Weeky Report For Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley dated June 7, 2018

[Dave Stewart]

June 7, 2018

Kentucky Lake:  Water Level at Kentucky Dam - 359.18  Surface Temperature - 80
Lake Barkley:  Water Level at Barkley Dam - 359.05  Surface Temperature - 80

Both lakes are at summer pool.  Kentucky Dam was spilling at an average rate of 89,494 cfs this morning.  Lake Barkley was generating at an average rate of 29,400 cfs this morning.
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:  We had a reprieve from the above average heat and humidity after the passing of the cold front last weekend which made our fishing a little more pleasant with the lower temperatures and humidity.  This reprieve is short lived though as the above average temperatures and higher humidity levels are returning today with the approach of another front that will be passing though the lakes area this weekend.

The bass fishing this week has been up and down on the ledges for numbers of fish but some nice fish were taken by having the patience and confidence to stay on a ledge where the fish were present and work to get some of them to bite.  The ledge fish have been pressured so much over the past few weeks with all the big and smaller tournaments that we have had here that they have become more lure wary than one would expect for this time in June.  Slower techniques such as Carolina rigs, Texas rigs, jigs, drop shots and swim baits were our best producers this week on the ledges. 


LARGEMOUTH BASS: Largemouth are being taken on the ledges and deep main lake points.  These fish are being taken with deep diving crank baits, Carolina rigged creature baits, Texas rigged large worms, jigs, drop shots and swim baits.  Largemouth are also being taken early and late in the day in the backs of the creeks and bays on top water lures where they are feeding on schools of fry.   

SMALLMOUTH BASS:  Smallmouth are being taken on main lake points and on the ledges.  These fish are being taken on Carolina rigged creature baits, jigs and swim baits.   

PRODUCTIVE LURES:  Strike King XD 6 and XD 10 in "woops"y shad and blue back/chartreuse belly, Rapala DT 16 in parrot,  D&L jigs in Cumberland craw and oops patterns, Slong's jigs in mustang, Charmer timber pups on Carolina rig in green pumpkin and watermelon/purple, Charmer 10.5" ribbon tail worm in plum on Texas rigs, Big Hammer swim baits in bay smelt and Robo worms on drop shot in mean green.

Bluegill/Red Ears:  Blue gills and Red Ears are still being taken shallow in the creeks and bays but reports indicate they are somewhat scattered now.  The blue gill are taking crickets under bobbers and the Red Ears are taking red worms on split shot rigs fished on bottom.

Channel Catfish:  Channel Catfish being taken on night crawlers fished under bobbers on rocky banks and points.

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 and Pro Tungsten weights. From bluegill to bass and catfish to crappie, FHQ has you covered! Stop by and visit or phone 270-527-5938.

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 Comanche 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.

Available Dates: 

June:  27th and 28th are now available due to cancellations
July:  A number of dates still available.

I am also taking reservations also for August, September, October and November.


Captain Dave Stewart
Bass Buster Guide Service
www.kentuckylakeguide.com
dave@kentuckylakeguide.com
270-362-9987
"Fish With A Professional"