• Captain Jim's Lake Cumberland Striper 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 Lake Cumberland Striper Fishing Report

    Currently, the lake level is right at 692.15 feet above sea level. The lake is now about 33 feet below the tree line. The tree line is normally at 725' above sea level. With the repairs finished on the dam, the lake is forecasted to be back at 725' above sea level by next year. We will see!

    • Latest water temperature: 42.5° F surface (Beaver Creek) January 10, 2014
    • Latest water temperature: 424.4 ° F surface (Indian Creek) January 11, 2014
    • Latest water temperature: 41.8 ° F surface (Main Lake) January 10, 2014

    THIS IS MY 172nd EDITION OF MY LAKE CUMBERLAND STRIPER FISHING REPORT!


    It has been almost a month since my last report. Greetings to my readers! I hope you had a good Christmas and New years and that the world finds you and your family doing well!

    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. Their service is why you speak English, can vote and can enjoy the freedom that you do!

    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.

    NEW “NIGHT TIME SURFACE FISHING TRIPS” THIS COMING SPRING!

    StriperFun is pleased to advise that we will be offering “night time surface fishing trips” this coming spring!

    Most people have never experienced the tremendous thrill of fishing in the dark of night and having a fishing lure “slammed” so hard by a huge brute fish that the rod is about taken out of their hand! If you crave real excitement, then come see StriperFun this spring to enjoy the pure adrenaline of casting for and catching “monster” Stripers at night on Lake Cumberland!

    The Shad Spawn

    For about a 90 day period from the beginning of April until the end of June, the night fishing on Lake Cumberland is simply spectacular! This great night fishing revolves around the annual spring shad spawn.

    The shad spawn runs on and off during this beginning of April until the end of June period of time. The female shad are pursued by the male males in early spring then later in spring the female shad literally “beat themselves” against the bank to disgorge their eggs. This occurs at night time against the channel rock walls of the lake. Spawning ordinarily takes place at temperatures of about 55° to 60°.

    Well, you can imagine what happens! With millions of shad on the surface near the bluff walls at night, the Stripers are very active “gorging” on this smorgasbord of food! You can actually “hear” the “smacking” of the shad against the banks! You can also occasionally hear the “Whamo” of a monster Striper engulfing shad!

    Captain David Bookout

    StriperFun’s main night time charter guide is Captain David Bookout. I (and the other StriperFun guides) also have fished for years at night for Stripers, but I have to say that Captain David is the best I have ever seen at this! He has fished Lake Cumberland at night for over 40 years, having chartered night time Striper casting trips for the last 25 years! He is a renowned expert at the stealthy technique of locating these night time feeding monster Stripers on Lake Cumberland and putting customers on big fish they can cast upon and catch!

    Captain David charters these night time Striper casting trips out of a 22 foot center console “Cajun” boat. It has a huge front casting platform and is powered by an Evinrude 200 HP Ocean Pro saltwater engine! His boat is loaded with the most top of the line Humminbird electronics, is super stable for casting and is very fast to get you to the big ones!

    See a photo of Captain David’s boat below:



    TRIP HOURS AND PRICING

    The night time surface fishing trips are priced for two (2) fishermen per boat
    The trips last four (4) hours or until your limit is caught
    The cost is $275.00 a trip

    These “night time” casting trips for spring 2014 will book up quickly! To reserve your trip, call me ASAP toll free 866-305-1433 or send me an email to captainjim@striperfun.com

    FISHING CONDITIONS AND TECHNIQUES - MOST RECENT REPORT

    With the big “freeze” that came through, the water has cooled down into the mid to low 40s in the last few weeks.

    The fishing however has remained terrific! It has been Kapow” and “Wham” as the rod tips are being pulled hard down to the water’s edge with the reels screaming like a rabid Kentucky Wildcat fan!


    See the photo below from the recent trip with the Steve Gillespie group (that drove up from the Knoxville area) who had a great day catching a really heavy stringer of big Stripers! Freezing cold but red hot fishing!



