• Fishing Report For Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley

    Bass Buster Guide Service
    (270) 362-9987 http://www.kentuckylakeguide.com dave@kentuckylakeguide.com
  • "Specializing in Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Lake Familiarization, Tournament Preparation, and Technique Instruction"

  • Fishing Report For Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley

    May 17, 2018

    Kentucky Lake: Water Level at Kentucky Dam - 359.14 Surface Temperature - 77
    Lake Barkley: Water Level at Barkley Dam - 359.10 Surface Temperature - 77

    Both lakes are at summer pool. Kentucky Dam was generating at an average rate of 60,500 late this afternoon. Barkley Dam was generating at an average rate of 28,200 this afternoon. 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: Well it has been another week of hot weather and a lot of flat water days. Last week I reported we had some slow days and a few fair days. This week is a mirror of that same pattern. The Largemouth Bass are still in post spawn transition phase and finding any numbers of keeper plus bass has been tough. One can catch a lot of smaller bass on most days though so at least there is some consistent action even if it is not as good on the bigger bass as we would like to have. To paraphrase a number of the FLW Professionals that came across the weigh-in stage this afternoon..."it is tough out there". We did manage a few fish on ledges this week but our best action continues to be on primary and secondary post spawn points.

    The weather pattern we have been experiencing over the past couple weeks is forecasted to continue through next week. Hot days and scattered thunderstorms. Some of these storms are severe so keep an eye on the sky for an approaching storm and seek a safe port immediately as these storms do contain high winds and lots of lightning. Bring plenty of water or sports drinks to stay hydrated and don't forget the sun screen.


    LARGEMOUTH BASS: Post spawn Largemouth are being taken on creek channel banks and secondary points in the creeks and bays on medium running crank baits, jigs, Carolina and Texas rigged creature baits, tube jigs shaky heads and ned rigs. A few Largemouth are also being taken in the flooded brush and wood in the creeks and bays on jigs and Texas and Florida rigged creature baits. Some largemouth are now being taken on early ledges on deep diving crank baits, swim baits, Texas rigged large worms, jigs and Carolina rigged creature baits. The Largemouth are primarily on post spawn transition and numbers of keepers being taken is slow.

    SMALLMOUTH BASS: Smallmouth are being taken on main lake points and secondary points in the mouths of the creeks and bays. These fish are being taken on jigs, tube jigs, Texas and Carolina rigged creature baits. Some Smallmouth have been taken off ledges but like the Largemouth, the ledges are still spotty.

    PRODUCTIVE LURES: Some of the productive lures reported this week are Strike King XD6 crank baits in sexy shad and blue/chartreuse, Rapala DT 10 and DT 6 crank baits in shad and bluegill patterns, Bandit 200 and 300 series crankbaits in rootbeer and rootbeer/chartreuse, Charmer 10.5" ribbon tail worms in plum, D&L jigs in Cumberland craw and oops patterns, Charmer 6" lizards and timber pups in watermelon/red. green pumpkin/blue and green pumpkin, Charmer tubes in blue craw, Zman TRD baits on ned rigs in green pumpkin.


    Bluegill/Red Ears: Blue gills and Red Ears are now spawning in the shallows. These bluegills are being taken on red worms fished under bobbers. The Red Ears are being taken on split shot rigs baited with small jigs tipped with worms slowly reeled along the bottom. Good catches are being reported.

    Channel Catfish: Channel Catfish are now moving up on shallow rocky banks and points on the main lake to spawn. These fish are being taken on night crawlers fished under bobbers. Good catches are being reported.

    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:

    May: Sorry, I am booked up.
    June: Sorry, I am booked up.
    July: A number of dates still available.

    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"
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