Fishing Report Archives

Here we are in the middle of March with 2020 behind us and we're looking forward to a great 2021 on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes.

I am happy to see things are starting to green up, water temps are heating up, and bass are on the move. This time last year we didn't have a clue what we were getting ready to get into with the Covid situation, but I am glad to see it behind us and things getting back to somewhat normal, every day activity.

A lot of you who read my reports will probably have the same question: "Is the fishing gonna be better this year than the l ast two years?" As many of you know, Kentucky and Barkley Lakes have seen a decline in the past few years. With a combination of a lot of things including bad spawns, lack of bait and vegetation, fishing pressure, and Asian Carp, we have seen major changes in our fisheries.

I talked quite a bit last year about the number of 12 to 14 inch fish we are seeing in the lakes. For the next few years, many of these fish will become keeper size, therefore making tournament results look better and your day on the water more enjoyable.

If we will ever see the "glory days", as some call them, time will tell. I like to say that we have been spoiled over the years to live on one of the best fisheries in the country. We may have to change the ways we think about fishing and make changes to where we look for them.

When conditions and lakes change, we have to change with them to be successful.

Lake Conditions and What's Happening on the Lake

Water Temps: 52-54

Lake Level: 355 could change very quick this time of year with heavy rains down south

Water Color: creeks and main river stained, LBL side of lake cleaner

The lake is in pretty good shape for all the recent rains we have had. As many of you know, this time of year, when we get a lot of rain, it can jump the lake up fast. With the warm nights and warm water temps, the stained, rising water will put those fish right up on the bank and easy to target.

This is exactly what happened last week in the BFL out of Moors Resort. Water came up, warmed up and the fish pulled up all at once, making for a great tournament and a lot of limits caught. I was excited to see this. Take a look at the results at majorleaguefishing.com.

Fish can be found on rock transition banks and creek channel swings in the creeks about half way back. If you find some muddy or stained water, towards the back, fish will be in these areas - best, it seems, in the last couple of weeks. Keep in mind if the water cleans up, we are early enough in the year that the fish could possibly get on the jerkbait bite, a-rig, or swimbait bite again.

Conditions have been perfect for catching fish up on the bank, but for the most part there has been too much current on the main river and the water clarity is too stained for the other techniques to work very well. The last couple weeks have been all about the power fishing techniques. Cranking, Spinnerbaits, and Lipless have been the best patterns. That could change when water clarity clears up.

Techniques and Where

Shallow Cranking - Channel banks in the creeks with rock transition and flat points with shallow water.

Specifics - 6th Sense Crush 50, 6th Sense Curve 55, Rapala DT6, Spro Little John

Colors - Red or Crawdad Colors, Yellow and Mustard Colors

Spinnerbaits - Same areas as crankbaits but when it gets really shallow or alot of cover in the water, the spinnerbait comes into play more

Specifics - Accent Fishing 1/2 oz

Colors - Spring Ding with the red kicker blade in the dirty water, Double willow in the cleaner water, Chart and White Skirt

Lipless - Windy flat rock points

Specifics - 6th Sense Snatch and Quake 1/2 oz, Strike King Red Eye Shads

Colors - Red or Crawdad, Firetiger

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 Caymas CX21 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 are in the area on the north end of Kentucky Lake, make sure to vist us at Hitec Outdoors . We are a full line boat dealership and marine electronics install center. We have lines from Caymas, Crestliner, Avid Boats, and Harris Pontoons. We 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 your 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!