• CAPTAIN JIM'S DALE HOLLOW LAKE 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 DALE HOLLOW LAKE FISHING REPORT

    • Latest water temperature: 53.5 ° F surface (Wolf River): March 18th, 2015
    • Latest water temperature: 54.1 ° F surface (Lilly Dale): March 19th, 2015
    • Latest water temperature: 54.2 ° F surface (Wisdom Dock): March 17th, 2015

    Currently, the lake level is right at 648.35 feet above sea level. The lake is now about 3 feet below the tree line which is 651' above sea level.

    Provided by Captain Jim Durham - Owner Dale Hollow Charters Fishing Guide Service, StriperFun Guide Service (on Lake Cumberland and the Cumberland River), Superbaittanks.com, Captain Jim Marine Electronics & Captain Jim Lures

    Staff Writer for fishin.com

    DATE OF REPORT: March 19th, 2015

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

    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. 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.

    DALE HOLLOW CHARTERS 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.

    About Dale Hollow Fishing Charters

    Are you looking to have some fun catching big Muskie, Walleye, Trout or Bass? Dale Hollow Fishing Charters can put you on big fish on beautiful Dale Hollow Lake! Guided trips are available year round, weather permitting. Dale Hollow Fishing Charters caters to fishing enthusiasts of all ages. Whether it is a weekend trip with a group of your buddies, or a trip with mom and/or dad, a large multi boat corporate trip or a big fishing weekend with the wife and/or the kids (couples and families welcome) all Dale Hollow Fishing Charters trips can be customized accordingly!

    Why Use a Fishing Guide?

    Utilize the guide’s many years of experience and lake knowledge -Learn new tactics and techniques – Increase your chance of “landing the big one!” - Use top of the line equipment and the freshest live bait - Cost effective way for your group to fish (cost per fisherman) - Even professional fishermen hire guides to learn a lake and new techniques!

    What you Can Expect to Catch – How we Fish

    We target the mighty Muskie as well a big Walleyes, Smallmouth & Largemouth Bass (Kentucky Bass too), as well a big Trout (Brown and Rainbow). We use only the freshest live bait, as well as a variety of artificial lures we troll to target suspended schools of fish.

    WISDOM DOCK RESORT LODGING FLOATING HOTEL ROOMS RIGHT ON THE WATER! CABIN RENTALS!

    As a professional fishing guide who has boated and fished on Dale Hollow Lake for over 50 years, I always want to make sure my customers are taken care. For the very best resort style “on the water” hotel rooms and cabin accommodations, I always recommend Wisdom Dock Resort!

    Imagine waking up overlooking one of the largest and most scenic lakes in the Eastern United States. Dale hollow is truly paradise! It has over 620 miles of shoreline (average depth 80 feet) with over 27,000 plus acres of crystal clear water

    Wisdom Dock Resort Marina offers spacious lodging in a variety of settings right on Dale Hollow Lake!

    You can choose from “on the water” floating hotel rooms (exclusive to Dale Hollow – only at Wisdom Dock Resort!), or you can stay in one or two bedroom rustic cabins with terrific views of the lake!

    Our “on the water” floating hotel rooms are located directly in our marina complex and have accommodations that sleep 2, 4, 6 and 8. You can walk directly to our restaurant. So, you get to enjoy peace, quiet and comfort, but you’re still close to the lake and all of the excitement we have to offer!

    Check out the photo below of one of these brand new and “cool” floating hotel rooms!




    Our cabins are one or two bedrooms and are just up the hill from the marina.

    All Wisdom Dock Resort lodging rentals have cable TV, microwave (the cabins also have kitchenettes), small refrigerator and coffee maker as well as year round heat and air to keep you comfortable. We pride ourselves on the cleanliness of our rooms!

    With clean rooms, houseboat rentals, small boat and annual or overnight slip rentals and world class views of Dale Hollow Lake, you are sure to have an enjoyable stay at Wisdom Dock Resort Marina!

