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.