Summer Pool is 359
Winter Pool is 354'
Articles
 A Fishing Trip with Bass Buster Dave Stewart
Bass Fishing at Kentucky Lake By John Hoffman
HOTELS & MOTELS
Book Your Room Here Support Fishin.com
Kenlake State Resort Park
Kentucky Dam Village
Lake Barkley State Resort
ParkBest Western Murray
Kuttawa Days InnBest Western
Grand Rivers
Gilbertsville Inn By the Lake
Lake
Barkley COE Information
Out
On A Ledge An Article By Dave Stewart
(Ledge Fishing on Kentucky Lake)
Kentucky
Lake, TVA Lake Levels and Predictions for levels
based on weather
Barkley lake levels & outflow:
Yr. to date
Last 10 days
Generation preschedule
Radar Map
Updated and Current
Advertising Information
peter@fishin.com
Current KY Lake Records
Yellow Perch*: .47 pounds Caught By Theresa
Mazzoli, Louisville, Ky. 5/30/96
Buffalo: 55 lb
Caught By Clint Roby
March 23, 2000
White Bass*: 5lbs. Caught By:
Lorne Eli, Dawson Springs, Ky. 7/11/43
To submit a fish for Lake Record Consideration ..
Submit Picture on a ruler or scale with a weight from a Certified Scale
Signed by someone at the Scale. + 2 Witnesses
All Lake Records are UNOFFICIAL unless they are State Record Fish
submitted to the KYDFWR.
Current Barkley
Lake Records
Yellow Bass*: 1 lb 1 oz Caught By: Dewayne West,
Hopkinsville Ky. 3/10/91
|
Report
Updated September 2, 2010
Edit
September 2, 2010
Kentucky Lake: Water Level at Ky Dam - 356.64 Surface Temperature - 82
Lake Barkley: Water Level at Barkley Dam - 356.65 Surface Temperature - 82
Both lakes are about two and one half feet below summer pool and on a slow drawdown. Expect both lakes to reach three feet below summer pool by the end of this month barring any unforeseen influx of water in accordance with the TVA River Operating Schedule.
The cooler nights over the past week brought the water temperatures down about four degrees. This drop in water temperatures has somewhat scattered the shad schools on the ledges as some seem to be moving toward the mouths of the creeks and bays to stage for the transition to fall patterns. Typically this transition begins in a week or two as the water temperatures cool below 80 degrees and approach the mid 70's. We will still have some numbers of fish on the ledges for a few weeks but as we enter this transition period, more fish will start showing up in the creeks and bays as the early transitioning shad start moving toward the shallows. Typically, the schools of smaller shad move in first with the schools of bigger shad coming in toward the end of the transition. This drawn out transition begins about mid to late September and lasts 4 or 5 weeks depending on water temperatures. This of course will spread the fish out, especially the bigger bass and one can see this reflected in the history of the big tournaments coming in here for their regionals and classics during this transition period. Most of these tournaments are two day tournaments and are won with about an average of 16 lbs a day although a few do have heavier weights now and then.
The Largemouth fishing this week has been fair with the ledges somewhat spotty still but some good fish have been taken and some good numbers. It is all a matter of timing to be on your best ledge when the shad get active. Most of the ledge bite has been on slow presentations of Carolina rigs, jigs and some shaky heads. An occassional fish is being taken on the ledges on deep diving crankbaits but only during periods when good current is present. Some good fish have been taken around the mouths of the bays on primary points and on secondary channel points just inside the creeks and bays. These fish are feeding on schools of young shad, especially early and late in the day. Some Largemouth are still being taken on secondary points in the backs of the bays as well as on the flats early and late in the day as they are feeding on schools of late spawned shad fry. The White Bass bite has been reported as fair to good this past week by vertically fishing along the old river and creek channel ledges near the mouths of the creeks and bays.
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth are being taken on the old river and creek channel ledges on the main lake and around the mouths of the creeks and bays. These fish are being taken on Carolina rigged creature baits, dragging football head jigs, Texas rigged worms and shaky heads. The Carolina rig has been the better bite with smaller lures the past few couple of weeks, fished very slow. A number of my clients have cashed checks in tournaments the past few weeks on the Carolina rig. Largemouth are also being taken on primary points and secondary points near the mouths of the creeks and bays. These fish are being taken on deep diving crankbaits, Carolina rigged creature baits, Texas rigged large worms, jigs and shaky heads. Largemouth are also being taken early and late in the day on the last secondary points and on the flats in the backs of the creeks and bays on topwater lures, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and lipless crankbaits as they are feeding on schools of fry.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth are being taken on the old river channel ledges on Carolina rigged small creature baits and jigs. Smallmouth are also being taken early and late in the day on primary points and main lake secondary points on Carolina rigged small creature baits and tubes, finesse jigs and shaky heads.
