There are enough factors involved in catching big sacks in the Tennessee Triumph BASS Elite Series event currently underway at Kentucky Lake to flummox the weekend angler. Current, grassbeds, shallow bars, shallow fish, deeper fish holding off ledges, mussel shell beds, late spawn, postspawn and early summer patterns – auuuuggh! Some of the guys definitely found what they were looking for. That’s why they’re pros.
This time of year, tournament angler and Kentucky Lake guide Ben Parker says that there are two essential lures anglers better have tied on all the time, and two more that should be in the on deck circle. “The best lures right now is a Bomber Fat Free Shad BD7 in Citrus or Foxy Shad, depending on water clarity,” he said. “And a ¾-ounce BOOYAH Pigskin jig in Molting Craw. There’s something about that green and brown combination here that really catches fish.”
Parker goes with the Fat Free in Citrus when the water is on the murkier side and Foxy Shad when it’s a little clearer. On the Pigskin Jig, he uses a 5-inch Gonzo Grub in Smoke Salt & Pepper trailer. “Those colors (the brown-green jig and black with glitter trailer) don’t look like they should go together,” he said. But during our trip on the lake Monday June 1, the good numbers of bass that included a 5-pound-plus smallmouth proved that odd combinations of colors can be incredibly productive.
Two back-up baits Parker has at the ready this time of year is an XCalibur XR75 or 100 in Gold and Black and a 10-inch YUM Ribbontail worm in Black, Black/Blue Flake or Red Shad.
For the Elite anglers, Parker says the lake is ready to hit the magic temperature of 80 degrees. This is important because he says when the water hits that temp, the big alpha fish should have arrived at their early summer locations -- river ledge drop-offs – where they can be relatively dependable and predicable.
“Bars that top out at 8- to 10-feet on top are prime,” he said. “Some of these bars have grass growing on them, especially farther south where grass is more prevalent. Farther north on the lake, mussel shell beds play a more dominant role in the way fish position.”
But there still are all those factors involved in catching the biggest bass. Anglers can locate fish just about everywhere, but dinks make up the majority of bites, as many of the professional anglers can attest. Current is key to the deeper water fish, and there’s not been a lot as of late.
After day 1’s weigh in, BOOYAH pro Terry Scroggins is in 16th, Edwin Evers is in 20th, Alton Jones in 22nd, Dave Wolak 36th, Zell Rowland in 54th and Terry Butcher is 78th.