• 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 30, 2018

    Kentucky Lake: Water Level at Kentucky Dam - 359.8 Surface Temperature - 80
    Lake Barkley: Water Level at Barkley Dam - 359.4 Surface Temperature - 80

    Both lakes are about one foot over summer pool. Kentucky Dam was spilling at an average rate of 101,000 cfs this afternoon. Barkley Dam was generating at an average rate of 29,800 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: Subtropical depression Alberto passed over the lakes area last night through this morning. We received heavy rains most of the night and this morning. Lake levels rose some with all the rain but the TVA has increased the flow rates to compensate for this influx of water. The present TVA forecast is not calling for a significant rise in the water levels but I advise you to check the TVA site for any updates that may arise. I apologize for not publishing a report last week but between guiding everyday and some pressing personal business I had to deal with after getting off the water I had to forego the report.

    More fish have shown up on the ledges since my last report two weeks ago. We have taken some nice fish off the ledges for sure but I am also finding that some of the ledges I have fished for many years have been void of fish so far. I did not get out on the water today as Alberto was overhead and between the heavy downpours and high winds it just was not prudent to be on the water. I was on Barkley yesterday and the water conditions were good but I suspect it will be getting a lot of color to it with all the rain we had last night and this morning. I would expect the backs of many of the creeks and bays on Kentucky have dirty water flowing into them also. Our best bite over the past few days out have been on the ledges with some early morning top water bite in the backs of the creeks and bays before the sun gets up over the trees.

    It has been hot here for the most part over the past week and the heat and humidity is forecasted to continue through Sunday. Chances for thunderstorms are in the forecast for tomorrow and Friday. Keep an eye on the sky for these storms. They come up quick and have high winds and nasty cloud to ground lightning. We had to cut two trips short last week due to these storms popping up on us in the early afternoon.

    LARGEMOUTH BASS: Largemouth are being taken on the ledges and deep main lake points. These fish are being taken with deep diving crank baits, Carolina rigged creature baits, Texas rigged large worms, jigs, drop shots and swim baits. There are still a number of Largemouth on secondary creek channel points in the creeks and bays although most of these are smaller fish they can provide some fun with an occasional keeper in the mix. These fish can be taken with medium running crank baits, shaky heads, tube jigs and ned rigs.

    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.

    PRODUCTIVE LURES: Bandit 200 and 300 series crankbaits in rootbeer and rootbeer/chartreuse, Strike King XD 6 and XD 10 in sexy shad and blue backchartruese, Rapala DT 16 in parrot, D&L jigs in Cumberland craw and oops patterns, Slong's jigs in mustang, Charmer timber pups on Carolina rig in green pumpkin and watermelon/purple, Charmer 10.5" ribbon tail worm in plum, Big Hammer swim baits in sexy smelt, Charmer tubes in blue cat and green pumpkin/orange and Robo worms on drop shot in mean green.

    Bluegill/Red Ears: Blue gills and Red Ears are still being taken shallow in the creeks and bays but reports indicate they are somewhat scattered now. The blue gill are taking crickets under bobbers and the Red Ears are taking red worms on split shot rigs fished on bottom.

    Channel Catfish: Channel Catfish being taken on night crawlers fished under bobbers on rocky banks and points.

    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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