill fishing is any indication of what’s ahead then this is going to be a banner year for these scrappy fighters here on Kentucky Lake.  The week started out on a cool, stormy, windy morning when Roger Cooper and his son Paul braved the elements to panfish with me.  With the weather conditions being as they were, we elected to stay close to home and fish the lee side of the lake and some spots that had been good to me in the past.  We caught a respectable number of fish and, considering the weather conditions, it was really a good catch.  Both Roger and Paul caught some pretty good fish with Roger landing his two biggest Redears ever.  Most were caught on a Black or Cricket color Shelton’s Bluegill Bug tipped with a piece of redworm.  Thanks Roger & Paul for braving the elements.  Hey guys, think of ‘ole Kick’n Bass when you’re fry’in up those ‘gills & ‘ears 
 
Crappie:  Black Crappie … Black crappie for the most part are off the beds and some are being caught on the banks and on the flats.  The catch has been off and on, but if you find them you can catch a bunch in a hurry. Finding them is the trick!  Blacks generally stay in the vicinity of where they spawned for a couple of weeks, so be prepared to catch them around the spawning flats or at the nearest drop. Trolling jigs or casting curly tails would be a good bet. 

White Crappie are beginning their spawning ritual and are being caught anywhere from 4’ -8’ depending on the water clarity.  Staging fish are being caught over brush 10-12 feet deep. Some really huge white crappie are showing up, like the 2 lb 6 oz. brute Mark "Izzy" Isgrigg from Louisville, Ky. (Photo) caught.   Crappie fishing this time of year, while at times lacking in numbers, does brings out the best of the best size-wise.  Over the next week I look for crappie fishing to be pretty decent as the Blacks and the Whites will be in transit to and from the spawning areas.   
 
Largemouth Bass:  The overall numbers have been phenomenal.  Pull up on almost any point or flat and you can catch all the 12-14” bass you want and most of your favorite lures will work.  Tons of fish are being caught on points and chunk rock banks on plastics.  Also, with the elevated water level creating ideal fish habitat in shallow water, bass of all sizes are everywhere and the “flippers & pitchers” are having a blast catching fish.  A decent number of 4-6 lb fish are showing up shallow but not in the great numbers we’d expect this time of year due to what many believe was an early spawn in deeper water.  However, at this time the full moon phase combined with the rising water level and warming water temps do have some big females up shallow.  My guess is that this is the initial wave of shallow water spawners with more big fish ready to move up.  Several big boat tournaments are being held on the lake this weekend and the results should tell us a lot.  Stay tuned …
 
Several Patterns worth mentioning emerged this week …
 
One pattern that emerged this week with decent results is fishing bushes that are submerged.  These bushes, previously with little or no water around them, are now underwater and cannot be easily seen at times.   You can be on top of the bush before you know it so be sure to use a stealthy approach as not to spook the fish.  If you stumble on these “good bushes” and your boat passes over them, make it a point to go back and fish them later.  These bushes are holding some big fish!
 
Another big bass pattern that has been productive is fishing cypress tree root wads.  Cypress trees have large root systems and at the current water level, the roots are submerged.  If you find a cypress be sure and fish them thoroughly.  Work your bait from the base of the tree out 5 to 10 feet.  A lot of strikes are coming away from the trunk of the tree. Some really big fish have been caught on this pattern this week.  Some of the best baits have been the Beaver type baits in Black & Blue, a 7” Blue Fleck Berkley Power worm, Brush Hogs in June bug and a flipp’in jig in craw color. 
 
Another pattern that has been pretty good is casting a fluke or un-weighted senko among the “yellow flowers” that line the banks of many of the coves.  A lot of these flowers have some pretty good water around them and are holding nice bass.
 
