Both lakes are one foot over winter pool. Both dams are spilling water due to heavy rains upriver coming thru the lakes. Kentucky Lake has been spilling water at an average rate of around 126,00 cfs over the past few days. Lake Barkley has been spilling water at an average rate of around 59,000 cfs over the past few days. The latest lake levels and flow for all the TVA lakes can be found at: www.tva.com/river/lakeinfo/index.htm .
Well here we are into the third week of January and we are still experiencing the milder late fall weather patterns which have been the benchmark all winter here. Of course this milder weather has continued to keep the Bass and Crappie more active than we normally expect this time of year and anglers continue to report good catches of both species. The current weather forecast reflects that this milder weather will continue through the weekend and into next week. A weak cold front is passing through the lakes area today and the forecast for tomorrow and Saturday is a slight cooling trend with highs in the mid to upper 40's with low's in the mid to upper 30's. A chance of showers if forecasted for both days. The weather is forecasted to rebound on Sunday with high's in the 50's and low's in the upper 30's. This milder weather pattern is in the forecast through the coming week. Of course this is January and this time of year forecasts can change rapidly so be sure to check the latest forecast before you venture on the lakes.
If you are going on the lakes this weekend to enjoy some of the good fishing being reported, take care and be aware of the fact that our water temperatures are in the range for hypothermic conditions so be prepared for this with a survival kit in your boat consisting of a protected set of dry clothes, dry soup and fire starter. Don't forget that cell phone and remember, keep the cell phone in a protected waterproof bag also, they don't work real well after they get soaked. Let someone know where you will launching and fishing and let them know when you expect to return. Winter fishing can be a lot of fun, but it can be a really bad experience if you are not prepared for the possibility of getting wet and/or stranded on the water.
The Alabama rig continues to dominate the reports from bass anglers on the lakes with some reports of Largemouth and Smallmouth also being taken on suspending jerkbaits, single swim baits and jigs. Crappie anglers are still reporting catches of good numbers of fish and although most of the numbers are reportedly just below keeper size, a person can get a good mess of keeper sized Crappie and larger over the course of the day.
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth are being taken on primary points and ledges on the main lakes on Alabama rigs, swim baits, suspending jerkbaits and jigs. The Alabama rig continues to be the dominate technique with some very good catches being reported.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth are being taken on the same patterns, lures and techniques as the Largemouth Bass.
Productive lures reported this week were: Net Baits BK swimbaits in pearl and blue pearl and Big Hammer swim baits in pearl and sexy smelt fished on Alabama rigs. Lucky Craft pointers in aurora black, clown and table rock shad, D&L jigs in Cumberland craw and "oops" patterns as well as some reports of unspecified brand jigs in natural brown colors.
Crappie: Crappie anglers are reporting numbers of fish by spider rigging over deep brush on the main lake ledges in the 15-20 ft depth range. Small jigs and minnows have been the baits of choice. I have received a few reports of minnows under bobbers working in the 10-15 foot range over brush also on warmer afternoons.
HAPPENINGS THIS WEEKEND:
WEST KENTUCKY BOAT SHOW : JANUARY 20 - 22
The West Kentucky Boat Show will be held at the CFSB CENTER in Murray, Ky January 20 through January 22.
Here are the scheduled hours for the show:
Friday, Jan 20: 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, Jan 21 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, Jan 22 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
This year promises to be a great show with some great seminars and attractions. A special treat for the Crappie enthusiasts will be guest speaker Wally Marshall otherwise known as "Mr Crappie" in the world of Crappie fishing. He will be giving seminars at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 20th and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 21st. His seminar is titled "Advanced Crappie Fishing & Jigging Techniques"
Another great attraction to the show this year will be the FLW OUTDOORS Fantasy Fishing Simulator. This innovative Ranger Boat Simulator mimics the action and feel of being out on the water. And you’ll get to experience the excitement of tournament fishing as well as the exhilaration that comes from piloting a Ranger Boat across open waters at high speeds. Folks of all ages are invited to come take a ride!!
John Parks will also be back this year with another great seminar on HD Sonar. John's seminar this year is titled: "HD Sonar - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - Learn to make it work for you" John's Seminar will be at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 21st.
