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Lake Cumberland Fishing Report Updated
July 23, 2010
 
Fishing Bungalo for
Sale--Reduced Price--Click photo!
THE LAKE CUMBERLAND STRIPER FISHING REPORT
By Captain Jim Durham – StriperFun Guide Service
Staff Writer for fishin.com
DATE OF REPORT: July 23rd, 2010
LAKE CONDITIONS
• Latest water temperature: 84.9° F surface (At the dam) July 22nd, 2010
• Latest water temperature: 85.0° F surface (Thomas Branch) July 21st, 2010
• Latest water temperature: 84.7° F surface (Beaver Creek) July 22nd, 2010
• Current lake level is Lake Level: 681.80 feet.
Currently, the lake level is right at 681.80 feet above sea level. This is a little over 1 foot ABOVE the normal (working on the dam) elevation of 680.00 feet above sea level. The lake is now about 43 feet below the tree line, which is 725' above sea level. I will keep you posted.
Greetings to my readers! I hope the world finds you and your family doing well!
THIS IS MY 106th EDITION OF MY LAKE CUMBERLAND STRIPER FISHING REPORT!
The fishing remains steady most days, with the instance every few days of some “strong” surface action early and late.
See above young Mister Witham with his huge Striper (what a smile!) that is going on the wall!
I am pleased to announce that Captain Dave Case has joined StriperFun Guide Service as a new charter captain!
See the photo of Dave above with his new charter boat!
Dave grew up around Lake Cumberland and has fished the lake most of his life. He is an avid and professional angler (he specializes as well in Walleye & Smallmouth trips for you Walleye & Smallmouth fishermen!) and we welcome Dave's knowledge and experience to the StriperFun family of guides!
Speaking of Walleye and Smallmouth, because of continued demand from the public (and the additional of Dave Case to the StriperFun team!)
WE ARE NOW OFFERING WALLEYE & SMALLMOUTH TRIPS AS ONE OF OUR “STANDARD” TRIP OPTIONS! These trips will be on both Lake Cumberland as well as on Laurel Lake (depending on the time of year and where the bite is best!) and will include trolling live bait, bottom bouncing and jigging for these two great species of fish!
THIS NEW SERVICE BEING OFFERED IS ALREADY RAPIDLY GAINING IN POPULARITY! So, if you are interested in becoming a better Walleye and Smallmouth fisherman or if you just want to go out and have a great day fishing for a species other than the mighty Striper, then book your trip on line or give me a call!
CAPTAIN JIM’S FISHING BUNGALOW IS FOR SALE!
Attention Lake Cumberland fishermen! I have a “great deal” for a fisherman or family looking to buy a really nice and clean fishing bungalow (or weekend retreat) at Lake Cumberland!
My fishing bungalow sits on two lots and is 5 minutes drive to Conley Bottom Marina by car and 10 minutes to Monticello shopping (and you can walk directly down the hill to the lake and a County ramp)! This two bedroom trailer comes completely furnished! It has a very nice interior (furniture and wall decorations picked out by my wife!), central heat, a huge porch, air conditioning, newer appliances, new TVs and is satellite TV & high speed internet wired. It has lots of closet space, a fire pit, tons of parking and has a partial lake view!
The property alone is worth the asking price of (JUST LOWERED TO) $35,900.00!
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS NICE PLACE, PLEASE CALL THE REAL ESTATE AGENT AT COLDWELL BANKER MARTY SCHREDNITZ AT 606-305-2037
MOST RECENT REPORT
The 4th of July (as has all of July!) has come and gone and we are now in the “dog days” of August, full into the summer fishing season. The water is at or above 85 degrees most days and the Stripers are going deeper and are scattered.
The same pattern I outlined in my last article still holds true.
At day break or at dusk, the Stripers will congregate into this hot 85 degree plus water to feed (strength in numbers!) as they drive the bait fish to the surface. However, naturally like most big game marine predators, they will prefer the more “moderate” temperature zone for most of the day. Once the morning or evening “blitz” bite is over, you will need to hunt to find them.
