December 9th, 2010

The lake level is approximately a foot above winter pool and water clarity ranges from stained in the main river channel to clear in the bays.
 
Water Temperature Forecast - Water temps are running about normal for this time of year and ranging from the high forties to around 50 degrees depending on which section of the lake you’re on.
 
Weekend Weather Outlook - Another front is headed our way bringing rain and cooler temps to the area by the weekend.  This weekend the forecast calls for highs climbing into the upper 40’s by Friday & Saturday and in the low 30’s by Sunday.  Nighttime lows will range from the upper 20’s to low 30’s before a very cold low arrives Sunday in the teens

Fishing Report … While rehabbing from knee surgery has kept me from being on the water it hasn’t kept me from getting some favorable fishing reports.  Despite some unfavorable weather, including frontal passages and high winds, crappie fishing has been pretty darn good on minnows over submerged brush in 10-12 feet deep.  Just ask George Onnybecker of Bee Spring Lodge who caught this nice mess of crappie (Photo-R). Also Sauger fishing is picking up on the deep flats near the old river channel on ½ jigs and blade baits.  Bass fishing is spotty but some decent catches are coming on blade baits on the deeper flats and on jerk baits.   So all things considered fishing is pretty decent for those who brave the elements.
 
Q & A With Kick’n Bass …
 
Weekly I get questions concerning lures, techniques, etc. and this week has been no exception.  I received a question from Matt Tucker from Indiana concerning line weights and knots I use when Shakey Head fishing so I thought I’d just share the info too.
 
Q.  My first question regards your leaders for bass fishing. I couldn’t remember the lb. test braid and the lb. test mono that you used on our trip. I have recently tried to switch to mono but it seems to stretch and break more than fluorocarbon. So I figured upping the test line would help but I didn't want to cancel out the whole reason of switching to mono. So my question is, what is a good size line when using mono for a leader and what lb. braid? The request is this. Is there anyway you could possible make a fishing tip video for the Kickin Bass website on how to tie your leaders? I have found a few on youtube but I know for a fact and experience that your techniques work very well. Thanks for your time Randy and your fishing tips are very useful. Please keep them coming.
 
Thank you
Matt Tucker
 
A.  Hey, Matt good to hear from you!  Remember, I match the Braid & The leader test wise.  In other words 10lb braid and 10lb leader.  In this case I'm using 10lb P-Line Fluorocarbon.  If you’re breaking the leader at the lure it's probably because you are scoring the line when you tie your knot.  You need to tie the lure on using a Palomer knot and keep it loose until you get ready to cinch it down tight. Remember to cinch tight by pulling on the TAG end that you're going to clip off.  If it's breaking where you join the two lines then you’re scoring the line when you do the fluorocarbon part of the uni-knot.  Keep it loose until you get ready to pull the two lines together and ALWAYS wet the two lines before you pull them together.  This should take care of your issues.  Check out this link on hw to join two lines using the uni-knot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk_VUb-dOQo&feature=related
 
Don’t Wait!  Book your 2011 Fishing Trips Now!
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, booking early 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.
 
Want to Learn More About Your Electronics? Kick’n Bass Can Help!

What does a school of bass look like chasing shad on a main lake flat?  We found this school of fish and threw out a marker to mark their position.  The boat was situated to take advantage of the wind direction and we would cast a blade bait and yoyo it back.  Mostly fish schooled up deep like this are basically unmolested and are willing biters.  We caught a lot of fish from this school and more than once we doubled up! Note the shell bed bottom.
 
Do your electronics have you baffled?  Do you know what your electronics are telling you?  Kick’n Bass can help you get more out of your electronics and become a better fisherman.  To schedule an on the water tutorial and fishing trip, email Kick’n Bass today! rk@kicknbass.net
 
Need help finding a place to stay … No Problem!
If this is your first time to the Lakes Area or you need some advice on where to stay, just send me an email at rk@kicknbass.net   Kick’n Bass knows the resorts that are fisherman friendly and easy on the wallet too!  Kick’n Bass customers get treated like gold.
 
Kick’n Bass Gift Certificates make people happy …Don’t know what to get that special someone? A day on the water catching fish and having fun with Kick’n Bass makes a great birthday or Christmas gift!  For more info send an email to rk@kicknbass.net and we’ll take care of the rest. 

Fisherman's Headquarters is staying open this winter!
 
Fisherman’s Headquarters in will be open the months of December and January for all the die hard anglers.  Many places are shut down and don't have live bait, but we are keeping minnows and some nightcrawlers on hand.  We will have Rosy Reds as soon as they are available.
 
We also have a Christmas Wish List service...you tell us what you want, and we make sure your family gets it right when you send them to us.  No more ugly neckties or soap-on-a-rope!
 
Now that cold weather is here, we are planning our first annual Cure for Cabin Fever series.  Beginning in January, we will host a series of one night seminars on a variety of topics of interest to everyone.  We tentatively plan to have one evening with a seminar on Sonar and GPS.  We will discuss sonar interpretation, side scan technology and how to get the most from your GPS.  Another evening will be spent one on one with FLW Tour pro Terry Bolton and friends. The third event will be Strike King Night, featuring BASS Elite Series and Strike King pro Mark Menendez.  Menendez is a noted cold water expert and will offer insights into winter fishing and the early spring transition.  Don't be surprised if there are Strike King samples available!
 
The dates for the Cure for Cabin Fever series have not been set as of this writing so be sure and watch the Kick n' Bass Fishing Report for updates!
 
You can also call John at Fisherman's Headquarters, (270) 527-5938 or go to www.fishermans-headquarters.com for more information.

Tight Lines,