• 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

    July 12, 2018

    Kentucky Lake: Water Level at Kentucky Dam - 358.83 Surface Temperature - 90
    Lake Barkley: Water Level at Barkley Dam - 358.65 Surface Temperature - 90

    Both lakes are slightly below summer pool and on a slow draw down. Kentucky Dam was generating at an average rate of 33,500 cfs this morning. Barkley Dam was generating at an average rate of 17,600 cfs this morning. In accordance with the TVA River Operating System Schedule, the TVA has started the slow draw down of the lakes to winter pool levels. Barring any unforeseen influx of water, you can expect the lakes to be drawn down about one foot per month now until we reach winter pool levels. 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.

    ATTENTION BASS CLUBS: I was recently contacted by a representative of Academy Sports Outdoors seeking my assistance to get the word out to all bass clubs in western Kentucky, including organized school clubs that Academy Sports Outdoors is interested in lending support to organized bass clubs in the area. If your club is interested in receiving support for your organization please contact:

    Academy Sports Outdoors
    Regional Marketing Specialist

    Amy Blevins-Morgan
    Phone: 520895-5789
    C: 281-705-9910
    email: amy.morgan @academy.com


    CURRENT CONDITIONS: It has been another week of daily heat indexes over 100 degrees each day with little to no wind except for the occasional pop up heat of the day thunderstorm. This coupled with no current and low oxygen levels has the bass fishing slow and challenging after the early morning bite. The best bite continues to be early in the morning and late in the evening in the shallows where bass are feeding on schools of fry. The ledge bite continues to be slow and spotty. This weather pattern is forecasted to continue through the weekend. If you are going to venture out during the day, make sure you have plenty of water and sports drinks to stay hydrated and don't forget your sunscreen.


    LARGEMOUTH BASS: Largemouth are being taken on the ledges on the main lakes and around the mouths of the deeper creeks and bays. The ledge bite is slow. These fish are being taken with Carolina rigged creature baits, Texas rigged large worms, jigs, drop shots, shaky heads and swim baits. Largemouth are also being taken early and late in the day in the backs of the creeks and bays on top water lures where they are feeding on schools of fry. Largemouth are also being taken in the creeks and bays during the morning hours on some days where these fish are mixing in with white bass in jumps and can be taken on top water lures, spinner baits, lipless crank baits and vibrating jigs. Largemouth are also being taken in shallow water during the day around wood cover on Texas rigged creature baits and finesse jigs.

    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: D&L jigs in Cumberland craw and oops patterns, Slong's jigs in mustang, Charmer timber pups on Carolina rigs and Texas rigs in green pumpkin and watermelon/purple, Charmer 10.5" ribbon tail and paddle tail worms in plum and green pumpkin on Texas rigs, Big Hammer swim baits in bay smelt and Robo worms on drop shot in mean green. Yamamoto Senko in green pumpkin/black, green pumpkin magic and Charmer Slim Jim in blue craw on shaky heads. Strike King top water splash bait in white and whopper plopper top water in monkey's butt and Slong's spinner baits in blue glimmer as well as Strike King red eye shads in chrome sexy shad.
    .

    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:

    July: 24, 25, 26

    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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