    Current Specials

    Floating Hotel rooms with attached, covered slip

    · Any room, any 2 nights - $199.00
    · Any room, any 3 nights - $249.00

    The above Floating Hotel pricing is good for “off season” bookings only for the dates as described above.

    You can book all Wisdom Dock lodging directly “on line” right on our website! Just click the following link:

    http://dalehollowcharters.com/pages/resort-lodging.html

    Or call Captain Jim Durham at 931-403-2501and I can take your deposit and customize your entire trip for you, including boat rentals as well as fishing trips!!

    FISHING CONDITIONS AND TECHNIQUES - MOST RECENT REPORT

    The water has now warmed nicely into the mid 50 ° degree range (54.1 degrees today).

    WALLEYE

    With the severe ice and storm late this Winter, the Walleye run has been somewhat delayed. The Walleye are now beginning to move eastward up the rivers and larger creeks, holding in 20 to 30 feet deep water in the major turns and where there are steep drops near flats. The bait fish are as thick in these areas as well, also stacking up heavy on the turns and drop offs near flats!

    I have attached a photo of my fish finder wherein you can see the thick schools of bait fish! As the old saying goes, “find the bait” find the fish.



    Book your trip now! Click the following link:http://www.dalehollowcharters.com/pa...okacharter.php

    In a few weeks he Walleye will begin hitting deeply trolled thinly shaped shad and trout imitator crank bait lures on down riggers and slide divers (see below for slide diver information for trolling for Walleyes and Muskie) through the Spring. However, on certain days they may not chase lures.

    If I cannot hit them trolling, I will fish the Walleye now by dead lining night crawlers on worm harnesses “Carolina style” with a ½ oz weight about 8 feet above the worm harness. I look (again) for suspended schools in the river channel in 20 to 30 deep water, holding in the major turns and where there are steep drops near flats. The key is to keep the boat held over top of the fish and to slowly raise and lower the night crawlers on worm harnesses.

    The hits will be very light, feeling like you hooked weeds. Do not “slam” the hook when you set it like you would for a Bass. The worm harnesses have small hooks.

    This type of fishing can be very frustrating as you will many days see the fish on the fish finder but cannot get them to bite. You must be patient. Sometimes it just takes once fish to bite to get the other fish “stirred up” to begin to bite as well. If you can get the feeding to begin, a limit can soon follow!

    On windy days, it can be very difficult to hold the boat over top of the deeply suspended schools. When this happens, I switch over to trolling for Muskie (which is my wintertime favorite on Dale Hollow)!

    The Walleye run on Dale Hollow starts anytime now! Do not miss out! Book your trip now!

    MUSKIE FISHING

    Dale Hollow Lake (as a highland reservoir) has really clear water and a winding deep river channel. There are many creeks that flow into the lake. They are usually deep and narrow, running into the main channel. This causes short points that drop off quickly into deep water and, rocky straight up and down banks as well as nearby “feeding ground” flats with stumps and humps. There is also a lot of manmade structure, including but not limited to old roadbeds, sunken bridges or house foundations.

    From January through the first of April is the most common time of year to land a trophy Muskie! These tremendous fighters must be at least 50 inches long at Dale Hollow to even be a keeper! It is widely believed that the next World Record Muskie will come from Dale Hollow!

    Book your trip now! Click the following link:http://www.dalehollowcharters.com/pa...okacharter.php

    At Dale Hollow, these highland reservoir Muskie are very territorial. These fish will spend their lives suspended over the old river channel, occasionally moving to creek channels or the aforementioned sunken road beds or deep-water food flats, humps, and points. They do not move often

    It is in these places that you want to “key in” on the fish. I am trolling huge Muskie plugs.

    BASS FISHING

    The Smallmouth and Largemouth (and Kentucky) fishing is also good now. We are both casting and fishing live bait.

    See below some photos of recent catches:

    See Nick Raab with a big Small Mouth!




    See Dee Sackfield with a big Large Mouth!



    The fishing will really begin to “ramp up” as the water begins to warm, so get your charter set!

    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 lake! I give it all to God!

    Please see attached some additional photos I took of my new guide boat.





