August 26, 2010

Kentucky Lake:  Water Level at KY Dam - 356.82  Surface Temperature - 86

Lake Barkley:  Water Level at Barkley Dam - 356.90  Surface Temperature - 86

Both lakes are two feet below summer pool and on a slow drawdown.  Expect lake levels to reach three feet below summer pool by the end of September barring any unforeseen influx of water as in accordance with the TVA River Operating Schedule. 

Well, just as I mentioned was going to happen in last week's report, the weather cooled this week and we have had some beautiful weather.  With daytime highs in the 80's and low's at night down as low as the high 50's, the water temperatures have dropped a few degrees.  Over the past weekend and early in the week we had good current flowing around the clock.  The round the clock current over the weekend and earlier this week turned the bass on and the daytime ledge bite picked up and as well so did the night bite.  The current is now being pulled late in the morning thru the early evening hours but the cooler water, coupled with some good current every day, has kept the bass active.  The forecast for the weekend and next week is for high's in the mid to low 90's and low's in the high 60's.  It looks like it will be a beautiful weekend on the lakes this weekend so expect some boat traffic as folks get out on the water to enjoy a little cooler weather, both anglers and pleasure boaters alike. 

Largemouth Bass:  Largemouth are being taken on the old river and creek channel ledges on the main lakes and near the mouths of the deeper creeks and bays.  These fish have been taken this week on deep diving crankbaits, Carolina rigged creature baits, Texas rigged large worms, jigs and shaky head rigs.  Largemouth are also being taken on primary points and secondary points as well as channel banks in the creeks and bays as they are feeding on transitioning schools of shad fry.  These fish are being taken on topwater lures, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Carolina rigged creature baits and finesse jigs.  There are also some Largemouth still being taken shallow although the water levels are now back down out of the bushes.  These fish are being taken early and late in the day on topwater lures, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, lipless and shallow running crankbaits as they are feeding on schools of shallow fry. 

Smallmouth Bass:  Smallmouth Bass are being taken on the old river and creek channel  ledges on the main lake on deep diving crankbaits, Carolina rigged creature baits, jigs and shaky heads.  Smallmouth are also being taken early and late in the day on primary points on deep diving crankbaits, Carolina rigged creature baits, finesse jigs and shaky heads. 

Night Bass Fishing:  I have received a number of reports of some good night bass fishing, especially earlier in the week when there was a lot of current late at night.  These fish are being taken as previously reported on main lake points and the first secondary points in the creeks and bays.  Both Largemouth and Smallmouth are being taken on this pattern.  I had a number of reports of multiple limits and 5 fish bags over 20lbs over the past weekend.  These fish are being taken on dark skirted spinnerbaits, Carolina rigged creature baits, tube jigs and shaky heads. 

Some of the  productive lures reported this week are:  Lucky Craft Sammy in ghost pearl lemon, Rebel Pop R in chrome/black, Yozuri PopNSplash in lemon/ghost, Slong's spinnerbait and chatterbait in blue glimmer, Bomber Fat Free Shad crankbait in chartreuse/blue sparkle, Strike King Series 6 crankbait in sexy shad, Bandit crankbaits in rootbeer/chartreuse and grape, Charmer Timber Pups in watermelon/purple and green pumpkin, Strike King Rodent in amistad special, Reaction Lures Sweet Beaver in juicy, Charmer 10.5" gator tail worms in green pumpkin, Charmer shaky head worms in green pumpkin and watermelon/purple, Strike King Red Eye Shad in sexy shad and blue/chrome, Slong's football head jig in phantom with Net Baits Paca Chunk trailer and Last Cast Hairy Bug finesse jig in green pumpkin with matching Net Baits Paca Chunk trailer.   NIGHT LURES:  Hoppy and Booyah spinnerbaits in black/blue and Charmer tubes in road kill.

White Bass:  White Bass are being taken along the old river and creek channel ledges by vertically fishing with inline spinners and small spoons.  A few jumps are being reported but they are short in duration.

Bluegill:  Bluegills are being taken on deep rocky creek channel banks near wood cover by vertically fishing with small jigs tipped with worms.  Bluegills are also being taken near mayfly hatches early and late in the day on crickets and worms fished under bobbers. 

Catfish:  Catfish are being taken in good numbers along the river channel ledges during periods of current flow in 20-30 ft of water using bottom bouncing rigs baited with shrimp/leech combinations and on bottom rigs baited with large minnows and yellowtails. 

FLASH:  On July 1st, one of the nicest and well respected members of the bass fishing community here was severely injured in and auto accident.  Ronnie Brinegar, a tournament director for FLW Outdoors is now currently a patient at Shepard Center in Atlanta, Ga where he is beginning a long journey to recovery and rehabilitation.  In addition to being a great all around person, he is also a young husband and father.  On September 4th a benefit bass tournament will be held at Ky Dam Marina to assist the Ronnie and his family.  Registration for this tournament will be held at Fast Eddie's Tackle on U.S. 68 East in Fairdealing from 5-7 p.m on September 3rd.  A pretournament meeting will be held at 7:15 following registration.  There will be free hotdogs and hamburgers compliments of Fast Eddie's.  One can also register at the ramp up until 5:45 a.m. on Saturday morning.  There has been a number of donations made to guarantee payout for this tournament so the proceeds can go to assist the Brinegar family.  For more information contact Danny York 270-906-5477 or Steve Alvarado 270-841-4626. 
 
If you are visiting the lakes area this summer to enjoy some of our great summer fishing, let me recommend that you stop by one or both of the two finest tackle shops in the region.  You will find a complete selection of rod's, reels, lures and all the tackle you need to make your fishing trip a success.  Both these shops stock the latest in national brand name fishing tackle and also many local custom lures that produce some great fish on the area lakes.  Not only will you find the best tackle selection in these stores, but you will find the folks are service oriented and also knowledgeable about the local fishing conditions as well as being accomplished anglers.  Fisherman's Headquarters, is located at the intersection of U.S. 68/U.S. 641 in Draffenville and The Cabin Bait and Tackle is located on U.S. 62 in Kuttawa just west of the I-24/U.S. 62 interchange. 
 
If you are in need of a bass fishing guide for some just for fun, catch and release bass fishing, tournament preparation, lake familiarization or technique instruction, don't hesitate to give me a call to make a reservation for one of my open dates:
 
I have the following dates available for booking in August, September, October and November:
 
August:  Sorry, I am booked up.
September:  28
October: 18, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31
November:  Plenty of dates still available...contact me via email or phone to make your reservation for some of the best fall fishing of the season.
 
Don't delay in making your reservations for the fall fishing.  I am booking the fall trips daily right now and if you wait, you may not be able to get the date(s) you want.

Captain Dave Stewart

"Bass Buster Guide Service"

270-354-5039

dave@kentuckylakeguide.com

www.kentuckylakeguide.com

"Fish With a Professional"