Weekly Report For Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley dated September 8, 2017

[Dave Stewart]

*September 8, 2017*

*Kentucky Lake: Water Level at Kentucky Dam - 355.46 Surface Temperature
- 76*
*Lake Barkley: Water Level at Barkley Dam - 355.60 Surface Temperature -
76*

*Both lakes are 3.5 feet below summer pool. Kentucky Dam was generating at
an average rate of 34,000 cfs this afternoon. Barkley Dam was generating
at an average rate of 18,000 cfs this afternoon. * *The latest lake levels
, current flows and forecasts for all the TVA lakes can be found at
http://www.tva.com/river/lakeinfo/index.htm.*

*Current Conditions: *Late last week the remnants of Hurricane Harvey was
forecasted to come through the lakes area Friday and Saturday. The TVA
pulled the lakes down to near winter pool levels in anticipation of a lot
of water to be dropped in the local area as well as up the Tennessee
river. Well, this did not happen. The remnants of Harvey actually came
through further east of us and the end result was that a lot of rain was
dropped in the Cumberland river upstream from the lakes. This resulted in
a lot of water coming into Lake Barkley but not much coming into Kentucky
Lake. Barkley had a lot of current and muddy water from this large influx
of water coming in from up stream. Barkley water clarity remains heavily
stained in most areas. Kentucky Lake water clarity ranges from light stain
to clear. The TVA has been raising the water a little every day over the
past couple of days as we are still about a foot below where we should be
on the fall drawdown.

I have spent the last 2 days on Kentucky Lake from the dam to Paris and I
can tell you that the large schools of threadfin moving into the shallows
which signals the start of the fall transition has happened yet. The same
report from last week still stands in that the bite is still slow and
scattered with some bass being taken on top water lures early and late
back shallow in the creeks and bays and on main lake flats. Some are also
being taken on secondary points in the creeks and bays and main lake points
on slower techniques. A few fish are still being taken on ledges on slower
techniques but the bite is slow and scattered. I expect the transition
will start any day now as we are in the water temperature range for this to
happen. I will keep you posted through my reports here when this happens.

*Largemouth Bass:* Largemouth are being taken on primary points on the main
lake as well as on ledges on the main lake and in the mouths of creeks and
bays. These fish are being taken on Texas rigged large worms, drop shot
rigs, shaky heads, Carolina rigged creature baits and jigs. Largemouth are
being taken on secondary points in the creeks and bays as well as on main
lake points and shallow flats early and late in the day on top water lures
as they are feeding on schools of fry. Some Largemouth are also being taken
on shallow flats in the creeks and bays and on the main lake early and late
in the day on top water lures.

*Smallmouth Bass:* Smallmouth are being taken on main lake points and
secondary points in the creeks and bays. The fish are being taken on top
water lures, finesse jigs and shaky heads.

*Productive Lures:* Some of the productive lures reported this week are
Lucky Craft Sammy and Lucky Craft Gunfish in ghost pearl lemon, Strike King
spash baits in white, D&L jigs in "oops" and cumberland craw, Slong's jigs
in cumberland craw and black/blue, Charmer and Zoom large worms in green
pumpkin on Texas rigs and Carolina rigs, Charmer lizards and timber pups on
Texas rigs and Carolina rigs in green pumpkin, green pumpkin/blue and
watermelon/purple, Charmer shaky head worms and zoom trick worms on shaky
head jigs in green pumpkin and watermelon/purple and Charmer tubes in smoke
purple and green pumpkin/orange flake on tube jig heads rigged stupid
style, Zoom fluke junior in white and variations of green pumpkin robo
worms on drop shot rigs.

*White Bass:* White Bass are being taken along main lake ledges and the
ledges around the mouths of the creeks and bays with in line spinners and
blade baits fished vertically as well as by trolling medium running crank
baits in these areas.




*IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON VISITING OUR LAKES I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING
BUSINESSES FOR ALL YOUR FISHING AND BOATING NEEDS:*

*Fisherman's Headquarters* is located in Draffenville at the U.S. 68/U.S.
641 triangle, or the Draffenville "Y". FHQ stocks everything an angler
could need, from live bait, hooks and bobbers to top of the line tournament
bass tackle. More than a "bait and tackle" store, Fisherman's Headquarters
is a true "pro shop", offering advice, training and special order
assistance not found online or at the big box retailers. Services even
include custom electronics training and installation. The store offers a
wide variety of nationally known brands as well as many regional and hard
to find items we use on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes. They stock many of the
products I rely on daily, such as Charmer Baits, Slong's lures, Picasso
lures and Pro Tungsten weights. From bluegill to bass and catfish to
crappie, FHQ has you covered! Stop by and visit or phone 270-

*Jet-A-Marina:* If you have a problem with your boat while you are visiting
our great fisheries, let me recommend you have the folks in the service
department at Jet-a-Marina check it out. These folks have a well known
reputation for trying to keep our visitors on the water while they are here
if they can possibly do so, especially you tournament anglers. Hopefully
you will not need this kind of assistance but if you do, you can find
Jet-a-Marina located on U.S. 62 in Calvert City, just a couple of miles
north of Kentucky Dam. Jet-a-Marina also has a great showroom for all your
boating accessories and check out the new Ranger bass boats too as well as
bulk oil at rock bottom prices for your engine. Phone: 270-395-4030.

*GUIDE SERVICE:*

For those of you that may not be familiar with my service: I am a full time
catch and release bass fishing guide. I only guide for bass. I have been
guiding for bass full time on these lakes for over 20 years and bass
fishing the lakes for over 30 years. I do not go out and fish panfish for 4
or 5 days and then try to guide on bass for one or two days.

No one knows everything the bass are doing but one thing is for sure, if
you only fish for bass day in and day out, you will have a lot better idea
of what they are doing and also be familiar with all the different
techniques it takes to be a successful bass angler.

If you book with my service, you will have me as your guide and you will be
guided in the comfort of a late model Z522 Ranger Commanche equipped with
Lowrance HDS electronics and top of the line tackle. I provide just for fun
bass fishing trips, tournament preparation trips, focused teaching trips
and technique instruction. If you are in need of a bass fishing guide give
me a call or drop me an email.

*Ledge Teaching:*

*I am also taking bookings for my Ledge Teaching trip. The Ledge Teaching
trip consists of both classroom and time on the water. This trip not only
teaches you how to find the highest percentage ledges but also what you are
looking for on your electronics and how to interpret what you are seeing,
how to search the ledges, set up on the ledges as well as making decisions
on what type lures you should be throwing depending on enviromental
conditions. You do not learn how to find and fish the best ledges by simply
looking at your electronics....it takes knowledge to find and fish the best
ledges, the electronics are just a tool to assist you in seeing the fish
afer you find them.*

*Available Dates:*

*I have dates available for this month as well as October and November.
Call or email me to make a reservation.*



*Captain Dave Stewart*
*Bass Buster Guide Service*
*www.kentuckylakeguide.com <http://www.kentuckylakeguide.com> *
*dave@kentuckylakeguide.com <dave@kentuckylakeguide.com>*
*270-362-9987 <(270)%20362-9987>*
*"Fish With A Professional"*

[Lipripper]

Dave thanks again for your detailed report.