FLW Tour professional Bass anglers Dan Morehead and Terry Bolton will be giving a seminar on Saturday morning January 21st at 11:00 a.m. titled "Winning Bass Fishing Strategies". On Sunday, January 22nd at 12:30 p.m., Terry Bolton will be joined by another FLW Tour professional, Ramie Colson for a seminar entitiled "Bass Fishing Techniques"
As you can see, there will a number of great opportunities to sit in on some great seminars during all the days of the show.
I will also be at the show again this year for a couple of seminars on Bass Fishing. The title of my seminar this year will be: "Bass Fishing Forum" I will be doing something a little different this year at the show than in the past. I will be addressing some of the most often asked questions I get each season from my clients as well as folks that call or email me through out the year with questions. I will also open the floor to the audience for you to ask me the questions you would like to have me address about Bass Fishing. So get your questions ready and bring them to the show with you. If per chance I get more questions than I have scheduled time, I will make myself available immediately after the seminar to answer any questions you have that were not asked during the seminar time. My seminar times this year are: 5:30 p.m. on Friday, January 20th and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 21st. I hope to see a number of my old friends there as well as make some new friends.
In addition to all the other great events going on at the show, Fisherman's Headquarters Tackle Shop will have a booth at the show where they will have some great show specials including the lowest prices on new sonar equipment of the year. My old friend Charlie Hardin will also be at the show with a booth with his very popular Charmer Baits. Charlie will have some of his new line of Lizards at the show so be sure to stop by and be the first to get these new lures for the up coming spring bite, not to mention all the other great Bass producing line of Charmer Baits.
Jet-A-Marina will also be at the show with some of their new line of Ranger and Stratos boats for you to check out and I am sure they will have some show special prices.
Admission and Parking are FREE at the show so bring the whole family!! You can find more information about the show at www.westkyboatshow.com
FLASH: Bass Buster Guide Service has a new phone number: 270-362-9987.
Note: Happily, my wife and I bought a new home we have been wanting but sadly we were not able to keep our old phone number so please make note of the number change above to contact me to book your trips and classes or to just talk fishing. Talking fishing is always a welcome phone call at my house.
WINTER CLASSES:
ELIMINATING WATER (Learn how to eliminate water to find the bass)
I have been teaching a class on how to eliminate water to find the highest percentage fishing spots that will hold more bass, more often for a number of years now. This is a very popular class with my clients and the feedback has been very good from those that have taken the class, both tournament anglers and just for fun bass anglers. I will be offering this class during the months of January and February. These classes are limited to one or two people so that you can have one on one type instruction which provides for a much better learning environment by learning one on one with someone that fishes for bass every day for a living.
One thing is for sure, you can't consistently catch bass unless you know how to find them whether you are fishing ledges, banks, points or shallow flats. You can have all the current electronics available in your boat and all the finest rods/reels and lures, but if you do not have a working knowledge of what makes a spot have the highest percentage chance of holding more bass, more often, you can spend a lot of wasted time searching for fish with a lure and/or your electronics. I developed the information you will receive in this class over many years of study and observations and in fact this is the system I use every day to put my clients on bass whether I am on Kentucky Lake or Lake Barkley. The information you will learn in this class will also apply to other lakes and rivers.
Here is a sample of the typical feedback I receive from clients that have taken this class:
Dave ... Harry and I took your "Eliminating Water" class in January of 2010, and it has helped both of us like you wouldn't believe! - J. Harris
In the past 3 tourney's I have managed to get a limit on 3 separate lakes. Old Hickory, Barkley, and Barren. Managed a 3rd place finish Sunday on Barkley with a 6lb kicker. I have a lot more confidence when I hit the water now. I no longer pull the old "that bank looks good, lets waste a few hours here". Thanks Dave - M. King
Well worth the money - and probably the most valuable thing I have purchased in the terms of fishing. - K. Stephens
That class is without a doubt the best money I've spent on fishing in my life. - D. Page
Prices: 150.00 for one person or 200.00 for two people
Book a class: Just drop me an email or call me and we will get you set up for a class this winter. There are still some dates are available in January and February but available dates are being taken daily right now, so don't wait or you may not be able to get this class this year.
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. If you want a panfish guide, I would be happy to recommend one but if you want bass, that is what I do. If you book with my service, you will have me as your guide. 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. Book your dates now for 2012 season. Don't wait too late or you may not get the dates you want as I am getting a lot of bookings right now for the coming season.
Captain Dave Stewart
Bass Buster Guide Service
270-354-5039
dave@kentuckylakeguide.com
www.kentuckylakeguide.com
"Fish With a Professional"
