Low Water Has Fish Scattered, Ledges Still The Ticket

By Todd Ceisner
BassFan Editor

For the second straight season, Kentucky Lake will be the venue for the fifth of six FLW Tour Majors. Plenty is at stake this week in terms of Angler of the Year points and positioning for berths in the Forrest Wood Cup.

After hitting the lake during a period of high water last June, pros this week are encountering a much different fishery, as it’s still about 18 inches shy of the full summer pool level with very little current moving through the system.

The low water has for the most part negated whatever shallow bite there would’ve been, save for some hydrilla that has sprouted up near New Johnsonville on the south end.

Despite the low-water conditions, the typical Kentucky Lake storylines figure to resurface again this week: Who will hit the magic ledge(s) or schools at the right time? Will a long run south to emerging grass pay dividends for those willing to sacrifice fishing time? Will the low water have anglers stacked up on certain areas? And of course, how will the umbrella rig factor in?

Last weekend, it took 48 1/2 pounds over 2 days to win the Triton Owners Tournament. Some signs are pointing to a slugfest this week and some in the know are thinking 90 pounds might be the magic number.

It’s taken 90-plus to win before at this time of year and, rest assured, there will some stringers in the 25-pound range caught, but backing up catches like that with 18- to 20-pound bags will make all the difference. However, the heavy fishing pressure the lake has received lately, coupled with this and other tournaments scheduled for the weekend, may hamper the big-bag potential.

The weather should be cooperative, unlike last year when a string of wicked thunderstorms hammered the region during the tournament. This week’s forecast looks pretty stable with temperatures expected to push into the mid-80s Thursday and Friday before hitting the 90s on the weekend.

Before breaking things down even further, here’s a quick rundown of the lake(s):

BassFan Lake Profile

> Lake Name: Kentucky and Barkley lakes
> Type of Water: Flood-control reservoirs
> Surface Acres (full pool): Kentucky = 160,000; Barkley = 80,000
> Primary structure/cover: Shallow – flooded buckbrush, vegetation, willows; Offshore – ledges and humps
> Primary forage: Shad, some crawfish and bluegill
> Average depth: Kentucky = 15 feet; Barkley = 8 feet
> Species: Largemouths (mostly), smallmouths (some jumbos), spotted bass (not usually a major factor)
> Minimum length: 15"
> Reputation: Big lake with lots of fish that can be caught many ways
> Weather: After a small front moved through after the first day of practice, the forecast is calling for mainly sunny skies and calm winds
> Water temperature: Upper 70s to low 80s
> Water visibility/color: Stained to somewhat clear
> Water level: 18 inches below full summer pool
> Fish in: 1 to 35 feet
> Fish phase: Summer
> Primary patterns: Crankbaits, Carolina-rigs, football-head jigs, spoons, worms (particularly large ones), swimbaits, umbrella rigs
> Winning weight: 87 pounds
> Cut weight (Top 10): 51 pounds
> Check weight (60th): 24 pounds
> Fishing quality (1=poor, 5=great): 3 for Kentucky/Barkley
> Biggest factors: Timing and current. With the water so low and little to no current, colliding with a key school at the right time will be crucial
> Biggest decision: Stay or go – making the run south could result in bigger bites
> Wildcard: Monster bites. Chances to catch an 8 or better are as good as they’ve ever been.

Bigger And Deeper

The introduction of Florida-strain largemouths several years ago may be the reason behind the sudden increase in the number of 8-plus-pound fish being caught throughout Kentucky and Barkley, says Sam Lashlee, a Kentucky Lake lifer who took 2nd in this year’s EverStart Series event as well as the recent Triton Owners Tournament.

On the 2nd day of the Triton tournament, two 10-pounders were weighed in, as was a 9.92. He says he’s lost track of how many 8s and 9s he’s caught this spring.

“I’ve never seen so many big fish weighed in for this time of year in all of my life,” he said. “It’s crazy how many 10-pounders are showing up.”

He also noted the better fish are holding in much deeper water than usual, in the 30-plus foot range. He partially attributes this to fishing pressure and the low-water conditions.

“I’ve never caught fish as deep as I’ve been catching them,” he added. “They’re not setting up on the ridges and points like they have in the past. There are still some, but those fish seem to be moving a lot. They’re off on the sides now.”

He’s also somewhat convinced that Asian carp are part of the reason the bass are out deeper. Carp fingerlings resemble gizzard shad and seem to hang out in deeper water, in the middle of channels and ditches.

