• CAPTAIN JIM’S CUMBERLAND RIVER FISHING REPORT

    StriperFun and Tennessee Walleye Charters
    (931) 403-2501 http://www.striperfun.com captainjim@striperfun.com
  • Specializing in "Trophy" fishing as the owner of StriperFun Fishing Guide Service in KY and TN and TN Walleye Charters, Captain Jim Durham is a licensed guide who has fished the Cumberland Plateau and KY and TN year round for over 50 years. 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.

  • CAPTAIN JIM’S CUMBERLAND RIVER FISHING REPORT

    CAPTAIN JIM’S CUMBERLAND RIVER FISHING REPORT
    Provided by Captain Jim Durham

    Owner StriperFun Guide Service, Tennessee and Kentucky Walleye, Sauger, Crappie and Muskie Charters, Superbaittanks.com, Captain Jim Marine Electronics and much more……

    DATE OF REPORT November 26th, 2022

    • Latest water temperature: 57.2 ° F surface (Cumberland River): November 26th, 2022

    The river is currently running clear and perfect but very low because of the drought! Be careful where you launch and run!

    Greetings to my readers! I hope that the world finds you and your family doing well!

    HONOR OUR SOLDIERS

    As a former United States Air Force Airman - military veteran and as a current U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Patrol Coxswain (Captain), I understand the great importance that our brave service men and women play in our society. Their service is why you can enjoy the freedoms you have!

    We also cannot forget the duty and service provided by our policemen and firemen.

    STRIPERFUN OFFERS A 10% DISCOUNT on all charters to currently active Policemen and Firemen as well as to active military AND retired military veterans (with proper verification ID provided by the person booking the trip).

    This is our way of saying “THANKS” for your service to these important groups.

    SAUGER AND WALLEYE FISHING ON THE CUMBERLAND RIVER!



    We begin fishing for Walleye and Sauger on the Cumberland River in Tennessee December 5th and fish it until April 1st (THEN WE ARE BACK ON DALE HOLLOW). We are already heavily booking these Walleye and Sauger trips on the Cumberland River Winter trips. We also offer Muskie trips on Dale Hollow all Fall and Winter!

    DON’T DELAY! Call 931-403-2501 or click to https://striperfun.com/tennessee-walleye-charters/ to learn more or book your trip

    CUMBERLAND RIVER STRIPER FISHING IN TENNESSEE!

    When you use large 2 to 3-pound Trout as bait, we only target big Trophy fish! As the owner of StriperFun, I am a TN licensed bait dealer and raise Trout for my client’s use on charter trips (no sales).

    Nutgrass trip Cumberland River Oct 22 https://youtu.be/nfXeIOB3-Wo
    Braswell trip Cumberland River Oct 22 https://youtu.be/jfRKeaS0Oss
    Heatherwick trip Cumberland River Oct 22 https://youtu.be/B-aYKLdKNFY
    Dattilo trip Cumberland River Oct 22 https://youtu.be/vBOxwPW1hm8
    Parkison trip Cumberland River Nov 22 https://youtu.be/Ls-wEj1ehOI

    In the last 6 weeks we have had on, (but unfortunately did not land) several potential “world record” freshwater Stripers. Simply heartbreaking to lose such a fish! But a big fish doesn’t get to be a big fish being a fool and these “cagey” old Stripers are good at getting off the hook.

    But very soon a new record WILL be caught! WILL IT BE YOU WHO CATCHES IT??

    The photos below were just some of our recent catches! We are catching some nice fish casting “Captain Jim Magic” Striper lures as well as on live Trout.



    We are also fishing Captain Jim custom handmade \ painted “Striper Magic” lures.



    Click this link to order: https://striperfun.com/product-categ...r-magic-lures/

    We still have a few November dates available and are already booking December and 2023 heavy!! Winter fishing is quiet and relaxing. Spring fishing is a blast too! Our boats are covered and heated for your comfort. Come get yours!!!

    To book a trip on the Cumberland River for monster Stripers call 931/403/2501 or go to https://striperfun.com/cumberland-river-in-tennessee/

    AS A REMINDER, IT IS "ILLEGAL" TO BRING WITH YOU FROM OUT OF STATE OR POSSESS MORE THAN 7 TROUT OVER 8 INCHES TO USE AS BAIT IN TENNESSEE PER PURCHASED TROUT STAMP.

    TN Fish and Wildlife has been advised of this frequently occurring on the Cumberland River and is aggressively checking bait tanks on boats and also checking storage tanks at hotels. It is a stiff fine with serious repercussions. Be so aware.

    Remember also to always obey all TN fishing regulations while on any Tennessee waterway. Following the rules is a must! It is important that we all be good stewards of our fishing resources. If you have any questions about fishing regulations or to report poachers doing this or cleaning fish on the water, call Tennessee Wildlife Enforcement.
    Join us for a memorable experience on the Cumberland River. I hope to hear from you soon!

