Provided by Captain Jim Durham - Owner StriperFun Guide Service, Tennessee Walleye Charters, Superbaittanks.com - Captain Jim Marine Electronics & Captain Jim Lures
Staff Writer for fishin.com
DATE OF REPORT: November 11th, 2023
Greetings to my readers! I hope that the world finds you and your family doing well!
About StriperFun and Captain Jim
Captain Jim Fishing Charters Services currently provides multi species guide services on numerous lakes and rivers in KY and in TN! We provide guides on (16) different waterways targeting Walleye / Sauger, Bass, Muskie, Crappie, Trout and Striper /Hybrids!
Captain Jim Durham’s fishing charter businesses are some of the largest and best-known charter fishing guide services in the 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 for most of his adult life, fishing the Upper Cumberland Plateau Region 59 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.
STRIPER FISHING TRAINING ON LAKE CUMBERLAND! WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW TO SEE WHAT OUR CLIENTS THINK ABOUT OUR “ON THE WATER” TRAINING!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le_jh6AcLro
For several decades I have sold a "Striper Fish like a Pro" 3 DVD training trilogy that was filmed on Lake Cumberland. There is a lot of good solid basic and advanced instructional material in these DVDs. You can buy them or download them on line at https://striperfun.com/product.../striper-fishing-dvds/
I ALSO OFFER "ON THE WATER" HANDS ON STRIPER FISHING TRAINING out of Grider Hill marina. Striper fishing training trips are $400.00 with a $100.00 deposit, Trips are mornings or afternoons. You can bring one friend if you choose.
The Striper fishing training services offered are "hands on and personalized" Striper fishing instructional technique training with me "on the water" aboard my boat, similar to the seminar training I do but much more in depth! Training topics allow customers to choose from a large and diverse group of specific areas of Striper fishing they want to learn more about then to "narrow down and focus in on" the chosen subjects.
Once the subjects are chosen, then I provide very precise and detailed training in a direct ON THE WATER "one on one" teaching environment!
STRIPER FISHING TRAINING AGENDA
• Safety equipment - concepts – including attention to weather forecasts, marine radio considerations, float plans (lifeline contacts – where will you be?), life vests and other safety options!
• How to set your boat up for fishing large predators (like Stripers), including the types of rods, reels, line, weights, planer boards, lures, and hooks you should use for trolling, casting and fishing live bait and the actual “hardware and software” you will want to consider
• Knot tying, strong knots – double fisherman’s knot
• Bait tanks, including advice on the best model for your boat and tips to keep bait frisky!
• Catching live bait techniques including using Hydro Glow bait lights and Fitec Super Spreader bait nets, where to use them in what circumstances, KY bait transporting laws and other techniques for catching large bait in other parts of the lake!
• BoBo’s Thumper, when and how to use it - demonstrate
• Trolling motors (focusing on Minn Kota “I” Pilot models), including the best model for your boat, electronic anchoring techniques, speed settings for planer boards, auto speeds control, true north versus I Pilot setting to lock direction, setting of your trails and tracks and other features and techniques!
• Fish Finder / GPS units (focusing on Humminbird Side Scan models), including the best model for your boat, learning to read a standard two- dimensional bottom view presentation, learning to read down imaging and side imaging, learning to read the GPS and 3-D and numerous other features and techniques!
• Available “Software” for your Fish Finder / GPS unit. What products work best on Lake Cumberland!
• Fishing Live bait techniques (every possible scenario) how to fish live bait, from pulling planer boards (canyon wall), fishing weightless, balloons or slip bobbers, down lining, the drop shot technique and bottom fishing tricks!
• Casting and retrieving lure techniques and what lures to use in various situations and “special” secret tips!
• Multi Skill trolling secrets using trolling Umbrella rigs, slide divers and a multitude of other trolling features and techniques!
• Lake Cumberland Seasonal lake information (where to fish Lake Cumberland what time of the year)!Customized subjects not listed the customer wants to learn!
We normally can cover many or all of these subjects in each 4 hour class (we can focus on as much or as little as you want on each subject or I can try to cover as much outlined here as possible).
To book a training trip email me at captainjim@striperfun.com or call me at 931-403-2501
CHEROKEE LAKE (surface temperature 64.5 degrees)
My Cherokee guides (FIVE GUIDES!) are all State and USCG licensed, insured and are well trained in CPR & First Aid, with many years’ experience per man! We have worked to be one of the largest and best-known guide services and we 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.
Cherokee Lake in Eastern Tennessee covers 30,300 acres, is 59 miles long and has 463 miles of shoreline. Cherokee Lake is noted for big Stripers but is also “loaded” with big fat “Hybrid” Stripers as well! The Striper and Hybrid fishing is simply off the chart! 10 and 30 fish days are frequent (TN allows catch and release!), with a limit of 2 keepers per fisherman! The Striper – Hybrid fishing on Cherokee Lake (near Knoxville TN) is very popular with our clients.
See yesterday’s catch and some big schools on the fish finder!
Throughout the fall we troll Captain Jim Special Umbrella rigs (click this link https://striperfun.com/product/striper-aggravator/) 10 to 30 feet deep on suspended schools of fish, concentrating on main creek channel points. The Striper and Hybrid fishing is simply off the chart! 20 and 30 fish days are frequent (TN allows catch and release! With 5 full-time guides StriperFun offers day trips on Cherokee Lake year-round (weather permitting).
CUMBERLAND RIVER SAUGER - WALLEYE IN TENNESSEE! (surface temperature 56.3 degrees)
We begin each fall Sauger - Walleye fishing on the Cumberland River (north central TN). Our techniques include jigging live bait and trolling Captain Jim Special Walleye lures (click this link https://striperfun.com/product/hand-...e-magic-lures/).
