WATER LEVEL KENTUCKY LAKE: 357.3

WATER TEMP KENTUCKY LAKE: 83 DEGREES

WATER LEVEL LAKE BARKLEY: 357.4

WATER TEMP LAKE BARKLEY: 83 DEGREES

The lakes are both about 1 ½ feet below summer pool with water clarity slightly stained. Cooler days and nights in the low 60’s have cooled the water temps 5 degrees in the last week. The forecast is for more of the same for the next several days with rain predicted early in the week which should lower lake temps further. The Crappie has shown vast improvement with the cooler temps taking jigs over structure in 8 to 16 feet of water. The Bass are beginning their summer to fall transition with the fish moving on top of the main lake flats and into the grass beds on main lake points and the mouths of the bays and creeks. The White Bass fishing has improved with most of the fish being caught on top of the main lake river channel ledges in 13 to 20 feet of water on spoons and in-line spinners. The Bluegill are moving into the Crappie structure with some quality fish being taken on meal worms and crickets fished vertically over structure in 8 to 18 feet of water. The Cat fishing has been slow recently with the lower oxygen content in the deeper water causing the fish to suspend in the river channels. The fishing should continue to improve in the near future with all species as the water continues to cool.

LARGEMOUTH BASS: The Bass are starting their summer to fall transition as the water cools and the Shad move to shallower water. Fish are becoming active on the main lake flats during the early morning and late evening hours and during periods when there is current present. Look for surface activity, schools of shad, and Gulls feeding to tip you off as to the location of Bass. Most of these flats are large areas of water and the fish will roam as they feed on large schools of Shad. The most effective baits are ones that you can cover a lot of area with and work fast as these fish are aggressive. Buzzbaits, topwaters, spinnerbaits, shallow to medium running crankbaits, and lipless crankbaits are the baits that perform best when fishing this pattern. Make sure and match the bait color to the Shad they are feeding on, chromes, Shad patterns, whites, bones, and blue glimmer are the best bets to catch these active fish. The Bass are also starting to move into the grass beds on the main lake points and gravel bars. These fish are most aggressive during the early morning and late evening hours when they are receptive to topwaters, rats, and spinnerbaits but can be caught all day by switching to Texas rigged plastics fished with the lightest weight you can cast. The ledge fishing is still good especially near the areas where large flats exist. As the day progresses and the sun gets higher the fish on the flats simply move back to nearby ledges where they can be taken on large Texas rigged worms, slow-rolled large spinnerbaits, and jig/trailer combinations.

SMALLMOUTH BASS: The Smallies are starting to show up on their fall haunts as the water has cooled with fish being taken in the early morning hours on main lake gravel and chunk rock points on topwaters and spinnerbaits. As the day progresses try pulling out deeper and fishing with Carolina-rigged plastics in greenpumpkin, and watermelon colors, small plastics rigged on a shakey-head jig, finesse jigs, and casting spoons.

CRAPPIE: The Crappie are in the early stages of their fall migration gradually moving from the main river ledges to the secondary channel ledges. Last week I took 13 quality fish in 3 hours on 1/8 oz. jigs rigged with 3 in. twister tails in Chartreuse/Glitter color fishing secondary channels over structure in 10 to 14 feet of water during an evening charter. As the water continues to cool the Crappie fishing will continue to get better peaking in mid-October to mid-December.

WHITE BASS: The Whites are being taken on the river channel ledges in 12 to 25 feet of water casting in-line spinners and vertically jigging ½ oz. spoons.

CATFISH: The Blue Cats are being caught on main lake in 30 to 50 feet of water on large minnows and Yellow-Tail Shad around stumps and creek channel cuts on the main river ledges. The Channels are being taken in 15 to 25 feet of water on shrimp/leech combinations on secondary channels and ledges at the mouths of the creeks.

BLUEGILL: The Gills are being taken on Crappie structure and sand and gravel bars at the mouths of the creeks and the bays on meal worms and crickets. Many of these fish are quality running up to ¾ of a pound. Last fall was some of the best Bluegill fishing I have seen on the lake and I would expect more of same this year.

SEASONAL REMINDERS:

Tournament fishermen don’t forget to book your pre-fishing dates for those fall classics and year end tournaments!

Crappie fishermen, now is the time to reserve your dates for the fall Crappie run. We are already booked solid on several dates so contact us soon to insure your trips!

Sauger fishermen, last year was a banner year for these tasty fish both in size and numbers so contact us for some great action and fantastic eating!

Bass fishermen, we are quickly approaching that exciting time of year when topwater baits rule so contact us for this exciting angling experience!

Don’t forget to take advantage of our Fishing Packages! You can find the pricing on my website for the upcoming fall and winter seasons.

HOPING TO STRETCH A LINE WITH YOU SOON !

Capt. Kevin “Fish” Frey

Capt. Kevin “Fish” Frey
TOLL FREE CALL -1-888-367-5119 Reservations only
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