July 10, 2008

Kentucky Lake:  Water Level at Ky Dam - 358.56  Surface Temperature - 83

Lake Barkley:  Water Level at Barkley Dam - 358.80  Surface Temperature - 82

Both lakes are slightly under summer pool.  Both lakes are scheduled to be drawn down over the month of July to one foot below summer pool.  With the exception of today, which was somewhat slower than has been this week, the Largemouth Bass bite has continued to be very good on the ledges.  Today we were on the backside of a front that passed thru the area last night and had flat water, no current and high pressure.  Even with these negative factors, my clients managed to catch more than a limit of bass.  The White Bass continue to very active...I personally witnessed no less than 5 White Bass jumps today while fishing for Largemouth on the main lake.  The weather forecast for the weekend looks pretty good with highs in the low 90's and a slight chance of thunderstorms each day. 

Largemouth Bass:  Largemouth are being taken on the main lake river and creek channel ledges and on the creek channel ledges in the mouths of the deeper bays.  These fish are being taken on Carolina rigged creature baits and Carolina and Texas rigged worms, deep diving crankbaits,slack lining casting jigs and dragging football head jigs.  Largemouth are also being taken near the grass beds early and late in the day on topwater lures, spinnerbaits and soft jerkbaits.  Some Largemouth are also being taken during the day near wood cover with Texas rigged creature baits and worms as they are feeding on schools of fry. 

Smallmouth Bass:  Smallmouth are being taken on the river and creek channel ledges during the day but not in large numbers.  These fish are taking Carolina rigged creature baits and Texas rigged worms.  The daytime Smallmouth bite is poor even though we are catching a few of these fish.  Smallmouth generally feed at night during the summer months but I have not received any reports of good catches as of yet at night. 

Some of the productive lures this week are:  Zoom horney toads in green pumpkin pearl, Chatterbuzz buzzbaits in white, Zoom super flukes in white, Rapala DT 16 in parrot and black/silver, Norman DD22 in white and canary, Hook Some Bass spinnerbaits in blue glimmer, Charmer timber pups in green pumpkin, watermelon/purple and purple passion, Charmer 10.5 inch worm in plum and electric blue, Jewel football head jigs in Missouri Craw and D&L casting jigs in black/blue.

White Bass:  White Bass are being taken along the old river channel and creek channel ledges on the main lake by vertically fishing with inline spinners.  White Bass are also being taken in the jumps (surface feeding) by casting inline spinners and small crankbaits into the feeding schools. 

Catfish:  Channel Catfish are being taken along the old river channels on bottom rigs baited with shrimp, leeches and nightcrawlers.  Blue Catfish are also being taken along the old river channels on bottom rigs baited with cut baits and yellowtail. 

Bluegill:  Bluegill are being taken around Mayfly hatches early and late in the day on worms and crickets fished under bobbers. Bluegill are also being taken around lighted docks at night on worms fished under bobbers.

We would like to welcome the FLW Stren Series back to Kentucky Lake on July 23-26.  This is the second appearance for this trail here on Kentucky Lake this season.  For those folks coming here to participate or observe the tournament, don't forget to stop by Fisherman's Headquarters on U.S. 68 in Draffenville and The Cabin Bait and Tackle on U.S. 62 in Kuttawa for all your tackle needs.  The folks at these two stores will have the latest in bass fishing information as well as the best selections of lures in the area.  If you have a problem with your boat while you are here for the tournament or need some boating accessories don't hesitate to see the folks at Jet-A-Marina located on U.S. 62 in Calvert City.  You will find the staff there is committed to serving your needs in a professional manner. 

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 a line.  I have the following dates available in July, August and September: 

July:  23, 27, 29, 30, 31

August and September:  Still plenty of dates available so just give me call or drop me an email.

If you have not made your fall reservations for tournaments or just some fun bass fishing you need to do so soon...or you may not get the dates you want.  No need for unsubstantiated claims here....I only guide for bass..that says it all. 

Captain Dave Stewart
www.kentuckylakeguide.com
dave@kentuckylakeguide.com
270-354-5039
"Fish With a Professional"