We talked about Umbrella rig trolling in my last article. I am still using them some to hunt and find Striper schools. However, umbrella rigs on some days produce well only from 30 feet deep to near the surface.
Many Stripers are now venturing into the 45 to 55 foot depth range (or deeper) generally suspending over the river channel in 100 feet deep or more of water where the oxygen is better. With the cold water “sluice” (zone of colder water) beginning at about 30 feet and running to about 60 to 70 feet this time of year (with the lake averaging over 100 feet deep!), the Stripers will many times hang right on this “temperature variance edge” of the cold water zone.
It is not a coincidence that the bait fish also enjoy the temperature variance edge of the cold water zone. As stated above, there is much better oxygen there and the plankton they eat also prefer this variance edge (which is just “fine” with the bait fish!).
IT IS ALSO NOT A COINCIDENCE that this temperature variance zone is right on the “edge” of the river channel (the river channel is flowing down there!) and it is here that the Stripers group up to “pound” on the bait fish!
As always, find the bait and you find the predators!
So, you need to fish deep and follow the edge of the river channel to find the big Striper schools. What can you do to cover a lot of ground yet still fish for big Stripers BELOW 30 feet deep (when you have to move around a lot to find the Stripers in deep water)?
The answer is down rigging! A downrigger is the most effective tool for precise, controlled-depth trolling of lures at virtually any depth.
BASIC DOWNRIGGING TECHNIQUES AND INFORMATION
WHAT IS A DOWN RIGGER?
A downrigger set-up consists of a strong base mounted to the boat transom (or other location near the back of a boat), onto which a spool of heavy (usually ultra thin metal) cable is attached. The cable is placed through the downrigger arm with a pulley system and descends straight down into the water below the boat. Heavy weights, called “cannon balls,” are attached to the cable to anchor it at a precise depth, determined by how much cable is released from the spool. There is a release attached to the cannonball by wire and your line (with the lure already deployed) attaches to the release.
WHAT LURES SHOULD YOU TROLL?
The most common lures trolled for Stripers are hair jigs, spoons, hard body thin stick baits and swim baits. For most of my lines I down rig, I personally prefer using my own brand of Captain Jim Special ˝ ounce white or chartreuse hair jigs with small 4 inch swim bodies or Striper grub tails.
However, an extremely effective combination I always run on at least one line is a “mini” umbrella rig. It is light enough to not “pull out” of the clip, yet has five ˝ ounce spinner jigs that create a “ton” of vibration and flash. Even if they do not try to eat the mini umbrella (they usually do!), it also draws attention to your other deployed jigs!
You can order these lures right off the StriperFun website (click the link above).
CHOOSING YOUR DOWNRIGGER
When choosing your downrigger, remember that the boom length must be long enough to effectively clear your cable and lines from your prop while making tight turns. Other important features to consider are an accurate line counter. If you are considering a manual downrigger some offer a 2 ft per crank option. This is an important feature when you are fishing deep.
Electric downriggers are a must if you intend to spend a lot of time doing this (manual cranks can wear you out on a hot day)! I use Cannon “Mag 10” electric downriggers.
Proper placement on your boat is crucial. Mount your downriggers as far to the stern of your boat as possible, allow room for basic operation, setting the release and clearing debris.
WEIGHTS
I have found that at speeds above 2.5 MPH or depths nearing 100 feet, a minimum of a 10 or 12 lb weight is a must. Smaller weights simply swing up too high behind the boat at fast speed to gauge an accurate depth the lures are actually running.
RELEASES
There are many different styles of releases on the market today. I highly recommend choosing a pinch type release. Releases are generally sold as light, medium or heavy. I prefer the medium release. If the release is too light it will release while you are letting down your presentation, if it is too heavy it won’t release properly when the fish is hooked. The ideal release will hold tight until the fish strikes and hooks itself, then release immediately when the fish begins to fight.
RODS & REELS
The downrigger does all of the work to get your presentation down to and hook the fish. You need to use really flexible rods and reels (preferably with line counters) with at least 20 pound test line. Another important feature I have found is a “line out” alarm/clicker. Engaging this feature prevents backlashes when you are lowering down your weight quickly to get it to your desired depth.
