Fishing Report

Gibson County Lake
Water temperature: upper 70s

Bass: “They are starting to turn on crankbaits again,” Trenton’s Brent Smith said. “(Use) deep divers around structure and lipless (baits) on the edges of the main body of the lake. The key – quiet cranks with no rattles on calm days, and rattle cranks when there is a good wind.”

Crappie: Brent said the bite is best in 20-to-25-feet of water – suspended at 12-to-15-feet on minnows.

Pickwick Lake
Water temperature: mid 70s. Elevation 410 feet

Bass: Bass fishing picked up last week, and this time of year is good for catching quality fish, but just do not expect to catch a lot of bass.

If you are determined, keep it pretty simple and cover as much water as possible moving your bait very slow.

Use what you feel is best, but Carolina rigged Strike King Rage Craws continue to well, and Strike King Red Eyed shad crankbait in bright colors also works well.

Stripers: Stripers are throughout the river and lake, and occasionally, you might catch some on deep-diving crankbaits around the Dam.

Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley
Water temperature: low to mid 80s. Water levels: up slightly at 355.5. Water color: clear, but becoming murky due to recent rain

Bass: “Largemouth and smallmouth bass are improving and feeding on small threadfin shad as they move deeper into the bays,” Darrell Van Vactor said. “Largemouth action is on square bill crankbaits, large worms rigged Carolina style, and top-water baits – early and late.
“Smallies are hitting finesse jigs, creature baits and shaky heads.”

Darrell Van Vactor is the Operations Manager for Crappie USA/Cabela’s King Kat Trail in Benton, Kentucky.

“White and yellow bass have slowed down,” Darrell said. “A few have been caught by crappie anglers pulling crankbaits.”

Crappie: Darrell said if you are looking for crappie, they are doing extremely well, with limits being caught on a regular basis.

“Pulling roadrunners and Jenko crankbaits has produced the best fish, but anglers vertically jigging both plastic and live bait have enjoyed success as well,” Darrell said. “Fish are holding in the bays in the 12-to-14-foot range primarily over wood cover where shad are schooled up tight.”

Catfish: Darrell said cats are hitting pretty good on the main river channel on live threadfin shad and cut skipjack.

“Tailwaters below both dams are heating up a little with catfish and white bass both doing fair,” Darrell said. “Be careful in the tailwaters area since silver carp are very active right now, and will jump right in the boat with you.”

David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
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