Kentucky Lake 7-24-24
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
Fishermen are turning the page on the calendar as July fades into August. Since last week the Kentucky Lake fishing scene has experienced slightly cooler temperatures and lake levels continue to fall slowly while still pretty much on schedule for TVA’s drawdown. Lake levels at Kentucky Dam were hanging around the 358.2 range but saw a slight fluctuation a few days in the aftermath of some thunderstorms that drenched the region. Some days fishermen had to dig out the raingear. Surface temperatures were staying in the 82-to-86-degree range. Watercolor remains clear.
At midweek a slight increase in discharge rates at Kentucky Dam added a little more current to the Tennessee River channel. TVA had increased it to 26,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) at midweek, which increased some from last week’s sluggish flow.
The summer catfish bite has been somewhat below average the last week or two due to low flows. It should improve as more water pushing through the system usually stimulates the bite. Most cat fishermen lately have reported below average numbers of blue and channel catfish in their daily creel. Usually those stalking the main river channel banks this time of year are drifting slowly with the current while bottom bumping depths of 40 to 50 feet. Lately the catfish bite has been somewhat lethargic. When schools of baitfish are not roaming it curtails the activity of schools of catfish, resulting in a diminished bite. That scenario can vary from day to day once increased current enters the picture.
The summer crappie picture has held up decent for a few veteran anglers which have deep main lake structure in their sights. Depths of 18 to 25 feet have given up a few fish when anglers target that deep structure. Once hot weather kicks in most summer crappie anglers rely on the use of live minnows. However, some choose to tip a jig with a minnow to entice bites from finicky fish. There have been a few fish still lurking around midrange stake beds and brush piles in the 14-foot depth range but most of the better stringers are coming from deeper structures.
Scattered and inconsistent reports of white bass in the jumps have been witnessed out along the edge of the main river channel and adjacent sandbars. The schools of minnows attract the aggressive white bass at times, resulting in surface feeding frenzies when they corral shad and push them out over shallow areas. Anglers can expect the white bass feeding sprees to improve throughout August as lower lake levels and schooling baitfish during the calm dog days of summer reveal the whereabouts of both baitfish and white bass on the prowl.
Still stalking the main lake ledges have been avid summer bass anglers tossing their arsenal of big deep diving crankbaits, swimbaits, Carolina rigs, Texas rigged worms plus some jigging spoons at times. Like the cat fishermen summer bass anglers rely on current to help their cause. Moving water helps put minnows around structure as they seek areas of eddies that form on the down current sides of logs, tree laps and bridge piers. Find the minnows and you’ll find some bass. Without current the schools of baitfish roam, which makes it tough on the shallow water bite.
Those fishing main lake ledges know that deep sandbar irregularities or humps can divert the current just enough to attract schools of baitfish to their locale with bass hot on their trail. Bass anglers are usually glued to the screens of their sonar units attempting to find balls of baitfish activity. Anglers closely monitor the depth of baitfish while watching for bigger fish sightings as the bass attempt an ambush. Lately the bite has been challenging for most summer bass fishermen but that too can change at the drop of a hat once the current picks up.
A few mayfly hatches have been underway with some big hatches occurring around the thunderstorms. Seems fly hatches are triggered by the sudden low-pressure surge of thunderstorms. Both bass fishermen and some pan fishermen who love tossing ultralight tackle can find fast action once low overhangs are discovered. They provide a canopy of shade loaded with a buffet, so bass and bluegill seize the opportunity.
The midsummer dog days are here!
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