Lake Conditions:
Barkley - 360.5, 24,400 CFS, Stained overall with water temp in mid 80’s

Kentucky - 360.5, 102,000 CFS, Light Stain to stained with temps also in the mid 80's



Weather: Well if you’re a duck or a fish this latest weather pattern is just fine. For the rest of us though it has been straight up tropic with more rain than anyone has seen in a long time and the humidity and dew points are through the roof. Just walking outside will make you sweat let alone any physical activity other than fishing of course. It look like we should get a break from the rain for the better part of the upcoming week though the summer heat looks to stick around with highs in the mid 90’s and plenty of sun. Remember the sun screen, dress appropriately and drink plenty of water. Remember to keep on eye on the sky as this is the time of year a stray popup thunderstorm can ruin your day in a quick hurry.


Bass Fishing: WOW what a difference a week can make. One minute everything is going to plan and the next we are 3 feet over summer pool. This has changed things up fishing wise also as many fish have followed the rising water and are back on the bank and in the bushes ambushing fry that are feeding on the new vegetation in the water. We’ve caught these fish on several different baits including spinnerbaits, topwater baits like poppers and walking style spook type baits, swim jigs like the 3/8oz Outkast Tackle Pro Swim jig paired with a swimbait trailer like a Big Bite Baits cane thumper. We've even been able to flip some fish out of the bushes again like spring. Of course not all the fish headed to the bank as many are still out on the main river ledges and flats chasing gizzard. This bite should only improve as the TVA begins to increase water flow through the dams creating some heavy current in both lakes. Add in some plentiful sun this week and it should turn out to be an awesome ledge bite over the next week or so. With the lack of sunshine this week from all the storms that have rolled through it was a challenge to get the ledge fish to school up or even eat when you could find a school. Our best pattern was throwing either a big worm like the Big Bite Baits Kriet Tail worm and Juice worm in Plum Apple or a 3/4 football jig like the Outkast Tackle T2 in the Bruise color either dragged or hopped along the bottom. We have caught some really nice fish throwing 5.5-7 inch swimbaits like the new Ignite baits and Nichols Lures MBP series on 3/4-1.5 oz heads. We are still catching a few fish out real deep between 18-24 feet but most of the fish we are now finding are coming in less than 20ft. The reason for this is they are chasing the big gizzard shad on top of the main lake flats in fact if your in the right spot at the right time you can see the big shad being chowed on as giant bass bust them on the surface. Equipment for throwing these swimbaits will consist of a slow to med retrieve bait cast reel something in the 6:4.1 ratio is perfect as you don’t want to over power the bait with a higher gear ratio. A rod in the 7’-5’’ to 8’ range and a med. hvy - hvy action depending on the size of bait I throw mine on a Powell Inferno and Indurance rods both 7’-9’’ long and rated for 3oz baits. Line wise something in the #16-20 fluorocarbon will work such as the Sunline Sniper. The fluorocarbon works better than mono as it will sink and has less stretch to set the hook on a long cast.


White Bass and Yellows: These guys are starting to show up with more regularity every day and now with some current flowing throw the lakes we should see a much better bite. Over all presentation has been pretty simple as we’ve been either vertical jigging a blade bait or small spoon over schools that we find along main river channels, main lake points and humps.


Crappie and Bluegill: No report as we haven’t fished for these critters for a couple weeks. I have talked to a few guys that are night fishing for crappie with lights on the main bars and flats in the bays with some success.


DO NOT get left on the dock because you forgot to book a trip. Call us today and setup your next fishing adventure and possibly catch the fish of a lifetime at 612-889-2423.


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Capt. Brian Brown
Fishing Hype Guide Service
www.fishinghype.com
612-889-2423