Lake level, Water Temp & Weather Outlook:  The lake level is hovering right at winter pool or slightly below.  Mostly, the weather this week has been blustery and cool with the high temps ranging from the low to mid forties.  Thursday’s bright sunshine was a welcome sight with air temps in the low 50’s.  Late in the day, I did see a consistent 46 degree water temp in several areas of the lake. Hopefully by the time you read this, the 60 degree temperatures the weather man promised us will be here brining even warmer water temps.  A warm rain is projected for Monday & Tuesday and will go along way in rejuvenating the lake and jump start the fishing.  Things are definitely headed in the right direction and I can’t wait. 

Bass:  During a prolonged cold period Bass learn to adapt and in spite of all the cold weather and below normal water temps we’re experiencing, Bass fishing has been surprisingly good.  The most productive areas have been main lake banks and points with chunk rock.  Another hot spot has been the mouth of the bays where points or flats meet the creek or river channel.  Both Largemouth and Smallmouth bass are being taken primarily by slow rolling crank baits, casting suspending jerk baits or slowly fishing shaky heads.  The Keyword here is SLOW! 

It seems that if you find them you get into them pretty good.  Sunday was a very good day to be on the lake fishing a crank bait 4-8 feet deep.  Three of us had quite an afternoon with several fish in the 3-4 pound range among the 25 fish we boated.  Compared to the tournament weights from this past weekend, our catch wasn’t that impressive but for us it seemed to be just what the doctor ordered.   Other productive lures have been the Excalibur X50 in Royal Shad, Lucky Craft pointer in clown and table rock shad and Strike King Super finesse worms fished Shakey head style in green pumpkin and Green Pumpkin/red.  Both 7” and 4” sizes caught fish.

Crappie: Crappie are being caught in 15-18 ft of water in the creek channels or in the mouth of the creeks and bays over brush piles.   Some nice slabs are beginning to show up.  They’re being caught on small tube jigs and minnows on spider rigs.  Both White & Black crappie are being caught in this manner. Thursday while bass fishing, I “accidently” caught a 15” black crappie on a crank bait in about 8 feet of water.  I worked the same area again with a crappie jig but came up empty handed.  For now the crappie are still fairly deep but as the water warms they will gradually move shallower.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed for some extended warm weather.

New Tackle Shop Opening on Kentucky Lake.  Malcolm Creek Resort is expanding its tackle business.  Malcolm Creek Resort is an approved Shimano retailer and has and endless supply of rods, reels and name brand tackle available to you.  Internet sales are in the works but in the meantime give Robert Walter a call toll free at 800-733-6713.  If he doesn’t have it in stock he can get it for you.

Walter and “Prime Time Fishing”

A lot has been written recently about the Solunar Tables and their effect on fish behavior.  Do I believe that the Sun and Moon phases affect fish behavior?  You bet!  Some of my very best and largest catches have come during these periods.  My largest bass last year, an 8lb 4oz. brute was caught in late June, about 2 PM during a major Solunar period.  As a matter of fact, to take advantage of the prime feeding times brought on by the Solunar occurrence, I plan my Canadian Northwood’s fishing trips on days when the prime feeding times coincide with the early morning and late evening bite. 

I discovered the importance of the Solunar prime times many years ago.  Back in the day I was looking for a job where I wouldn’t have to work to hard to earn a little extra cash.  Enter Walter Fentress, the proprietor of Fentress tackle shop in Louisville, Ky.  Walter took a liking to me and decided his personal project was to make a fisherman out of me.  Also It didn’t hurt that I was young, had unlimited energy and I also had my drivers license.  You see Walter was way up in his golden years when I met him and although his angling skills hadn’t diminished one bit, he couldn’t see a lick to drive in periods of low light.  Walter’s tackle shop was located right in front of the Grand Stand entrance to Churchill Downs and he knew a lot of trainers and owners that had huge farms and you guessed it … lakes full of fish.  Walter either had a key to the gate or he didn’t need one.  Also Walter knew all the game wardens and was dialed into which state owned and maintained lakes were hot.  There was no fancy Ranger boat back in those days.  Instead we fished out of a square-backed Grumman canoe powered by a hand-controlled trolling motor.  The first rig I ever saw like that and it had its own custom trailer to boot.