    PRESS RELEASE - Your fishing adventures begin at the East Tennessee Fishing Show® January 26th through the 29th, 2023!

    IT IS TIME TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND BACK INTO THE GREAT OUTDOORS! FISHING IS FAMILY FRIENDLY FUN!

    Captain Jim Durham, owner of Captain Jim Fishing including StriperFun Guide Service, Tennessee and Kentucky Walleye, Bass, Crappie and Musky Charters, Captain Jim Marine Electronics, Captain Jim Lures and Super Bait Tanks, is pleased to invite you to come and visit the East Tennessee Fishing Show! There’s no better place to see and buy fishing boats, fishing gear / lures and accessories and to meet fishing guides while learning about great regional fishing opportunities!

    This annual 4-day event turns the Knoxville Expo Center’s 90,000 square feet into a one-stop marketplace for fishing enthusiasts! The East Tennessee Fishing Show is the largest “fishing only” related Expo in the southeast, with nearly 35,000 show visitors annually! There’s no better place to shop, compare and save on fishing boats and to browse hundreds of booths showcasing the latest in boating accessories and fishing gear. You can also partake in fishing seminars taught by industry experts and visit outfitters (including Striper, Walleye, Muskie, Catfish, Bass, fly fishing, Crappie and other species of fishing products) as well as resort booths to plan your next fishing trip.

    Come see us at the Captain Jim Fishing Charters booth! Come get your 2023 Walleye / Sauger, Bass, Muskie, Crappie and Striper /Hybrid fishing charters booked before all the prime dates are taken! You can sign up for great free giveaway prizes as well! Captain Jim will also be doing Striper, Walleye and Muskie fishing seminars on live bait and artificial lure techniques, with discussions and questions and answers sessions regarding the east Tennessee and Upper Cumberland Rivers and Lakes!

    You can go to the show’s website for the address, directions, ticket prices and more information: http://easttnfishingshow.com/

    Show owner Shelia Bunch commented:

    “We are excited to once again have Captain Jim Durham and his fishing companies display their services as part of our family of vendors and seminar presenters for the 2023 East Tennessee Fishing Show! His unique years of experience in Walleye and Striper and other species of fishing will greatly benefit our show’s attendees! We hope to see you at the show!”

    About Captain Jim Fishing Charters

    Captain Jim Fishing Charters Services currently provides multi species guide services on numerous lakes and rivers in KY and in TN! We provide (14) guides on (13) different waterways targeting Walleye / Sauger, Bass, Muskie, Crappie, Trout and Striper /Hybrids!

    Specializing in “Trophy” fishing as the owner of Captain Jim Fishing, Captain Jim Durham is a KY & TN State licensed guide who has fished the upper Cumberland Plateau for nearly 60 years. He is also a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Captain, Search and Rescue Patrol Officer with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and a TN volunteer fireman with multiple departments. Captain Jim is also the creator of the “Striper Fish like a Pro” instructional DVD series, owns Super Bait Tanks.com as well as his own line of fishing lures.

    Captain Jim commented:

    “I excited to be part of the 2023 East Tennessee Fishing Show! This is always such a great opportunity for families to get together and for outdoor enthusiasts to plan out their fishing trips and shopping! Visitors to this great show have direct access to top regional fishing guides and the very best available fishing lures and equipment! I encourage parents to bring their kids to this great event! I hope to see you there!”

    − Captain Jim Durham

    Licensed and insured, Captain Jim Fishing Charters take you on a safe, fun and unforgettable fishing adventure! Check out all of our fishing services at www.striperfun.com or call 931-403-2501 to make reservations today.

    THE LIVINGSTON TN – OVERTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

    As the owner of Captain Jim Fishing - www.striperfun.com (our main website with multiple waterway pages), we are one of the largest guide services in the Southeast! With guides who take our clients fishing on 11 different waterways fishing 8 different species of fish (Dale Hollow- the Cumberland River - Lake Cumberland locally), it is urgent to drive traffic to my various waterways and to maintain the strongest possible level of client service and company reputation.

    To reach these important goals, I am proud to say that Captain Jim Fishing is a member of the Livingston TN – Overton County Chamber of Commerce! The “Chamber” membership is a great way to showcase my business and enhance the reputation of my company! Chamber membership benefits are manyfold, including monthly meetings and special functions where I can “market” my company and network with other local business owners.

    The Livingston Overton County TN Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shannon Cantrell does a terrific job of serving the needs of Chamber members and promoting the numerous businesses involved. She is a real “go getter”!

