This time last week we had a water level near summer pool and the gates were open at Kentucky Dam.  Today the gates are still open and we are about 2.5 feet above winter pool with a surface water temperature at the Dam of 44 degrees. The projection is for more of the same for several days to siphon the runoff created by the heavy snows from this weekend.  Even if we have warmer air temps, I expect with the snow melt that the lake temps will stay about the same or drop a little.  Stay tuned …
 
This time of year many fishermen come down with a case of Cabin Fever.  This claustrophobic reaction takes place when a fisherman is isolated or shut in, with nothing to do, for an extended period.  Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, inability to complete honey do’s, excessive fondling of fishing reels, watching fishing shows over and over and an uncontrollable urge to be on the water.  Well, that pretty well sums up my condition.  I know of only one cure and that’s to go fishing!
 
Back in December, I sank some fish attractors for crappie and I was dying to find out if they held fish.  The temptation to find this out and a huge dose of cabin fever were too much for me to overcome.  I was determined to spend a couple of hours this afternoon crappie fishing even if it chapped you know who’s’ you know what!
 
As I backed my trailer in the water at the Big Bear boat ramp, I could hear the thin layer of ice breaking.  In the eleven years I have lived on Kentucky Lake I’ve never launched my boat when water had a solid surface.   It took all of five minutes to get to my spot, find the underwater brush on my locator in 15 feet water and throw out a marker.   The arches on the screen indicated fish were present.  I decided to let the fish tell me what bait to use so I cast out two lines.   Both were rigged with a slip bobber, one baited with a tube jig and the other a live minnow.  The tube jig was set about 12 feet deep and the minnow was set very close to the cover at about 15 feet.  Immediately, the minnow rig went under and I brought in a nice 1 ½ pound crappie.  Was this too good to be true?  I spent the next thirty minutes staring at motionless bobbers cursed by the first cast - first fish jinx.  Patience at times, is not one of my better virtues.  The following thirty minutes was spent anxiously switching colors on the tube jig and adjusting the depths on both lines with no luck. 
 
Things were going from bad to worse when I noticed an old chartreuse & white marabou jig in the bottom of my crappie box.  Marabou jigs are comprised of a jig head, and a hair, chenille, tinsel or feather body and tail.  To be honest I hadn’t fished with a marabou jig in years and didn’t realize I even had one.  Best I remember marabou supposedly has great action in cold water, much better than plastic.  I quickly tied the marabou and sent it to the cover hoping the gentle waves would impart just enough action to trigger a strike.   The bobber began that go-under-pop-back-up routine which indicated that a fish was checking the bait out but wasn’t taking it.  I reeled in the marabou and placed a minnow on the hook and sent it back down. 

The bobber never came to a rest on the surface it just kept going, so I set the hook and reeled in a nice fat 16 inch Sauger.  Not what I was expecting but I’d take it anyway.  As fast as I could re-bait, I sent another jig-n-minnow to the cover. Again the same result, this time another nice crappie.  Over the next 30 minutes or so I landed several more crappie and just as fast as they began to bite, they quit.  It was getting dark and I decided to call it a day.  As I pulled away from the boat ramp I noticed that my trailer had been the only one there this day.  Six Crappie and a Sauger wasn’t anything to brag about but it was just what the doctor ordered for a case of “Cabin Fever”.  Now, if I can only find some more of those marabou jigs…
 
Generally Speaking.    Some of the other guides I have been talking with have been bass fishing with jerk baits and shakey heads.  These are some pretty good fishermen and if anybody can catch them, these guys can.  On warm overcast days the fishing has been pretty decent. Otherwise the fishing has been unpredictable mostly due to the fluctuating water levels and inclement weather.  Some crappie are being caught in 15 – 18 feet over brush piles but mostly the bad weather has kept crappie fishermen off the lake.
 
The good news is, it’s already February and with a few warm days fishing will improve and do so quickly.
 
Fishing License Renewal.   Don’t forget that several state fishing licenses expire at the end of this month so make a note to be sure and renew.
 
Guide Service Bookings.   I want to thank everyone who has booked trips.  January was a huge month for Kick’n Bass Guide Service as far as bookings goes.  I still have a few days available in March thru May so if you want to Catch Fish & Have Fun, contact me as soon as possible. June and beyond is no problem for now but that will change.  Just so you’ll know, whether you fish with me or one of the other guides, it’s best to book your trip as far in advance as possible.  Doing so guarantees a date that best suits you and finding a place to stay won’t be an issue either.  The word is out on Ky. Lake so make your plans now!  Don’t delay!
 
Canadian Smallmouth Bass Fishing.   For those who want to experience the ultimate in smallmouth bass & walleye fishing and a wilderness adventure, Kick’n Bass Guide Service offers two trips annually to the BWCA & Quetico Park.  The trips are all-inclusive, reasonably priced and a great value.  The planning, guiding, gear, food, etc. is all included in one price.  All you have to bring is your tooth brush, clothes and fishing gear.  These trips have been sold out every year and this year will be no exception.  The late July trip is booked solid.  Another trip is in the works for mid August.  If you want to experience the North Country’s finest angling, send me an email or call and I’ll fill you in on the details.
 
Website Updates.   Be sure and check out the improvements at www.kicknbass.net.  You now have access to previous fishing reports.  Also there is a page dedicated strictly to Fish Canada and both the Ky. Lake photo album and Fish Canada page has a slide show at the top.  Enjoy!

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