Ky Lake Report - North - 8/23/06

[Guest]

Lake elevation is running about two feet below summer pool. Water surface temp is 86 degrees. The water clarity varies depending on your specific location. Some areas are clear, with other being stained. It seems to be the result of the hit or miss thunderstorms.

Up to two weeks ago, bass were located on main lake river ledges that contained bait fish in 12 to 20 ft depth. Most bass were suspended just off the ledge thus making them harder to catch. However, if you stuck with them you could wait them out till they move onto the top of the ledge to feed. At that time, the best baits were a 10" worm in green pumpkin or junebug and 3/4 oz green pumpkin jigs. A normal slow presentation works when the fish are on top of the ledge feeding but if suspended you will have to "stroke" or high hop the bait to get the bass' attention.

However, over the last two weeks several bass have begun to show up in shallow water. This is certainly early especially considering the water temp. This tells me the oxygen level may not be to good in the river. During an event last weekend, it was obvious many fish had left the ledges because all the ledge fishermen I know struggled.

The better stringers came from shallower crappie mats in 5-8 ft of water, in the creeks, on white spinner baits. It remains to be seen if this pattern will hold up or if the fish will move back out for a while prior to their final pre-winter shallow feast. I believe this will be determined by the amount of river current and rainfall received in the area.

 

[Tr19]

Now that's what I call a fishing report !!

 

[drumking]

Wonderful report, BB. Why is the lake level two feet below summer level? Chickamauge and Watts Bar are at or slightly above summer level. The winter drawdown is supposed to start the first of September I think.emoGeezer

 

[DHaun]

Thanks for the great report BassinBob!

 

[flip1up]

Yeah, thanks for the report. Do you fish the drops straight out in front of the dam, within the first mile? How about Jonathan Creek?

 

[Guest]

Since we are toward the end of the river system it is my assumption they will begin drawing down this part first to make room for the draw down further up stream. This is only my assumption. Getting information from TVA is a lost cause. They will tell you in a heartbeat that the river system is for power generation and not fishing or fishermen.

 

[Guest]

My expertise is between the Hwy 68 bridge and the Hwy 79 bridge. However, I do have experience from Ky Dam all the way south to within 20 miles of the Pickwick Dam.

Where is your tournament launching? I ask because my suggestion would be to have a plan for close by and one that would get you away from the pressure. Ky Lake runs north and south, so this lake can get very rough in a short period of time. You need a plan so you can stay close in the event of high winds. (And by high winds, I only mean 10-15 mph) but if the weather cooperates you will certainly need to get away from all the pressure.

Also, do you have reservations anywhere. I might be able to help find a good place to stay.

 

[flip1up]

I'm staying at the Inn By The Lake, launching at the Kentucky Dam Marina. I have fished up there in PBF tournaments most every year for the last 8-10 years. We just never found any real good drops that were consistant. We would usually end up fishing shallow. About the wind and the lake getting rough, one of the scariest days I have ever had on the water was spent there. We finally tied up in the middle of the long island about 1 mile down lake from the 68 bridge and rode the storm out. I honestly thought we were going to sink my partners 19 foot Cobra, water was coming in faster than it was pumping out. Yes, I will not be going too far from the launch. What about the drops out in front of Barkley Dam? By the way my add. is 1555 Signal Mtn. Blvd. Signal Mountain Tn. 37377. Thank you in advance for the package. If you can make it to the Chick. one day, I too would be glad to ride you around to familiarize you with the lake.

 

[Guest]

Inn by the Lake is certainly the best place to stay and the best price. Sounds like you've got that covered.

I will start putting you a package together right now and get it in the mail as quickly as possible.

One thing I will mention. Ledge fishing on Ky Lake is more about timing than any thing else. I hesitate to say most, but many, many, many of the ledges have at least some fish on them. However, when you're on a particular ledge, the fish that are there may not be feeding. The trick is you have to visit the ledge several times during the day. That is unless you can determine their timing during practice. if you can do this, then you'll know not to go to the particular ledge until that specific time of the day. An example of this is a particular ledge I normally fish during tournaments on the south end of the lake. There is no reason to even go to the ledge till after 12 PM. I have fished the spot for years at ever possible time frame from dawn to noon and can't catch a thing. But soon at noon arrives, it's on. It's the craziest thing you've ever seen.

 

[fischnrod]

Excellent report BassinBob

 

[webfoot]

BB I will be at Paris Landing the week of the 11th for a meeting. I am going to drag the boat up so I can try to fish some that week. I know a little about that area but haven't been on that lake in 5 years or so. Anything info on where and what to try would be helpful, just fishing for fun.

 

[Guest]

Webfoot…………What I would recommend to maximize the catching rather than the fishing, I would generally fish the back of the first 3 or 4 creeks north of the Paris Landing bridge. Fish both the east and west side of the river. There should be some grass in each of these creeks along with lay downs and brush piles. Fishing very early and really late in the day will be you best times. A pop-r, spook, or a buzz bait should work over the grass early and late, then use a worm (6-7 inch junebug) or a baby brush hog, junebug texas rigged after the sun gets up good. If it’s cloudy the top water should still work. Work the areas with the top water then follow it up with a worm to pick up the rest of the fish.

A specific area that I can describe here and you’ll be able to find by my description would be as follows: When leaving the Paris Landing Marina, go straight across the river to the other side. (Stay on the north side of the bridge) Once you get to the other side you will see a small island to your left. There is a lot of grass behind that island. Watch your graph because there is a deeper ditch running thru the middle of the area. You should be able to catch fish here especially if you fish during the week. There’s not much pressure on the lake on weekdays. Of course the earlier in the day you fish, the better. If you could be here right at daylight, your odds would be much better. Start on top, then move to the worm.

I’ll try to post more reports before you head this way if I can. I have a BFL in 3 weeks, so I’ll be spending as much time as possible on the north end of the lake.

I hope this will help.

 

[webfoot]

Thanks for the info, I am fairly familiar with the areas you are talkining about, meaning I have general knowledge where they are. One of the things that I wondered and you answered was is there still grass in the general area. The last time I was there it was full of grass and you could catch a lot of fish up in the shallow water near the channel. Thanks for the info and if I can help you on any east TN lakes let me know, I will try to return the favor.