    See also below the nice group of Stripers caught by the Bennett group (from Indianapolis) who fished with StriperFun Captain David Bookout! David put them on a nice limit on a really cold blustery day! Some of these fish were caught in just a few feet of water on weightless planer boards! Can you say “Kapow”!!!



    See too the nice limit of Stripers caught by the David Holt, his dad and brother (from Dayton) that caught a nice fat limit all at one on a cold blustery day. The screen of the fish finder just went “black” there were so many Stripers and all the rods went down at once with everyone landing fish at the same time! Yee Hii !!!!



    To see more photos of all the other customer’s limits, click to www.striperfun.com and scroll down to “recent catches”.

    WHERE THE FISH ARE!

    The Stripers are now thoroughly entrenched back in to the major creeks (where they will be until late March). We are fishing the creek bends and current breaks (where the current flow rolls over the creek points or jutting flats). This is where the “hot” action is!

    “BLOOD RED” CLAY BANKS

    For whatever reason, the food chain in the late winter / early spring tends to “bunch up” at the depth of the thermocline directly out from these “blood red” clay banks. Such banks may only be 50 to 100 feet long, adjacent to bluff rock channel banks. I would have to believe that this “rich earth” somehow holds a little more heat or provides an extra dose of nutrients that the plankton and algae like. The bait fish eat the plankton and algae and the entire process of life and death occurs etc.

    All I can tell you is that this technique works!

    The warmest water on the lake through the winter is in the far back of the creeks (10 to 40 feet deep) where freshest rain and creek water is coming in. Also, the water is always warmer on the north shore of the creek. The simple reason being, the Sun is in the southern sky this time of year and the majority of direct sunlight falls on the northern shore line. Always use your temperature gauge on your fish finder and hunt for the “warmest” water you can find. There you will find the strongest concentration of bait fish (and large predators).

    There is a lot of truth to the old adage; “Find the bait fish and you find the Stripers”!

    The bait fish are stacked up in huge (cover the entire graph!) schools in this warmer water on clay banks and points and the Stripers can be “gorging” on this “easy to herd” bait fish.

    Pulling boards with live bait is the ticket. I fish:

    Four weightless boards (two on each side near the banks)

    A board at 6 feet deep (on the bank side)

    A board at 12 feet deep (on the channel side)

    Two slip bobbers are balloons out the back with the last one back 100 feet weightless at 6 feet deep and the closest slip bobber 40 feet back at 15 feet deep.


    Seeing the big predator Stripers take the live bait on weightless boards our balloons is like watching a prehistoric moment! It is “KABAM” and the rod gets “ripped” down in 1/10th of a second!! If you happen to be watching that board or balloon, you can many times see the “bright silver flash” as the huge monster fish traveling 20 MPH eats the bait!

    Sheer adrenaline and pure excitement! Yee Hiii !!!!

    One of my favorite tricks this time of year is to position the boat perfectly “still” (possible only with a Minn Kota I Pilot!) and then drop a Captain Jim Striper Dominator hair jig right into a big ball of bait. If your fish finder is high quality like my Humminbird, you can actually see the jig going up and down. The secret then is to be sure to let the lure drop “below” the bait ball “bail open” to let it “flutter down” at least 6 to 10 feet (below the bait ball). Keep your thumb lightly on the line to feel for strikes, as many times the big predators will then eat the lure hard as it drops because the fluttering hair jig looks like a wounded minnow in a death spiral! If they do not hit it, then “rip” it back up into the bait ball and “bounce it” for a few seconds in place then repeat the process.

    This hot little technique can turn on the fish! Additionally, using the same technique to “drop shot” live bait also works (making a slow day into a frenzied bite)!

    Bam! Bam! Kapow! “Zing” – your rods will be bent with the reels singing!

    I demonstrate these techniques on my “STRIPER FISH LIKE A PRO” Trilogy series. Click onto my photo above to go to the StriperFun website for more information.