    If you are a business owner around Livingston TN, I would strongly recommend you join the Livingston Overton County TN Chamber of Commerce. You can reach them at 931) 823-6421
    Captain Jim Durham

    ABOUT STRIPERFUN GUIDE SERVICE AND TENNESSEE WALLEYE CHARTERS

    As a United States Air Force Veteran, U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine officer, USCG Aux Search and Rescue Coxswain and as a Firefighter, Captain Jim Durham is the owner/founder of StriperFun Guide Service and Tennessee Walleye Charters.

    StriperFun provides charters in Kentucky and Tennessee on Lake Cumberland, the Cumberland River, Laurel Dam Trace, Cherokee Lake, The Clinch River and Tims Ford Lake!

    Tennessee Walleye Charters specializes in fishing charter services for Walleye on Dale Hollow Lake and for Walleye and Sauger on the Cumberland River as well as the “upper” Clinch (above Norris Lake) and upper Powell rivers. We also do Bass fishing and Muskie and Walleye (KY Walleye and Musky charters) fishing charters in KY and TN!

    Jim’s businesses also include Superbaittanks.com and much more…...

    StriperFun Guide Service and Tennessee Walleye Charters are one of the largest and best- known charter fishing guide services in the Cumberland Plateau region. As a former B.A.S.S. fisherman (presented a “Lifetime membership” award many years ago), Captain Jim has been fishing and/or guiding on Lake Cumberland and on the Cumberland River in TN for most of his adult life, fishing the Upper Cumberland Plateau Region 52 years since he was six years old. Captain Jim is very well known and respected by marina owners, lake area business owners and regional law enforcement.

    Captain Jim personally holds multiple licenses and memberships:

     Licensed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife as a fishing guide, with privileges to take customers fishing.
     Licensed as well by the State of Tennessee Department of Fish and Wildlife as a fishing guide.
     Licensed as a United States Coast Guard Merchant Marine Officer, holding a Captain's license (Coast Guard Merchant Marine Officer License # 1037731).
     United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Staff Officer, holding a “Coxswain” (Patrol Captain’s Search and Rescue) rating with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.

    Captain Jim fishing runs hundreds of fishing charters a year. All Captains who take our clients fishing are licensed, insured and are well trained in CPR & First Aid with many years’ experience per man. StriperFun Guide Service and Tennessee Walleye Charters has worked to be one of the best-known guide services in the Kentucky and Tennessee region and will work hard to deliver "big trophy fish". You can count on the fact that your group will be treated with the utmost professional care and safety.

    Different from many basic guide services, StriperFun Guide Service and Tennessee Walleye Charters also caters to corporate groups as well as to families (and couples). Our guide boats are covered and heated during the winter months to get clients out of inclement weather. Our trips include all equipment & tackle as well as bait. Your trip also includes the cleaning and bagging of your catch (where allowed) as well as photos for you to remember your trip.

    Jim personally charters out of a 2015 24-foot center console Alweld Escort Bay boat.



    Powered by a 2015 Mercury 150 four (4) stroke outboard (I love my Mercury!). She is quiet to sneak up on big fish and fast to cover a lot of water! She has 24-mile radar, full Humminbird electronics, a Minn Kota trolling motor, a 50 Gallon Super Bait Tank, a huge 7-foot-long 6-foot-wide Atlantic Towers T-Top (covering you from rain) and is heated and can be quickly enclosed for really cold or wet days. This rig is the ultimate guide boat! She has "tons" of for moving around and fighting big fish and also has comfortable seating for the trip.

    All guide boats have the most modern electronics, fishing gear and Coast Guard safety equipment and are covered in inclement weather for customer comfort!

    CAPTAIN JIM ON THE RADIO!

    I did a fishing radio talk show recently on WHAS 840 out of Louisville on the “Jim Strader” Great Outdoors show. It was broadcast to 17 States. I had the pleasure of being on the air with Jim Strader for almost 2 hours, covering fishing on all thirteen (13) bodies of water my companies offer fishing charters on.

    You can listen to the radio show by clicking:

    For hour one: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/great...ur-1-88402609/

    For hour two: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/great...ur-2-88402608/

    I hope you enjoy it! I am many times on Sunday nights at 6:30 pm eastern.

    “SPECIAL NOTICE”

    When it’s time to go boating and fishing, you want to make sure your boat is ready to hit the water with all the equipment you need to have a great time!

    StriperFun and its related companies can help!

    With a full line up of the most modern marine electronics (fish finders, GPS, radar and more..) at "way below" national chain store prices, you need to let us get you the most modern marine electronics you have really been wanting! StriperFun also sells Captain Jim fishing lures, Striper Fish like a Pro “how to” DVDs, Super Bait Tanks, Hydro Glow Fish lights, Fitech bait nets and more. Captain Jim and StriperFun have everything you need to have a safe and fun year!

