Skip to main content

Kentucky Lake, Kentucky/Tennessee

Kentucky Lake, Kentucky/Tennessee

Kentucky Lake, Kentucky/Tennessee

This 160,300-acre Tennessee River impoundment spans two states.  Ledge fishing has become legendary on the Tennessee River; summer is the time, and Kentucky Lake is the place.  Intel on finding and catching Kentucky Lake bass is provided by FLW Tour angler and 2015 FLW Championship winner Brad Knight.  Kentucky Lake is large and can get unfishable with strong winds, so the champion also has a backup plan

The ledge fishing is all about electronics.  To keep us all on the same page, a "ledge" is not just the sharp drop into the river or a tributary channel;  it can be any high spot — an underwater island, a hump, the side of a flat point — and the break into deeper water.  "The key," according to Knight, "is with direct contact with the current.   There is no magic depth because the depth of the lake changes so much from end to end.  Scan the top, then the break of the 'ledge' with your side scan and down-scan."  When Knight finds the concentration he is looking for, he starts with a deep-diving crankbait, then a swimbait if the bass are on the top of the ledge.  If the bass are positioned on the break, Knight coaxes bites with a jig, a Texas-rigged worm, or a big (8 inch) structure spoon.Kentucky Lake, Kentucky/Tennessee

If the wind blows or it's rainy, head for a protected bay and look for "grass" (mostly hydrilla, but there is eelgrass and other vegetation) in 3 to 8 feet of water.   Knight relies on topwaters and a swimbait on a jighead for the grass bite.

"Be patient searching ledges, and don't stop searching until you find a good concentration of bass.  You can check out more structure in 1 hour with your electronics than you can fish in two days."

[navionics zoom="7" long="-88.0" lat="36.4"]




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Thomas Allen sits down with Barry Prall, owner/operator of Trails End Outfitters located on the shore of legendary Tobin...
Fishing

The Minnesota Bait Crisis - with Jason and Tyler Bahr

Thomas Allen sits down with Barry Prall, owner/operator of Trails End Outfitters located on the shore of legendary Tobin...
Fishing

The Greatest Fishing Story Ever Told, Part 7 with Mark Fisher – The Rapala Impact

Thomas Allen sits down with Barry Prall, owner/operator of Trails End Outfitters located on the shore of legendary Tobin...
Learn

After Hours with Mark Courts and Tommy Allen

Thomas Allen sits down with Barry Prall, owner/operator of Trails End Outfitters located on the shore of legendary Tobin...
Learn

An Ode to Larry Tople

Thomas Allen sits down with Barry Prall, owner/operator of Trails End Outfitters located on the shore of legendary Tobin...
Gear

Humminbird's NEW Mega Live 2 HOT TAKE

Thomas Allen sits down with Barry Prall, owner/operator of Trails End Outfitters located on the shore of legendary Tobin...
Gear

Humminbird's Brand New Xplore is Crystal Clear

Thomas Allen sits down with Barry Prall, owner/operator of Trails End Outfitters located on the shore of legendary Tobin...
Destinations

In-Fisherman Classics: Ice Fishing for Bass

Thomas Allen sits down with Barry Prall, owner/operator of Trails End Outfitters located on the shore of legendary Tobin...
Destinations

In-Fisherman Classics: White Bass Simplicity

Thomas Allen sits down with Barry Prall, owner/operator of Trails End Outfitters located on the shore of legendary Tobin...
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: Cold Water Bass Fishing at Lake Fork

Thomas Allen sits down with Barry Prall, owner/operator of Trails End Outfitters located on the shore of legendary Tobin...
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: Striped Bass are America's Most Aggressive Gamefish

Thomas Allen sits down with Barry Prall, owner/operator of Trails End Outfitters located on the shore of legendary Tobin...
Learn

You SHOULD BE Adding Stinger Hooks to your Walleye Jigs

Thomas Allen sits down with Barry Prall, owner/operator of Trails End Outfitters located on the shore of legendary Tobin...
Learn

Trails End Outfitters at Tobin Lake - with Barry Prail and Anthony Kleinwacther

In-Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the In-Fisherman App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top In-Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top In-Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use