May 12th, 2011

Lake Conditions …

As of this morning both lakes are approximately six feet over summer pool and in the midst of a significant drawdown so there is considerable current in both lakes.  The drawdown has been lowering the water level about a foot every 24 hours and if this plan continues uninterrupted, by midnight Sunday, both lakes should be approximately four feet over summer pool.  Water Clarity … Barkley is heavily stained in the main channel with some floating debris with the best water on the LBL side of the lake where it is stained but clearing.  On Kentucky Lake the main river channel is moderately stained. Some bays are murky and others are not clear yet but there is a lot of ideal water to fish. Overall bite has been good on both lakes for most species. The lake temps are in the low 70’s.  If you want to keep up to date on the lake situation concerning projected lake levels you can go to TVA’s website http://www.tva.gov/lakes/kyh_r.htm  
 
Kick’n Bass Photo of the Week

 
Look closely at the photo … one of those fish is NOT a bass!  Casey Kuppart and Nathan Long (Photo) and I had a day, where at times we thought we had died and went to “fish’in heaven”. Imagine catching all the bass you want and the crappie of a lifetime.  Folks, it doesn’t get any better than that!  The bass as well as the big crappie were caught on ZMan worms fished Shakey Head style.  I had a blast and thanks to Casey and Nathan for making my day a really special one!
 
Fishing Report
 
Largemouth Bass … The bass are in transition and basically in three modes: Pre-Spawn, Spawn and Post-Spawn.  As we speak another wave of egg laden females are headed to the beds in preparation of the spawn around the full moon next week. With the yo-yoing of the water levels brought on by the extreme high water and subsequent drawdown, this group of pre-spawn females is delayed somewhat in their migration. The good news for fishermen is they are congregating on the points at the mouth of the bays and are fairly easy to catch.  In the next several days this group of fish will move to the spawning flats.  Will they set up deeper than normal?  My guess is yes.
 
The best baits this week have been Shakey Heads with Z-Man Watermelon/Red Flake and Green Pumpkin finesse worms on a PJ’s 3/16 oz bass extractor jig head. These lures have produced a lot of bass this week for my clients and some really good ones too!.  A 3/8 PJ’s jig with a Alabama Craw or Green Pumpkin Tiny Paca Craw trailer has been a pretty good back up plan. (Photo) Rex Smith from Paducah, KY with a couple of pre-spawn females caught on Shakey Heads.
 
Bass in the Flooded Timber & Bushes … The high water has a good number of bass holding around submerged bushes and flooded timber. However, with the drawdown in progress this pattern has changed considerably. The receding water has positioned the bass more to the outside instead of deep in the woods.  Several good fish were caught this week pitching a Berkley Blue Fleck Power Worm or Black / Blue Fleck ZMan Saw worm.  We found the best way to fish the worms was Texas rigged with a pegged sinker. The slender profile of the worms allowed us to get the bait down to the base of the trees or in the bush if needed.  At times the bass were holding pretty tight, so letting the bait fall to the base of the tree or to the bush and shaking the worm to entice a strike made a big difference.  ZMan Watermelon / Red Flake or Green Pumpkin lizards with a pegged sinker came as a close second to the worms as preferred baits for this type of fishing.  Catching bass like this is a lot of fun especially when you get a good one on a short leash.

Smallmouth Bass …
The spawn is for the most part is over and the big ones are on the move. The most productive locations are main lake points and gravel banks on secondary points in the bays and best depth is 17-20 feet.  The top lures have been ZMan finesse worms in Watermelon / Red Flake and Green Pumpkin fished Shakey Head style & Tiny Paca Craws in Alabama Craw and Green Pumpkin & Candy.  Both plastics are fished on a PJ’s 3/16 Bass Extractor Jig.

Dale Coon from Illinois (photo) caught this post spawn smallmouth, his biggest ever, on a main lake point on a Shakey Head.  Seeing him catch that big fish was a real thrill for Kick’n Bass too!  The bite is definitely on for Big Bronzebacks! 

As you can see several presentations are productive.   We’ve put in a lot of hours on the water and I’d have to say that bass fishing has been very, very good, especially considering the extremely high water and drawdown.  It’s important to remember you must be willing to try different locations, get in tune with the transition and fish deeper than normal.  Please practice CPR: Catch, Photo and Release on all bass.  Thanks! 
 
