March 4, 2010
Kentucky Lake: Water level
at Ky Dam - 354.36 Surface Temperature - 43
Lake Barkley:
Water level at Barkley Dam - 354.30 Surface Temperature - 43
Both lakes are at winter
pool. The Largemouth continue to be mostly on winter patterns with the
water temperatures still about 6 degrees below normal for this time in
March. Some good fish are being taken though and it seems it is either
feast or famine right now depending on the weather patterns. A fair bite
was reported this past weekend but a cold front came through the area early
in the week and high pressure took over the past few days. Some fish are
still being taken but the bite slowed somewhat. The good news is the
weather forecast. Daytime temperatures for tomorrow and the weekend is in
the mid 50's for the next two days and low 60's by Sunday. Even better, the
forecast for next week is for this warming trend to continue with highs in
the mid 50's to low 60's next week. Of course this can change pretty quick
this time of year, but we have our fingers crossed it reigns true...just a
little more warming of the water and the bass should begin their early
prespawn feeding. Crappie also are still being taken on winter patterns but
like the bass, just a few more degrees should start the Crappie into their
prespawn feeding, especially the Black Crappie which are the first to come
in for spawn.
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth
are being taken on main lake points and banks on suspending jerkbaits, slow
rolled crankbaits and jigs. Largemouth are also being taken on secondary
points and creek channel banks in the creeks and bays on suspending
jerkbaits, slow rolled crankbaits, shaky head worms and jigs. Largemouth are
also still being reported on shallow ledges on the main lake on blade baits
and lipless crankbaits as well as jigs. Some Largemouth are also being taken
in shallow water in the backs of some of the creeks and bays on warmer days
on shallow running and lipless crankbaits. As one can see, there are a
number of patterns that are working, and the consensus is that any of them
may or may not be working on any given day right now. Some good fish are
being taken but it is a matter of being on the right spot at the right time
lately. The better bite has been late in the morning and early in the
afternoon during the warmer part of the day.
Smallmouth Bass: Some
Smallmouth are being reported on main lake points and channel banks on
finesse jigs and curly tail grubs for the most part. One would expect these
fish to get more active soon on jerkbaits and crankbaits.
Some of the productive lures
reported this week are: Lucky Craft pointer in nishiki (clown), pearl ayu
and table rock shad. Rapala shad raps in crawdad. Spro Little John
crankbaits in spring craw. Bandit flat sided crankbaits in spring craw.
Strike King red eye shad lipless crankbaits in black/red. Zoom finesse
worms in green pumpkin and Charmer shaky head worms in green pumpkin blue on
D&L shaky head jigs. Cripper black/blue finesse jigs and D&L baby advantage
jigs in black/blue with matching trailer.
Crappie: Crappie are still
being taken over brush piles along old creek channels on the main lake and
in the creeks and bays. These fish are being taken in 15-20 ft zones and
8-12 ft zones by vertically jigging small jigs and by spider rigging small
jigs and small minnows.
If you have not made your
plans for your spring fishing trips, you need to do so now. If you are in
need of a bass guide for some fun catch and release bass fishing, tournament
preparation, lake familiarization or technique instruction, give me a call
or drop me an email to book one of my open dates. I have the following
dates available in March, April and May:
March: 25, 27, 30
April: Sorry, I am booked
up.
May: 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15,
16, 26, 27
If I am booked on a date you
want, I would be happy to make a referral for you. Of course I am taking
bookings for the rest of the season also, so get your summer and fall dates
planned and give me a call. Now is a good time to book that trip this
summer to learn how to find and fish the ledges.
