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
Kentucky Lake: Water Level at Ky Dam - 359.35 Surface Temperature - 85
Lake Barkley: Water Level at Barkley Dam - 359.30 Surface Temperature - 86
Both lakes are nearing summer pool on a slow drawdown. Normally the lakes are drawn down one foot during the month of July, so expect the levels to slowly drop over the next few weeks about one foot barring any unforeseen heavy rains here and up river. The nasty unseasonable heat wave we experienced last week was broken early this week with the passage of a cold front and the days have been very pleasant with daytime highs this past week in the mid to upper 80's and early morning temperatures in the 60's. The cool down assisted in dropping the water temperatures a couple of degrees also. The forecast for the holiday weekend is for daytime highs in the mid to lower 80's and light winds. There is a 40% chance for some scattered thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday so boaters need to keep an eye to the sky, especially in the heat of the day for any rapidly approaching storms. The lakes were already starting to get crowded today with the influx of folks coming to the lakes to enjoy the holiday weekend. This weekend is historically the busiest holiday weekend of the season on the lakes so expect the lakes to be busy. I would like to urge folks out there on the water this weekend to be courteous and drive defensively. We have had a number of drownings on the lakes this year, we certainly do not want to add to that number this weekend.
The Largemouth Bass fishing has been good overall this week with reports of good numbers of quality fish being taken. Even though I spent this week doing some focused teaching trips in which we are spending more time in the learning mode than trying to catch fish, we did continue to boat some quality Largemouth on the ledges this week. There were a number of very big bags of fish weighed in during the bass tournaments last weekend, so the banner Largemouth year that I predicted late last winter seems to be continuing so far. I received a few reports this week of some numbers of Crappie being taken even though most folks are not targeting these fish during the summer. White Bass catches this week were reported as good also, especially during the evening hours when current is present. The mayfly hatches slowed some this past week but we should expect more of these shortly which I am sure will excite the panfish anglers.
FLASH: I normally put any fishing news flashes at the end of my weekly report, but since I spend all my time out there on the lakes fishing for bass, I cannot help but pass this along first this week. A possible new world record bass has been reported all over the internet today. It seems a possible new world record or at least a Largemouth Bass that will tie the existing world record that has stood for over 70 years was reportably caught at Lake Biwa in Japan. This possible record catch has not been officially recognized yet, but if you check out the big fishing news websites, I am sure you will find the particulars of this catch being reported as the story unfolds.
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass are being taken on the old river and creek channel ledges on the main lakes and around the mouths of the deeper creeks and bays. These fish are being taken on deep diving crankbaits, Carolina and Texas rigged creature baits and large worms, jigs, spoons and large shakey head worms. Largemouth are also being taken on secondary points and associated creek channel banks in the creeks and bays as well as on the shallow flats in the creeks and bays as they are feeding on schools of fry from the spring spawns. This bite on the fry is especially present during the early morning and late evening hours. These fish are being taken on topwater lures, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, Texas rigged worms and creature baits, shakey head worms and jigs. Largemouth are also being taken around submerged grass, emerged vegetation and wood cover on buzz frogs, spinnerbaits, Texas rigged small creature baits and soft jerkbaits.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth Bass are being taken on the old river and creek channel ledges on the main lakes and around the mouths of the deeper creeks and bays. These fish are being taken on Carolina rigged creature baits and jigs. Smallmouth are also being taken on main lake primary and secondary points early and late in the day on tube jigs and jigs. I am continuing to receive reports that the Smallmouth are biting at night on main lake primary and secondary points as well as on the rocky secondary points and associated creek channel banks around the mouths of the bays on Kentucky Lake on large dark colored spinnerbaits and jigs.
