Lake Conditions:
Barkley – 358.60, 8,400-27,000 CFS, water is stained in color, with water temps running in the mid to upper 80’s
Kentucky – 358.60, 20,400-36,100 CFS, water has light stain in color, with water temps running in the upper 80’s to low 90’s
Weather: The heat and humidity has made it’s presents felt here around the lakes the past week and half. Then again it is the end of July and we are in the middle of summer. Our typical summer pattern has set in with the heat and humidity during the day and isolated thunderstorms popping up in the late afternoons and early evenings. Some of these storms diminished as fast as they developed. Last night though we had a front push through and bring some storms with it. Lots of lightening and rain with 3’’ here at the house. For the upcoming week we are looking at highs running in the low to mid 80’s with night time temps dropping back into the mid 70’s and looks to be a chance of rain most everyday till midweek but scattered.
Bass Fishing: It’s summer time and again not much has changed over all. The ledge bite is still hit or miss depending on what the TVA is doing with the water generation. As normal with little or no current the bite can be pretty fickle but when they get it ramped up the same spots can be incredible. When there has been water movement the main lake ledges and flats have been the place to be as these areas are much more affected by what the current is doing. Swimbaits, crankbaits, big spinnerbaits have been catching the active fish while we’ve had to pull out the football jigs, Carolina rigs, shaky heads and Texas rigs along with a drop shot to pick away at the inactive fish. Our most effective baits overall again this week have been a 1/2oz Picasso lures football shaky head paired with a 8’’ Big Bite Baits finesse worm in either black blue fleck or candy apple colors. We are throwing this on a Powell 734 MH baitcasting rod with 14lb Sunline sniper fluorocarbon line. When there hasn’t been much current we’ve been fishing in the mouth of the bays with large flats and soaking a Texas rig worm in the brush along them. For this we are using a 10’’ Big Bite Baits candy apple Juice worm paired with a 4/0 Gamakastu worm hook and 3/8 or 1/2oz Bag 5 Baits tungsten worm weight.
White and Yellow Bass: I didn’t have any trips for them this week but seen plenty in the jumps out on the main river flats. Using a blade bait like a Steel Shad or a rooster tail dropping them over the side of the boat and hopping them off the bottom and letting them flutter back down will get you bit and most of your bites with happen as the bait falls back to the bottom. I don’t personally troll for them but have seen plenty of anglers doing so with deep diving crankbait and with curly tail jig or rooster tail running off the back of it catching both white and hybrids.
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. Some awesome summer fishing and weather is ahead so be sure to get your dates booked today.
$$$$ HOT Summer savings, book and take your trip in August and save $50!
*****Don’t forget about our on the water electronics classes. We have run the Lowrance products the past 10yrs and now are running the NEW Humminbird Helix units. So if you’re stumped as what you’re looking at or how to navigate through the units we can help you. Got a unit and need it installed get in touch with us and we can get you hooked up and finding fish like the pros.
Anyone needing any boat work done or looking for a new boat be sure to stop by and see the guys at Legacy Marine 270-928-3253 they have you covered for any of your boating needs.
Be sure to check us out on Facebook along with our YouTube Channel and KentuckyLake.com tip of the week videos.
Brian Brown
Fishing Hype Guide Service
612-889-2423
www.fishinghype.com