SPECIAL REPORT
Abbreviated due to rapidly rising water conditions!

Lake Level, Water Temp & Weather Outlook:
 
‘Special Announcement’ As many of you know by now the U. S. Coast Guard has issued a Safety Zone for the Cumberland & Tennessee Rivers and Kentucky & Barkley Lakes.  According to the announcement, Kentucky & Barkley Lakes are closed to all recreational traffic until at least Monday at midnight.  Kick’n Bass, a commercially licensed guide service, is U.S Coast Guard approved and meets all other applicable requirements needed to be able to conduct business as usual.  However, being able to conduct business as usual does not supersede using good judgment and placing safety first.  Above all, Kick’n Bass Guide Service places the utmost priority on your safety.  Therefore guided trips during the interim will be at the guide’s discretion.
 
‘Some History – Past & Present’
Whenever I need to get the “rest of the story”, especially lake history, I go to my source, George Onnybecker of Bee Spring Lodge.  Living on the banks of Kentucky Lake since 1954, George has seen his share of highs & lows ...  water that is.  George has seen the highest ever recorded which was on May 11, 1984 at 369.99 and the lowest which was 348.02 on March 11, 1961. The projected high this go around will be between 369.5 and 370 so it’s possible a new high water mark could be set.   George thinks that once the Ohio and others crest and then begin to fall TVA will begin lowering the lake levels.  How long this will take depends on what happens downstream.  My best guess is that it will be several weeks before the lake is back at summer pool.
 
The previous high I have observed was in the spring of 2003.   With the lake level being 8 feet over summer pool, I experienced some really good fishing for a lot of species.  Now days the lake is in much better shape fish-wise so we could be looking at some phenomenal fishing for a while as it will take time for TVA to siphon off the excess amount of water.  I can tell you this … the water levels have created in effect, a “New Lake”.  The fishing is really good now for a lot of species but it does take some adjustment and it is not without its challenges.  I expect that in the long term the high water will have a very positive affect on fishing.
 
Currently the surface water temp is varying a few degrees depending on what part of the lake you’re at, but generally speaking, the surface water temps are in the low to mid 70’s. 

The Weather Outlook is normal for this time of year with warm days and cool nights.  Some rain is forecasted later in the week but like anything else, that could change.

“What’s Old is New” While there is a recreational ban on lake travel you might try fishing the banks with live bait for bluegill, redear or catfish.  You know, just like you used to do when you were a kid.  “What’s old is new.”
 
Weekly Highlights 
 
Monday May 3rd
 
“I’d Rather be Lucky than Good Any day” Mark Scherer of Fowlerville, MI. released his first fish and very calmly looked at me and said  “Look”!  When I looked up, Mark had buried the barb on his shakeyhead jig into his left hand.  Isn’t catching a fish on your first cast suppose to be good luck?  What a way to get the day started!  Removing a hook without inflicting pain takes some expertise and having someone who has a high tolerance for pain is helpful.  A little dab of neosporin antibacterial ointment and coaches tape and we were back in business.  Mark & his oldest son Kevin (left photo) came to Kentucky lake to fish with Kick’n Bass and become skilled at catching fish on shakeyheads.  With the rapidly rising water levels from the recent rains and strong current due to the gates being open at Kentucky Dam, I thought the bass would be schooling on underwater points and ledges and fishing a shakeyhead would be our best bet.  The three of us caught a days worth of bass in about three hours and some good ones too, with Kevin’s post spawn female being the biggest (photo).  I’m beginning to find out that folks from Michigan not only know how to fish but they’re pretty dang tough too!!
 
Tuesday May 4th
 
“A Fish of a Lifetime”.  For us guides, nothing beats being in the boat when a client catches their biggest bass.  Nathan Long from Paducah (photo) caught his biggest bass ever, a huge post-spawn female, on a shakeyhead.  Hearing the excitement in his voice and seeing a big smile on his face made me realize what a special moment it really was for him … and me too!!

