Steve McCadams

Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene has been sizzling. Not necessarily from the bite but from the crazy heat that has dominated for well over a week.

The weatherman indicates a reprieve from the above average heat and humidity is on the way and by later this weekend and into next week temps are expected to fall back to normal. The heat index last week diminished activity out there on the big pond. Some boats are always out there but the heat and humidity definitely diminished activity.

A few fishermen were hitting the lake at first light and logging a few hours before the sun rose high in the sky and started calling the shots. Most were fishing a half day and then tossing in the towel.

Lake conditions this week saw the reservoir holding steady at the normal summer pool elevation of 359. Starting this week TVA begins its seasonal drawdown toward winter pool so lakers will begin to see lower lake levels in the weeks and months ahead.

It’s done on a gradual basis so the lower lake stages will be implemented slowly. Each year TVA implements it start of winter drawdown beginning in early July.

Gradually the reservoir is lowered to create more storage capacity for the fall and winter months.

Meanwhile, surface temperatures lately have risen to the 87 to 88 degree range some days. Water color remains clear. TVA has been releasing around 40,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) of water through Kentucky Dam, which has kept a little current in the main river channel.

Mayflies have been hatching across the lake and there always seems to be massive numbers around the Fourth of July holiday period.

If you want to get in on some fast fishing action then keep your ultra-light rod and reel combo handy. Casting small grubs and beetle spin type lures will appeal to both bluegill and bass feasting on this natural buffet.

Casting crickets beneath a slip bobber works great too. Getting young kids or old folks introduced to the bobber disappearing quickly knows no limits. Anyone can be young again when the bobber disappears!

Bass anglers are still targeting main lake ledges and tossing mostly big deep diving crankbaits in shad colors. Texas rigged worms in pumpkin and green pumpkin-pepper are paying dividends as are some Carolina rigs and swim baits.

Schooling bass are chasing schools of threadfin shad so if you can locate some schools the action can be pretty good. White bass have been seen busting the surface at times and the largemouth and smallmouth are running right there with them at times.

Not all the bass on Kentucky Lake are deep. There’s still some anglers fishing the shallow shad schools of pin minnows. Finding the pin minnows will put you in the fish. From some weedbeds to treelaps along the edge of main river island rims; locate the pin minnows and you’ll locate bass.

Despite the hot weather and high surface temps it seems there’s always a shallow bite underway here. Other places to consider are boat houses and bridge piers. The pin minnows love the shady spots.

Tossing a spinnerbait, Texas rigged worm or shallow running crankbaits are a few good choices for shallow summer fun. Topwater at times works good too.

Catfish have been relating to the edge of the main Tennessee River channel as they often do during the summer months. A slow current has been present and that has seen the bite hold up pretty good some days.

Depths of 35 to 40 feet have paid dividends. Night crawlers continue to be the bait of choice.

Some boats and pontoons have been jug fishing and having luck. Setting the blocks or various floating bait presentations out a various depths and allowing them to drift in the wind has always been a popular southern summer technique.

A few stringers of crappie have been taken by anglers using live minnows around structure in the 13 to 15 foot depth range. Some deeper at times but the crappie will bite even in hot weather, especially if you get out early before the sun gets high in the sky.