Kentucky Lake 8/25-26/2011

Dog days of August on Kentucky Lake. Met my friend, Doyal, from Memphis at the New Johnsonville ramp at 6:30 am on Thursday with great anticipation. Our optimism didn't last long. We began with our shallow pattern that worked so well several weeks ago when it was just as hot. But, the bass were not there, no bites. We then moved down the lake to a point and rocky flat where we have had success in the past. Finally picked up a smallmouth about a 1.25 on a fluke. It turned out to be the only fish caught on plastic for two days. We continued to fish stuff we knew with little success. Doyal finally picked up a keeper on a crank bait. We then moved across the lake up the west side boat lane trying various spots. We spotted a few bass chasing shad. I caught 3 nice 2 pounders on a Big Hammer swim bait and lost 2 more and Doyal caught 1 on a crank bait. That pretty well finished us. We had a brief moment of terror when the engine wouldn't crank. We are maybe 5-6 miles and the opposite side of the lake from the ramp. Oddly, after a few minutes it cranked and no, it wasn't the kill switch. On the ride back the engine cut out when it was trimmed. After loading the boat we couldn't trim the motor up. The skeg was inches from pavement.  After fooling around a few minutes it trimmed up. We came out at 2:45 with the temp around 96. 

We checked in the Anchor Motel, covered the boat and headed out to eat an early dinner. The place we usually go was closed so we drove over to Camden, found a nice restaurant and had a catfish dinner and about a gallon of ice tea. Hit the sack about 8:30. 

Sign at the Submarine Restaurant

Up at 5:00 and over to a little restaurant across from the motel for a great breakfast. Launched the boat with renewed but misplaced optimism. Did I mention that the water temp was 85. We went south today and fished the ledges near the entrance to Birdsong  Creek. Doyal tried a different tack throwing a spinner bait on the ledge edge (a little alliteration). He wound up catching 5 fish on the spinner bait and crank bait while I only managed one on a crank bait. We pulled out at 12:30 and ironically had no issues with the engine or trim. We went back to the same restaurant of the morning, had a quick bite to eat and another gallon of tea before heading back to Memphis and Franklin. It was another 96 degree day. Although we had a good time we were disappointed with our catch. We just couldn't find the fish with the exception of the schoolers on Thursday.