The Major League Fishing Toyota Series is set to return to Kentucky and Barkley lakes this week (Thursday through Saturday) for the second event of the season.
“I haven’t been there in a while, but I’ve been hearing some really good things and the lake is in really good shape right now,” said Bass Pro Tour angler John Hunter of Shelbyville, Ky. “It’s warming up – some of the fish have already spawned, but the majority of bass seem to be just starting to move up to spawn, and this is going to be a really fun tournament.”
Hunter said that water levels lower than normal may throw a curveball to competitors.
“Historically, this time of year the south ends of Kentucky and Barkley are where you want to be,” Hunter said. “But that’s when the water is at normal summer pool. And this year, it’s not yet. All the reports lately have been that the north end has dominated.
“There has also been quite the boom in the smallmouth,” Hunter continued. “I think 100 percent the smallmouth will play a role in this event. The water being down and not at summer pool is really going to shine a light on some other patterns and techniques than guys are used to seeing at Kentucky Lake.”
Hunter said that he expects shallow-water power-fishing to be the pattern most likely to produce success.
“I’ll be flipping any shallow wood I can find with a Googan Bandito Bug,” Hunter went on to say. “A bladed jig will play, a spinnerbait and a swimbait will all be strong. I think the winner is going to need to catch 58 to 62 pounds over three days.”
Anglers will take off each day at 6:30 a.m. CT from the Kentucky Dam Marina, located at 466 Marina Drive, Gilbertsville, Ky. Weigh-ins will also be held at the marina and will begin at 2:30 p.m.
