July 15th, 2010

The lake level is at summer pool and the water temp at KY Dam is 86 degrees.  The Lake is clear.
 
Weekly Highlights
 
“College students pass test with flying colors”
 
Cody Sullivan and Alex Lundquist (Photo-L) share a lot in common.  Not only are they sweethearts and college students from Champaign, IL., they love to fish together.

Cody contacted Kick’n Bass to set up a trip to learn to fish the shakeyhead.  Originally the trip was going to be a father & son day but when Cody’s dad Mike couldn’t make it, Alex stepped up.  I’ve shared the boat with a lot of girls that could fish but Alex really surprised me!  Not only was she an excellent caster but she had a pretty mean hook set to boot.  Both Alex and Cody caught an insane number of bass and several times we all had a fish on.  It’s nice to see couples sharing quality time outdoors, especially when they are fishing. 

Cody, I have a question for you … what are you going to do with Alex when Mike wants to come on our next trip?  Not to worry … we can fish three out of my boat !  Thanks for a great Day !

“So you want to become a better fisherman, right?  Kick’n Bass can help!"
 
When we fished with Kick’n Bass it was a great day for my Son and me.  I have never been a Bass fisherman but with the instruction and patience I was shown, I have become one. This was a great experience for me and even at 69 years of age you CAN teach an “old dog new tricks”.  Randy was a great guide and most of all a great person and I consider him my friend. Thanks again for a great day and God Bless.    Allen Porter – Augusta, KY
 
I fished Stick Marsh and Lake Fork this year and Kentucky Lake out produced both of them put together!  Our guide was great and really took an interest in helping us get comfortable with the gear and the technique.  I'll catch many more bass in the coming years thanks to the shaky head techniques I learned.  Even better, I got to spend some quality time fishing with my 69 year old dad who caught his biggest bass ever!  We had a blast and will be doing another trip with Kick’n Bass real soon.     Aric Porter – Lexington, KY.
 
Let Kick’n Bass Guide Service help you master the art of fishing the Shakey Head.  No doubt this technique is one of the most productive ways to catch both smallmouth and largemouth bass. Until recently, fishing a Shakey Head has been a guarded secret of the touring pros. A number of pros swear by it and say it works anywhere, anytime and a number of major bass tournaments have been won using this method.  Shaky Head fishing works especially well for rocky bottoms and it can be fished around the edges of thicker cover and in shallow and deep water alike.  With the spawn over, the big females are hungry and aggressive and can be found in large schools.  July and August are prime times for Shakey Head fishing here on Kentucky Lake.
 
If you want to “catch more fish and have fun” contact Kick’n Bass and schedule your day on the water learning to fish the Shakey Head.  Equipment furnished or bring your own.  Email rk@kicknbass.net and book your trip today.
 
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 pretty darn good this week.  Several patterns are producing quality catches.  One of the better patterns this week has been fishing old road beds that intersect with main lake points and gentle sloping secondary points mid-way in the larger bays.  Most fish are being caught 4’ -8’ deep on shakey heads and topwater lures.  Also flipping and pitching boat docks has been a pretty good back up plan. Balls of shad have been around boat docks for some time now and the bass have been hanging around waiting for an easy meal.  My clients and I have caught some pretty nice fish slow rolling a small 1/8 oz shad colored Mini Strike King spinnerbait and pitching a 4” Zoom ribbon tail worm.  Spinning gear is used on both applications.  Reels are loaded with 6 lb line and the 1/16 oz. worm weight allows the worm to fall just right.  Most hook-ups are as the bait drops.  Best worm colors are June Bug and Black with red flake.  Keep in mind that your presentation needs to be subtle.  If you spook the shad you’ll spook the bass.

Ledge fishing has been feast or famine which is somewhat of a change from last week.   If you find the right spot you can really catch a lot of fish and some big ones too!  (Photo-L Casey Kuppart & Nathan Long) The most productive ledges have been mid-Lake and close to the main river channel.   Focus on the “end” of the ledge where an abrupt change in depth occurs.  My clients and I fished such a spot this week and really had a great day.  What’s been especially notable is, while you can catch a lot of fish on these spots 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.  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.
 