These trips begin December 1st and run through March 31st. We are already booking strong in December! The fishing is phenomenal! The beautiful flowing waters of the Cumberland River are loaded full of big fish. The Cumberland River is a world class Sauger and Walleye destination (fishing for 2 people only on the Cumberland River)!
We also offer Walleye charters on the Holston, Powell or Clinch Rivers in Eastern TN (Surface temp 59.2 degrees). Our techniques include jigging live bait and also (see above) trolling Captain Jim Special Walleye lures. The Fishing for the Clinch River is year around and the Holston and Powell River fishing begins November 15, running through the end of March!
Be sure to book your November through March Walleye and Sauger trips on the Cumberland River and Walleye trips on the Powell, Holston or Clinch Rivers in Eastern TN! You are really going to love this exciting way to fish these beautiful rivers!
STRIPER FUN GUIDE SERVICE ON THE CUMBERLAND RIVER (surface temperature 56.3 degrees)
Captain Jim’s StriperFun Guide Service Cumberland River Adventures fishes in the Cumberland River because year around and the fall fishing is known to produce “massive” trophies!
We fish with Captain Jim SOTC Striper Series rods and Captain Jim planer boards.
https://striperfun.com/.../sotc-striper-series-rods-mh.../
https://striperfun.com/product/captain-jim-planer-boards/
Here below are photos of a recent 25 and a 45 pound fish caught!
The Stripers are much larger in the Cumberland River system than other freshwater areas. CLIENTS HAVE COME TO SEE US FROM LITERALLY ALL OVER THE WORLD. Over 15 Stripers are caught annually in excess of 50 pounds and 40-pound fish are not uncommon. The smallest fish (we generally catch daily) is over 3 feet long!
We cast Captain Jim Special “Striper Magic” hand crafter glide baits for these big fish (click this link https://striperfun.com/product-categ...r-magic-lures/).
These river monster fish mostly eat high protein Rainbow Trout, large Gizzard Shad and Skip Jack and also fight the current all day, making them much heavier and stronger than “lake” fish. This fishing is not for the faint of heart however! These big fish hit like freight trains, making long powerful runs in the constantly flowing waters of the river! We use large rods, heavy duty reels, 50-pound test line and titanium hooks!
When a big river Striper comes after a large bait, the bait will be tail dancing all over the surface trying to get a way. Sometimes the “dance” will last half a minute (as you watch the big predator circling the prey!) until the Striper finally gets the big bait then its “Kabam”!! The rod gets yanked down and the reel is screaming!
You can watch the videos of them catching their fish (as well as many other customers catching their big Stripers!) right on the StriperFun You Tube page (click the link below to see our most recent video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wS6XkBM0_g
LAKE CUMBERLAND (surface temperature 66.3 degrees)
Lake Cumberland is over 100 miles long (average depth 120 feet) with over 50,000 plus acres of crystal clear water loaded full of big Stripers! It is one of the largest manmade lakes in the U.S. with nearly 1,300 miles of shoreline! Captain Jim has fished Lake Cumberland over 55 years.
StriperFun offers day trips on Lake Cumberland (weather permitting) on the Western end of the lake year-round (with client pickups at Grider Hill Marina Resort and Halcomb's landing launch ramp by the dam). With advanced arrangements, we can also pick up on houseboats for a small additional fee. We have availability for up to 24 fishermen per day - maximum of four (4) per boat. We use only the freshest live Gizzard and Alewives shad, as well as lake shiners and suckers, targeting suspended schools of fish holding in up to 100 feet deep over the river and creek channels.
Enjoy a photo of a recent catch!
You have got to come fish with Captain Jim Fishing on these waterways! Click here for more information: http://striperfun.com/pages/bookacharter.php
Please also follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/StriperFunFishingGuideService/
While you are on our Facebook page, please “like” the page!
SUPER BAIT TANKS
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 have only ever used the SUPER BAIT TANK. Every guide I know uses it and so should you! StriperFun is the exclusive NATIONAL "online" dealer of the SUPER BAIT TANK.
For “new” Super Bait Tank orders - call me or click:
http://www.striperfun.com/store/supe...tanks-c-3.html
Please also follow us on Facebook:
GIVE THE BEST GIFT OF ALL, A FISHING TRIP WITH CAPTAIN JIM AND STRIPERFUN GUIDE SERVICE!
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
Many of our customers do not initially realize that the Striper fishing is 365 days year-round. However, all of our boats are covered 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!
SUPPORT THE VETERANS
As a former United States Air Force Airman - military veteran and as a current U.S. Merchant Marine Captain and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Patrol Coxswain (Captain), I understand the great importance that our brave service men and women play in our society.
We also cannot forget the duty and service provided by our Policemen, Fish and Wildlife Officers and Firemen.
STRIPERFUN OFFERS A 10% DISCOUNT on all charters to currently active Policemen, Fish and Wildlife Officers and Firemen as well as to all active military AND retired military veterans (with proper verification ID provided by the person booking the trip).
This is our way of saying “THANKS” to these important men and women for your service.
God is amazing in his creation! I am blessed to spend another day pursuing my passion of putting clients on big fish on our magnificent lakes of Cumberland and Dale Hollow and the Cumberland River! I give it all to God!
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!
Fall is here. 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!
Remember also to always obey all KY and TN fishing regulations. Following the rules is a must! It is important that we all be good stewards of our fishing resources.
Until next time, blue skies and tight lines!
Search Fishin.com
Recent Articles