January 21st, 2011

The lake level is about at 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 slightly below normal for this time of year.  Normal is 42 degrees and the lake temp is in the 39-40 degree range.
 
Weekend Weather Outlook –High’s in low 30’s with lows in the teens with a chance of precipitation.
 
Fishing Report …
Overall fishing is very slow.  Not many reports.  However, some Sauger and Stripes are being caught below the dams.
 
West Kentucky Boat & Outdoor Show a Winner!
I think some kudos are in order concerning the West Kentucky Boat & Outdoor show.  Hats off to Nancy Mieure and her staff at Plan-it for putting on such a well run event and suggesting Kick’n Bass have a booth at the show.  Both Martha & I enjoyed our time there.
Thanks to everyone that attended the Kick’n Bass seminar Saturday evening.  I had a good time doing it and by the amount of audience participation it appeared you had fun too. I’ll definitely plan on doing another one next year.

I would like to give a big Thank You to everyone that stopped by our booth, especially those of you that booked trips with our Kentucky Lake guide service.  Also I was completely knocked out by the response to our Canadian Wilderness Smallmouth Adventures.  The June trip is booked solid and as of this morning I am happy to report that I have obtained a permit to arrange a mid – July trip.  So those of you who weren’t able to get in on the June trip, now is your chance to experience a trip of a lifetime.  The July trip will focus on fishing the Maligne River in the heart of the Quetico Park.  This serene and beautiful river flows 11 miles before cascading over Twin Falls and emptying into Lac La Croix.  This time of year the Smallmouth and Walleye congregate above the rapids and in the pools making for some exciting fishing.  Top water fishing for smallmouth is great early and late and some really big walleye can be caught most any time by drifting a lead headed grub in the pools.  Shore lunch is the order of the day.  When its 99 degrees and humid here it’s a good time to take a break and head north to cooler temps and lower humidity.  This will be our 29th year visiting the North Country.  The Sheer Beauty and Spirit of the Wilderness has no equal and in the words of my dear late friend and mentor Bill Zup “The Great Northwoods is Truly God’s Natural Tonic for Tired Weary Bodies”.
 
Boat Show Seminars a Huge Success …
For those of you who didn’t attend the Boat Show you missed some pretty darn good seminars.  I drew something out of all of them …
 
John Parks of Fisherman’s Headquarters, put on a great presentation that really had some nice graphics.  Also he spent a lot of time answering questions and he showed us ways to get the most out of our sonar equipment, especially the new High Definition Systems.  The next time I have a question on using my electronics I know who I’m gonna call ... it’ll be John!

Veteran Bass Fishing guide Dave Stewart did his usual great presentation sharing his knowledge and key points to successful “Ledge Fishing”. For those of us who want to improve our “Ledge Fishing” skills his seminars are a good way to do just that.

Jack Devor, the dean of redear fishing, offered up some info that will be very helpful to all of us in finding these fish.  Something I thought was real important was finding out that the magic depth Redear preferred to spawn is 4-6 ft.  I’ve caught redear at that depth but I wasn’t sure if they consistently spawned that deep or not.  Also I found out just how important a mixture of pea gravel and a sandy bottom was in achieving a successful re-production.  Our lake is blessed with lots of areas like this and I’m sure that’s a main reason the Redear spawns have been phenomenal.  I think I might know of a spot or two like that … Ha!

Thanks to FLW Pro’s Terry Bolton & Dan Morehead for taking time to be with us and share their experience and answer a bunch of questions.   

These seminars proved once again that I’m never too old to learn.  I’m sure a lot of you feel the same way.
 
It’s time to BOOK YOUR TRIP!  Don’t wait!  The word is out on Kentucky Lake.  I know it’s just January but bookings are coming in daily.  I still have a few days open in prime time, so act soon!

Ken McGregor – “Lure Inventor and Fisherman’s Friend”
 
When I spoke to Ken McGregor at the Murray boat show last weekend and I accepted an invitation to visit him and his wife Barbara at their store, Fisherman’s Friend located between the Dams in Lake City, I really wasn’t prepared for what I was about to experience. 