Shakey Heads have been catching a ton of fish too.  Strike King 4” finesse worms in Pumpkin/Green Flake & Green Pumpkin / Red Flake have been the two best colors fished on a 3/16 oz PJ’s football head jig.  The strike has been between a gentle pull and a tap. If you have any doubts, set the hook. 
 
Topwater is improving, especially in the evening hours, as the shad are near the surface and are very vulnerable to schooling bass.  The Shad are beginning to reach that magic size that bass absolutely love and they are gorging themselves.  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. 
 
The Crankbait bite has slowed considerably for us this week.  I imagine that the bass have seen a ton of these lures in the past week or so.  One thing for sure, you need some current to enhance the bite.  (You can check out the power generation by clicking on the link above). 
In the back of the bays, Rat-L-Trap type baits and Pop R’s are catching some fish but they are smaller.   Most of the small bass are chasing schools of shad.   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.   
 
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!  (Photo – FLW Ky. Lake Co-Angler Champ Brandon Hunter from Benton, KY)
 
For more information on putting together a night fishing trip send an email rk@kicknbass.net or call 270-703-6133.
 
Bluegill & Redear fishing is feast or famine.  For Big Fish the same pattern as last week seems to be your best bet … fish deep vertically along any rock bluffs near the old river channel. Redworms and night crawlers are the preferred bait.  Let the bait fall to the bottom and reel up about one crank and hold on.  We’ve caught some pretty good ‘gills using this technique.  15-20 feet seems to be the best depth for this type of fishing. 
 
Crappie:  Crappie fishing is fair.  Some are being caught 15’-20’ deep over brush.  A minnow is the bait of choice.
 
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.   
 
Stripes 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”.
 
Trolling a Ken’s rig at the mouths of the bays in 8 – 18 feet of water has consistently caught good fish.  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
 
Other News …
 
Fisherman's Headquarters Reopens!

Fisherman's Headquarters tackle shop located in Draffenville, KY has reopened and is now doing business. John Parks is the new owner. Many of you know John from Jet-a-Marina and you can expect the same kind of friendly service that he's known for. I'm sure many of you remember the previous owners Bart and Lori Schutz. They are assisting John during the start up. Stop in and see John, Bart and Lori for great deals on all your fishing needs. Fisherman's Headquarters 270-527-5938.
 
Kick’n Bass Live from Canada via Satellite!
The week of July 18 – 24th Kick’n Bass Guide Service and our clients are camping & fishing in the Boundary Water Canoe Area of Northern Minnesota and the Quetico Provincial Park in Southern Ontario, Canada.
 
Upon returning, a full account of our trip including photos and a detailed report of our travels and the fishing will be available online.  For more information about our Canadian Fishing trips Contact Kick'n Bass Guide Service at rk@kicknbass.net

Kick’n Bass Live from Canada via Satellite!
 
Kick’n Bass Guide Service will be a featured guest on the KSL Outdoors Show Saturday July 17th and Saturday the 24th at approximately 7:15 AM CST.  This Saturday’s call will be a Q & A on guiding a Wilderness Camping & Fishing trip.  On Saturday the 24th, Kick’n Bass will provide a live fishing report via Satellite from the Canadian wilderness.  KSL Outdoors is broadcast on KSL Outdoors website:  http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=154210&nid=186
 
Broadcast from Salt Lake City Utah, KSL Outdoors is also podcast on Itunes as well as broadcast live in real time online from the KSL website.  The show is also posted on the KSL website at http://pandora.bonnint.net/audio/ksloutdoors.rss

Yes, while I’m away, you can still book a Kentucky Lake or Lake Barkley Fishing Trip …
 
Fishing is very good on both lakes right now and I still have a couple of days available the last week in July and few days available in August.  So, if you wish to book a trip while I’m away feel free to do so by emailing Kick’n Bass at rk@kicknbass.net  and your email will be promptly answered by my wife Martha.  Most likely your response will come in the early evening.  If you feel the need to speak to someone concerning your booking make sure you include your phone number in the email. 

Tight Lines …