Kentucky Lake: Water Level at Ky Dam - 355.94 Surface Temperature - 58
Lake Barkley: Water Level at Barkley Dam - 355.80 Surface Temperature - 58

Both lakes are two feet over winter pool and on a drawdown. The lakes are now dropping about 6 inches a day as the TVA continues to pull the water back down after the lakes flooded two weeks ago. We should see some stability in the water levels as they reach near winter pool sometime early next week barring any more large influxes of water. The Largemouth Bass fishing has been good for numbers but numbers of quality fish are still evading most anglers. The best bite this week has been early in the morning and late in the evening on the flats in the creeks and bays as schools of Largemouth are feeding on schools of baitfish. These fish have been good on topwater walking baits this week along with some on spinnerbaits and flat sided lipless crankbaits. Although not many fish over 3lbs are being taken on this pattern, good numbers are being taken. The bigger Largemouth are being taken on secondary points and lead in channel banks but they seem to be scattered. The pattern for the larger fish I was running before the draw down of ripping spoons and lipless crankbaits in deeper water under schools of shad has slowed this past week with the deeper shad seemingly being scattered due to the draw down. I have yet to run into any schools of 4lbs plus fish this fall back shallow, probably due to the fast dropping waters we have had this past week or so. Hopefully the fish will settle down with more stable water levels in the coming week. The White Bass are also being taken back shallow as they school on the baitfish. We also are continuing to catch some big Channel Catfish on the shallow flats in the creeks and bays while fishing with spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits for Largemouth. Although I have not received any reports on the Catfish this week, I would expect one could do well with some jugs lines in the back halves of the creeks and bays right now. The weather forecast for tomorrow and Saturday look good with highs in the mid 60's and lows in the mid 40's. The Sunday forecast is for highs in the upper 50's with a slight chance of showers. Water temperatures are in the ranges now for some great late fall fishing and the forecast is good so this would be a great weekend to get out and enjoy the good weather while it lasts. Please be aware that the water temperatures are now in the range for hypothermic conditions should you have a mishap on the water. Take precautions to have a survival kit with you in the boat and let someone know where you are going to be fishing and your expected return time as well as have them check to make sure you made it off the lakes safely.

FLASH: I would like to remind all the hunters out there that discharging your firearm toward the water is inviting disaster. There are a lot of folks fishing on the lakes. Last week while in Ginger Bay someone fired two shots, deer hunting I assume. Obviously the first one missed their target and ricocheted off the water about 30 feet from my boat. Remember, it is not worth a chance for a shot at a deer to risk the life of an innocent bystander if you miss. DO NOT SHOOT TOWARD THE WATER PLEASE.

Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass are being taken on the flats in the backs of the creeks and bays as they are feeding on schools of baitfish. These fish are being taken on topwater lures, spinnerbaits and flat sided crankbaits. Largemouth are also being taken in the creeks and bays on secondary points and lead in channel banks on topwater lures, crankbaits, suspending jerkbaits and shaky head worms. Some Largemouth are also being taken along creek channels in 12-18 ft of water by ripping spoons and lipless crankbaits under the deeper schools of baitfish.

Smallmouth Bass: The Smallmouth Bass fishing has been spotty but some fish are being taken on the main lake points and first secondary points in the creeks and bays on crankbaits, suspending jerkbaits, tube jigs and grubs.

Some of the productive lures reported this week are: Lucky Craft Sammy in ghost pearly lemon and aurora black, Hook Some Bass spinnerbaits in blue glimmer, Strike King red eye shad in sexy shad and blue/chrome, Strike King crankbaits in sexy shad, Bandit crankbaits in rootbeer/chartreuse, Lucky Craft pointers in chartreuse shad and aurora black, Charmer shaky head worms in green pumpkin candy, Zoom trick worms on shaky head jigs in green pumpkin.