“A lot people think that because those fingerlings are deeper that’s why the bass are deeper than normal,” he said. “Normally on the 1st of June, the fish are up on the ledges and you can catch them everywhere on a (Strike King Series) 6XD. You can just catch 4-pounder after 4-pounder. I’m not finding the 4-pounders on top of the ledges. I’m finding all of the fish either shallow or extremely deep.”

Points, Please

After four Tour Majors last year, the span between 1st and 10th in the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings was 84 points. This year, things are much tighter as David Dudley, who also led after four events a year ago, holds a 4-point edge on 2nd-place Scott Martin. The deficit to Bryan Thrift in 10th, though, is just 43 points. The gap to Andy Morgan, who’s 35th and occupies the unofficial final Cup qualifying position, is 110 points.

Here’s a quick look at the Top 10 in points with two events remaining before the Forrest Wood Cup. The red number in parentheses indicates distance from leader. Note that FLW Outdoors awards points on a single-point-per-place basis. Thus, the winner receives 200 points, 2nd place 199, and so on.

1. David Dudley: 717 points
2. Scott Martin: 713 (4)
3. Jim Moynagh: 706 (11)
4. Cody Meyer: 698 (19)
5. Jacob Powroznik: 694 (23)
6. Jim Tutt: 692 (25)
7. Luke Clausen: 687 (30)
8. Clifford Pirch: 684 (33)
9. Ron Shuffield: 683 (34)
10. Bryan Thrift: 674 (43)

Dudley and Martin are the two most recent Major winners. The other two winners, Brent Ehrler (31st) and Brent Long (57th) have some work to do over the final two Majors if they have designs on fishing Lake Lanier in August. But with how quickly things can and have changed this season in the standings, it’s entirely possible someone in the Top 10 could fall out of Cup contention with two sub-par finishes, clearing room for some late-season rallies. Those holding down a spot among the Top 35 are aware of the importance of execution on each bite from here on out.

This year marks the first time since 2007 that there’s been a different leader after each of the first four events on the schedule.

Field Notes

Here are practice notes from some anglers who'll be competing this week.

Clifford Pirch
“It’s been tough for me, but that’s not unusual for me on Kentucky Lake. I’ve been having fun lately and I really think I can figure something out, but for some reason I’ve really struggled here in the past. It’s not real unusual for me to not be lighting them up, but it’s certainly not wide open from what I’m seeing.

“I have some areas where I think I can catch a few fish. … I’ve caught them on a number of baits. Mainly, I’ve just been scoping stuff out with my (electronics). It’s been 10 hours of StructureScan and 2 hours of fishing. I’m just looking for those schools.

“I spent quite a bit of time on Barkley on (Sunday) and I didn’t notice a big difference between the two as far as action goes. Some guys, I’m sure, are seeing it differently than me. I have caught some deep ones. It just depends on what areas of the lake you’re on. Way down south, they’re catching them shallow if you’re willing to make that run.

“I came here intending to do more shallow fishing. I’ve mainly fished deep in the past and I wanted to change it up. Without all of the bushes in the water, I don’t think the shallow deal is going to be as effective unless you do go to the grass down by New Johnsonville.”

Dan Morehead
“I’m still trying to put it together. The fish are biting good. I’m catching lots of fish. That’s not a problem. It’s the same as always – trying to find the quality bites. I’ve talked to a few guys I know I can trust and I’m hearing the same thing from them, too. Last year, we had super-high water and they pulled a lot of current and it messed the fish up. This year, we’ve had low water and not much current and I think it’s got them goofed up again.

“A lot of the guys in the Triton tournament were fishing 65 miles away from where we are at the dam down at the south end of the lake. It’s not to say that we can’t make that run, but you have to factor in 2 1/2 to 3 hours of running and getting gas. I think a lot of guys are trying to decide whether to make the run. Even though I’ve lived on Kentucky Lake for 40 years, that part of the lake is foreign to me. I’ve opted to stay closer to home and the areas I know well and spend more time fishing and be more efficient at it. I love fishing at home and I love ledge fishing, but it’s a nerve-wracking deal. I’m glad I already have the (Forrest Wood Cup) made.

“It’s amazing how you can have a lake that’s 140 miles long and you’ll always have four or five guys that want to fish the exact same spot. That might be part of my problem. I’ve tried to go off on my own and get away from the better-known community holes. But like Terry Bolton said, ‘They’re community holes for a reason, because they’re darn good places to fish.’”

Koby Krieger
“I think it’s a little tougher than the normal Kentucky Lake. The fish are a lot more scattered. They’re not pinpointed on certain spots like they normally are. Usually, you can just idle around and find a school and then fish for them. Now, it seems like you need to do more fishing for them. They’re roaming around more and I think it’s because of the lack of current. The baitfish are roaming more and the fish are following them.

