Surface temperatures this week stayed in the 87 to 88 degree range. Water color is clear across the reservoir. TVA’s gradual winter drawdown is underway so anglers can expect a slow but gradual fall in lake levels for the next few months. Elevation this weekend was projected to be in the 358.5 range in the Kentucky Dam sector and slightly lower upstream around New Johnsonville.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Largemouth are being taken on the ledges on the main lakes and around the mouths of the deeper creeks and bays. The ledge bite is slow. These fish are being taken with Carolina rigged creature baits, Texas rigged large worms, jigs, drop shots, shaky heads and swim baits. Largemouth are also being taken early and late in the day in the backs of the creeks and bays on top water lures where they are feeding on schools of fry. Largemouth are also being taken in the creeks and bays on channel banks and secondary points, especially those with wood cover. These fish are being taken on spinner baits, shaky heads, Texas rigged creature baits and finesse jigs.
SMALLMOUTH BASS: Smallmouth are being taken on main lake points and on the ledges. These fish are being taken on Carolina rigged creature baits, jigs and swim baits. This bite is slow also.
Crappie: Summer crappie have continued to bite but their patterns have been a bit different compared to years past. Several fish have been taken this week still lingering within larger bays. Traditionally, the fish opt for midrange depths but out in main lake areas that are close to deep water. For some reason several crappie are holding on to depths of 11 to 14 feet within bays off the main lake. Apparently the fish are following their forage and laying with the midrange depths where shad are residing. Stakebeds and brushpiles have given up several fish lately for anglers stalking the structures while using live minnows and jigs tipped with minnows. A few fish have been taken on jigs only but the fish are showing a preference for that live minnow this time of year.
Bluegill/Red Ears: A few bluegills and redears have been caught while trolling. Find a long flat in about 10 feet of water and let the current slowly move the boat along. Bounce a piece of crawler on a bare hook with a split shot one foot above the hook and be ready. Bluegill continue to be taken on the edges of some steep banks where overhanging trees holding mayflies are attracting several. Casting slip bobbers armed with crickets or nightcrawlers has been productive at times.
Catfish: Catfish are hitting pretty good when current is moving. Some big fish have been taken along the main river channel bank by anglers fishing chicken liver, nightcrawlers and cut skipjack. Depths of 40 to 45 feet have produced some of the monster size catfish as of late. Some catfish are still lingering around the 14 foot depth range too as crappie anglers continue to tie into one now and then while vertical fishing jig and minnows around stakebeds.
White & Yellow Bass: There have been a lot of surface action or jumps in the mouths of bays. The jumps don’t last long but can be a lot of fun if you are lucky enough to be within casting distance. White Bass are also being taken by vertically fishing with blade baits and inline spinners along the river channel ledges. A few White Bass are being taken around Mayfly hatches early in the morning in the creeks and bays on inline spinners. Fishermen have been catching some White Bass while bass fishing during the early morning hours on top water baits in the shallows in the backs of the creeks and bays before the sun gets up on the water.
