July 2nd, 2010

The lake level is approximately one half foot above summer pool and the water temp at KY Dam is 84 degrees.  The Lake is clear.
 
Weekly Highlights
 
"The Lone Ranger rides again" Phalos Young of Evansville, In. took delivery on a new Ranger boat from Jet-a-Marine this week and wanted to break it in here on Kentucky Lake.  Included in the break in procedure was a tutorial from Kick’n Bass on how to use electronics to find the most productive ledges and how to catch bass using a Shakey Head.   Phalos and his son Travis (photo-L) are pretty decent fisherman and while they weren’t exactly sold on the ways of the Shakey Head, they were curious enough to invest in time on the water to find out more about this technique.  By the end of the day, after experiencing the fish catching ability of the Shakey Head, their expectations were exceeded.  Not only had they learned a new & exciting way to catch bass but promptly stocked up on the tackle necessary to get the job done.  Thanks guys for allowing Kick’n Bass to be part of your day and turn you on to a new and exciting way to catch fish!
 
“Doctor prescribes own medicine” When Dr. David Stricklin, of Lake Barkley, and I fished together a few weeks back we had a lengthy discussion on the sun & moon’s effects on fish behavior.  For those of you who read my reports you know I am a believer in the solunar tables and I plan my trips to coincide with the Prime Feeding Times whenever possible.  I believe in this so much that I post a link to the tables in each weeks report so you too can have access to the information.  I get a lot of emails about this subject including one from David this week.  This is what he had to say about his solunar experience … “Joni (photo-R) & I arrived at one of our fishing spots that is usually good for one or two fish at best.  Normally I wouldn’t fish this spot during mid-day, especially in June but since our discussion on the Feeding Times and the Prime Feeding time was at noon, we decided to give it a try anyway.  To my surprise the fish bit unusually well, especially the stripers.  We fished the following morning during the 5 AM Minor feeding time and caught several nice Largemouth and Smallmouth bass.  You said I’d be sending you an email so here it is … I guess I’m going to be watching those Solunar tables from now on!”

David Stricklin – Lake Barkley

“If you want to become a better angler, read this …”
 
What a great experience we had learning to fish the Shakey Head. In some of the toughest conditions we caught fish at every stop. Our guide was a very professional mannered person and showed great tolerance when teaching my wife and me better ways to catch bass. The attention to detail was delivered very naturally and was consistent throughout our entire trip. Our experience exceeded all of our expectations and left us wondering how it could get any better until we found ourselves catching fish with Bald Eagles soaring above us. What a total and complete blast!  Thanks to Kick’n Bass for the great memories and the lessons learned that have improved our skills and knowledge for catching bass. We will be back soon and look forward to scheduling another day with Kick’n Bass!

Ron & Linda Cravens - Milford, Ohio

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.  June & July 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 very good this week!  Schools of bass are on the ledges and if you find the right spot you can really catch a lot of fish and some good ones too!  The most productive ledges are located near the old river channel and resemble an underwater point with rock and shell beds with a sharp drop about a long cast away.  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 Alabama Craw 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.  (Photo - Drew Burrell Franklin, KY.)
 
Shakey Heads have been catching a ton of fish.  Strike King 7” 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.  During times of a slow bite we have used two methods to catch fish.  Using the 7” worm we have alternated the action by letting the bait sit motionless for about 30 seconds and then shaking it 10- 20 times to provoke a strike.  The other method that has been productive is dragging the 4” version of the Pumpkin/Green flake along the bottom.  The strike has been between a gentle pull and a tap. If you have any doubts, set the hook. 
 
Topwater is improving as the shad are beginning to reach that 1” to 1 ½” size that bass love.  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 #1 Crankbait for the third consecutive week has been the Strike King pro model series 6 in Sexy shad with the Citrus shad color being a good alternate.  We have been catching some fish on the long sloping points close to the secondary channels, especially if the points are located in the mouth of the bays and along the river channel ledges.  A very slow retrieve with the rod tip pointed deep in the water gets the best results.  We’ve noticed that the best crankbait bite seems to be when current is present from power generation.  (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 offshore on submerged rock piles and shell beds.  Best results are coming on an Alabama Craw Tiny Paca Craw and a 3/16 oz. PJ’s football head jig head.
 
Remember when you catch bass from extreme depths it may be necessary to fizz some of them.  Learn to Fizz a Bass Click Here.
 
Experience the Thrill of Bass Fishing at Night …
We’ve begun our night fishing season 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 - Josh Brien Lexington, KY.)
 
For more information on putting together a night fishing trip send an email rk@kicknbass.net or call 270-703-6133.
 
Bluegill & Redear: The report on Buegill & Redear is a carbon copy of last week; it’s either very good or poor due to the Mayfly Hatch.  Find the Mayflies and you should do pretty well.  Best way to find these hotspots is to scour the banks looking for overhanging limbs that are holding mayflies and look for surface activity.  A trick you can use to improve your fishing is to cast a plastic worm onto the tree and shake the limbs knocking the mayflies into the water.  This usually sets off a feeding frenzy.  Some nice fish can be caught casting a Sheltons Bluegill Bug in Cricket.  We either fish the bug straight up or tip it with a cricket.  A few Redear are showing up mixed in with the bluegill.  A couple of tips for you …  if you are catching small fish back off a bit, use a 1/16 oz Shelton’s bug in cricket color and let the bait fall.  The bite will come as the bait is falling to the bottom.  Also to catch bluegill on the surface throw a small topwater, anything that is about 1 ½ inches long and you will have a blast.
 
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 brining 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 as 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 …
 
Shirts For Sale!  Don’t forget to check out the All New Kick'n Bass Vapor Wear Jerseys.
Click Here.

WOW! Kick'n Bass Fishing Tips are now on VIDEO!   Each week Kentucky Lake T.V. & Kick'n Bass will feature a fishing tip that will help you become a better angler.  Click Here for this week's fishing tip from Kentucky Lake T.V. & Kick'n Bass! 

Guide Service Bookings.   I still have a day or two left in July so if you want to Catch Fish & Have Fun, contact me as soon as possible.  Thanks to those of you who booked a trip this week.  Bookings came in from Iowa, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana.

Tight Lines …