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The spring months have set in, dogwoods have bloomed and everything is starting to green up. We have had some great weather days here on Kentucky Lake recently. The typical spring winds have made some days tougher, but overall the weather has been really good up until the last couple of days with rain moving in.

Air temperatures have been warm and warming up the water temps rather quick, making those fish move quick and staying active before the major spawns take place.

Recent weights in local tournaments have proven to be very strong. The majority of fish being caught are smallmouth with good numbers of largemouth as well.

Overall the fishing season has started off strong with hopes of everything continuing a trend upward with good numbers, baitfish, and good spawns the last couple of years. I am looking forward to what’s in store for us here on Kentucky Lake in 2024!

Lake Conditions and What's Happening on the Lake

Water Temps: Low to mid 60s

Lake Level: 357 and slowly rising

Water Color: Main river clean, creeks more color from local rains

Fish can be caught a variety of ways right now. The Smallmouth spawn is happening right now and is expected to last through the month of April. There are some largemouth that have spawned, but the majority of largemouth have yet to spawn. Several patterns are working from pre-spawn to spawn to post spawn patterns. It really all depends on the species you are targeting.

The smallmouth population continues to grow and be dominant in local tournaments with several big bags of brown ones being caught this spring. The largemouth are healthy with a lot of good numbers being caught right now.

Techniques and Where

Jerkbaits - Main lake gravel points with channel swing, Transition rock banks leading back into creeks, main lake flats 6-10’ of water with wood or rock.

Specifics - 6th Sense Fishing Provoke 97 or 100 (Colors- Pro Blue Scales, Table Rock Pro, Paranormal 6).

Swimbaits - Channel Swing banks, Gravel on east side of lake, Shallow flats or bars on main lake with 6-10’ of water.

Specifics - 6th Sense Divine 3.2 or 3.8, 5/16 oz Divine Jighead or Ball Head (Colors - Pro Shad, Ghost Ice Minnow) Ignite Frenzy 4” or 4.1” Prey 3/8 oz Jighead (Colors - GBG, Real Deal, Ky Lake Special).

Damiki Rig - Same places as swimbaits but targeting fish with forward facing sonar.

Specifics - 6th Sense Jungle Minnow, Rapala Crush City Freeloader, Missile Baits Spunk Shad (Shad Colors).

Lipless or Chatterbaits - You can still target prespawn largemouth or smallmouth on main lake flats and points, Bars that run across mouths of bays. Fish are transitioning towards the backs of the creeks to spawn and running bank with these baits is a great way to cover water.

Specifics - 6th Sense Duke or Quake (Colors- Red Eye, Reds or Shad) Zman Jackhammer 1/2 oz Shad, Black and Blure or GP if water is stained.

Shallow Crankbaits - Squarebills or flat side shallow running baits are a great choice when fish are moving. You can cover water and move around alot. Those windy days, these are great ways to move and cover water.

Specifics - 6th Sense Pressure Series PD4 or PD7 Reds or Shad Colors, Crush 50 Squarebills.

Ned Rigs or Small Jigs - Ned Heads and Small Jigs are always a great bait to have tied on in the spring months. Fish will group up around current breaks on the main lake close to deep water around channel swings on the east side of the lake.

Specifics - Owner Block Heads or 6th Sense Ned Heads with Boosa Ned or Ned Fry, Dirty Jigs Luke Clausen Finesse Jigs 5/16 in Green Pumpkin, Alabama Craw, Brown Craw, Canterbury Craw.

For those of you who are not familiar with my service, I competed for eight years on the FLW Tour and continue to compete in the MLF Toyota Series Events. I am a full time, licensed and insured Captain, with first aid and CPR certification. I offer one-on-one training, technique-specific trips, fun bass fishing trips, and electronics training in your boat.

I would love the opportunity to share a day with you in my Vexus VXS20 or in your own boat to get your electronics dialed in. I am here to help you and to help you become a better angler and to give you confidence in your equipment.

If you're in the area on the north end of Kentucky Lake, make sure to visit us at Hitec Outdoors. We are a full line electronics dealer/install center and also have a great selection of bait and tackle for your trip to the lake. Come see us!

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @brandonhunterfishing and @bhunterfishing for anything fishing. Make sure you are following along and subscribe to my YouTube Channel BrandonHunterFishing. Please visit brandonhunterfishing.com and shoot me an email to book your next trip. See you on the water!