|
June 25th 2010
The lake level is approximately one foot
above summer pool and the water temp at KY Dam
is 86 degrees. In some of the bays the surface temps are
in the high 80’s. The lake is clear.
The Weather Outlook is for temps in the high
80’s to low 90’s and a chance of thunderstorms each day.
We’ve had some pretty intense afternoon thunderstorms this week
so be watchful and use good judgment. Remember while on
the water, dehydration can be an issue. Kick’n Bass
clients are encouraged to drink water hourly … so should you!
Weekly Highlights
 “Evansville
duo scores hat trick” Ernie Brothers & Les
Moreland (photo-L) by their own admission newcomers to
bass fishing, sought out Kick’n Bass to help them improve their
bass fishing ability. Their goal was to learn to fish the
Shakey Head and increase their ability to find fish using
electronics. Little did I know what was in store for us …
After catching his biggest bass ever on a Shakey Head, Ernie
announced that the bass wasn’t the only big fish he was going to
catch that day. I couldn’t help but notice the swagger
and the amount of enthusiasm Ernie had as he went back to
fishing. After all, catching a big fish can do a lot to
boost one’s confidence. Imagine my surprise when
 Ernie (photo
–R) caught an even bigger fish by landing a monster cat
that measured over 30 inches and weighed 22 pounds.
Catching a fish of that size on spinning tackle was no small
feat and another testimony of the fish catching ability of the
Shakey Head. The big fish put up one of the best fights
I’ve seen in a long time and I was real proud of the way Ernie
hung in there and played the fish out just right. Lost in
all the excitement was the fact that Les also caught his biggest
bass ever! One of the best rewards a guide can get is
being present when the client catches their biggest fish and
Kick’n Bass got to do it three times in a day. I’d be
willing to bet that my happiness doesn’t begin to match the
excitement they felt landing those big fish. Way to go
Guys!!!
 “Brothers–in-law bond fishing the Shakey Head” When John
Massie set up a fishing trip with Kick’n Bass he mentioned he
would be bringing two others with him. What he didn’t tell
me was he was bringing his brother-in-laws Tim Thielen & Sam
Ensminger (photo-L upper left & right) who pretty much had never
seen a rod & reel. Sam admitted that he’d only been
fishing once before and while Tim was tight lipped, I could tell
that he was in pretty much the same shape. Never one
to shy away from a challenge, I gave all three a quick tutorial
on the art of Shakey Head fishing and we went to work on the
Kentucky Lake bass population. Once we got past the hang
ups, break-offs and slapping the water with the rod tip, the
guys got in the groove and it was pretty darn impressive on how
many fish they caught. John caught his biggest bass ever
and I’m sure the others did too but what was really neat about
the whole trip was how much fun we had and how much we enjoyed
each others company. Having three Brothers-in-law that
actually get along and like one another is unusual in today’s
fast paced world, but it just goes to show you how a good days
fishing can bring out the best in everyone. Thanks guys for a
great day, let’s do it again!
“If you want to become a better angler, read this …”
 John Ray & Chuck Bell (photo-L) caught these bass fishing Shakey
Heads. This is what they had to say about their time on the
water with Kick’n Bass.
I had a really great time and learned a lot, especially when it
came to fishing a Shaky Head. We caught some really nice
fish under some pretty demanding conditions! Kick’n Bass
made it easy for me to learn and as a result I have become a
better fisherman. Thanks for a great trip. I'll be
back!
– Chuck Bell Memphis, Tn.
I fished with Kick'n Bass earlier in the year and got bit by the
Shakey Head bug when we caught an insane number of bass
including my biggest Ky. Lake largemouth. I scheduled
another trip with Kick'n Bass. This time I took my friend
Chuck Bell and we had a great time and caught some big bass and
now he's got the bug. I even have my own Shakey Head rod
and reel now!
My wife Kathy and grandchildren had a great time with Kick’n
Bass when we filled an ice cooler with huge bluegill. The
grandchildren experienced a trip they will always remember and
the interaction by our guide brought smiles to their faces and
fishing tales to their conversations. If anyone wants to learn
a productive way to fish from someone who knows how, contact
Kick'n Bass! - John Ray Parkersburg, Wva.
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: Wow! What can’t you say about the
bass fishing on Kentucky Lake! In spite of the blistering
outdoor temps and unusually hot water for this time of year,
bass continue to be caught in good numbers both during the day
and at night. This week some of our best catches have come
in water as deep as 28’ – 32’ feet or on the surface when bass
are feeding on shad. Lots of 3 ˝ to 5 pound fish both
largemouth and smallmouth have been caught both ways.
The most productive lures when we fish deep have been a jig and
a Shakey Head. The jig combo consists of a Tiny Paca 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. Strike King
7” finesse worms in Pumpkin/Green Flake & Blue Moon 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.
The best surface bait has been the Rapala Skitter Prop in shad
color. This bait seems to emulate a striking bass better
than any other bait we’ve used and has produced a number of good
sized bass. A good back-up bait is a Pop-R in silver and
black and the baby bass color isn’t too bad either.
The #1 Crankbait again this week has been the Strike King pro
model series 6 in Sexy shad with the Royal 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 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 a green
pumpkin Tiny Paca Craw and a 3/16 oz. PJ’s football head jig
head.
Remember when you catch bass from extreme depths it might be
necessary to fizz some of the bass. 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 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!
For more information on putting together a night fishing trip
send an email rk@kicknbass.net
or call 270-703-6133.
Bluegill & Redear: The bluegill fishing is either very good or
poor due to the recent 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 Black & Cricket.
We either fish the bug straight up or tip it with a cricket or a
wax worm. The cricket seems to get the best results.
Also using a slip bobber and a cricket can be very effective on
slow bite. A few Redear are showing up mixed in with the
bluegill.
Crappie: Crappie fishing is fair. Some are being caught
15’-20’ deep over brush. A minnow is the bait of choice.
Catfish: Except for an occasional stray, most 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 Ľ 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 …
WOW!!!
Check out
the All New Kick'n Bass Vapor Wear Jerseys.
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 …
If you want to talk fishing or book trips with Randy
Kuhens contact him at (270)703-6133 or email him at rk@kicknbass.net
|