It seemed there was no rhyme or reason why we would leave at such odd hours to go fishing.  Sometimes we would leave in the wee hours of the morning and other times we would leave at mid day.  Often times we were just getting started when others would be coming off the lake.  I never understood that but the old man not only knew how and where to fish, he knew WHEN to fish too!   It seemed we were always at the right place at the right time and we caught a lot of fish together.  Sometimes they were big too!

My first inkling there was a reason to this madness was, when discussing our next trip, Walter informed me that we would need to get a particularly early start since the prime feeding time was from 4 -5:30 AM and it would take us about two hours to get to one of his secret lakes.  What is a Prime Feeding Time?   This was the first time I’d ever heard Walter speak of it.  He explained that the sun and moon phases had a direct influence on fish behavior and feeding habits.  Also there were tables set up that denoted the best times to fish; and there were both Major and Minor periods of activity daily and we needed to be fishing during those times.  This was all Greek to me but if Walter said it was so then it was.  During the frequent trips we made, many fish were caught and a lot of times they were big.   And you know what … by and large they were caught during the “Prime Times” Walter spoke of.

Walter is now long gone but the many lessons I learned from him will not be forgotten.  To this day I keep a copy of the Solunar Tables handy and I never begin a days fishing without checking to see when Walter’s “Prime Feeding Times” are.

The best time to go fishing is whenever you can. Try and plan your days on the water to take advantage of the Solunar periods and prime feeding times. To see the Solunar Tables / Prime Feeding Times for your area, check out this link www.solunarforecast.com/solunarcalendar.aspx  Just enter your zip code and click on step 4 to create your free monthly Solunar calendar. By the way this link is also on our Fishing License Page.  

Guide Service Bookings.   I still have a few days available in March thru May 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 Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.  Whether you fish with me or one of the other guides, it’s best to book your trip as far in advance as possible.  Doing so guarantees a date that best suits you and finding a place to stay won’t be an issue either.   

I’ll be glad to recommend a place to stay that is a good value for the dollar and fisherman friendly.  Just send me an email rk@kicknbass.net or call me at 270-703-6133.  

Canadian Smallmouth Bass Fishing

For those who want to experience the ultimate in smallmouth bass & walleye fishing and a wilderness adventure, Kick’n Bass Guide Service offers two trips annually to the BWCA & Quetico Park.  The trips are all-inclusive, reasonably priced and a great value.  The planning, guiding, gear, food, etc. is all included in one price.  All you have to bring is your tooth brush, clothes and fishing gear.  These trips have been sold out every year and this year will be no exception.  The late July trip is booked solid and the second trip will be in mid-August.  Over the past several years, the BWCAW has seen a reduction in total permits and group size. With the above changes, we have seen an increase in solitude for visitors, but a decrease in permit availability.  I know the trip is several months away but planning a trip like this takes a lot of time and permits have to be obtained well in advance. If you want to experience the North Country’s finest angling and a trip of a lifetime, send an email or call and I’ll fill you in on the details.  The time to book is now!

August Trip:  This trip will be up the Maligne River whose spectacular scenery is only eclipsed by the fishing.  Experience some of the best Smallmouth and Walleye fishing in all of Canada.  Fish the “Glory Hole” for trophy smallmouth and the “Aquarium” for walleye.  Send me an email or call and I’ll fill you in on the details!

Added Bonus!  Those of you whom accompany me on our Northwoods trips will be featured not only in our weekly fishing report but also in a follow up article. Both the report and article, with photos, will be seen on the Kick’n Bass website.  Pretty cool stuff!  

Online Fishing Licenses   You now can purchase a license for Any State online by going to our website www.kicknbass.net and clicking on the Fishing License button.
 
Tight Lines …

If you want to talk fishing or book a trip with Randy Kuhens call him at (270)703-6133 or email him at rk@kicknbass.net