Casey Kuppart (right in photo) of Sikeston, Mo. set up the trip and the three of us decided to fish for bass.  With the lake level close to 8’ above summer pool and the bass scattered, finding good concentrations of bass had been challenging.  With the largemouth either in a pre-spawn / post-spawn this time of year, a lot of fish were staging.   Experience has shown me that when an unusual event happens, like the extremely high water rise in a relatively short period, a lot of bass go to the bottom and hold tight to the structure.  Fishing long underwater main lake points is a pretty good idea especially if current is present.   With the gates open at the Dam, current was readily found but the biggest challenge was finding clear water.   Once we found areas with reasonably clear water it was ‘game on’ and we had a blast catching lots of bass including smallmouth and spotted bass.  Special thanks to Casey, who’s a pretty darn good fisherman, for introducing me to Nathan.  Let’s do it again sometime!
 
Fishing Report
 
Largemouth Bass:  High water presents challenges; off colored water, flooded bushes everywhere and finding bass holding cover is like finding a needle in a haystack. etc.  The water level we are currently experiencing is in effect creating a ’New Lake’ and it does take a different mindset to catch fish consistently.  The last time a situation like this arose was in the spring of 2003 and I made the mistake of staying shallow with mediocre results.  This time I made the commitment to fish for those bass that were positioned on underwater points and ledges in the bays, NOT on the main lake.  My reasoning was this; a lot of bass were in transition either post spawn or headed to spawn and were on these spots when the deluge of water hit and they hunkered down.  Bass don’t like muddy water and will seek clearer water if available.  With the clearer water and lots of current due to the gates being open, the fish were located on the down current side of these underwater ledges and points.  Fortunately we were able to find the fish on these spots and the results were very, very good..
 
I realize that this portion of the report is somewhat unusual and goes into a lot of specifics but unprecedented water conditions call for a different mindset as far as reporting goes.  Use your favorite lure and technique to fish underwater ledges and points and you should do OK … just do it in the bays..
 
Bluegill & Redear:   In spite of the high water levels bluegill & redear continue to bite.  Once you locate them you can literally load the boat.  Finding them is the key.  Those fish that are locked on the beds continue biting on crickets, red worms, etc. and artificials. Both species can be caught in the back of coves and along brown gravel banks with the redear being slightly deeper than the bluegill.  Try Carolina Rigging for redear by using a split shot and long shank bluegill hook with a red worm.  Use the lightest split shot you can get providing it keeps the worm on the bottom.  As far as artificial baits go, thee Shelton’s Bluegill & Redear bug in black & crickett  tipped with a piece of red worm, has been producing some really good fish.  The 1/16 oz size works best.  Keep a pair of small scissors handy to cut the red worms.  All you need is a piece about ¼ inch long to slip over the hook.  (Photo courtesy of Malcolm Creek Resort)

Crappie, white bass, yellow bass:  No Report
 
Catfish:  They are everywhere!!!  The high water has brought them to the banks.  Any live bait will work, period..
 
Other News ……
 
WOW! Kick'n Bass Fishing Tips are now on VIDEO!    Each week Kentucky Lake T.V. & Kick'n Bass will feature a fishing tip that will help you become a better angler.  Click on this link http://www.kentuckylake.tv/fishing/kentucky_lake_fishing.htm for this week's fishing tip from Kentucky Lake T.V. & Kick'n Bass!  
 
“Turkey Hunters check out this great deal“  My good friends at CCW Outfitters in Marion, one of Kentucky’s Premier Turkey & Deer hunting lodges, has a deal of a lifetime for you last minute Turkey hunters.  CCW is offering an all inclusive semi-guided turkey hunt that includes meals, lodging, field transportation and a 2 Bird Limit all for only $495.   Spaces are limited and they’ll go fast so contact Jason or Cassi Purvis at 270-965-9859 for the details and available dates.  While you're at it check out their website www.huntccw.com

“Kick’n Bass Discount”   For those of you staying in the Kentucky Lake area, the Majestic Pizza & Steak House on Hwy 68 in Benton, Ky. is offering a 15% discount on regularly priced items.  Just mention you want the “Kick’n Bass Discount” when you place your order.  A lot of my clients eat dinner there and also rave about the huge buffet they have.  They’re real friendly folks and you’ll get plenty of good food to eat.  Check them out 270-527-1493.

Guide Service Bookings.   May is just about full 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 West Virginia, Iowa, North Carolina and Tennessee. 

Book your May & June Bluegill & Redear trips NOW!   Get ready for a great season on these fighting fish.  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 …