Crappie, Bluegill & Red Ear … Although we haven’t spent much time fishing for these, when we have it’s been really good and some are really good size.  Best areas for Red Ear & Bluegill are flooded backwaters and submerged gravel bars in 3-4 feet.  Best artificial lures are a Ken’s Cricket (The Fisherman’s Friend) and a Shelton’s bluegill bug fished either with or without a cricket or meal or wax worm.  Another very productive method is to fish a cricket or red worm under a slip bobber or mini-Carolina rig.  If you have all the baits you can alternate between them and catch a good mess.  The run on Bluegill and Red Ear is getting into high gear and it looks like we’re in for another really great season on both species. (Photo) Nathan Long’s monster Crappie.
 
Catfish & Stripes … No Report
 
Sonar Tip of the Week 
 
Be sure and check out the new Sonar Tips Page on our website http://www.kicknbass.net/sonar.htm

The screen shows bass congregated along a main lake point.  With out the aid of our electronics, locating these fish would not have been possible. Kick’n Bass can help you get more out of your electronics and become a better fisherman.  To schedule an on the water fishing trip & instruction send an email to rk@kicknbass.net

** Announcements **
HUGE GRAND OPENING EVENT AT BASS & GAS!

Bass & Gas (formerly Judy's Fishing Depot) 3243 US Highway 68 East Benton, KY 42025, is having a Grand Opening Event May 27,2011 6:00am to 8:00pm.  Come and help celebrate the complete remodeling of the store and meet the friendly staff.  The event will include a store wide 10% discount** sale, hourly product giveaways and attendance prizes (see list of prizes on our website), Tackle Industry Representatives showing there new tackle and techniques, new product introduction from Fish Guardian, Kentucky Lake Fishing Pros and Guides to talk fishing.  The Electric 96.9 will be doing a live remote from 9:00am to 11:00am as well as the Double Q 94.7 will be doing a live remote from 11:00am to 2:00pm.  Listen for the new Bass & Gas radio commercials on WKYQ 93.3 FM, WQQR 94.7 FM, WKYX 93.4 FM and WNGO 1320 AM this week!  If you are unable to attend on that day, don't fear, you will still be able to save 10% storewide from May 27 - 29, 2011. note **(gasoline not included).  Call us at (270)527-1900 for more information or visit our website at www.bassngas.com .  We look forward to meeting all of you.
 
Fishing Seminar with BASS Elite Pro Angler Mark Menendez at Hopkinsville Community College …
 
On Thursday Nights May 19, May 26, and June 2nd. Bassmaster Elite Pro Mark Menendez will be presenting bass fishing seminars at Hopkinsville Community College.

Mark, one of the top anglers in the country, has a degree in fisheries biology and is devoted to educating interested anglers in the field of bass fishing.  He has spent over 20 years earning a reputation as a warrior on tour and has amassed career earning of over one million dollars.  You will enjoy Mark’s fun, folksy, common-sense approach to sharing his vast knowledge and experience.

The seminars will be from 6 PM to 9 PM each of the three nights and will cover a variety of techniques and tips for fishing Ky. & Barkley lakes. The cost of the classes is $65.00 for all three.

You can register for the classes by calling Hopkinsville Community College @ (270) 707-3750

New Product Helps Keep Your Fish Healthy!

The FISH GUARDIAN is a patent pending product designed to dispense live release formula in a liquid form directly into your boat livewell with the push of a button.  It saves precious fishing time and helps protect your catch instantly.  No more time away from casting, no more time finding the live release formula in your boat, no more clumps and manual dispensing.

Tournament Anglers:  The FISH GUARDIAN assists tournament anglers with a need to be environmental stewards by making a process more automatic to dispense live release formula in a liquid form into their boat livewells without penalizing them by taking away much needed fishing time or creating a mess in their boat.  By installing this product into a boat, you can dispense liquid live release formula into the livewell throughout the day with only the press of a button on the control console.

For more info check out the website www.fishguardian.com or call 1-888-544-2035.

Tight Lines,