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September 3, 2009
Kentucky Lake: Water Level at Kentucky Dam - 356.40 Surface Temperature - 79
Lake Barkley: Water Level at Barkley Dam - 356.45 Surface Temperature - 79
Both lakes are two and one half feet below summer pool and on a slow drawdown. Expect the lakes to be drawn down another one half foot over the next couple of days. The lakes area, like most of the country has been under the influence of high pressure all week, with blue skies and beautiful days and cool nights. The forecast for the holiday weekend is for more of the same, with highs Friday and Saturday in the low 80's and highs Sunday and Monday in the high 70's. Night time lows are forecasted to be in the mid 60's through the weekend. Light east winds are forecasted for the entire weekend. In other words, except for the possibility of a shower or two, we are looking at some really nice weather for the lakes area over the Labor Day weekend. Expect the lakes to be crowded this weekend, so please, be careful, be courteous and drive your boat defensively on the water. We have had entirely too many accidents and drownings on the lakes this year so let's work to make this an accident free holiday.
As I mentioned in last week's report, some shad are definitely moving and starting to stage around the mouths of the bays signaling the early stages of the transition to the fall fishing patterns. As is normal for this time of year, we have a myriad of bass patterns to choose from each day. We still have plenty of fish on the ledges but I am seeing a definite increase in the ledge activity around the mouths of the bays and on the primary points due to the shad movement. We also have bass being taken in the creeks and bays on secondary points and channel banks as well as bass being taken back on the shallow flats as they are feeding on schools of late shad fry and some early small transitioning shad. The ledge fishing has been somewhat slow in the mornings but is picking up in the afternoons when the current is being generated. The shallow fish are feeding best early and late in the day. Another indication that more shad are moving toward the bays is that some Smallmouth are now being taken early and late in the day on topwater lures fished on primary points and main lake secondary points. White Bass are still active on the main lake creek and river channel ledges but some Whites are also showing up around the mouths of the bays feeding on schools of shad. Some jumps of White Bass are being reported on the flats adjacent to the channel ledges early and late in the day. There also have been some reports of the Blue Catfish starting to school on the old river channels. I received some reports of Crappie now being taken on the old creek channels near the mouths of the bays also.
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass are being taken on the old river and creek channel ledges as well as on primary points on Carolina rigged small creature baits, dragging football head jigs, shaky head rigs and drop shot rigs. Largemouth are also being taken on the secondary points and associated creek channel banks in the creeks and bays feeding on schools of mature shad fry. These fish are being taken on crankbaits, Carolina rigged small creature baits, shaky head rigs, finesse jigs and tube jigs. Largemouth are also being taken on the shallow flats in the creeks and bays on topwater lures, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, shallow running crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, Texas rigged worms and creature baits and dead stick worms.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth Bass are being taken early and late in the day on primary points and main lake secondary points on topwater lures, Carolina rigged small creature baits, finesse jigs and tube jigs. Smallmouth and Largemouth are also being taken at night on dark colored spinnerbaits and finesse jigs fished on primary points and secondary points on the main lake.
Some of the productive lures reported this week are: Lucky Craft Sammy in ghost pearl lemon, Spro bronze eye frog in black and green, Rebel Pop R in black/chrome, Strike King crankbaits in sexy shad, Bandit crankbaits in sexy shad and rootbeer, Strike King red eye shad in sexy shad and blue/chrome, Mann's baby minus one in shad patterns, Hook Some Bass spinnerbaits in blue glimmer, Hook Some Bass vibe (chatterbait) in blue glimmer and chartruese/white, Charmer timber pups in green pumpkin, watermelon/purple and purple grass, Charmer shaky head worms in green pumpkin candy and watermelon/purple, Zoom trick worm on shaky head in green pumpkin, Yamamoto senko in green pumpkin/black, Jewel football head jig in gourd/craw and black/blue with matching Nets baits trailer, D&L baby advantage jig in black/blue with matching Net Baits trailer and Hook Some Bass tubes in green pumpkin, chameleon craw and smoke/purple.
Crappie: Crappie are being taken on the old creek channel ledges over brush piles and deep stake beds in 12-20 ft of water on small jigs and minnows on spider rigs.
White Bass: White Bass are being taken along the old river and creek channel ledges by fishing vertically with inline spinners and small spoons as well as on minnow rigs. Some White Bass are being taken in jumps early and late in the day on flats adjacent to the channel ledges by casting small crankbaits and inline spinners.
Catfish: Blue Catfish are reportedly being taken along the old river channels in 25-35 ft of water on yellow tails, large minnows and cutbaits fished on bottom.
Bluegill: Bluegills are being taken along rocky creek channel banks and off rocky points by fishing with small jigs tipped with pinched night crawlers and wax worms. Some Bluegill are being reported to be taken on gravel bars early and late in the day on worms and crickets fished on split shot rigs.
We would like to welcome everyone to the lakes to enjoy the Labor Day weekend. While you are here, stop by The Fisherman's Headquarters located at the U.S. 68/U.S. 641 intersection in Draffenville and The Cabin Bait and Tackle located on U.S. 62 just west of Kuttawa. You will find everything you need to make your fishing holiday a success at both these great tackle shops as well as meet some of the friendliest and helpful in the lakes area.
I have received a lot of great feedback from some of my clients that have taken the ledge teaching class this summer. Thanks folks, it makes me feel good to know that I have been able to assist you in becoming more productive. There is still time to take the focused ledge teaching trip that I offer if you have a desire to learn how to find and fish the more productive ledges. I have dates open in September and there will still be fish on the ledges the whole month as well as into early October. If you have any questions about the focused ledge teaching trip, give me a call or drop me an email, I would be happy to talk to you about how to improve not only your ledge fishing but all your bass fishing during the different seasons of the year by taking this class.
If you are in need of a bass guide for some fun catch and release bass fishing, tournament preparation, lake familiarization or technique instruction, don't hesitate to give me a call or drop me an email to book one of my open dates.
The fall fishing is quickly coming and November is prime time for the fall bass fishing. Make your reservations now, remember, I am a full time bass only guide and there is only one of me so make your reservation while I have open dates available.
I have the following dates available in September, October and November:
September: 9, 10, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28
October: 15, 16, 18, 26, 27, 31
November: Still plenty of dates available..give me a call or drop me an email.
Capt Dave Stewart
Bass Buster Guide Service
dave@kentuckylakeguide.com
www.kentuckylakeguide.com
270-354-5039
"Fish With a Professional"