OPERATING YOUR DOWNRIGGER
With the boat moving forward at trolling speed (2.5 MPH is average), you let the lure go out behind the boat. Let it out at least 150 feet for shallower applications or 100 feet for 40 feet deep or below. Then, attach your line to the clip on the down rigger cannonball.
At this stage, be sure your clicker is on so you do not back lash your reel. You then open the bail on your reel and then lower your downrigger ball into the water and let the weight go down until stop it at the desired depth.
You then put your rod in the rod holder and tighten the line until the rod bends in a gentle arc. Be cautious, over tightening the line will cause a premature release and you will have to start the whole process again. To prevent tangles, never completely stop your boat while trolling with downriggers.
Once a fish strikes the lure, the line is pulled free from the clip, allowing the angler to fight the fish directly. Then, once you land the Striper, you reel the cannonball back up and redeploy the entire process.
Many downriggers can accommodate up to six individual lines, which gives anglers the ability to spread lures over a variety of depths and distances. I prefer personally to only putting out 2 lines per down rigger. I say this, not because I do not want to “flood” the strike zone with lures but because too many lines will frequently “catch each other” underwater and foul. Then you are dragging around “fouled” lures and do not even know it. When you finally bring one of them up to check it and find all your lures together in a wad, it is aggravating to say the least. There is nothing worse than having all your lures all fouled up and caught together 60 feet below the boat and 150 feet behind it!
MULTIPLE RODS (Stacking)
To fish two rods on one downrigger simply follow the same process as above. Stop your first rod when it reaches 10 feet down and add a second stacker release system clip to the steel line. Let the line out on your second lure to the desired length behind your boat and attach it to the 2nd release. Be sure your clicker is on the second reel as well as the first reel so you do not back lash your reels. Release the spool and let both rods (the reels will be clicking noisily) down to the desired depth.
I generally will stop one cannonball at 50 feet deep. This means I have a jig running at 50 feet deep (the same depth as the cannonball) and one jig running at 40 feet deep).
Then, on the other down rigger, I will stop the other cannonball at 40 feet deep. This means I have a jig running at 40 feet deep (the same depth as the cannonball) and one jig running at 30 feet deep).
In doing this, you are then covering a wide range of depths and you will also know which lure is running at which depth!
Naturally, if one particular depth or color keeps getting hit, then you will switch all lures to that general depth and color scheme!
If you are a beginner, you may just want to put out one line per downrigger until you figure it all out and get comfortable.
FISH FINDERS
Consider sonar to be essential equipment when down rigging. Sonar helps determine the depth at which the lure should be presented by identifying the depth at which fish are located. Call me and I can help you with sonar questions.
If you are currently trolling deep with trolling weights, planer devices, or lead core line, you may seriously want to consider stepping up to downriggers. Feel free to call me with any questions.
We (again) are also seeing surface action early and late.
LURES TO THROW
It should be noted that most of the bait fish are only 1 to 2 inches long. You need to “match the hatch” to catch them. I only throw two different types of lures at these spring Stripers back in the creek:
CAPTAIN JIM’S “LITTLE FRIEND”
I have always told everyone that if I had to “guarantee I was going to feed my family” tonight, I would throw a blade bait. All species of fish will nail it, from big Stripers, Walleye, Smallmouth and huge Largemouth.
I have developed my own blade bait which I call Captain Jim’s “Little Friend” (let me introduce you to my “Little Friend” – Ha). It is really bright chrome blade bait with tough (Striper proof) hooks that has a hard knot of twine at the top of the back hook shank and small white feathers. This extra weight (and the feathers in the back) causes the “Little Friend” to VIOLENTLY VIBRATE the end of your rod tip much more strongly then normal blade baits. I prefer the ˝ ounce size in the spring that also perfectly matches the size of the bait fish.
I fish my “Little Friend” by throwing passed fish that are jumping and then ripping back until it is in the zone. Then I stop to the count of three and begin to rip it again.
