CJ

There are no houses on the LBL side. That's all National Forrest. Davenport is on Barkley right where it turns south, on the LBL side. It has been a bass magnet in the past for the spring season.

I wouldn't spend to much time marking spots that list flooded timber on the maps. I have a Navionics chip in my S.I and I hardly ever find what is marked as far as stumps and flooded timber. What that is is where they noted stumpbeds and timber piles before they flooded the lake. Most of it has rotted away. I'll give a good tip for places to look at: Look for the bays that seem to have the most inflow from the feeder creeks. Look at the land geography around those feeder creeks to try and get an idea as to how much water flows in during and after rain. Those bays usually have more bass in them giving there is good cover. Within reach of the Moors here are a list of areas that have fished good in the past during April: Sugar Bay Duncan Bay Smith Bay Willow Bay (Barkley) Davenport Bay (Barkley) Just a little tease. Look at the characteristics of these bays.

I don't here of a whole lot of major tournament events being won on senko's. Maybe the pros think that they are cheating too? :

They have this TV show called "Hoarders". I expect to see some tackle junkie on there someday.

I'm just curious for future knowledge as to how many of you and how often you have found a shallow bite with water temps under 45? Let's say 4 ft. of water or less. Mainly just inquiring you guys that have deep water access on the waters you fish. Feel free to give some details, how you caught them, maybe what pushed them shallow, or maybe they stay there through winter anyway, etc.? Thanks, CJ

Congratulations! To me that's the biggest achievement in life. I wish I could start a career in bass fishing but the pension isn't great. LOL

Scrutch, don't be intimidated. This lake has a very high bass/sq. mile ratio. You will get bit! A good start is to get a topo and step back and look at the big picture. No question the bass will have spawning on their mind. They're going to be relating to bays, pockets, and/or coves in some manner. Just pick out an area that looks good to you and break the lake down in smaller areas. I will be leaking info like a BP oil rig when y'all get here. P.S. Don't forget Barkley. More tournaments have been won off Barkley in April in the past. Only problem is, too much rain or inflow will shut down Barkley due to muddy water whereas Ky. will get just right.

The answer is right here. I have seen many people get on a bite with a certain lure and not ever understand "why" this lure is just whackin' em. I'm not saying Paul is one of those people. Obviously he understands. If every body was killing them on a senko, would I throw a senko? Well I wouldn't want to end up just watching everybody have fun. I'd wanna join in! On my home lake there is a time during the year when deep cranks are the ticket. It's the conditions that make that lure so deadly during this time. I occasionally will change up and use a heavy jig or t-rig a big worm. One example is when my partner and I pulled up on a ledge while a large school was at the supper table(on the shallow part of a ledge and feeding). We set there and caught 3 lbers on deep cranks till we where tired of catching them. I grabbed my jig rod and made two cast that rendered two 5 lb+ fish. Yet more often that same lure switch under the same conditions, has yielded smaller fish. If I were gonna go against the grain, I would make sure I stayed at the same depth and in the same water column. So if everybody is catching them like crazy fishing deep with plastics real slow on the bottom, I'm probably not going to "go against the grain" and pick up a topwater and go shallow.

Well yes, what I call shallow. The rising water puts a lot of cover that was once unavailable in the water. It never fails. The majority of the bass go back, no matter the surface temps. If the elevation stays down, that's no problem either, maybe better for some cause the fish will stay congregated yet that could be hit or miss. I will give more specific info in person once you arrive. I'm very open to the BR crew but I am a tournament fisherman and I cant post detailed reports on here. I'll respond to PM's when time gets closer but even a lure list would be overwhelming. I will say this and not to plug for any sponsors but, Rage Craws in Falcon Craw color is a sure bet! Regardless of water elevation, t-rigs, small cranks like DT-6 and 100 and 200 Bandits should be good. We'll just have to see how Spring pans out.

You know if Fish would do things a little.....well a lot different, I could see where a mix of comedy and fishing could make for a good show to watch. But really, I thought what I've seen to be more stupid than funny. I do like Fish though. He's a good personality for the industry. Just needs to get some new writers for his show. I think whoever scripted the 2 shows I've watched were in elementary school.

That's the gospel truth right there! I may use a total of 5 different craw colors as far as plastics and jigs and could probably get away with only 2 on my home lake (black and blue and green pumpkin). I believe presentation is key to catching big bass. My biggest bass I've caught on a jig was by dragging a jig extremely slow on the bottom with extended pauses. A very natural presentation.

Paul, I wonder more about how well the bait survived. Just as well as the bass were easy targets for the fisherman, the bait was easier for the bass to eat. But even worse, some baitfish are very vulnerable to the conditions. Just a thought.

Actually I haven't caught very many spots on the lake in the past few years and the ones I have caught are usually around 10-14 in. I have heard of an occasional 3-4 lber but that's very rare. The doc talk is going to depend on one main thing for the roadtrip, "water elevation". During this time of year elevation trumps all other factors as far as location goes. Ky Lake bassfishing has, does, and will change overnight. Save your lure money until you get here or pack everything you got! There will be more than one pattern working for that time.

Yup! Jig, tube, vibration bait, and jerkbait are about all I use below 50.

Sorry I'm not a biologist but to I'll give my 2 cents anyway. Bass are opportunist foremost. I really don't know why they eat some of the fry but they do so I'm told. But IMO the baby bass color isn't what keys a strike as much as the wounded or irregular action of the lure.

Sorry I'm not a biologist but to I'll give my 2 cents anyway. Bass are opportunist foremost. I really don't know why they eat some of the fry but they do so I'm told. But IMO the baby bass color isn't what keys a strike as much as the wounded or irregular action of the lure.

Sorry I'm not a biologist but to I'll give my 2 cents anyway. Bass are opportunist foremost. I really don't know why they eat some of the fry but they do so I'm told. But IMO the baby bass color isn't what keys a strike as much as the wounded or irregular action of the lure.

Guys my pops isn't kidding either. Were talking about rangers and tritons set up for side by side seating and everything. It's a sight to behold! LOL! Most of the people who are spider rigging will be on ledges. They wont be in your way while you are fishing but they can make an interesting obstacle course for you when your running. Jonathon Creek and Blood River are where most of this goes on.

Nice fish Paul! I'm getting the dust knocked off my gear bud!!! CJ

Hey Gene, just bring your roof with you and I'll help you out!!! : Mike, I'll send in that form. I don't know what all days I'll be there but there will be a couple open seats in my boat for the days I am there. CJ

Yup, Fisherman's HQ is one of the best tackle stores you'll find anywhere.

Yes sir! Nice fish Chris!!!

It will be nice seeing all y'all again!

That's awesome! Only a few hours from my house. Can't wait to go there!

WOW! Those are some nice smallmouth! I used to fish the A.C trail but they did away with our division on Ky. Lake. The Tournament of Champions is one of the best classics out there.