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FLW Fishing Report: Exciting Events Coming Up

Scott Ellison here with the weekly FLW Fishing Report. Hopefully the weather will continue to moderate and it will be more comfortable to stay out on the water longer. 

Although we’ve been in drought around here for the most part, there’s been enough rain in Tennessee and north alabama to provide the Tennessee River with enough water to keep the lake level fairly stable now at about 2 feet under summer pool. And we’re starting to get some rain now, so that’s going to help.

The Walmart FLW Tour makes a stop on Kentucky Lake next week and you can bet the pros will be lined up on the ledges because that’s mainly where the bass are now. With the lake level down, most shoreline cover is fairly exposed and fish have long since pulled away from the banks. Ledge fishermen have reported good catches on 10-inch-plus plastic worms, jigs, deep-diving crankbaits, ¾- and 1-ounce spinnerbaits crawled along the bottom and 4- and 5-inch swimbaits. Umbrella rigs haven’t been a big factor lately. Bill Taylor, the FLW Tournament Director, said a lot of smallmouth bass are being caught now, mainly because they’re concentrating on the ledges.

The best part of the bluegill and shellcracker fishing is over for the year. Those fish have pretty well spawned out and though you can still catch a mess of fish to eat on redworms, crickets and phyllis’ bluegill bugs, the big stringers just aren’t there anymore. The same goes for crappies, which have moved offshore again into the deeper brush and along the ledges. Try them with live minnows or tube jigs

Some quick announcements: on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m., the Walmart stores in Murray, Benton and Paducah will have pro day, a meet-and-greet session with some of the Walmart FLW Tour’s top pros like Dan Morehead and Terry Bolton of Paducah, George Cochran and Wes Strader, and many more. Then, from 4 to 6 p.m. On Saturday, Country Chevrolet in Benton is hosting Chevy Pro Night, with pros such as Larry Nixon, Dion Hibdon, Luke Clausen, Jimmy Houston, Bryan Thrift, and Anthony Gagliardi in attendance. It’s all free, including the barbeque sandwiches and soft drinks. That’s 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday for the Walmart Pro Day at Walmart stores in Murray, Benton, and Paducah, and 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday for Chevy Night at Country Chevrolet in Benton.

I’ll have more about the Walmart FLW Tour event next week. Before I go, I wanted to remind you that next week is national fishing and boating week and Kentucky will kick it off with two free fishing days this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3. Whether you’re a resident or non-resident, you can fish in state waters for free then without a license and the warden won’t write you up. It’s a great way to introduce your kids or grandkids or another member of the family to fishing.

That’s it for now. Remember, the FLW Expo is going to be held in the CFSB Center next Saturday and Sunday from noon until 4 p.m. Each day. It’s free and another great family attraction. Mark it on your calendar.

That’s it for this week. This is Scott Ellison for FLW, wishing you tolerable summer days and great fishing ahead. 

Scott Ellison is a lifelong fisherman and FLW College Fishing Promotions Manager.
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