03-20-2004, 08:51 PM
Kentucky Lake - Water level at Ky Dam: 355.98 Surface Temperature : 52
Lake Barkley: Water level at Barkley Dam: 355.70 Surface Temperature: 52
The water levels have been up and down during the last week. Flood waters from upriver on both lakes is being pulled through the big lakes here in stages and this is causing the fluctuation in water levels. This fluctuation is keeping the fisherman on their toes as patterns are changing with the water levels. Both lakes are stained and have current. The lakes are forecasted to raise about one foot over present levels tomorrow and remain there through Saturday but the alert angler will watch the water levels in case the forecast is changed.
The Largemouth Bass are being taken on main lake points on suspending jerkbaits and crankbaits as a primary pattern and also on some days they are being taken in shallow water near deep water and on shallow flats near wood cover using lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits. The shallow water bite is predicated on the water levels maintaining or rising, if the water is falling do not expect the shallow pattern to be productive.
The Smallmouth Bass are being taken on main lake points on suspending jerkbaits and small crankbaits on the LBL side of Ky Lake and on main lake points on Lake Barkley near the river channel.
Some of the productive lures reported this week are: Suspending Rogues in clown, Rapala Husky jerks in clown and blue/chrome/orange, Rapals shadraps in original crawdad, Bandit crankbaits in rootbeer/chartruese, Hook Some Bass spinnerbaits in white/chartruese, and Hook Some Bass tubes in camillion craw.
The Crappie fishing has slowed with the fluctuating water levels but with the forecast of level water this weekend there should be some good fish caught. Prior to the lake levels fluctuating the Crappie were being taken in 8-15 ft of water at the mouths of the bays and along old creek channels on the main lake by spider rigging small minnows and small jigs. Some black Crappie should be moving shallow if the water levels come back up as forecasted and one should check out these early spawners near wood cover in the backs of the bays. A good bet would be to fish small jigs or small minnows under bobbers for these fish.
Overall, the early spring bite was just really getting into gear at the end of last week when the lakes levels started fluctuating and high winds hit the area for the early part of this week. With the weather forecast for the weekend and water level projections we could see the bite improve quite a bit over the past few days.
I still have some open dates in March (16th, 20th, and 24th) and April (1st, 6th, 23rd, 26th, 27th, 29th). If you are in need of a guide for some fun bass fishing, tournament preparation, lake familiarization, or technique instruction don't hesitate to give me a call or drop me an email.
Dave Stewart
Bass Buster Guide Service
270-354-5039
www.kentuckylakeguide.com
dave@kentuckylakeguide.com
"Fish with a Professional"
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