Weeky Report For Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley dated June 29, 2018

[Dave Stewart]

June 29, 2018

Kentucky Lake:  Water Level at Kentucky Dam - 359.47  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 63,792 cfs this morning.  Barkley Dam was generating at an average rate of 33,900 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.

FLASH:  THANKS TO ALL OF THE FOLKS THAT CONTACTED ME OFFERING THEIR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AS WELL AS ASSISTANCE AFTER I ANNOUNCED IN MY LAST REPORT THAT I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BLOOD CLOT IN MY LEG AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BE OFF THE WATER AND ON BED REST FOR A WHILE.  IT IS VERY GRATIFYING TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE STILL SO MANY GOOD AND CARING FOLKS IN THIS WORLD.  AS YOU CAN SEE, I WAS CLEARED TO GO BACK ON THE WATER LATE LAST WEEK AND BELIEVE ME I WAS VERY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO GET BACK IN MY BOAT DOING WHAT I LOVE TO DO!

NOTE:  I WILL NOT BE PUBLISHING A REPORT NEXT WEEK AS I WILL BE OUT OF TOWN ON VACATION ALL WEEK WITH MY FAMILY.  IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A RESERVATION WITH ME FOR A FUTURE GUIDED TRIP WITH ME, PLEASE DO SO THROUGH MY EMAIL WHICH I WILL BE MONITORING. 

CURRENT CONDITIONS:  This past week we had typical summer conditions with high humidity and pop up thunderstorms virtually every day.  The ledge bite continues to be spotty and slow with the low oxygen levels of the higher than normal water temperatures.  The best bite continues to be early in the morning and late in the day in the backs of the creeks and bays  on top water lures where bass are feeding on schools of fry.  We have also taken some bass around white bass jumps in the creeks and bays on some days with top water lures, lipless crank baits, spinner baits and vibrating jigs.  These jumps are short in duration but offer some quick opportunity fishing when they occur.

The weather forecast for the next number of days is calling for daily heat indexes over 100 degrees so make sure you take plenty of water and sport drinks if you are going to venture out on the lakes.  Since July 4th falls in the middle of next week, you can expect a higher increase in boat traffic all week so please be courteous to other boaters and drive defensively out there.  We have already had way too many boating accidents this year,  let's endeavor to make this holiday week accident free.


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  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 on some days where these fish are mixing in with white bass in jumps and can be taken on top water lures, spinner baits, lipless crank baits and vibrating jigs.  Largemouth are also being taken in shallow water during the day around wood cover on Texas rigged creature baits and finesse jigs. 

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:  D&L jigs in Cumberland craw and oops patterns, Slong's jigs in mustang, Charmer timber pups on Carolina rigs and Texas rigs 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 and Slong's spinner baits in blue glimmer as well as Strike King red eye shads in chrome "woops"y shad.   
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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:  16, 17, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31

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 for another great report and glad your back on your feet again and enjoy your vacation with the family.