Weeky Report For Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley dated August 10, 2018

[Dave Stewart]

August 10, 2018

Kentucky Lake:  Water Level at Kentucky Dam - 357.54  Surface Temperature - 85
Lake Barkley:  Water Level at Barkley Dam - 357.55  Surface Temperature - 85

Both lakes are one and one half feet below summer pool and on a slow draw down.  Kentucky Dam was generating at an average rate of 36,500 cfs this morning.  Barkley Dam was generating at an average rate of 17,600 cfs this morning. In accordance with the TVA River Operating System Schedule, the TVA has started the slow draw down of the lakes to winter pool levels.  Barring any unforeseen influx of water, you can expect the lakes to be drawn down about one foot per month now until we reach winter pool levels.  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:  The early morning shallow water bite on top water lures is still producing the better bite this past week but we are catching some fish on the ledges also.  The ledge bite continues to be slow but fish can be taken on the ledges with patience.  I am still hearing from a lot of folks that they are fishing all day and only catching one or two fish or none at all.  Example:  I received a call early this week from an angler that was here with his son and had fished for 2 days without a bass in their boat, wanting to know if I was available to take them out to assist them in figuring out how to catch some bass so that they could enjoy the rest of their fishing vacation.  (I have had a number of calls like this over the past few weeks).

I was more than happy to take these good folks out the next day and show them how they could catch some fish both shallow and on the ledges.  The most satisfying part of my business has always been teaching clients how to find bass, why we are fishing a certain pattern and using the techniques we are using etc.  Certainly there is never any guarantee of how many fish we may catch on any day or how big those fish will be, especially with the slow bass bite we have been experiencing here on the lakes this summer, but no one wants to go out bass fishing and not even get a fish in the boat.  We were out for 5 hours that day.  Did we catch a large number of fish?  No, but my clients did catch some shallow fish early including at 4.5 and a 5 lb fish on top water lures as well as losing a few fish (part of bass fishing).  We also fished a ledge with the time we had left and they caught a few fish there and learned how to do it, although we did not catch any really nice fish in the short time we had left after the morning shallow water bite. 

Bottom line here is there are bass to be caught right now.  We did not use any technique or lure that has not been in my weekly fishing report for the past number of weeks.  If you are struggling to get any bites, feel free to give me a call for some advice.  I don't mind, I have been giving advice to bass anglers here for many years.  I don't pretend to know everything, make unsubstantiated claims of winning hundreds of tournaments nor do I claim to be the best.  But, I know enough to have been a successful full time bass guide for 23 years and I don't mind sharing that experience.  Advice is free and just a phone call away. (270) 362-9987.  Guided trips are not free but if you would like to go out with me, give me a call or drop me an email (dave@kentuckylakeguide.com).  I do have some days available.


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, shaky heads 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 on channel banks and secondary points, especially those with wood cover.  These fish are being taken on spinner baits, shaky heads, 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.  This bite is slow also.

White Bass:  White Bass are being taken by vertically fishing with blade baits and inline spinners along the river channel ledges.  White Bass are also being taken around Mayfly hatches early in the morning in the creeks and bays on inline spinners.  We have been catching some White Bass also while bass fishing during the early morning hours on top water baits in the shallows in the backs of the creeks and bays before the sun gets up on the water. 

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, green pumpkin/blue and watermelon/purple, Charmer 10.5" ribbon tail and paddle tail worms in plum and green pumpkin on Texas rigs, Big Hammer swim baits in bay smelt and Robo worms on drop shot in mean green. Yamamoto Senko in green pumpkin/black, green pumpkin magic and Charmer Slim Jim in blue craw on shaky heads. 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.   
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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: 

August:  Dates available.

I am also taking reservations also for September, October and November.  Now is the time to make your reservations for the fall fishing.

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 such a great report and sounds like the fishing can be tuff and slow down there right now.

[TNDiver]

Good report.  I might have to check you out.  Been looking for an excuse to get me and my son out after football is over