    On the colder windier weather days, the Stripers many times will stop lurking near the surface and will move ½ a mile back out towards the main lake into 40 to 60 feet or water, hanging at 25 to 30 feet deep. Pulling boards with live bait is the ticket again, but you will need to hunt for them. The bottom line is that the schools of fish are moving very fast all over the place. When you “hunt” for them, good electronics are a must (see below the Humminbird information!).

    The secret is finding the schools!

    HUMMINBIRD COMBO GPS AND FISH FINDER UNITS

    All StriperFun Captains use Humminbird Side and Down Imaging units. Humminbird Fish Finder / GPS units are simply the best on the market! When you have to depend on your marine electronics to navigate safely at night and in the fog, as well as help you find fish, it is one of your most valuable tools!

    My Humminbird HD unit is simply great! When trolling artificial lures or live bait, I just don’t troll “hoping” to run in to a school of fish. I am scanning up to 240 feet per each side of the boat, looking for schools of bait and fish. When I see them (example: 3 o’clock to the starboard or 9 o’clock to port!), I can then “turn” my boat towards the schools of bait and fish to “get in to the strike zone”.

    Once arriving on the schools of bait and fish, I can switch over to the “Down Imaging”, “Quadrabeam Plus” or “Switch Fire” sonar systems to let me see with great clarity (each technology providing a different yet important view!) exactly where the fish are and how they are orientating.

    Why troll “blind” when you can scan surrounding water to see where the “big ones” are!!

    It makes all the difference in the world, turning a slow fishing day into a great catching day!

    My Humminbird Fish Finder is a guide’s best friend. As a Field Staff member of Johnson Outdoors, I strongly recommend this product to any open water fishermen. To be successful, you need to learn to use your marine electronics. If you are looking for new marine electronics, feel free to call me and I can make some solid suggestions on HUMMINBIRD COMBO GPS AND FISH FINDER UNITS.

    MINN KOTA TROLLING MOTORS FROM JOHNSON OUTDOORS

    I only use the Minn Kota “Rip Tide” trolling motors from Johnson Marine and so should you! As a professional fishing charter Captain, my livelihood depends on my trolling motor working every time – every day! For 15 years I have used Minn Kota trolling motors and my “Rip Tide” trolling motor never lets me down!

    With “cool” features like the hands free “Auto Pilot and “I” Pilot functions, I can set my motor to go a specific direction and turn my back to deploy lines and have full confidence it will stay on course no matter the weather conditions!

    For using a “drop shot” on the fish, once I locate a nice an active school I simply push a button on “I” Pilot functions control and it “electronically anchors me” directly over the fish. If the winds blows me off the spot, the “I” Pilot brings me right back and again “electronically anchors” me back over the fish.

    Man, is that cool or what? I would never consider using anything else but a Minn Kota trolling motor!

    CALUSA and CRACKER CAST NETS

    StriperFun is now a national distributor for Calusa and Cracker Cast Nets!

    Calusa and Cracker Cast nets are the industry’s very best and longest lasting cast nets. They have no equal. I still have some of my Calusa and Cracker nets from 20 years ago. They are a super high quality product that delivers for me as a professional fisherman day after day and they can deliver for you as well!

    Our best selling cast net is the 8 foot 3/8 mesh net. This net sells nationally on line at all major sporting goods stores for $220.00. StriperFun sells this net for only $175.00, saving you $45.00 (20%)! This deal is simply unbeatable.

    However, there are also other circumstances that call for different kinds and sizes of nets. There are numerous net and mesh size combinations. Please call me toll free 866-305-1433 and we can discuss your cast net needs. I can take your order directly over the phone and the nets are then factory direct shipped within 48 hours.

    Do not get caught without your Calusa or Cracker Cast Nets!

    SPECIAL NOTICE!

    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 am now going to be offering "hands on and personalized" Striper fishing technique training with "on the water" instructional trips! These will be trips on the SARA KATHERINE III 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 2 hour minimum (4 hour maximum) 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 toll free 866-305-1433 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: http://www.striperfun.com/pages/bookacharter.php

    Many times our customers do not initially realize that the Striper fishing is 365 days year round. However, as the largest guide service in Kentucky, all of our boats are covered /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 the largest guide service on the water we have numerous guides and can accommodate your schedule!