Night Fishing: The night fishing this past week was reported as fair with Largemouth and Smallmouth being taken on primary points, main lake secondary points and the first secondary points in the creeks and bays. These fish are being taken on dark colored spinnerbaits, Carolina rigged creature baits and tubes, jigs and tube jigs.
Some of the productive lures reported this week are: Lucky Craft Sammy in ghost pearl lemon and aurora black, Yozuri PopnSplash in ghost lemon pattern, Bomber Fat Free Shad in Chartreuse Sparkle, Strike King Series 6 in Sexy Shad, Bandit 200 and 300 in rootbeer, Strike King Red Eye Shad in sexy shad and blue/chrome, Slong's spinnerbait and chatterbait in blue glimmer, Charmer 10.5" gator tail worm in green pumpkin, Charmer Timber Pup in watermelon/purple and green pumpkin, Strike King Rodent in amistad special, Slong's football head jig in phantom and Last Cast Hairy Bug jig in green pumpkin with matching Net Baits Paca Chunk trailer. Night Lures: Booyah spinnerbaits in black/blue, Charmer tubes in road kill and Last Cast Hairy Bug jigs in black/blue with matching Net Baits Paca Chunk.
White Bass: White Bass are being taken on the old river and creek channel ledges, especially around the mouths of the creeks and bays. These fish are being taken by vertically fishing with inline spinners, small spoons and minnow rigs.
Bluegill: Bluegills are being taken on deep rocky creek channel banks and points near wood cover by vertically fishing with small jigs tipped with worms. Some Bluegill are also still being taken at night around lighted docks with wood cover. These fish are being taken with crickets and worms fished under bobbers.
Catfish: Catfish are being taken on the old river channels in 20-30 ft of water by bottom fishing with cut baits and yellowtail. The better bite is reported to be with current.
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.
For those of you that are planning a trip here to the big lakes this fall for a tournament or just some fun fishing, make sure you stop by Jet-a-Marina located on U.S. 62 in Calvert City just a couple of miles north of Ky Dam. You will find that they have the cheapest bulk oil prices for your DFI engines in the area not to mention a fully stocked showroom full of boating accessories as well as new Ranger and Stratos bass boats. You might want to note also, that Jet-a-Marina service department is known far and wide for doing everything they can to keep you on the water while you are visiting here with great service.
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 September, October and November:
September: 15 (This date just became available due to a cancellation...call now...it won't last long.
October: 24, 26, 27, 29
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.
Late October and the month of November typically offer some of the best bass fishing of the season with a lot of topwater action days. Make your booking now 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"
|
|
Lake
Barkley COE Information
Kentucky
Lake, TVA Lake Levels and Predictions for levels
based on weather
Barkley lake levels & outflow:
Yr. to date
Last 10 days
Generation preschedule
Radar Map
Updated 2006
Articles
Bass Fishing at Kentucky Lake By John Hoffman
Advertising Information
peter@fishin.com
|
Report Updated June 27, 2009
June 25, 2009
Air Temp Low 75° / High 93°
Water Temp Low 86° / High 89°
Water Elevation 359.5 (354 Summer
Pool)
Water Clarity Clear (4’ to 5’
visibility)
Which is the COOLEST?
Before I got my boat in the water this
morning, I could see a school of fish in a surface feeding frenzy
not far from the ramp. I got my boat off the trailer, dropped the
trolling motor, grabbed a rod with an inline spinner on it and cast
into the boiling fish. BAM! I was rewarded with a 12” Largemouth.
I unhooked and released the fish and cast again. BAM! Another, BAM!
Another, BAM! Another. After 7 or 8 fish in quick succession I
thought to myself, Man this is COOL! I pulled up my trolling motor,
started the big engine and headed upstream along the mainlake
shoreline. I noticed there had been a large Mayfly hatch the night
before. There were Mayflies hanging heavy in several trees that
hung out over the water. This reminded me of a “COOL” trick an old
timer taught me years ago. Get yourself a can of pebbles and anchor
a good cast from one of these trees, then cast a cricket, small
popper, worm, or small jig under the tree and you’ll catch nice
Bluegill and an occasional Bass. When the action slows, throw a few
pebbles into the tree, which will knock some Mayflies into the water
and the action will start all over again. COOL!