    I am now chartering out of a 2015 24 foot center console Alweld Escort Bay boat. Powered by a 2015 Mercury 150 four (4) stroke outboard, she is quiet to sneak up on big fish and fast to cover a lot of water! With 24 mile radar, full Humminbird electronics, Minn Kota trolling motor and Cannon downriggers, 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 and is covered to keep our clients dry during inclement and a heater is provided when it is cold.

    Casting

    We are casting Captain Jim lures to surfacing fish:

    FULL LINE UP OF LURES

    Captain Jim Lures 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) they also absolutely wear out the Large Mouth, Spots, Walleye and Small Mouth!

    Click the link below to go to the 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...l?%3CosCsid%3E

    “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

    Slide Divers

    We are also really starting to catch them good on Slide Divers trolling my Captain Jim Special hair jigs! You can read about this and watch an instructional video at:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezJKL....o6N1CTRO.dpuf

    GIVE THE BEST GIFT OF ALL, A FISHING TRIP WITH CAPTAIN JIM AND STRIPERFUN GUIDE SERVICE OR DALE HOLLOW FISHING CHARTERS!

    The gift of a weekend package deal (or even a one day fishing trip) with StriperFun Guide Service or Dale Hollow Fishing Charters 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@dalehollowcharters.com

    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 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.

    For “new” Super Bait Tank orders - call me or click:

    http://www.striperfun.com/store/supe...tanks-c-3.html


    “SPECIAL NOTICE - NEW SERVICE OFFERED BY STRIPERFUN – MONSTER STRIPER TRIPS AND WALLEYE AND TROUT FISHING ON THE CUMBERLAND RIVER!”

    I am pleased to advise that I have expanded my level of services to now include “monster” Striper fishing (as well as Walleye and Trout fishing!) on the Cumberland River (below the dam).

    Some of the largest freshwater Stripers in the world are found in the Cumberland River below the Lake Cumberland Wolf Creek Dam. Throughout the year, it is not uncommon to see 40 or even 50 pound “goliath” Stripers pulled from the beautiful waters of the Cumberland River. 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 also seasonally catch fabulous Walleye, Sauger and some absolutely “huge” Rainbow trout! Come enjoy the scenic and beautiful Cumberland River as you pursue various trophy fish! We hope to see you soon!

    “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, Calusa bait nets and more. Captain Jim and StriperFun have everything you need to have a safe and fun year!

    Click this link to go to our online store: http://striperfun.com/store/

    As a new service, we are also providing a "bow to stern" approach of helping boaters and fishermen “update” the equipment on their boat. This includes outfitting brand both new boats as well as upgrading older boats (where the owners want to upgrade equipment). This also includes full installation of all electronic and mechanical equipment (installing marine electronics, trolling motors, down riggers, radar units, battery chargers and more!).

    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@sdalehollowcharters.com.

    HUMMINBIRD COMBO GPS AND FISH FINDER UNITS

    Captain Jim uses 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 and I sell these units on line as well.

    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!

    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 is broadcast to 17 States. I had the pleasure of being on the air with Jim Strader for almost 2 hours, covering fishing on Lake Cumberland, Dale Hollow and the Cumberland River.

    You can listen to the radio show by clicking: http://www.whas.com/media/podcast-gr...2014-24935145/

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

    SPECIAL NOTICE!

    For years, as I have done radio and TV shows as well as outdoors and boat show seminars on fishing, I have been approached by the “nicest” people who have a true desire to learn more about the great sport of 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 fishing training, I now offer "hands on and personalized" fishing technique training with "on the water" instructional trips! These will be trips allow customers to “narrow down and focus in on” a large and diverse group of specific areas of 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 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 popular.

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

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

    Many of 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!

    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/

    If you have any other ideas, techniques or subjects you want me to write about, drop me a line!

    We are moving quickly thru winter. Dawn rolls around a little earlier each morning and “Twilight” now rolls around just a little later each night. 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 Kentucky and Tennessee fishing regulations while on Dale Hollow Lake or any other waterway. 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

  • COE Louisville District
    Daily Lake Report
    More Lake & River info



  • Recent Articles