July 8th, 2010

The lake level is at summer pool and the water temp at KY Dam is 85 degrees.  The Lake is clear.
 
Weekly Highlights
 
“Mechanical breakdown leads to family fishing trip”   When Tim Eagan of Chicago contacted Kick’n Bass he sounded like a man that really needed to take his frustration out on some Kentucky Lake bass.  You see, Tim and his family scheduled a vacation to Kentucky Lake for some R & R and fishing but their fun was interrupted by untimely mechanical issues to the family boat.  After some last minute adjustments to Kick’n Bass’ trip schedule we decided to give it a try.  Tim and his boys, Brian & Marty (Photo-L) are no strangers to the rod & reel and they’re pretty competitive amongst themselves.  On a blistering hot day the boys out fished Dad but he didn’t care.  Spending the day fishing with his sons made Tim the big winner. Thanks guys for allowing Kick’n Bass to be part of the fun!

“So you want to become a better fisherman, right?  Read this …”
I've been an avid bass fisherman and fished tournaments for over 30 years. I haven’t seen a more consistent method of catching nice bass than the Shaky Head. After fishing this rig for two years I thought I had it down pretty well, but after fishing with Kick'n Bass and using his method of utilizing braided line with a fluorocarbon leader the difference in feel and bite detection is amazing! Thanks Kick’n Bass for helping me improve my fishing.

Jerry Dement – Sikeston, Missouri

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

While Largemouth Bass fishing on Kentucky Lake has been pretty good this week it hasn’t been without its challenges!  To be successful one has to be flexible.  One of the better patterns this week has been flipping and pitching boat docks. Balls of shad have been around boat docks for some time now and bass have been hanging around waiting for an easy meal.  My clients and I have caught some pretty nice fish pitching a 4” Zoom ribbon tail worm on spinning gear.  The reels are loaded with 6 lb line and a 1/16 oz. worm weight which allows the worm to fall just right.  Best 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.

Also 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 a 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.
 
Shakey Heads have been catching a ton of fish too.  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, 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 1” to 1 ½” 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 best Crankbait 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 off shore on submerged rock piles and shell beds as well on the old road beds on the East side of the lake about 8’deep.  Best results are coming on Strike King Super Finesse worms fished on a 3/16 oz. PJ’s jig head.  Best results are coming as you slow drag the lure on the bottom. Nancy Hick’s from Macon, Ga. (Photo-L) and Bernard Feltrop of Eddyville, KY (Photo-R) both caught nice smallmouth bass this week fishing Shakey Heads on Kentucky Lake.

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

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 …