Last week I reported that the lake levels were stable at winter pool but at this time we are receiving a major influx of water from the south.  Looking out my window I can see geese knee deep in the water between the bank and dock which tells me the lake is slightly elevated for this time of year.  The surface temp is holding at 56 degrees.   TVA has been releasing water at nearly the same rate it enters the reservoir which is creating a great deal of current in the lake.  The increase in current is significant because it affects fish behavior and at times it can set off a feeding frienzy.  Bass love current, especially smallmouth bass.

The opportunity for guide trips in December are far & few between.  So when I got a last minute call from the Ellis twins from Minnesota asking me to guide them bass fishing, I was happy to oblige.  I met the Ellis boys this past June at Zup’s Resort on LacLa Croix, Ontario and they promised to look me up when they headed south to Florida for the winter.  They had a tough decision to make, either they were going to spend the day at the Quilt Museum in Paducah with their wives or go bass fishing with me.  Since I spend a couple of weeks evey year guiding in the Northwoods I’m familiar with how passionate folks from Minnesota are about their fishing.  Afterall, these crazy people drill holes in ice 3 feet thick and go fishing when it’s below zero !!!  The bottom line is Minnesotans love to fish and the Ellis twins are no exception. These guys will fish at the drop of a hat!

I placed three Shakeyhead rods on the deck of my Ranger and we were off to fish main lake points for bass.  Since I hadn’t been out in a couple of days I was hopeful that the bass would cooperate in the 35 degree, overcast but calm weather.  By the way I’ve realized something about being a fishing guide, at times being lucky is better than being good.   As the boat came to a rest at the mouth of  Sugar Bay gulls were diving for injured baitfish and we saw several large swirls, signs of feeding fish.  Casting our shakeyheads, the three of us caught bass at will for about 40 minutes until the school got wise and moved off.  Watching the two guys enjoying themselves catching bass, in damp cold weather with only a windbreaker on yelling “boy what’s wrong with you it ain’t cold,”  was special.   We caught mostly smallmouth with some spots mixed in too.  The older twin Carl caught a smallmouth around 4 1/2 pounds that put up a great fight, jumping several times.  Most fish were caught 5 feet deep or less.  The next hour and a half was spent running and gunning from one spot to another hoping to duplicate the pattern. We didn’t have much success elewhere so we decided to return to Sugar Bay.  We wound up catching a few more bass before a cold rain set in and we called it a day.  We all had a lot of fun and I especially want to thank the Ellis twins for looking me up and showing me such a good time! 

While the current is really moving be sure to fish the main lake points and the mouth of the bays.   Some really good fishing can be had.  Look for schools of baitfish and gulls too. 

Crappie fishing has been either very good or non-existant.  I can tell you if you get into the Black Crappie they are HUGE !  Location is critical as they are very close to the wood 7 to 14 feet deep.  I’m going to see if I can persuade one of my spider rigging friends to take me along for the ride so I can get you a better report on what’s going on.  I imagine the on again off again water level has a lot to do with the bite being sporadic.  Sometimes it doesn’t take much to throw crappie into a funk.

Stripes and yellow bass are being caught by trolling the ledges or casting crank baits or rooster tails along the main lake points and at the mouth of the bays.  If you use a rooter tail type lure cast it and let it sink to the bottom and use a slow but steady retrieve. You can still catch quite of few of these if you stay after them and some pretty good ones too.

Sauger, no lake report but I hear they’re biting below Smithland Dam on the Ohio River.
 
Remember if you’re going out on the water let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back.  Wear plenty of warm clothes and by all means please wear your life jacket. 

Bass Wishes!
Randy Kuhens

If you want to talk fishing or book a trip with Randy Kuhens call him at (270)703-6133 or email him at rk@kicknbass.net