August 5th, 2010

The lake level is about 1 foot below summer pool and the water temp at KY Dam is 88 degrees.  The Lake is clear.
 
“Father & Son Kick Some Bass on Kentucky Lake”
 
Dean & Brad Foster (Photo-L) share a lot in common and it’s no accident.  Dean grew up in the outdoors in Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods region and as a boy had the opportunity to see mother nature’s blessings first hand, especially fishing.  Dean wants his son to experience what the great outdoors has to offer and if you want to catch bass Shakey Head style there is no better place than Kentucky Lake.

For two days I had the opportunity to share a boat with these guys and Kentucky Lake did not disappoint.  We caught more than we deserved and the friendly competition between father & son wasn’t without a little trash talking.  I think that Brad might have got a bass or two up on the old man but it didn’t really matter. Spending time fishing with his son made Dean the big winner.  Both learned a little bit about finding shell beds, interpreting electronics and tying the double uni-knot and Brad got in the groove on using his brand new Shakey Head rod & reel his dad got him.  There’s on old saying “If you do what you love it’ll never feel like work” and I my two days with the Foster boys didn’t feel like work at all.  Thanks guys!

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 fishing on Kentucky Lake has been great again this week.  (Photo-R Eula Durbin in her lucky Kick’n Bass shirt) Several interesting patterns emerged.  One pattern that lasted several days involved TVA induced current and a 5-10 mph North wind.  The north wind and current combined to create an eddy effect over some mid-lake shell beds.  Schools of bait fish were locked onto the shell beds and so were the bass.  Every fish was caught within a 50 yard stretch by dragging Shakey heads thru the shell beds.  Another productive pattern during windy days saw schools of bass positioning themselves along main lake banks and wind swept points and feeding on schools of shad.  The best lures have been the Strike King Super Finesse worm in Pumpkin/ Green Flake on a PJ’s 3/16 oz. jig head and a Strike King pro model crankbait in sexy shad that runs about 6’deep.

Ledge fishing has been at the mercy of the TVA induced current.  During increased generation the ledge fishing gets a whole lot better and so does the crankbait bite. If you find the right spot you can really catch a lot of fish and some big ones too! (Photo-L Martha & Paul Weaver) What’s been especially notable is, while you can catch a lot of fish on the ledges during the day, they are even better at night.  After dark, the bass move on top of the ledge, feed aggressively and are relatively easy to catch once the school is located.  Reference the generation schedule and the Solunar tables to determine the best times to fish. (See Links above) The magic depth at night seems to be the 13’ to 17’ range and 22’ to 24’ deep during the day.  Whether fishing during the day or at night, the most productive lures have been a jig and a Shakey Head.  The jig combo consists of a Tiny Paca Craw in Green Pumpkin / Cotton Candy and a one quarter or one half ounce PJ’s football head jig.  Dragging this lure seems to produce the best results and the unique shape of the PJ’s jig resists getting hung up especially when fishing around shell beds and heavy cover.
 
Topwater is pretty good but doesn’t last very long, 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 bait has been the Pop-R in silver and black with a Rapala Skitter Prop in shad color as a good back up. 
 
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 on the old road beds on the East side of the lake about 8’deep.  Best results are coming on Strike King 4” Super Finesse worms fished on a 3/16 oz. PJ’s jig head.  Dragging the lure slowly on the bottom works pretty well too.   

What month is the best for night fishing?  August!  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 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! 
 
For more information on putting together a night fishing trip send an email rk@kicknbass.net or call 270-703-6133.
 
Bluegill & Redear are spotty.  It seems we’re having a lingering mayfly hatch and wherever you can find the hatch you find some nice ‘gills.  One hot spot has been deep banks.  Tight line a cricket or a red worm and let it go to the bottom a reel it up about a crank and hold on.  We’ve caught a pretty good mess one day this week.  Mostly bluegill with several redear mixed in.
 
Crappie:  Crappie fishing is slow.  Not many folks out there fishing for them.
 
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.   
 
Trolling has consistently caught some really good Stripers (Photo-L Steve Stratman Evansville, IN.)  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.  White Bass are improving and are being caught in two ways, casting or trolling.  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”.

Other News …
 
“Performance Jigs Company of Missouri to Introduce New Product to Market”  
Performance Jigs Company (PJ’s) a leading supplier of quality jigs will be introducing shortly a 5/16 & 7/16 oz. Bass Extractor jig to the market.  This much anticipated product features an ultra sharp 6/0 hook and will be ideal for Shakey Head style of fishing and will accommodate larger baits especially 10” or longer worms.  Be sure to ask for this product at your local retailer or visit PJ’s website at www.pjlures.com or call 417-546-4522.

Fisherman's Headquarters Is Open and Doing Business!
Fisherman's Headquarters tackle shop located in Draffenville, KY is again open for business. John Parks is the new owner and currently is offering big discounts on select Lucky Craft baits! For more info contact John @ Fisherman's Headquarters 270-527-5938.
 
Guide Bookings …
Fishing is very good on both lakes right now and I still have a few days available in August.  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 …