Fishing Report Archives

Hello from the Excel Storm Cat 230.

The first major boating holiday of the year is upon us, and many fishermen feel the same way I do. Let’s let the recreational boaters have the lakes until Tuesday. I’ll be finishing up a guide trip, the 6th day in a row, midday Saturday then the Storm Cat goes in the garage. It may get a much-needed bath if I get the notion.

Fishing for big crappie has gotten red hot the last few days. We have seen at least one crappie over 16 inches in each of the last 3 trips. I had a couple from West Virgina on Tuesday then a couple from Indiana on Wednesday and Thursday. They all came to Kentucky Lake to experience our big crappie potential and boy, did they ever find it.

Our big crappie catches have been matched or exceeded some days by the sheer numbers of big white bass and an occasional nice sauger. While some folks don’t care for white bass because of the small amount of red meat on the skin side of the fillets, they can be great table fare as are their cousins, the Yellow Bass.

Catfish have been scarce on Ky Lake in the deep-water areas we are fishing but they did give us several good fights on Lake Barkley last week.

We are still pulling mainly Pico INT cranks. Beachball and DayGlow have been good as have some chrome and minnow finish versions of other brands. 15 to 30 feet areas have been best. Many of the bigger fish are suspended over deep areas and seem to be loners, feeding up then resting after spawning. The largest white bass are coming in pairs and more. They are naturally schooling fish. No surface activity has been noted.

The full moon is coming in the first week of June so blugills and some redears should be bedding in mid to shallow depth areas in bays that have sandy or gravel bottoms. A creek running into the back of the bay is always a plus. Try redworms, popeye jigs with waxworms or whatever your favorite bluegill bait might be.

Catfish are always a hot ticket along rocky banks or riprap in early June. Cut bait, stink baits, or nightcrawlers will be your best bets. Fishing with a slip bobber and suspending your bait a few inches to a foot off the bottom will help keep your hooks from finding those bottom gremlins.

With the holiday weekend will come many boaters who haven’t been on the water since last Labor Day. Tempers can flare at the ramp if you don’t get all your gear loaded into the boat BEFORE backing down onto the ramp. Holding up others is never a good way to start a weekend.

Be considerate! Alcohol is much too common with boaters who ignore boating laws concerning open containers and Boating Under the Influence. Every year we see avoidable deaths on our lakes. Wear your PFDs.

Be careful out there. Help those who need it and watch out for those who will not watch out for you.

Our lakes can be fun for all who use common sense and abide by the laws in place.

Welcome to our slice of Heaven.