Kentucky Lake report from Steve McCadams

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Quoted from Steve...

"Crappie fishing has improved for Kentucky Lake anglers lately and it seems to have put a little pep in the step for fishermen anxious to get this fall fishing scene going. Autumn officially arrives next Monday on the calendar.

Despite some above average temperatures since September arrived crappie have moved up a bit and occupying structure in mid range depths of 9 to 14 feet. Several nice stringers were taken lately and most fishermen feel there’s a better fall fishing season ahead.

It appears somewhat cooler days are in the forecast too as the last two weeks have seen above average temps setting records and topping out in the mid to upper 90’s. By this weekend highs will remain in the 80’s and stay that way according to the weatherman’s long range forecast.

Surface temps this week were in the 82 to 83 degree range. Watch for cooler nights and somewhat mild days ahead to pull that down into the 70’s by next week.

Meanwhile, the crappie bite has stimulated interest among the ranks of fishermen who logged a lot of unproductive days earlier this spring and summer. Experiencing the improvement has been a welcomed change.

Each year crappie transition from their deep summer venues and follow their forage base toward midrange to shallow areas as surface temps cool. Already underway has been that migration toward midrange depths in main lake flats and back into large bays as the fish follow schools of shad.

Most successful anglers have been relying on live minnows or jigs tipped with minnows. A few anglers reported using only jigs at times and catching fish too.

As of late the vertical style of bait presentations have paid the most dividends. The fish have acclimated toward structure lately and that pattern should hold up well for the next few weeks.

Not many crappie have moved up to shallow structure just yet but that will change once surface temps cool and rainy, cloudy days descend. You know it’s dry when even fishermen are yearning for rain!

Earlier this year around late May and early June there were positive signs of shad fry roaming the shorelines and weedbeds. It appeared a good spawn took place and by early summer huge schools of shad fry---which anglers often refer to as pin minnows--- could be seen swimming around boat docks, treelaps and even out in the main lake areas.

Anglers haven’t seen a good hatch like that in the last 3 years so there is reason among the ranks for optimism. Bass, crappie and all anglers benefit from a good forage base and it appears that’s already helping the early fall crappie bite as fish are quite healthy.

Fall crappie fishing is often overlooked and underrated by most anglers. The season has several attributes, namely stable weather and water levels plus light winds. Another plus is light fishing pressure as you can fight fish without having to fight the crowd!

I look forward to hearing from you. Fall fishing is indeed worthy of consideration. "

Steve McCadams

Professional Guide

Fishing Guide Kentucky Lake

655 Anderson Drive

Paris, TN 38242

(731)-642-0360

[shipahoy41]

Thank you my friends for reading this report.

Mike