May Fishing on Kentucky Lake
The weather for the rest of the week looks like we are going to have high temperatures in the 70's with Sunday being the warmest reaching 79. Winds are looking to be East, Northeast, and Northwest directions throughout the week around the 10 mph range. Thursday looks like we could have some thunderstorms with the rest of the week being a mixture of clouds and sun. Not my favorite forecast, but what are we going to do about it? The current lake levels as of this morning are Kentucky Lake is reported to be at 359.36 and rising, and Barkley is 359.45 and falling. The projected levels for Kentucky Lake for the next two days are 359.25 and 359.18. Both lakes are reported to be at 69 degrees with those readings coming from each dam. I am seeing some floating debris, so keep your eyes open while running around on the water. Now, lets talk some fishing. Bass: We have not specifically fished for bass, however I have picked a few up while casting a bluegill bug on gravel banks. From reports I have been given, the first spawners are done and moving out to deeper water. Most people have had their success in the bays' fishing points. There are probably several different patterns that will work at this time of year, such as casting to flooded cover and working boat docks. It really comes down to what you want to do. Bluegill: We have had some decent catches of bluegill this year, but in my boat it has been inconsistent. Every time I think things are going to pick up, we have a cold front, and I have a hard time finding them for a while. I have not found many areas this year where they have been wadded up, so I have really had to scramble around and fish a whole lot of areas. Most of our fish have come on a bluegill bug tipped with a cricket or worm or dragging a cricket on the bottom. Look for gravel and rocky areas in the 2 to 5 foot range. Some wood cover mixed in seems to help.
Catfish: I have looked for these guys specifically on a couple of occasions both deep and under a float, but I struck out. I have been able to catch a few when bluegill fishing. I know people are catching them though, because one of our guide friends has had some really good days. He likes to use shrimp and he has caught them both deep and shallow.
Crappie: We have not fished for crappie in about three weeks. I have not seen hardly anyone fishing for them, but I know they can be caught, because a good friend of mine kept 12 one day last week fishing flats in 12 to 15 feet on minnows. He did tell me, however, that he earned them. Based on that, I would say it was not fast action.
White Bass: We have had some recent trips where we were able to find some white bass, but this also has been inconsistent. We had our luck near the mouths of major bays and creeks near the river channel. Some fish also came on some of the old river islands, as well. We used jigging spoons and in-line spinners.
If you have not been able to make it to Moors this year, now is the time to check it out whether you fish or not. Hopefully, this weather will warm up and stay that way. The scenery is gorgeous. While on the water, we have been seeing eagles, osprey, and pelicans. Moors has so many things to offer to people of all ages, and so does the lake area. For anyone out there that would like to fish, give us a call. We would love to spend time with you on the water and hopefully put some fish in the boat. Thanks again to all of you who have fished with us this year.
