June 26, 2014

Kentucky Lake: Water Level at Kentucky Dam - 359.27 Surface Temperature - 83
Lake Barkley: Water Level at Barkley Dam - 359.25 Surface Temperature - 82

Both lakes are at summer pool. Kentucky Dam has been generating at averages between 13,000 cfs - 20,000 cfs today. Barkley Dam has been generating an average of 7,900 cfs today. We have not had enough generation over the past week for any appreciable current on either lake. 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 .

As mentioned above, we have not had any current on either lake this past week and the ledge bite is not quite as good as it was the past few weeks but some good fish are still being taken but the ledges are little more spotty as is the feeding but one can do ok if you have patience and find the right schools willing to eat. The ledges have been busy on Kentucky Lake this week with the FLW Tour in town. The weather has been indicative of this time of year with scattered thunderstorms during the early afternoon most days. Anglers should keep an eye out for these storms to pop up rapidly and seek safe harbor. These storms can produce some dangerous lightning and localized windy conditions. The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 86 and low of 70 with a 50% chance of scattered thunderstorms and wind S at 6. The weekend looks like a repeat of tomorrows weather in that the forecast for both Saturday and Sunday is for highs of 86 and lows of 72 with a 30% chance of scattered thunderstorms with wind both days forecasted SSW at 10. The forecast for early next week is for highs in the low 90's and lows around 70 with wind from the south as a front approaches which is forecasted to come through the area on Tuesday.

LARGEMOUTH BASS: Largemouth are being taken on ledges on the main lakes as well as around the mouths of the deeper creeks and bays. These fish are being taken on deep diving crankbaits, spoons, swim baits, Carolina rigged creature baits, Texas rigged large worms and dragging football head jigs. Largemouth are also being taken on shallow flats in the creeks and bays near wood cover and around docks. These fish are being taken on topwater lures (early and late in the day), spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and Texas rigged creature baits as they are feeding on schools of small fry. Our best bite this week overall has been on Carolina rigged creature baits, Texas rigged large worms and dragging football head jigs on the ledges and on Texas rigged creature baits in the shallows near wood cover.

SMALLMOUTH BASS: Smallmouth are being taken early and late in the day on main lake gravel bars on jigs and Carolina rigged creature baits. Smallmouth are also being taken on main lake ledges on jigs and Carolina rigged creature baits. The numbers of fish are not great but some quality fish have been taken. Smallmouth are also being taken at night on rocky points and banks on Kentucky Lake with dark colored spinnerbaits and tube jigs.

Some of the more productive lures reported this week: Lucky Craft sammy in ghost pearl lemon, Strike King Splash baits in shad pattens, Bag5 custom painted medium and deep running crankbaits in blue glimmer and green gizzard shad, Strike King XD10 and XD6 series in sexy shad, parrot and chartreuse sexy shad, Big Hammer swim baits in sexy smelt and bay smelt, Stike King Sexy Spoons, Slong's spinnerbaits in blue glimmer, Charmer timber pups in green pumpkin and watermelon with purple flake, Charmer 10.5 inch ribbon tail worms in plum, D&L football head jigs in Cumberland craw and Oops patterns, Slong's football head jigs in mustard.

White Bass: White Bass are being taken along the river channel ledges and adjacent flats by verically fishing with inline spinners and small spoons as well as by trolling with small spinners behind deep diving crankbaits.

Bluegill: Bluegills are also being taken around docks and on banks with overhanging trees early in the morning as they are feeding on Mayflies.

Catfish: Catfish are being on the main lake on river channel ledges in 20-30 ft of water by bottom bouncing shrimp and leach combinations and also on bottom rigs baited with cut baits and large shiners. The Catfish bite has been reported as slow do to lack of current.

If you are coming to the big lakes here to enjoy our great fishing, make sure you stop by these businesses for all your fishing and boating needs:

The Cabin Bait and Tackle is located in Kuttawa on U.S. 62 about one mile west of the I-24/U.S. 62 interchange. The Cabin Bait and Tackle has a great selection of the latest in rods, reels, lures for you bass anglers and also a great selection of tackle for the panfish anglers to include live bait. You can also find a selection of bows and guns for the hunter as well as personal handguns in the store. The Cabin also hosts the a website where you can order all your fishing needs with free shipping on all orders over 50.00. Be sure to check them out at www.tackleexperts.com . The Cabin has a great delicatessen where you can get that early morning breakfast sandwich or enjoy a delicious lunch. Phone: 270-388-6440


Fisherman's Headquarters is located in Draffenville at the U.S. 68/U.S. 641 triangle. Fisherman's Headquarters boasts a great selection of the latest in rods, reels and lures for bass anglers that are on the market, not to mention one of the best selection of high end lures and local custom lures we use here on Ky/Barkley lakes. You can find many of the custom lures you see in my fishing reports there including the Bag5 custom painted crank baits and jerk baits. Fisherman's Headquarters also has a really good selection of Crappie and panfish tackle featuring Wally Marshall "Mr Crappie" rods, reels, lures and line as well as live baits. 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, Stratos and Triton 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 18 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 2 Lowrance HDS 10's 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: Sorry, No dates available
July: Sorry, No dates available
August: Sorry, No dates available
September: I still have a number of dates available
October: I still have a number of dates available
November: I still have a number of dates available

Call me or drop me an email to book your fall dates now. The sooner you book, the more likely you can get the dates you want.


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