You see, Ken is no ordinary lure maker and his store is just not your run of the mill tackle shop either.  Ken, who has been in the lure making business for 43 years, has got more tackle per sq. ft. in one place than I have ever seen.  For someone like me it was like “being a kid in a candy store” and “I really felt like I’d died and gone to heaven”.
 
Walking the store and the adjacent warehouse with Ken, it appears that Fisherman’s Friend has every name brand rod & reel, lure and terminal tackle piece known to man … and a lot of lures that other tackle shops don’t have … ones that Ken makes himself.  It was obvious to me that Ken is a good listener and considers the ideas and input provided by local fisherman, which in turn influences the design of the baits he makes himself.  Some baits are very unique and species specific. 
 
Checking out the lure making operation was a real bonus for me as I’ve never seen the lure making process in action.  What made the biggest impression was not only the vast amount of equipment that Ken has to get the job done but how much of the actual lure making process is done by hand.  I witnessed Barbara’s sister Brenda hand pouring jigs and meticulously shaping lead heads so they would run true.  Looking at finished goods like their spinner baits, it was obvious that attention to detail and quality gets that personal touch.
 
One item in particular that really grabbed my interest was a new paint color that Ken had been prototyping, Blue Pearl.  If you hold up a shad in the sunlight and look at the belly of the bait the Blue Pearl matches that color to a T.  While I didn’t leave the store with any Blue Pearl yesterday you can bet your Kick’n Bass that I’ll have some pretty soon! 
 
Now if I can just get Ken to make me some Blue Pearl Shakey Heads and worms ….
 
Ken & Barbara’s Store, The Fisherman’s Friend is located in Lake City, KY. between Kentucky and Barkley Dams.  (270)362-4323.

Sonar Tip of the Week

What is an underwater Saddle and what does it look like? One of the best fish holding areas is an underwater Saddle.  Saddles are formed when an underwater point drops off into deeper water and rises again forming a depression in the middle.  We found a large school that had Largemouth, White Bass and Hybrids mixed together and marked the location by assigning a GPS waypoint to the location.  Usually fish schooled up deep like this are basically unmolested and are willing biters. We vertically fish a Blade Bait and caught several from this school. When the blade bait bite quit we caught them trolling using the track back feature.  Without the GPS and Sonar I doubt seriously if we would have found the school much less caught anything.

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
 
Stop Thieves and Secure Your Electronics …
With the cost of electronics these days’ fishermen everywhere are looking for ways to protect their investment.  Dura Safe has some great products to do just that.  Check out this video on how to protect your electronics from thieves.  Click on this Video Link http://www.kentuckylake.tv/fishing/kentucky-lake-fishing-tip-2010-11-04.htm  

Big Time Seminar at Fisherman’s Headquarters this Saturday …
 
Saturday Jan. 22, 2011 1PM CST.  
 
Open Round Table Discussion with FLW Tour pros Terry Bolton, Dan Morehead & Ramey Colson …
 
Don’t miss an opportunity to meet these guys.  They’re consummate professionals and will share their knowledge on seasonal patterns, fish catching methods and anything else you want to talk about.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity and come early.  The last seminar was “standing room only” and there will be a lot of special deals on tackle and such.  So don’t be late and ya’ll come by and partake in the activities! 
 
More Seminars to Come …
 
Feb. 5, 2011 1PM CST
"Cold Water Bass and the Spring Transition" with B.A.S.S. Elite pro Mark Menendez
Sponsored by Strike King...door prizes and Strike King sample packs!
 
In the event of inclement weather, dates will be rescheduled as possible. Call the store at (270) 527-5938 for more information.
 
If you have a bass club that would be interested in a seminar at Fisherman’s Headquarters contact John Parks @ (270)527-5938. 
 
Don’t Forget … Fisherman’s Headquarters in will be open during the winter months 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.
 
Don’t Wait!  Book your 2011 Fishing Trips with Kick’n Bass Now !!!
Thanks to all you early birds that have already booked your trips for 2011.  Bookings came in from Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio.  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. I still have a few days available in Late Feb and March so now’s the time to book!

Tight Lines,