GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. — Sometimes you save the best for last, and it’s looking that way on Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.
After Super Tournaments for the Illini and Music City Divisions of the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine already hit the legendary lakes in September, it’s now the LBL Division’s turn. The LBL Division will wrap up its 2025 season with a two-day Super Tournament Sept. 27-28. And word is, it might show up the previous two events.
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What to expect
Being the third event in the month, it’d be easy to think there won’t be much different for this event compared to the previous two. Local Sam Lashlee would disagree.
“Oh, I think it could be a lot different,” Lashlee said. “The fish are in a transition, no doubt, but the water has been 10 degrees warmer than usual. If it stays warm like they’ve been predicting, it could be won out.”
By “out,” Lashlee means offshore. In fact, he says he still has multiple big schools of 3- and 4-pounders hanging on offshore ledges, which is “very unusual” for this time of year.
Now, will they still be there come the tournament? Time will tell; but if they’re not, it means the weather and water cooled off, which will only make the shallow bite better.
“Right now, you need to get three good bites early up shallow before the fish slide off and suspend,” Lashlee said. “When they suspend, they get really hard to catch, especially if there’s no wind.
“But if it gets cold, it’s going to be won shallow all the way.”
Now, where it will be won is the question, because while Kentucky Lake will attract the bulk of the anglers, Lashlee said not to rule out a pro running the south end of Barkley, which has a notoriously good shallow bite this time of year.
As for species, while Kentucky Lake’s booming smallmouth have been the talk of the last few years, Lashlee says both lakes are as healthy as he’s seen in a long time, with “loads” of 3- and 4-pounders of both species.
Baits to bring
Lashlee expects forward-facing sonar to definitely come into play in this event so long as it stays warm. And if that’s the case, jighead minnows will be key players.
That said, Lashlee said no angler better leave takeoff without at least one topwater and a lipless crankbait on the deck.
“You’ll need a topwater you can throw a long way and a 1/2-ounce, chrome-and-blue Rat-L-Trap,” Lashlee said. “And when they eat the chrome off and it turns bone, they’ll hit it even better”
What will it take?
The Illini Division event at the beginning of the month was won with more than 34 pounds. (The Music City Division event hasn’t happened yet as of this writing.) However, Lashlee didn’t hesitate when asked what will be needed to win this one.
“Over 40, definitely,” Lashlee said. “I’m catching them so well, and I knew a lot of other locals are catching 20 pounds a day. So, definitely over 40 to win.”