The lake level is at 595.93. Normal pool for April is 596 feet above sea level. Summer pool is 599.7 so the lake is low so be careful.

Water temps on the north end is 63-65 so very warm for this early in April. We have experienced very warm temps and strong winds for weeks.

Water color is slightly stained mostly due to all the wind we have experienced.

I am pushing either a 3/32oz. or a 1/4oz. Deep Ledge Jig and Brushpile Hammer into stumps and cubes, wind dictates how heavy a jig I use. I also use a plain minnow drop-shot rig. I use a 5/8oz. weight on bottom then go up a foot and put a number 4 Tru-Turn hook on a short leader and nose hook a lively minnow.

I use my Forward facing sonar to tell me if fish are right in front of me. Then I adjust everyone’s depth and push right into the structure. We all three fish up on the nose so if windy we can still fish these areas. Most don’t want them so I have these spots to myself. Wind might be tricky to fish but the fish bite better and we can get right on top of them. My boat is designed for this since walleye boats have the trolling motor batteries up front and we run a lot longer shaft. With all the weight up front I routinely fish in two-footers on Kentucky Lake.

If not windy I turn my big tiller boat to the side and we utilize the entire length of my boat and we fish a slip bobber and minnow rig. I either throw a marker out up wind or simply tell clients to throw right on top of me as I am watching my Livescope to see if I hit the spot where the fish are. Mine is not on the trolling motor like most. I run a Livescanner so I can utilize my spotlock on my trolling motor. Very deadly for sneaking up on big fish.

The crappie fishing should do nothing but get better for the next two to three weeks. Full moon is on May 1st. a lot of them will drop eggs then if these water temps remain high.

Steve Welch
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