Bass Fishing Forum

*September 17, 2017*

*Kentucky Lake: Water Level at Kentucky Dam - 355.36 Surface Temperature
- 76*
*Lake Barkley: Water Level at Barkley Dam - 355.40 Surface Temperature -
76*

*Both lakes are 3.5 feet below summer pool. Kentucky Dam was generating at
an average rate of 30,300 cfs at mid day today. Barkley Dam was generating
at an average rate of 18,200 cfs at mid day today. * *The latest lake
levels , current flows and forecasts for all the TVA lakes can be found at
http://www.tva.com/river/lakeinfo/index.htm.*

*Current Conditions: *I did not write my weekly fishing report this past
Thursday because I had not been on the lake last week. We had lake wind
warning out last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with strong north winds and
I was off Thursday with a doctor's appointment. As those of you that
follow my weekly report know, I will not write a report unless I have
verified information thus no report was written. I did get out this
weekend and have been telling you in my last reports that I would let you
know when the early fall transition has actually begun. We had below
average temperatures during the early part of last week and the water
temperatures dropped to 74 by Wednesday.

This started moving the shad and some of the large schools of small
threadfin have shown up now in the shallows in some of the creeks and
bays. These schools of small threadfin showing up in the shallows signals
the beginning of the fall transition. Not all the creeks and bays I
checked this weekend had these schools in them yet but this is normal and
it won't be long until there are schools of these small baitfish in all of
the creeks and bays. The transition to full fall patterns usually takes
about 6-7 weeks so I expect the bite to still be somewhat scattered as the
shad are moving now with the bass following. We caught bass, both short
fish and keepers around these large schools of shallow young shad this
weekend on top water lures early then on lipless crank baits and spinner
baits this weekend. We also took fish on shakey heads and finesse jigs on
secondary creek channel points in the creeks and bays but most of these
fish were short fish and somewhat scattered.

The water temperatures have risen a couple of degrees over the past couple
days with the heat returning and probably will rise a little more this week
with the forecast having day time highs in the mid to upper 80's and night
time low's in the 60's through this next week. There is also a chance of
scattered thunderstorms in the forecast for Monday evening, Tuesday morning
and Tuesday night.

I also received a report from a friend of mine today of some Smallmouth
being taken around shallow rock with close deep water access on finesse
jigs on Lake Barkley this weekend.

*Largemouth Bass:* Largemouth are being taken on primary points on the main
lake. These fish are being taken on Texas rigged large worms, drop shot
rigs, shaky heads, Carolina rigged creature baits and jigs. Largemouth are
also being taken on secondary points in the creeks and bays as well as on
main lake points and shallow flats early and late in the day on top water
lures as they are feeding on schools of small threadfin. Largemouth are
also being taken on shallow flats in the creeks and bays and on the main
lake early and late in the day on top water lures. Largemouth are also
being taken on shallow flats in the creeks and bays as they are feeding on
schools of small threadfin. These fish are being taken on lipless crank
baits, spinner baits and square billed crank baits.

*Smallmouth Bass:* Smallmouth are being taken on rocky main lake points and
secondary points in the creeks and bays. The fish are being taken on top
water lures early, finesse jigs and shaky heads.

*Productive Lures:* Some of the productive lures reported this week are
Lucky Craft Sammy and Lucky Craft Gunfish in ghost pearl lemon, Strike King
spash baits in white, Strike King Red Eye Shad in chrome "woops"y shad and "woops"y
shad, Strike King square billed crank baits in "woops"y shad, D&L jigs in
"oops" and cumberland craw, Slong's jigs in cumberland craw and black/blue,
Charmer lizards and timber pups on Texas rigs and Carolina rigs in green
pumpkin, green pumpkin/blue and watermelon/purple, Charmer shaky head worms
and zoom trick worms on shaky head jigs in green pumpkin and
watermelon/purple and Zoom fluke junior in white and variations of green
pumpkin robo worms on drop shot rigs.

*White Bass:* White Bass are being taken along main lake ledges and flats
as well as ledges around the mouths of the creeks and bays with in line
spinners and blade baits fished vertically as well as by trolling medium
running crank baits in these areas.



*IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON VISITING OUR LAKES I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING
BUSINESSES FOR ALL YOUR FISHING AND BOATING NEEDS:*

*Fisherman's Headquarters* is located in Draffenville at the U.S. 68/U.S.
641 triangle, or the Draffenville "Y". FHQ stocks everything an angler
could need, from live bait, hooks and bobbers to top of the line tournament
bass tackle. More than a "bait and tackle" store, Fisherman's Headquarters
is a true "pro shop", offering advice, training and special order
assistance not found online or at the big box retailers. Services even
include custom electronics training and installation. The store offers a
wide variety of nationally known brands as well as many regional and hard
to find items we use on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes. They stock many of the
products I rely on daily, such as Charmer Baits, Slong's lures, Picasso
lures and Pro Tungsten weights. From bluegill to bass and catfish to
crappie, FHQ has you covered! Stop by and visit or phone 270-

*Jet-A-Marina:* If you have a problem with your boat while you are visiting
our great fisheries, let me recommend you have the folks in the service
department at Jet-a-Marina check it out. These folks have a well known
reputation for trying to keep our visitors on the water while they are here
if they can possibly do so, especially you tournament anglers. Hopefully
you will not need this kind of assistance but if you do, you can find
Jet-a-Marina located on U.S. 62 in Calvert City, just a couple of miles
north of Kentucky Dam. Jet-a-Marina also has a great showroom for all your
boating accessories and check out the new Ranger bass boats too as well as
bulk oil at rock bottom prices for your engine. Phone: 270-395-4030.

*GUIDE SERVICE:*

For those of you that may not be familiar with my service: I am a full time
catch and release bass fishing guide. I only guide for bass. I have been
guiding for bass full time on these lakes for over 20 years and bass
fishing the lakes for over 30 years. I do not go out and fish panfish for 4
or 5 days and then try to guide on bass for one or two days.

No one knows everything the bass are doing but one thing is for sure, if
you only fish for bass day in and day out, you will have a lot better idea
of what they are doing and also be familiar with all the different
techniques it takes to be a successful bass angler.

If you book with my service, you will have me as your guide and you will be
guided in the comfort of a late model Z522 Ranger Commanche equipped with
Lowrance HDS electronics and top of the line tackle. I provide just for fun
bass fishing trips, tournament preparation trips, focused teaching trips
and technique instruction. If you are in need of a bass fishing guide give
me a call or drop me an email.


*Available Dates:*

*I have dates available for this month as well as October and November.
Call or email me to make a reservation. Don't miss out on the fall
fishing!*



*Captain Dave Stewart*
*Bass Buster Guide Service*
*www.kentuckylakeguide.com <http://www.kentuckylakeguide.com> *
* <>*
*270-362-9987 <(270)%20362-9987>*
*"Fish With A Professional"*