Brandon Hunter

Hello Kentucky Lake Fishing friends! The spring weather has brought what seems like 20 plus MPH winds for over a month now. I suppose that’s part of the spring weather, but I am definitely ready for some calm days. Spring is here, water temps have warmed up, and fish are flooded to the banks with most fish finishing up the spawn or currently spawning. I am looking forward to what this year brings and what is to come for the future of Kentucky Lake. Let’s dive in.

Lake Conditions and What's Happening on the Lake

Water Temp: Low to mid 70s

Lake Level: 358.80 Close to summer pool

Water Color: Clean/Normal Overall

While spring air and water temps warmed up quick this year, the TVA has been slow to bring up the water levels to full pool, due to lack of rain. The good news is, with the lack of rain and stable water levels, the fish should have had a great spawn so far this year. In the past, water levels come up, fish spawn with high water, and TVA drops levels, leaving the eggs high and dry. Several years of this resulted in bad spawning years, but later bringing good spawns. That said, the lake is healthy with great numbers all across the board with all species. I have been so encouraged the last few years of both largemouth and smallmouth numbers.

At this moment, I would say it’s a pretty good bet that the majority of the bass have spawned or are currently spawning. Shad Spawn activity and small fry up shallow are indications, as well as stable water. There will be more waves move up during the next full moon and I anticipate several fish to start making their moves offshore and getting hungry anytime.

That said, there are a lot of ways to catch fish right now. Some pre spawn, spawn, and post spawn fish can be targeted right now, depending on how you prefer to fish. I personally don’t like fishing around the spawn. Overall, the bite gets tougher when fish are on beds. There are ways to catch them, but overall, it gets tougher.

Post spawn is a different story. When fish wrap up from spawning, they get hungry and are a whole lot more predictable. There are a good number of smallmouth that get hungry right after the spawn and we have seen some indications of that on recent trips. Look for shallow bars and gravel with wind on them.

A good number of largemouth are moving around and making their way out. These fish are on lead in and lead out banks from the spawning pockets with a good number still up guarding fry. A lot will change here in the next two weeks and I am excited for what’s to come. I expect this report could be completely different in just a few days with fish moving out. Stay tuned for the next one and keep an eye out on my socials for next reports.

Techniques & Where

Shakey Head - This is probably the most consistent technique for getting bites around the spawn. Lead in banks with rock or gravel in 8-12’ of water. You can catch spawners and fish coming and going with this technique.

Specifics- 3/16oz Jig Head, 6th Sense Fishing Bounce Worm 3.8 and 6.7”, Bodega Craw

Colors- Green Pumpkin, Plum, Watermelon Red

Spinnerbait or Swim Jig- The shad spawn is always a fun way to catch them. This time of year, the shad will spawn on hard areas. Rip Rap, Laydowns, and Gravel are great places to look for it. The swim jig can be great up shallow for those fry guarders or around the shad spawn.

Specifics – Nichols Spinnerbaits or Dirty Jigs Compact Spinnerbait, 6th Sense Divine Swim Jig

Colors- White or Chart Shad, Bluegill Colors

Swimbait- There are many swimbaits that work on Kentucky Lake, but if you’re looking for a bait to throw here for the next month or two that will get a lot of bites, a simple jig head with a small swimbait is a must. Fish around shallow bars with rock or wood.

Specifics- 6th Sense Fishing Finesse Swimbait Head 3/16 or 5/16oz, 6th Sense Fishing Divine 3.2 or 3.8 Swimbaits Colors- Pro Blue, Platinum White, Sexy Shad, Pro Shad

Minnow Bait- A jig head minnow of your choice and a minnow style bait has been proven on smallmouth and largemouth both. FFS is a great tool and it’s proven to be dominated today. When those fish feel pressured, this is a great bait to toss at them to make them bite.

Specifics- 6th Sense Fishing Shindo 5,6”

Colors- Ghost Minnow, Threadfin, 4K Shad

Neko Rig or Dropshot- Great spawning techniques for smallmouth and largemouth both. Hard bottom areas or gravel points. 4-12’ of water.

Specifics- 6th Sense Fishing Bamboosa, 6th Sense Fishing Glitch Worm

Colors- Blue Fleck or Plum, Morning Dawn or Grn Pumpkin

Jerkbait- Post spawn smallmouth love a jerkbait. Fish it around gravel, stumps, and rocks with wind.

Specifics- 6th Sense Fishing Provoke 97 and 106 Colors- Shad Pro, Live Shiner, Shad Burst

*All of the 6th Sense Fishing Baits mentioned in this report can be purchased at 6thsensefishing.com and use code “BHFISHING10” at checkout and save some money. If you are visiting the area or local to Kentucky Lake, I would encourage you to visit the guys and gals at Kentucky Lake Outdoors for a great selection of fishing and hunting goods.

For those of you who are not familiar with my service, I competed for eight years on the Major League Fishing Tour. 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 Vexus VXS21 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 looking at upgrading your marine electronics, needing products installed, or need help learning about your system, I would encourage you to visit Sonar Solutions. We are a full line shop offering anything marine electronics. Call us at 270-460-0733 or visit us online at sonar-solutions.com.

Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram @brandonhunterfishing and @bhunterfishing for anything fishing. Make sure you are following along and subscribe to my YouTube Channel BrandonHunterFishing for updated reports and tips. Please visit brandonhunterfishing.com and shoot me an email to book your next trip. See you on the water!