“Kapow”, they will simply slam it!
When it drops, it looks like a wounded bait fish. Then when you begin to rip it again it looks like it is attempting to escape and the fish just cannot stand it. Or, if the fish are not jumping, I simply fish it with a “stop and go” action.
Captain Jim’s “Little Friend” calls the “big ones” in!
CAPTAIN JIM’S “STRIPER DOMINATOR” HAIR JIG
The other lure I love to throw this time of year is a white or chartreuse hair jig. I am now using a plastic trailer.
My favorite (naturally) is my Captain Jim “Striper Dominator” hair jig. It is a super high quality hair jig made with a long lasting super tough powder coat finish (will not crack or split easily), prism red eyes and a sea guard hook.
CAPTAIN JIM” MARINE ELECTRONICS Tm
If you are in the market to upgrade your marine electronics, including fish finders, fish finder - GPS combos, auto pilots, radar systems, marine radios or for any related marine electronics, then you have come to the right place!
As a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Merchant Marine Captain, professional fisherman and creator of “how to read and use” marine electronic training DVDs, Captain Jim Durham will share his 45 years of experience to help you choose and purchase the marine electronic unit you have always dreamed of, at unheard of prices!
CAPTAIN JIM MARINE ELECTRONICS CAN GENERALLY BEAT ANYONE’S ADVERTISED PRICED, MANY TIMES BY AT LEAST 20% TO 30%!
We buy factory direct, just like the major “on line” dealers and local “in store” dealers. The difference is our low overhead and the fact that we do not “mark up” each unit by 400% (like the major on line dealers or local in store dealers many times do)! You as the customer, reap the savings! What you get is an average of 20% to 30% in savings per unit and the same “factory direct” warranty!
WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD!
PLEASE CALL CAPTAIN JIM TOLL FREE 866-575-3770 FOR MORE INFORMATION!
The bottom line is that the lake is beautiful, we are catching great fish on most days and all the fish we are catching are healthy.
One of the most positive things is that we can now catch alewives shad under the lights again!
Regarding catching bait, one of the new “secret weapons” I have been using to catch bait is the“Hydro Glow Bait Light”! CAPTAIN JIM DURHAM USES “HYDRO GLOW BAIT LIGHTS” AND SO SHOULD YOU! It allows me to be “mobile” and catch bait on the main lake as well as at the dock!
The Hydro Glow Fish Light uses a 12 vdc low amperage florescent to produce a green glow similar to that emitted by chemical light sticks in widespread use by divers to lure fish.
It will work all night on one battery!
The patented design utilizes the green light technology for improving your fishing (and most importantly – your bait catching) activities during the night time hours. The light is designed to vertically submerge with only the top 3 to 5 inches of the light above the water level. This insures the entire illumination of the light is in the water where to fish are, not the bugs! Boy, does it ever draw in the bait fish!
As the exclusive area "on line" dealer of Hydro Glow Bait Lights, StriperFun has just received word from the manufacturer that the top selling 2 foot bait light can be sold for $129.95!! This is a huge 30% savings off the regular $185.00 price!
YOU WILL NEED TO PUT YOUR LIVE BAIT YOU CATCH IN A BAIT TANK. To really hit the “monster” Stripers, you need to use the freshest live shad. Not only can catching fresh shad be tough, keeping them alive used to be virtually impossible! Not any longer!
The SUPER BAIT TANK has a triple filtration system, a built in oxygen infuser, a built in light for night use and is insulated. This system has been tested to hold gizzard shad & blue black herring for up to one week.
I use only the SUPER BAIT TANK. Every guide I know uses it and so should you!
StriperFun is the exclusive NATIONAL "on line" dealer of the SUPER BAIT TANK
CALL ME TOLL FREE 1-866-575-3770 OR GO TO THE STRIPERFUN WEBSITE TO ORDER YOUR HYDRO GLOW BAIT LIGHT AND/OR YOUR SUPER BAIT TANK – WE SHIP FACTORY DIRECT!
StriperFun Guide Service now has five (4) guides to serve your charter needs. We can handle large group and corporate outings!
