Kentucky Lake Fishing report — Dave Stewart — July 23

July 23, 2009 by admin

July 23, 2009

Kentucky Lake: Water Level at Ky Dam – 358.36 Surface Temperature – 80
Lake Barkley: Water Level at Barkley Dam – 358.25 Surface Temperature – 80

Both lakes are nearing one foot below summer pool. The cold front that passed through the lakes area last weekend combined with another cold front that moved through the area on Tuesday cooled the water temperatures by 4-5 degrees. We are now have water temperatures that are about 6 degrees cooler than normal for this time of year. The Largemouth Bass bite on the ledges slowed somewhat this week with the frontal passages but some good fish are still being taken, just not as many. As mentioned in last week’s report, the better ledge bite has been in late morning and during the afternoon/evening hours when current is present. The ledge bite continues to be somewhat slow in the morning hours. The cooler water temperatures though has seemed to increase the bite on secondary points and associate creek channel banks in the creeks and bays where Largemouth are feeding on schools of shad fry. Most of the fish being taken on this pattern are smaller fish but some good one and two fish catches have been reported, especially early and late in the day. The weather forecast for the coming weekend is for a chance of isolated thunderstorms on Saturday with southwest winds around 15-17 mph. Sundays forecast indicates lighter west winds and a chance of isolated thunderstorms. Boaters venturing on the lakes this weekend, especially on Saturday should keep and eye on the sky for approaching storms and be prepared to seek safe shelter.

Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass are being taken on the old river and creek channel ledges on the main lakes and around the mouths of the deeper creeks and bays. These fish are being taken on Carolina rigged creature baits, Texas rigged large worms, large shaky head worms, finesse shaky head worms, jigs and spoons. Largemouth are also being taken on secondary points and associated creek channel banks in the creeks and bays, especially around rocky banks and points. These fish are feeding on schools of shad fry and are being taken on topwater lures, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and small suspending jerkbaits.

Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth Bass are being taken on the old river and creek channel ledges on the main lake on Carolina rigged creature baits and jigs. Smallmouth are also being taken early and late in the day on primary points and main lake secondary points on crankbaits, tube jigs and finesse jigs. The better Smallmouth bite is being reported at night on the east side of Ky Lake by fishing primary points and rocky banks with large dark colored spinnerbaits and tube jigs.

Some of the productive lures reported this week are: Chatterbuzz buzzbaits in white, Rebel Pop R in black/chrome and white, Lucky Craft 78 pointers in aurora black and chartreuse shad, bandit crankbaits in specked back and grape, Hook Some Bass spinnerbaits and vibe (chatterbait) in blue glimmer, Charmer timber pups in green pumpkin and watermelon/purple, Charmer 10.5 inch worms in plum, Xcite maximus shaky head worms in plum, Jewel football head jigs in gourd/craw and Missouri craw with baby paca craw trailer in green pumpkin, Last Cast wooly bug finesse jigs in Missouri craw and peanut butter jelly and Strike King sexy spoons in silver.

White Bass: White Bass are being taken on the old river and creek channel ledges by vertically fishing inline spinners, small spoons and tightlining minnows as well as by trolling deep diving crankbaits with hooks removed and a leader off the back of the lure onto which inline spinners and curly tail jigs are tied.

Catfish: Catfish are being taken on the old river channel ledges on bottom rigs baited with yellowtail, shrimp and cutbaits. The better bite is during periods of current. Some Catfish are also being taken on the flats on the main lake with jugs baited with shrimp and minnows.

Bluegill: Bluegill are being taken around deeper docks with wood cover, especially under lights at night by fishing with crickets and worms under bobbers.

If you are in need of a bass guide for some fun bass fishing, tournament preparation, lake familiarization or technique instruction don’t hesitate to give me a call or drop me an email. The best time to call me is between 5:30 and 7:30 any evening as I am on the water every day chasing bass and go to bed early so I can get up early and go chase bass again. This is a great time to take a trip with me to learn how to find the best ledges and learn the techniques used to catch fish on the ledges. This is a pure learning trip in which you will learn how to eliminate water with your topographical map to find the best fishing spots as well as learn how to fish the ledges.

I have the following dates available for booking in July, August and September:

July: 31 (this date just became available due to a late cancellation)
August: 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 30, 31
September: Plenty of dates available…contact me to book a date.

If you have not made your reservations for your fall fishing in October and November, you need to do so soon or you may not be able to get the date(s) you want. Remember, when you book with me, I will be your guide…not someone working for me, so there are only so many dates available.

Capt Dave Stewart
Bass Buster Guide Service
dave@kentuckylakeguide.com
www.kentuckylakeguide.com
270-354-5039
“Fish With a Professional”

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