Lake Conditions:  Overcast - 50° / Lake Temperature  57° - 357.15'
Cadiz, Kentucky
Cadiz, Kentucky
Cadiz, Kentucky
Closer Than You Think

Baitfish More Abundant Than Previous Years

Written by Scott McGlinchey - Published on July 6, 2020

We are in the middle of summer and many fish have taken to deep water for comfort and to find an area to ambush baitfish. Toward the end of May and into early June bass make their way to offshore ledges starting on first arrival drop offs then all the way out to the river channel ledges.

This year and last year the main river ledges were not at their best for bass fishing. When they get out there in late May and June they'll spend some time recovering from the spawn. They can be on the slim side, many with eggs dissolving in their stomachs, and they are ready to feed and eat as many baitfish as possible.

With the main river ledges not producing as well this year, I made adjustments and continued to fish the first arrival drop offs. In particular, I focused on areas that have stumps and sunken brush piles. I have had some really productive fishing days and some tough days fishing the drop offs. Some days they seem to bite according to the solunar prediction and other days they bite all day.

There are some differences with this summer as compared to the last summers. This year we have a 100 times more schools of baitfish roaming offshore. Many fisherman have noticed the schools of fry offshore roaming on the surface. A month ago these fry were about the length of a fingernail and now they are about an inch long and skinny in appearance.

The good thing with having so many baitfish is that there is plenty bait for gamefish to eat which is something we have not had since 2016. Another positive note is that the fall fishing in 2019 and the spring fishing in 2020 was better than the two previous years.

Having abundant baitfish and more productive fall and spring fishing are definitely signs Kentucky Lake is on its way back to great fishing. On another note there are more 15 to 17 inch bass in the lake than the last few years. So the signs are good that better fishing is coming. The lack of baitfish affects all gamefish. There are many small schools of fish feeding on the surface this year which is something we have not seen in a few years.

There is a good mayfly hatch going on so a lot of fish have moved to the areas where mayflies are attached to over hanging trees and the result is all seizes and species of gamefish will be nearby.

I am still catching bass from ledges in 10 feet down to 25 feet primarily using a 10 inch worm and sometimes a smaller worm or finesse bait. Occasionally I will use a giant spinnerbait or crankbait as a change up to trigger a big fish to strike.

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I can show how to use your electronics to catch more fish on any lake. 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.



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