Remember not all fish are in shallow water, some are staging on points and banks near prime spawning habitat.  When we’ve stumbled upon concentrations of 3 to 3 ½ pounders, we’ve been cleaning up with shakey heads in green pumpkin and foot ball lead heads with tiny Pac-A-Craws in Alabama craw.  Chunk rock banks mixed with pea gravel with 10’ of water close by have been the most productive.  Some early spawners are off the beds and are occasionally being caught on jigs & crank baits on secondary points.  Good fishing will be had in May and early June as these fish work their way out to the ledges. 
 
Smallmouth Bass are coming off the beds and some post spawn females are being caught in 5 – 6’ feet of water along pea gravel banks closest to spawning coves.  The most productive lures, have been tube jigs, shakey heads and a Smallie Beaver in green pumpkin. We did catch several this week on off-shore structure.  They were schooled up and very aggressive in taking the lures.  We caught a few quality fish in the 3 ½ pound class and they really put on a show.  I love how those Kentucky Lake smallmouth are full of fight and bad attitude.  My favorite fish for sure!
 
Yellow Bass:  Yellow Bass are still being caught by those casting curly tails for Bluegill & Redear, the size is still good but not as big as earlier in the season
 
Stripes:  Too busy fishing with other species but their time will come.  Most likely in mid-May
 
Bluegill & Redear:   Overall the bite is fair but nowhere near where it’s going to be very soon.  Early in the week before the frontal systems, these fish were beginning to congregate and easier to pattern.  Those fish that are locked on the beds continue biting on crickets, red worms, etc. and artificials. The drop in the water temperature mid- week scattered the others and backed them off a bit into deeper water.  As the afternoon water temps heat up, so does the fishing.  Both species can be caught shallow along brown gravel banks with the redear being slightly deeper than the bluegill.  Try Carolina Rigging for redear by using a split shot and long shank bluegill hook with a red worm.  Use the lightest split shot you can get providing it keeps the worm on the bottom.  As far as artificial baits go, the Shelton’s Bluegill & Redear bug in black & cricket tipped with a piece of red worm, has been producing some really good fish.  The 1/16 oz size works best.  Keep a pair of small scissors handy to cut the red worms.  All you need is a piece about ¼ inch long to slip over the hook.
 
Other News …
 
WOW! Kick'n Bass Fishing Tips are now on VIDEO!   Each week Kentucky Lake T.V. & Kick'n Bass will feature a fishing tip that will help you become a better angler.  Click on this link http://www.kentuckylake.tv/fishing/kentucky_lake_fishing.htm for this week's fishing tip from Kentucky Lake T.V. & Kick'n Bass! 
 
“Turkey Hunters check out this great deal“  My good friends at CCW Outfitters in Marion, one of Kentucky’s Premier Turkey & Deer hunting lodges, has a deal of a lifetime for you last minute Turkey hunters.  CCW is offering an all inclusive semi-guided turkey hunt that includes meals, lodging, field transportation and a 2 Bird Limit all for only $495.   Spaces are limited and they’ll go fast so contact Jason or Cassi Purvis at 270-965-9859 for the details and available dates.  While you're at it check out their website www.huntccw.com

“Kick’n Bass Discount”   For those of you staying in the Kentucky Lake area, the Majestic Pizza & Steak House on Hwy 68 in Benton, Ky. is offering a 15% discount on regularly priced items.  Just mention you want the “Kick’n Bass Discount” when you place your order.  A lot of my clients eat dinner there and also rave about the huge buffet they have.  They’re real friendly folks and you’ll get plenty of good food to eat.  Check them out 270-527-1493.

Guide Service Bookings.   May is just about full so if you want to Catch Fish & Have Fun, contact me as soon as possible.  Thanks to those of you who booked a trip this week.  Bookings came in from West Virginia, Iowa, North Carolina and Tennessee. 

Book your May & June Bluegill & Redear trips NOW!   Get ready for a great season on these fighting fish.  Ask about our summer Night Fishing Trips!  Send me an email rk@kicknbass.net or call me at 270-703-6133 and let’s get together.

Tight Lines …