Fishing Report Archives

August and all the heat it brought is finally gone. The fishing at Kentucky and Barkley Lakes is back to normal. We have cool nights and days that are bearable. We had a string of smoking hot days and record high temperatures for many days in a row both ambient and water. Having so many hot days did have an impact on the fish and fishing. The top water fishing got off to a normal start then with the super hot temperatures it slowed down but the late summer ledge fishing picked back up.

Bass fishing is good right now and the top water fishing has picked back up. I am still catching big bass on a few ledges and I'm catching some of them with a top water bait. Some days while fishing in 11 to 22 feet a small pack of bass will start busting the shad on the surface so have a top water bait ready. When smallmouth and largemouth come to the surface feeding on shad on a main river ledge you know you are in the right place.

My favorite top water baits for Kentucky and Barkley Lakes are; the strike king sexy dawg, rebel pop r, whopper plopper, and a zara spook. I usually focus on 5 feet and shallower for late summer/fall top water fishing. If the fish are finicky about hitting top water try another shallow water bait like a swim bait, small spinnerbait, and or a jerkbait of some kind.

When I am fishing ledges this time of year I use the 10 inch worm, wobble head, a one ounce single bladed spinnerbait, deep crankbait, and football head with a finesse worm.

This a great time of year to get out and enjoy a great day of fishing on Kentucky or Barkley Lakes.

If you're in town fishing for fun or here preparing for a tournament I am sure I can help you in either department. If you just want to enjoy a day of catching quality bass, panfish, catfish or are wanting to learn how to effectively fish offshore I am as good as it gets! I had excellent results in my career as a baseball and wrestling coach and use the same skills to help my clients learn bass fishing. I have over thirty years of ledge fishing experience and have spent 4000 hours diving underwater on various bodies of water for mussel shells observing fish in their home. If you want to book a trip with me please try to call me as the communication over the phone is much more effective and consumes less time than emails. I do respond to all forms of communication as quick as I can. Please check out and like/follow my Shelldivers Guide Service Facebook page. I will have additional pictures posted there some are underwater photos of fish and shellbeds.