Crappie: Crappie anglers are reporting the fish to be scattered with the drawdown but some good fish are being taken by vertically fishing with small jigs and minnows over brush piles in 10-15 ft of water along the old creek channels in the creeks and bays. The reports indicate that the best pattern is to move from one spot to another as they are getting one or two fish off one spot and then moving. I would expect the Crappie bite to get better as the water levels settle down.

White Bass: White Bass are being taken on the flats in the creeks and bays as they are schooling on baitfish. These fish are being taken on inline spinners, slow rolling curly tail jigs cast into the feeding schools of fish and also by vertically jigging small spoons and inline spinners under shad schools in 8-15 ft of water.

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ANNOUNCEMENT:
I will be teaching the class on "How to Eliminate Water" again this winter since it was so popular last winter and the feedback from the folks that took the class has been so good. Also I have had a lot of requests to offer this class again so I am now taking bookings for the classes. I will be offering the classes during November, January and February.

Here are the timeframes for class availability:
November: 1 thru 30 (I will also be guiding in November so the number of days available for classes is dependent upon how many guide trip bookings I have for that month, if you want a date in November you should book asap)
January: 4 thru 31
February: 1 thru 24

I teach this class as a "one on one" so I do not do large groups. Classes are limited to one or two people. The price for the class is the same as last year: 100.00 for one person or 150.00 for two people. This class is taught in my home here at the lakes. This class is a 5 hour class. The class normally starts at 8:00 a.m. but times can be adjusted and even taught during the evening hours to accommodate your work or travel schedule.

What you will learn in the class:
How to Eliminate 80% or more of the water before you ever leave the house (trip preplanning) using a topographical map **
How to locate the highest percentage spots to be holding bass anytime of the year.**
How to make adjustments on the water when the weather/water conditions change **
Tips on lures, techniques, alternate patterns **
Questions and Answers: A chance to go one on one with me to answer your questions about these lakes, bass etc....

** This information can be applied to any lake with a shad forage base.

If you would like to book a date for this class, you can do so by calling me at 270-354-5039 or drop me an email. If you have any questions about the class, please feel free to call me. The best time to call me between now and the end of November is between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. central time as I am on the water every day this month and also will be guiding when not teaching classes in November. If you call and no one answers, leave a message on my answering machine with your name and number and I will call you as soon as I return.

If the response to this class is anywhere near as it was last winter, you should make your reservation asap to ensure you can get the date you want.

FLASH: All persons attending one of the classes mentioned above will have their name entered into a drawing which will be held on February 28th, 2010. The lucky winner of the drawing will receive five (5) custom painted lures from MOAB Custom Baits (www.moabcustombaits.com). Also, anyone attending these classes will also receive a tackle pack which will have some of my favorite lures from Charmer Baits (www.charmerbaits.com) , Hook Some Bass Lures, and D&L Tackle (www.dandltackle.com).

********************************************************************* As per my normal seasonal schedule, I will be shutting down my guide service until late February next year as of November 30th. I am currently totally booked until November 30th with no available dates. If you are wanting a guided trip for some of the winter fishing here on Ky/Barkley, give me a call and I will be happy to refer you to another service that does guide here during the winter months. We do have some good winter time fishing here on the lakes, I just do not guide in the winter time as I need a break since I do guide 7 days a week from late February thru November. Per the announcement above, I will be teaching classes in January and February and these classes are a great way to prepare you for a more productive bass fishing season next year whether you are a just for fun bass angler or a tournament angler.

Now is the time to make your reservations for next year. I am taking reservations for the new season so do not delay in making your reservation, especially for the spring fishing or you may not be able to get the date(s) you want. Just give me a call or drop me an email and we will get you booked now.

FLASH: A gift certificate for a guided bass fishing trip makes a great Christmas gift for your favorite bass angler. Now is the time to drop those hints to your spouse or friend that you would like to have one of these for Christmas or any other special occasion such as your birthday. Certificates bought now are good through November 30, 2010. If you would like to purchase one of these certificates, give me a call or drop me an email.

Dave Stewart
Bass Buster Guide Service
270-354-5039
"Fish with a Professional"
E-Mail: EMAIL ME
WEBSITE: CLICK HERE