Where was I? Oh yeah, as I cruised
up the mainlake bank I saw that each shallow gravel bar at the mouth
of a bay had surface feeding schools of fish on them. I passed
several schools up and then stopped on one I knew was an extra good
one. Here I again caught small bass but also some White and Yellow
Bass. I noticed the fish weren’t eating Mayflies, they were eating
this year’s fry (baby fish) which are just getting big enough for a
little larger fish to eat. Also, many of the fish that were feeding
on them were Skipjack, and bigger fish eat Skipjack! COOL! By the
way, I also noticed lots of surface feeding fish in the back of
small bays. The sun was now getting higher and I knew the surface
action would soon “COOL” off, so I motored out to one of the
off-shore humps I’d been catching quality bass on for the past few
weeks. As I motored over the rise that topped out at 20’ I saw a
small group of larger arches (fish) on my graph and pitched a marker
buoy nearby, but off to the side. I cast a Texas rigged whacky
stick worm to where I’d saw the arches, hopped it a couple times and
felt a strong heavy bite. After setting the hook and getting a
pretty strong tussle, I brought a fat, healthy, solid 3.5 Lb bass to
the boat. And guess what? Swimming right behind and beside him
were 3 or 4 more just like him! Now that’s really COOL! I quickly
released the fish and cast several more times but no more bites.
That’s ok though, because I had their address and today I’m just
scouting. I then fished several more humps and caught 4 or 5 nice
fish on one, none on a couple spots 1 or 2 on a couple and called is
a day before noon. The deep bite was slower action but larger fish,
and I knew the best deep bite was afternoon when there was more
current.
Last Sunday I had two 14 yr olds in
my boat and Mom & Dad followed in a pontoon boat. We went to a deep
ledge on the main river channel and cast 3/8 oz white inline
spinners into 30ft of water and reeled them quickly uphill into 18ft
of water and then to the boat. It took the boys just a little while
to get the knack of it but once they did, we were catching White
Bass 1Lb to 1.5 Lb nearly every cast. Mom and Dad weren’t catching
as well, but once we caught our limit we gave Mom & Dad our spot and
with a little instruction, they caught them pretty good also. At
the end of 5 hours we had 53 White Bass, plus caught and released
several Largemouth, and kept one 3 Lb Striper. Lots of fun and Mom
& Dad and the kids have several good fish dinners ahead of them.
COOL!
This past Monday I fished with Bret
(Dad) and Brandon (son). Brandon is going to be in a high school
bass fishing class! COOL! Some high schools in Illinois are
offering a bass fishing class with credit towards graduating. Super
COOL! We had a good day fishing ledges and off-shore humps.
Brandon said he thought he caught 18 bass (tournament quality), Dad
held his own, and so did I. Brandon is well on his way to becoming
an avid fisherman. The day was warm but we drank plenty of liquids,
put on our sunscreen and moved frequently to get some air flow. One
particular ledge I came across had an unusually large amount of fish
showing on the graph. I hadn’t fished this ledge (hump) this year
so I wasn’t sure if we’d catch bass or not. After repeated casts to
the area and no bites I was wondering what all those fish were, when
out of the water came about 50 big shad. Something big was trying
to eat them. COOL! We all got excited and cast where the fish came
out of the water. I even switched to a big spoon and still no
takers. I was a little perplexed at this point. Then several big
splashes came in the area and I saw the tail of a big catfish. That
explained why they refused our bass baits. A school of big cats
were feeding on these large threadfin shad. Upon further
investigation, I realized that a large tree had drifted into and
hung on this main river ledge and a school of cats had made it
home. I bet if a guy vertically fished some large minnows or
leaches around this tree in 25ft of water, he’d probably hang into
some behemoth catfish. COOL! Also, if a guy vertically fished
smaller minnows around this tree, he’d probably catch some nice
Crappie. COOL!
Last Saturday there was a BFL
Tournament on the lake ,so to stay out of their way, my friend and
sometimes client, Jeff, decided he wanted to go bass fishing below
the KY Dam in the TN River. We had a very enjoyable learning
experience. We caught quite a few small Largemouths, one nearly 5
Lbs, one Smallmouth nearly 4 Lbs, one Striper about 10 Lbs and I
hung into probably a big Striper that burnt my thumbs as I tried to
slow his run, but he won! COOL! We caught fish on a shaky head
worm, a green pumpkin jig, and a crankbait. There’s lots of fish in
that river! COOL!
The only other thing I can think of
that may be as COOL or COOLER than these other forms of summer
fishing would be catching a big Smallmouth on a spinnerbait in the
COOL of the night under the millions of stars in the sky. Maybe
I’ll do that this next week!
So, if you’ve read all of this you
now know there are lots of COOL ways to spend your time on KY Lake.
Which is the COOLEST? You decide.
See you on the water!
Capt Kirk, out!
Captain Kirk's
Guide Service
877-354-6017 or 270-354-6017
11442 Hwy 68 East
Benton, KY 42025
info@captainkirksguideservice.com
|
"Specializing in Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass,
Lake Familiarization, Tournament Preparation, and
Technique Instruction"