    Remember if the fish is less than 22 inches to keep it in the water and release it quickly and it will most likely survive - no problem.

    STRIPERFUN’S FULL LINE UP OF LURES

    Captain Jim Lures, a Division of Striperfun.com, sells the top of the line hair jigs (captain Jim Specials) and blade baits (Little Friends), as well as the “Striper Mugger”, the "Kentucky Thumper" the “Tennessee Thumper” and the “Walleye Dazzler”! These lures have been heavily field tested, are super easy to cast (or troll) and besides being Striper magnets, they also absolutely wear out the Large Mouth, Spots, Walleye and Small Mouth!

    Click the link below to go to the StriperFun website and watch the new lures as their photos will appear (a new photo “pops in” every few seconds) in the middle of the top of the screen on the first page. Click any photo of any lure that to go in and read more about the newly designed lures and to see enhanced photos!

    You can also watch them demonstrated on YouTube by clicking the links below:

    "Kentucky Thumper": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXEQaTkleb8

    To buy this lure click: http://www.striperfun.com/store/kent...mper-p-41.html

    “Tennessee Thumper”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba8uN6NYhk8

    To buy this lure click: http://www.striperfun.com/store/tenn...mper-p-42.html

    “Walleye Dazzler”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfuizmHF9r0

    To buy this lure click: http://www.striperfun.com/store/wall...zler-p-43.html

    “Striper Mugger”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46aVV...e=results_main

    To buy this lure click: http://www.striperfun.com/store/stri...gger-p-46.html

    “Captain Jim Hair Jigs and Blade Baits”: http://www.striperfun.com/store/stri...b2964914829f7a

    “Captain Jim Umbrella Rigs”: http://www.striperfun.com/store/umbrellas-c-13.html

    HYDRO GLOW BAIT LIGHTS

    I get lots of calls about catching bait. For years I have been using the “Hydro Glow Bait Light” to catch bait and so should you! It allows me to be “mobile” and catch bait on the main lake as well as at the dock!
    The "NEW" Hydro Glow Fish Light (JUST RELEASED!) is actually an "LED". IT IS TWICE AS BRIGHT BUT IS HALF THE SIZE (and is less expensive than the older models!). It is designed to use 12 vdc low amperage fluorescents 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 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!

    Click this link to go to the StriperFun store to order: http://www.striperfun.com/store/hydro-glow-c-9.html

    SUPER BAIT TANKS

    WE ARE STILL TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED TAKING ORDERS for Super Bait Tanks as the artist (each tank is hand custom made) is recovering from a medical issue. WE HOPE TO RESUME SALES IN MARCH 2014.

    LEAGUE OF KENTUCKY SPORTSMEN!

    Regulations that govern hunting, fishing, and habitat are formed by both the Kentucky Wildlife Commission and the legislative process. The League of Kentucky Sportsmen (League) helps keep the hunters and fishermen on top of today’s issues. The combined voices of sportsmen are a powerful tool used to more effectively influence the decision making so that sportsmen can actually have a say in how the resources are managed.

    The League works with individuals, Government Agencies, and Club Affiliates to constantly support the use of scientific wildlife management practices on public lands, private lands, and corporate lands. The League also supports the Kentucky heritage of hunting, trapping, fishing, and the right to keep and bear arms. The League also provides assistance with organizing events to bring kids and adults together in the great outdoors.

    No single individual or organization can do it alone. The League needs your help. Become a member today.
    Contact the LKS office and order your membership over the phone at (859) 858-0135. Or click on to their website: http://www.kentuckysportsmen.com/

    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 are now moving through the winter season. 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.

    Spring will be here before you know it! 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 Kentucky fishing regulations while on Lake Cumberland or any Kentucky 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, call Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at 800-858-1549.

    Until next time, blue skies and tight lines!

    Provided by Captain Jim Durham
    Owner StriperFun Guide Service, Superbaittank.com
    Captain Jim Marine Electronics & Captain Jim Lures

    Staff Writer for fishin.com
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