Weeky Report For Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley dated June 15, 2018

[Dave Stewart]

June 15, 2018

Kentucky Lake:  Water Level at Kentucky Dam - 359.63  Surface Temperature - 85
Lake Barkley:  Water Level at Barkley Dam - 359.40  Surface Temperature - 85

Both lakes are about one half foot over summer pool.  Kentucky Dam was generating at an average rate of 37,425 cfs this morning.  Barkley Dam was generating at an average rate of 29,100 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:  Hot and humid describes the weather here this week and the forecast indicates this weather pattern will continue over the weekend.  Heat indexes are topping over 100 degrees right now so make sure you stay hydrated if your headed out on the lakes. 

The ledge bite has been slow this past week with little current and low oxygen levels.  The best bite has been very early in the morning and late in the evening in shallow water in the creeks and bays where you can catch some bass on top water lures where they are feeding on schools of fry.  The mayflies are also hatching right now and some bass can be taken in the creeks and bays on these hatches where white bass and some largemouth mixed in are in the jumps during the morning hours.  Top water lures are working on these fish when they are up feeding on the surface. 

FLASH:  I will not be publishing a report next week.  I have been having some pain in one of my legs this past week and a trip to the doctor on Wednesday revealed that I have a blood clot in my right leg and I have been ordered off the water for a week rest and treatment as we try to get this condition resolved. 

LARGEMOUTH BASS: Largemouth are being taken on the ledges on the main lakes and around the mouths of the deeper creeks and bays.  The ledge bite is slow. 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.  Largemouth are also being taken in the creeks and bays during the morning hours where mayfly hatches are occurring.  These fish are mixing in with white bass in jumps and can be taken on top water lures. 

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 and green pumpkin on Texas rigs, Big Hammer swim baits in bay smelt and Robo worms on drop shot in mean green. Strike King top water splash bait in white and whopper plopper top water in monkey's butt. 

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.  Some bluegills are also being taken around mayfly hatches early in the morning on red worms and crickets under bobbers.

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: 

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"

[Lipripper]

Dave thanks again for the great report as always.    Sorry to hear about your blood clot and that's not something to fool around with. So do waht the Doctor ask and pray that it gets better. Did he put you on blood thinners?

[Dave Stewart]

Yes, put me on blood thinners, double dose for one week.....got cleared to go back on the water now!

[Lipripper]

Yes, put me on blood thinners, double dose for one week.....got cleared to go back on the water now!

Just glad your doing better and them blood thinners make you be careful not to cut yourself while taking them.