“There’s not as much as current so they’re scattered about. Last year it was lot easier to catch them -- you’d go to a point and if they’re not there, you’d just go to the next one.

“I’m going to fish both deep and shallow. I’m not doing anything special or different. I’m not catching the numbers I caught last year, but I’m catching enough to not be disappointed.”

Todd Auten
“I’m catching plenty of fish. It’s just catching the quality ones that’s an issue. It seems like every one is 14 1/2 or 14 3/4 inches. I did catch one pretty good one, but for the most part I’m not getting many big bites. I’m finding a lot of schools out deep. You can catch them shallow or deep, but it’s been hard getting a good one. I haven’t quite figured it out yet.

“It’s been real slow for me as far as keepers. It isn’t nearly as good as it was last year for me. There are a lot of schools out there so I’m sure someone’s going to find the mother lode. You just hope those schools have some better fish in them. The thing is in practice you can pull up to a place and catch two or three, but you’d best leave before somebody sees you there.

“It seemed like last year you could catch 14 or 15 pounds just fishing shallow, but I don’t think you can do that right now because of the water levels.”

Cody Bird
“It’s been a bit different with the lake being low. I made the cut last year fishing Barkley. I went over there the first day of practice and didn’t catch the quality I caught there last year. I had a better day (on the second day) on Kentucky Lake. I think the low water has affected Barkley more than Kentucky because it’s a little shallower. The ledges are still deep, but instead of them being in 8 to 10 feet, they’re in 5 to 8 feet now.

“It’s typical Kentucky Lake, though. You can go a long way before catching anything then you’ll collide with one of those schools. It’s just a lot of work. I’m trying to stay moving and find as many schools as possible because you never know who’s going to be camped on them once the tournament starts.

“My goal is to find two schools a day. I’m pretty confident that would be enough to fish. You’re also trying to find stuff that’s not on a chip, something that people may have missed or overlooked.”

Top 10 To Watch

With the above in mind and more, here, in no particular order, is BassFan's recommendation on the Top 10 to watch at this event.

1. Mark Rose – He’s as good as there is at sweeping ledges with a jig. He’s turned things around after an awful start to the year, but still has work to do to make the Cup.

2. Dan Morehead – This is his backyard and aside from a bomb at Beaver Lake, he’s having a career year.

3. Ron Shuffield – He’s quietly put together a stellar season and is typically strong in events where ledges are the focus. He was 15th at Kentucky Lake last year and 7th in 2009.

4. David Dudley – Feeling it right now. Hasn’t finished outside the Top 3 since March.

5. Ramie Colson, Jr. – Had the win in his grasp at KY Lake a year ago, but stumbled on the weekend. Hasn’t finished higher than 50th this season, so a strong finish at home would be soothing.

6. Terry Bolton – A former local, he knows the community holes and the out-of-the-way spots.

7. Jay Yelas – The shallow stuff he fished last year is out of play, but after a 90th at the Potomac he’s due for a solid finish.

8. Andy Morgan – Coming off a bomb at the Potomac, look for him to comb the ledges and climb the standings.

9. Jason Christie – He fell to 25th in points after the Potomac, but he’s comfortable at Kentucky Lake, which fishes like his home waters of Grand Lake.

10. Kevin Snider – Local pick after finishing 2nd to Chad Grigsby last year. He’s 138th in points right now, so rest assured he’ll swing big this week.

Launch/Weigh-In Info

Anglers will launch at 6:30 a.m. CT each day from Kentucky Dam Marina (466 Marina Drive, Gilbertsville, Ky.). Weigh-ins on days 1 and 2 will get under way at 2:30 p.m. CT at Kentucky Dam Marina. Weigh-ins on days 3 and 4 will get under way at 4 p.m. CT at the CFSB Center at Murray State University in Murray, Ky.

Notable

> BassFan Big Sticks Luke Clausen and Jay Yelas filed their practice wrap-up reports. To read them, click here.

> The Strike King Open tournament will be held Saturday, launching out of the New Johnsonville, Tenn., which will put upwards of another 200 boats on the water.

Weather Forecast

> Thurs., June 7 – Mostly Sunny - 82°/59°
- Wind: From the NE at 5 to 9 mph

> Fri., June 8 – Sunny - 84°/62°
- Wind: From the E/SE at 4 to 6 mph

> Sat., June 9 – Mostly Sunny - 91°/69°
- Wind: From the S/SW at 6 to 10 mph

> Sun., June 10 – Partly Sunny - 89°/68°
- Wind: From the S at 8 to 12 mph