August 26th, 2010

The lake level is about two feet below summer pool and with the cooler weather the water temps are dropping to the low mid 80’s.  The Lake is slightly stained in the bays but clear mid-lake.
 
“Night Fishing, Night Fishing, Night Fishing … That’s the story this week!”
 
Night Fishing Rules!  That’s right, while bass fishing during the day has been good this week overall, fishing at night has been about as good as it can get.  With a full moon and clear skies you could allmost read a newspaper and with the Solunar period being at it’s peak … you’ve got a recipe for success.
 
Several nights this week my clients and I were plagued by north easterly winds making fishing the ledges on the main lake very difficult.  Experience has taught me that all’s not lost by abandoning the main lake ledges, it just takes an adjustment to the game plan to get on fish. Having the right back-up plan can yield some pretty good catches.  Instead of fishing areas that are adversly affected by the wind, we sought out shallow secondary points with chunk rock that were protected from the wind and had deep water nearby.
 
While we caught fish every night this week a couple of trips really stood out.  One moonlit night John Settle of Murray and his son John from McLean County (Above Photo)and I caught a bunch of bass and some big ones too, all on Shakey heads.  At times the fish were so aggressive that as soon as the lure hit bottom the bass would grab the bait.  Other times it took just a few seconds for the bass to find the lure.  Little or no action was required to get the bass to bite. Another night I had the pleasure of fishing with Max Pardee from Marion, Ill., whom I consider one of the better anglers I’ve fished with.  Max and I caught a decent amount of bass on Shakey heads and an occasional spinner bait.  The big fish of the night was a brute smallmouth that fell for a 3/8 ounce Zorro Aggravator spinner bait with the Colorado blade spray painted black.  Isn’t it great when a plan comes together! Ha ! LOL! (Photo of RK’s brute smallmouth)
 
Experience the Thrill of Bass Fishing at Night …
Our night fishing season is in full swing and it has been very productive.  The same lures you used during the day are very productive 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!  For more information on putting together a night fishing trip send me an email rk@kicknbass.net or call 270-703-6133.
 
Current Generation and Prime Feeding Times … All species, especially bass on the ledges, respond favorably to current this time of year.  The amount of current in the lake varies according to the TVA Water Release schedule.  Successful anglers take into consideration the prime feeding times and the TVA Water Release Schedule.  Being at your favorite fishing hole during these times will increase your odds of success.  To find the Prime Feeding times in your area Click Here. To review the TVA Water Release Schedule for Kentucky Lake & Lake Barkley Click Here.
 
Fishing Report

Largemouth Bass The excess water we had earlier in the week that had the lake briefly back at summer pool is gone but the quick drawdown didn’t seem to affect the fishing as long as you adjusted your presentations and locations.  For the most part the bass moved a little closer to the ledge and suspended along chunk rock banks and secondary points in the bays with deep water nearby. Early & late bass moved shallow to feed and our night fishing trips were awesome.  During windy days bass position themselves along main lake banks and wind swept points and are feeding on schools of shad.  Also schools of bass are chasing baitfish in the main lake itself.  Specifically, we’ve found these schools feeding on shad around shell beds in 10-12 feet of water.  The most productive shell beds have been located within a cast of deeper water.  The best lures have been the Strike King Super Finesse worm in Pumpkin/ Green Flake on a PJ’s 3/16 oz. jig head slow rolling a ½ ounce white and chartreuse spinner bait over shell beds.  Also bass, although generally small, have been taken in the backs of bays on shallow running crank baits and Rat-L-Trap type baits.  Ledge fishing has been better this week due to increased current generation from the drawdown.  If you find the right spot you can really catch a lot of fish and some big ones too!  Reference the generation schedule and the Solunar tables to determine the best times to fish. (See the links above) A couple of lures have really been productive.  The top producer has been a 3/16 oz PJ’s Shakey Head jig with a 7” Strike King Super Finesse worm in Pumpkin / Green Flake and a Tiny Pacca Craw in Alabama Craw fished on a ¼ oz PJ’s Bass Extractor jig head.

Topwater is fair especially in the very early morning and late evening hours, as the shad are near the surface and are very vulnerable to schooling bass.  The best surface baits have been the Rapala Skitter Prop in shad color and a Lucky Crafty Sammy 65 in Shad. 
 
Smallmouth Bass are being caught early & late on main lake points and off shore on submerged rock piles and shell beds. Also an occasional Smallmouth has been caught among schooling Largemouth.  Spinner baits have caught several nice fish at night with the best color being black and purple with a black Colorado blade.  The 3/8 oz short arm version of the Zorro Aggravator produced the best for us.  Note: If you can’t find any bait with the black blade just spray paint it like we did.  Also if you have short strikes don’t be afraid to use a trailer hook.
 
Bluegill, Redear and Crappie …. No Report.  However, we had another massive mayfly hatch over the last few days so bluegill fishing should be very good.  I’d try a Shelton’s bluegill bug in black and fish it with and without a cricket.
 
Catfish are being caught near secondary and main lake ledges on cut bait, night crawlers, and large minnows.  Best depths are 15 feet deep at night and 30 – 40 feet deep during the day.  
 
