Lake Level, Water Temp & Weather Outlook:
 
Well the high water is gone and the lake color is getting better by the day.  Fishing for several species is great. If you’re sitting at home reading this, you are missing out on some of the best fishing in years.  The bluegills are biting all over the lake and so are the bass.  The other species aren’t doing too bad either.
 
The lake level is about 1 ½ feet above summer pool and the base water temp at KY Dam is 68 degrees.  In some of the bays the temps are in the low 70’s. Remember, it’s the base water temps in the main lake that move the majority of the fish, not necessarily the surface water temps in the bays which can fluctuate daily.  No doubt the high water and below normal water temps (normal 74 degrees) will have some species spawning well into June.
 
The Weather Outlook is for warm temps with a chance of thunderstorms.   Overall the weather outlook is favorable for fishing on the lakes.
 
Weekly Highlights
 
“Eubanks boys catch’em big time”  When Jeff Eubanks and his son Joseph came to Kentucky Lake to fish for bluegill & redear, I don’t think they were prepared for what was about to happen. You see, the Eubanks boys are pretty good fishermen and it takes a lot to impress them and also they know a little about how weather and water conditions affect fishing.  With the lake in the midst of a drawdown, the water color a little dingy and the threat of strong storms in the area, I could tell that they were a little apprehensive about the fishing.  Catching some decent fish and a reasonable amount of them, had the potential to be a pretty big challenge.  Even with the drawdown in progress the big ‘gills and redear were still hanging around the spawning beds.  Finding the right combination of lure/bait and retrieve to match the mood of the fish would be the key.  We decided to use the old stand by method of a cricket on a slip bobber and a float.  Joseph caught a decent fish on his first cast and Jeff soon followed and IT WAS GAME ON!!   All three of us caught fish non-stop and I mean good ones, for about five minutes and then the action abruptly ceased.  We then began rotating between casting a Black or Cricket colored Shelton’s Bluegill Bug tipped with or without a cricket for the next two hours and caught a mess of fish.  This was in spite of spending a pretty fair amount of time under the shelter of my dock dodging thunderstorms.  You know it’s been a good day when your client says  “I think we’ve caught enough, let’s get to cleaning them !”  Hey guys, think of ‘ole Kick’n Bass when you’re fry’in  those ‘gills & ‘ears.

“Bluegill sure are fun but I want to catch a bass on a Shakeyhead” When John Ray from Parkersburg, Wva. booked a two-day trip with Kick’n Bass for him and his wife Kathy (photo), he let me know that he was just happy to be going fishing.  He mentioned that a perfect trip for him would be catching a mess of bluegill -and bringing in a nice bass on a shakeyhead would be “icing on the cake”.  Like the day before with the Eubanks boys, the bluegill & redear fishing was hot and in a matter of several hours we had plenty and we called it a day.  John and I met for breakfast the next morning at Bee Spring Lodge and we decided to fish for bass and then finish the day off with some more bluegill.  With the water still quite dingy from the high water, we opted for June bug colored shakeyhead worms and worked the main lake points.  We had a gentlemen’s agreement that once we caught a certain number of bass we would cease fishing and focus on bluegill.  John got his wish and a lot more.  He got his big bass (photo) on a shakeyhead and several more in the 2-4lb. range.  John, by his own admission, had become a certified shakeyhead nut.  We ended our bass fishing on a good note when we both caught a nice bass on our last cast … at the same time no less.  I could tell by the smile on John’s face that this was a trip he’d always remember; the good time he had on Kentucky Lake with Kick’n Bass!

“Kick’n Bass goes International” When my good friend Mike Hastings of Hendersonville, Tn. (photo) invited me to attend his daughters wedding in Mexico how could I not go.  I’ve known his daughter Jasmine since she was just a little one and I wouldn’t miss it for anything.  The only condition was that he plan a mini salt water tournament so the guys could get together and blow off a little steam and fellowship.  Having a little friendly competition and a pot for the one that catches the largest fish never hurts anything.  As luck would have it, the rough seas and huge waves kept us from having a really good day, fish-wise but didn’t spoil the fellowship and the good time had by all.  The guys that did catch fish (photo- Andy, Joey, Justin, Mike & Miller) decided to take the winnings and tip the guides which was a very nice gesture that I can attest to.  Congratulations to Jazzie and Miller on their special day!

Fishing Report
 
Blugill & Redear: The bluegill fishing is red hot allover the lake.  Redear fishing while still good, is taking a back seat to the huge ‘gills that are being caught.  This week my clients and I caught as many as we wanted and they were huge.  Best lures again were the Sheltons Bluegill Bug in Black & Cricket.  Crickets fished on a slip float produced a good many fish too.  Your best bet is to be prepared to alternate between the Shelton’s bugs and the slip float.  When they quit hitting one, switch to the other and you can also throw the Shelton’s bug tipped with a cricket, wax worm, etc.  Remember to be flexible and prepared and you’ll load the boat.  To find the hot spots look for brown gravel banks in the back of the coves.
 
Crappie:  Crappie fishing is improving daily.  Good numbers of Crappie are being caught over brush in the bays.  Some black crappie are being caught near the spawning flats casting curly tails.  Best colors are Kentucky Green and Kentucky Pink Glitter fished on a 3/32 oz lead head.
 
Largemouth Bass:  The overall numbers have been phenomenal.  Even with the dingy water if you’re using the right color bait and technique you can really hammer ‘em.  Pull up on almost any point or flat and you can catch all the bass you want and a lot of your favorite lures will work.  Plenty of keeper fish and fish in the 4-6 lb range are showing up too.  Remember that darker colored baits show up better in dingy water.  Strike King June bug & Blue Moon Finesse worms as well as Berkley Blue fleck power worms have been very good.  Another good choice has been the Black & Blue Beaver baits by Reaction Innovation.  Tons of fish are being caught on points and chunk rock banks on plastics as well as the shallower ledges in the mouths of the bays.  For those of you that like to throw Rattle Trap baits and shallow running crank baits , sexy shad and royal shad colors are catching a lot of fish secondary points and the flats in the backs of the bays.  I did not see the fish but I did hear of a 9 1/2 pound largemouth that was weighed in at Malcolm Creek Resort. The lucky fisherman was fishing for bluegill when he caught it.  WOW, talk about luck!  Bass fishing on Kentucky Lake is HOT!!!
 
Catfish:  Excellent on the banks using any type of live bait.  Stripes:  NO Report
 
Other News …

Canadian Outpost Cabins & Fabulous Fishing:

Fish a different lake teeming with fish, every day and lounge comfortably in a furnished cabin with all the comforts of home in a wilderness setting.  All for less than you’d expect.  Send me an email rk@kicknbass.net  if you want some more info.

Guide Service Bookings. I still have a few days left in June 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 Northern Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Michigan. 

Book your June Bluegill & Redear trips NOW!   Ask about our summer Night Fishing Trips!  Send me an email rk@kicknbass.net or call me at 270-703-6133 and let’s get together.

Tight Lines …