    StriperFun and Captain Jim is a "one stop shop" for your boating and fishing upgrade needs or to outfit your new boat! Give me a call at 931-403-2501 or email me at captainjim@striperfun.com

    GIVE THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT OF ALL, A FISHING TRIP WITH CAPTAIN JIM FISHING GUIDE SERVICE!

    The gift of a weekend package deal (or even a one-day fishing trip) with Captain Jim Guide Service makes a great Christmas present for Dad, a brother or for the family and kids, or can make a great bonus for an employee or a promotion for a customer! We fish year-round and our trips are very popular, and our booking dates fill up fast!

    Captain Jim Fishing Charters Services currently provides multi species guide services on numerous lakes and rivers in KY and in TN! We provide (15) guides on (14) different waterways targeting Walleye / Sauger, Bass, Muskie, Crappie, Trout and Striper /Hybrids!

    The gift of a weekend package deal (or even a one-day fishing trip) with StriperFun Guide Service makes a great Christmas or birthday present for Dad, a brother or for the family and kids, or can make a great bonus for an employee or a promotion for a customer! We fish year-round and our trips are very popular, and our booking dates fill up fast!

    Fishing is family friendly and wholesome. So, if you are interested in giving the perfect gift to that special someone, order a fishing gift certificate today!

    Call me at 931-403-2501 or email me at: captainjim@striperfun.com

    SPECIAL NOTICE – STRIPER FISHING TRAINING WITH CAPTAIN JIM!

    For years, as I have done radio and TV shows as well as outdoors and boat show seminars on Striper fishing, I have been approached by the “nicest” people who have a true desire to learn more about the great sport of Striper fishing. There are always lots of questions asked regarding the numerous different techniques involved in our great sport.

    Unfortunately, many times, it is hard to explain things and answer questions when you are not out on the water (to be able to physically demonstrate what you are talking about!). Initially, this is why I created my (hot selling!) "Striper Fish like a Pro" instructional 3 DVD "Trilogy". This gave new (and even experienced!) fishermen a lot of good solid data on how we "Pros" do what we do, etc.

    But from the constant feedback I get I have learned that more information and training is wanted! Because of this continual strong request and demand for more information and Striper fishing training, I now offer "hands on and personalized" Striper fishing technique training with "on the water" instructional trips! These will be trips on my new Alweld that will allow customers to “narrow down and focus in on” a large and diverse group of specific areas of Striper fishing they want to learn more about. It will also allow me to provide very precise and detailed training in a direct on the water "one on one" teaching environment!

    The Striper fishing technique training subjects will include (but not be limited to):

    MULTI SKILL TROLLING SECRETS INCLUDING UMBRELLA RIG - DOWN RIGGING AND SLIDE DIVERS TROLLING;

    HOW TO SET YOUR BOAT UP CORRECTLY FOR BIG GAME FISHING TO BE SUCCESSFUL;

    HOW TO READ MARINE ELECTRONICS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE GREAT NEW LINE OF HUMMINBIRD FISH FINDER / GPS UNITS;

    LIVE BAIT TECHNIQUES (EVERY POSSIBLE SCENARIO HOW TO FISH LIVE BAIT, AS WELL AS TRICKS FOR KEEPING YOUR BAIT FRISKY!);

    CASTING AND RETRIEVING TECHNIQUES AND WHAT LURES TO USE IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS.

    And dozens of more subjects!!!

    Training trips are $75.00 an hour with a 5 hour minimum and are held afternoons beginning at noon. I suggest you book at least 30 days in advance as they are already getting popular and I am booking up.

    By the way, you might even catch a trophy Striper while we are training!

    Please call me at 931-403-2501 if you would like more information. I hope to see you soon!

    To get in on the great fishing action, you can book a Striper fishing adventure with StriperFun! Click the following link: www.striperfun.com/pages/bookacharter.php

    AVAILABILITY FOR TRIPS WITH TENNESSEE WALLEYE AND STRIPERFUN GUIDES

    Many of our customers do not initially realize that the Striper fishing is 365 days year-round. However, all of our boats are heated and we virtually fish almost every day.

    We live for this type of fishing and you can too! Come see us!

    Do not be afraid however to call last minute if you want a trip as we have numerous guides and can accommodate your schedule!

    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 are now moving quickly through Fall. The Winter Solstice has come and gone. Dawn rolls around a little earlier each morning and “Twilight” now rolls around just a little later each night. Winter will be here before you know it and then it all starts again. I give it all to God.
    It is great to be alive and be a “free” American! I look forward to seeing all of you this year on the water.

    Count your blessings each day and live “in the moment”, not in the future and always remember to stop and shake the hand of a person in uniform or wearing garb that shows they are a veteran! Their service is why you speak English, can vote and can enjoy the freedoms you do!

    Until next time, blue skies and tight lines!


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