My Captains and I are all Federal Coast Guard Certified and State licensed, insured and are well trained with no less than 20 years experience per man! If you want to catch Monster Stripers this summer, then you better book soon! The prime early summer dates are booking up, so do not wait too long to lock in your weekend trip! All of StriperFun’s guide boats are covered as well, so come see us.
We are now into the mid summer season. The days are actually getting shorter again. “Twilight” now rolls around just a little earlier each night as the summer “solstice” has passed. Wow, how fast the year is going!
It is great to welcome in another new season, and exhilarating at the same time! Count your blessings each day and live “in the moment”, not in the future.
JIM STRADER RADIO SHOW
Be sure to listen in to the "Outdoors with Jim Strader" show that airs weekly on Sunday Evenings from 6-8 pm on 84 WHAS-AM, a 50,000 watt Clear Channel radio station in Louisville Kentucky (you can listen in on line!). Tune in and catch Captain Jim’s Lake Cumberland Striper Fishing Report on Sunday night to see how the prior week’s fishing went!
If you have any other ideas, techniques or subjects you want me to write about, drop me a line!
I am many times asked “What are the advantages to hiring a guide”? In essence, you hire a guide to utilize the guide’s many years of experience and lake knowledge, to learn new tactics and techniques to increase your chance of “landing the big one”. Guides use top of the line equipment and the freshest live bait. Also, if you cannot afford your own boat, it is a very cost effective way for you or your group to fish (cost per fisherman). Even professional fishermen hire guides to learn a lake and new techniques!
We hope to see you on the lake! Good fishin!!
Sincerely,
Captain Jim Durham
Toll Free 866-575-3770
United States Coast Guard
Merchant Marine Officer license No. 1037731
Kentucky State License # 007
captainjim@striperfun.com
www.striperfun.com
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Specializing in "Trophy" Striper fishing as the owner of StriperFun Fishing Guide Service and Captain Jim Marine Electronics, Captain Jim Durham is a Kentucky State licensed guide who has fished Lake Cumberland year round for over 45 years. As Member of Team Evinrude, Captain Jim is a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Captain and is the creator of the “Striper Fish like a Pro” instructional DVD series as well as his own line of fishing lures. Licensed and insured, Captain Jim and Striperfun Guide Service can take you on a safe, fun and unforgettable fishing trip to catch a "Trophy Striper" of a lifetime! Check out the StriperFun Guide Service website at: www.striperfun.com, or call Captain Jim toll free 1-866-575-3770 or email Captain Jim at: captainjim@striperfun.com
Captain Jim Durham
Toll free 866-575-3770
United States Coast Guard Licensed Merchant Marine Officer License No.
1037731
Kentucky State Guide License # 007
captainjim@striperfun.com |
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Current Lake Records
Sturgeon*: 36lbs 8 oz. Caught By:
Barney Frazier, Corbin Ky. 10/3/54
No current population of Sturgeon known to exist in the lake
Striped Bass*: 58 lbs 4 ozs Caught By:
Roger Foster, Somerset, Ky. 12/11/85
Sauger*: 7lbs. 7 ozs. Caught By
Rastie Andrew, Jamestown, Ky. 4/28/83
Walleye*: 21 lbs 8 ozs Caught By: Currently 3rd Largest
ever caught..
Abe Black, Shaker Heights, Oh. 10/1/58
Muskie: Mike Casada (Unofficial Record) NO weight
submitted.
Tailwaters Records
Brown Trout*: 21 lbs 0 ozs Caught By:
Tom Malone of Crofton, Ky. April 30, 2000 *State Record
Lake Trout*: 5lbs 5 ozs Caught by:
John McDonough, Jeffersontown, Ky. 4/4/83
No known population in river, Lakers Were stocked in Cumberland Lake and
In Dale Hollow, and it is surmised the fish came from there or from a
stocking of lake trout in the 80's in Lake Cumberland.
Rainbow Trout*: 14lbs 6 ozs Caught By:
Jim Mattingly, Somerset, Ky. 9/10/72
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