Some of the productive lures reported this week are: Yozuri spash-it popping baits in lemon with ghost body, Rebel pop r's in black/chrome and white, Rapala DT series deep diving crankbaits in parrot and green shad, MOAB DT series custom painted crankbaits in bluegill, Norman DD series crankbaits in paradise shad and white, Charmer timber dawgs and timber pups in green pumpkin and watermelon/purple, Charmer 10.5" worms in plum and green pumpkin, Xcite 10" maximus shaky head worms in plum, green pumpkin and green pumpkin/purple on 5/8 ounce Xcite xloc shakey head jigs, Strike King sexy spoons in shad patterns, Hook Some Bass spinnerbaits in blue glimmer, Charmer shaky head worms in green pumpkin, Zoom trick worms on shakey head jigs in green pumpkin, Jack's bubber frog in watermelon/red, Zoom horny toads in green pumpkin swirl and white, Zoom super flukes in white, Jewel football head jigs in gourd/craw and P.J.'s football head jig in watermelon candy.
Crappie: Crappie reports indicate that some Crappie are being taken in 12 - 15 ft of water on the main lakes and around the mouths of the deeper bays over mats with small jigs tipped with minnows.
White Bass: White Bass are being taken along the old river and creek channel ledges by vertically fishing with inline spinners and small spoons. White Bass are also being taken by folks trolling with inline spinners and small crankbaits trolled along the edges of the flats near channel ledges. I have not had any reports of White Bass in the jumps this week, but I have myself observed some few jumps around the mouths of the bays but they are short in duration.
Bluegill: Bluegills are being taken around willow trees with associated mayfly hatches early and late in the day. These fish are being taken with crickets and worms fished under bobbers. Bluegills are also being taken around deeper water docks, especially at night under lights fishing with worms and crickets under bobbers.
Catfish: Catfish are being taken along the old river channel ledges on bottom bouncing rigs baited with shrimp and leech combinations as well as on bottom rigs baited with large minnows. These fish are biting better late in the evening and at night during periods of current.
FLASH: I gave a report here two weeks ago about a big shaky head worm that I had field tested here that was producing some very nice catches of Largemouth Bass. These worms are made by Xcite Baits, a company out of Texas. I mentioned that as soon as some of the tackle shops in the area got these worms in stock I would let everyone know where they could find them. The following tackle shops now have these worms in stock as well as the Xcite 5/8 ounce shakey head jigs I have been using: Fisherman's Headquarters located at the U.S. 68/U.S. 641 triangle in Draffenville, Baits and More located on U.S. 68 in Aurora and Dunn's Sporting Goods in Paducah. I spoke to the folks at The Cabin Bait and Tackle located on U.S. 62 just west of Kuttawa this afternoon and they said they should have these baits in stock by the middle of next week. I would like to report that I have continued to catch some nice Largemouth on these lures so if you have not tried them yet, you now know where you can find them here locally.
I would like to wish everyone to have a great weekend as we celebrate the birthday of our great country. Please take a pause from your celebrating this weekend to remember those that gave their all so that this great country could remain free and also to thank those brave men and women that are now serving to ensure our continued freedom.
If you are in need of a bass guide for some fun bass fishing, tournament preparation, lake familiarization or technique instruction don't hesitate to give me a call to book one of my open dates. Now is a great time to take my focused learning trip to learn how to eliminate water and fish the ledges. This trip has always been a popular learning trip for my clients, in that, you will not only learn how to eliminate the water any time of year to find the best bass fishing spots, but you will also learn how to find the best ledges and the techniques used to catch the bass on the ledges. Of course, just going out for a fun day of bass fishing is always available as is assistance in preparing for upcoming tournaments. I have the following dates available for booking in July, August and September:
July: 28, 29, 31
August: 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31
September: Plenty of dates available...give me a call or drop me an email to book your trip.
Of course I am taking reservations for the fall fishing in October and November too. If you have not made your reservations for the fall fishing, you need to do so soon, especially you tournament anglers coming in for the fall classics.
Capt Dave Stewart
Bass Buster Guide Service
dave@kentuckylakeguide.com
www.kentuckylakeguide.com
270-354-5039
"Fish With a Professional"
"Fish With a Professional"
Captain Dave Stewart
Bass Buster Guide Service
www.kentuckylakeguide.com
dave@kentuckylakeguide.com 270-354-5039
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Barkley/KY reports follow
"Specializing in Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass,
Lake Familiarization, Tournament Preparation, and
Technique Instruction"
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
"Specializing in Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass,
Lake Familiarization, Tournament Preparation, and
Technique Instruction"
