Fishing Report Archives

So far bass fishing at Kentucky and Barkley Lakes has been better than last year! I have definitely caught more 15 inch keeper fish than last year. Every year I am always optimistic that we have had a good spawn. I feel that way because I hope to be positive; I see bass spawning, and I am out there during the waves of fish moving up to spawn so I see it.

It has been a very long spawning period this year and with morning temperatures at 70 degrees there are still bass hanging around spawning flats.

Earlier this week I caught a nice limit of bass and got them by fishing a ten inch worm on summer ledges and with a trick worm from spawning flats and banks. I normally quit fishing the shallow water this time in May due to being able to catch bass from offshore ledges. But this year I am still catching them good in water as shallow as one foot. I actually started catching a few ledge fish two weeks ago and it is starting to pick up now.

To catch early ledge fish start by finding drop offs nearest the spawning flats and use any of your favorite off shore baits. Some of my favorite ledge baits are a ten inch worm, Carolina rig, football head jig, crankbait, and a heavy one-ounce spinner bait.

Once I catch a few summer drop off fish I get excitied and am confident at catching a heavy limit every day. Here at Kentucky Lake bass move out to drop offs as soon as they are done spawning. In contrast on many small reservoirs in the midwest bass don't show up on ledges for a few weeks after the spawn is over.

With bass being mostly done spawning, catfish, bluegills, and red ears have moved up shallow to begin their spawning rituals. During the last couple years the small coves and pockets off the main lake or back in creek arms seem to be better than large flat areas in the backs of bays and creek arms. Catfish prefer to spawn on chunk rock, boulders, and even concrete foundations.

As a guide I specialize in taking people fishing to make sure they get to catch as many fish as possible. However, one of the best values to fishing with me is what you can learn in a day. I know for certain I am as good as anyone can be at teaching any aspect of bass fishing.

If your wanting to gain an edge in your tournament game, I am here to help you. I have had several anglers win tournaments to include championship events. I use the same skills I honed as a baseball and wrestling coach to help anglers better their fishing game!

I have traveled to clients home lakes where I have never fished to teach them how to catch more fish and win tournaments on their favorite lakes/bodies of water. Please checkout and like my Shelldivers Guide Service Facebook Page and my updated shelldiversguide.com website.