This has been a really good week for Stripers.  The best areas have been the old river channel near the dam and on the ledge in front of the canal. Trolling has consistently caught some really good ones.  One of the best ways to troll is using the Ken’s rig.  The Ken’s rig resembles a spinner bait without the hook and blade. Instead, a ball bearing swivel is attached where the hook and blade would be.  Monofilament leaders of different lengths are attached to the swivels with the top leader about 30” and the bottom about 18 inches.  A white or chartreuse rooster tail spinner is tied to the top leader and a deep diving crank bait on the bottom.  The middle hook on the front treble is removed to reduce hang ups.  This rig gets down deep where the fish are less susceptible to the heat. The Ken’s rig has been a killer and at times we have caught a fish on both baits.  The Fisherman’s Friend in Lake City, Ky. has the Ken’s rig. (270)362-4323.  Also Some good fish have been caught casting a ¼ oz white rooster tail at fish chasing shad in the jumps or letting the lure flutter down the drop and then bring it in on a slow steady retrieve.  Also casting a silver & black Pop-R or shad colored Rapala Skitter Pop has been a pretty good back up plan for “jump fishing”.

“So you want to become a better fisherman, right?  Kick’n Bass can help!"  

Here's what Daniel Feltrop from Ohio had to say about his trip with Kick'n Bass ...

"After our trip in July, I spooled up one of my rods with braid and added a fluorocarbon leader like Randy showed us and bought some shakeyhead jigs to try out. Also I got a couple marker buoys so I could mark ledges, drops and other open water structure.  Yesterday I went out to a local lake and located an area that dropped from 10’ to 30’ in the middle of a large bay and dropped the buoy at the top of it.  On my first cast towards the buoy with a shakeyhead, this hawg (22” 5lb+) ate it up.  Without the knowledge gained from the trip with Kick’n Bass, I wouldn’t have been comfortable locating and fishing open water structure along with the confidence in using a shakeyhead.  My dad has experienced similar results on Lake Barkley since our trip, catching more and better quality fish in areas he used to run over before”.  Thanks again for the sharing your experience and knowledge with us!  Dan Feltrop – Ohio
 
Let Kick’n Bass Guide Service help you master the art of fishing the Shakey Head.  No doubt this technique is one of the most productive ways to catch both smallmouth and largemouth bass. Until recently, fishing a Shakey Head has been a guarded secret of the touring pros. A number of pros swear by it and say it works anywhere, anytime and a number of major bass tournaments have been won using this method.  Shaky Head fishing works especially well for rocky bottoms and it can be fished around the edges of thicker cover and in shallow and deep water alike.  With the spawn over, the big females are hungry and aggressive and can be found in large schools.  Now is prime time for Shakey Head fishing here on Kentucky Lake.
 
If you want to “catch more fish and have fun” contact Kick’n Bass and schedule your day on the water learning to fish the Shakey Head.  Equipment furnished or bring your own.  Email rk@kicknbass.net and book your trip today

Other News …
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. (Click on photo to expand for a better look).

 
Recipe of the Week
 
Here’s one I know you’ll really like!  It’s was submitted by Chris Onnybecker of Bee Spring Lodge.
 
Dorothy’s Fish Delight
Cut the following vegetables into bite size chunks
1 large tomato
1 large green pepper
1 large zucchini or yellow squash
1 handful of freshly cut mushrooms
8 green onions chopped
1-16 oz. bottle of Italian dressing
6 of your favorite fish filets
Place the vegetables into a large skillet and pour one 16 oz bottle of Italian dressing over them, sauté until crisp.  Place the filets on top of the vegetables. Steam cook filets until done, flip if necessary.  Serve over white or brown rice.
 
If you have a really great fish recipe that you’d like to share with us send it to:  rk@kicknbass.net

Sept. 4th Tournament to benefit the Brinegar family
Ronnie Brinegar, a tournament director for FLW Outdoors was severely injured last month in an auto accident and is now currently a patient in recovery and rehabilitation at the Shepard Center in Atlanta, Ga.  The Brinegar family needs your help. On September 4th a benefit bass tournament will be held at Ky Dam Marina to assist Ronnie and his family. Tournament registration will be held at Fast Eddie's Tackle on U.S. 68 East from 5-7 PM on September 3rd. A pre-tournament meeting will be held at 7:15 immediately following registration.  Fast Eddie's will be cooking complimentary hotdogs and hamburgers.  You can still register at the ramp up until 5:45 a.m. on Saturday morning.  If you can’t fish the tournament, donations can be made to guarantee the payout with the remaining proceeds going to assist the Brinegar family. Contact Danny York 270-906-5477 or Steve Alvarado 270-841-4626 for the details.
 
Guide Bookings …
Fishing is very good on both lakes right now and I still have a day or two available in Sept.  So, if you wish to book a trip email Kick’n Bass at rk@kicknbass.net  If you feel the need to speak to someone concerning your booking make sure you include your phone number in the email.

Tournament Prep Packages Available …
September & October are Big Tournament months here on the twin lakes.  Be sure to ask about our Tournament Prep Packages.

Tight Lines,