• 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 Walleye Charters, Superbaittanks.com, Captain Jim Marine Electronics & Captain Jim Lures

    Staff Writer for fishin.com

    DATE OF REPORT: April 10th, 2017

    • Latest water temperature: 50.1 ° F surface (Cumberland River): April 9th, 2017

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

    KAPOW ! BAM! KAPOW! BIG FISH AND LOTS OF THEM!!!!!

    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 speak English, can vote and can enjoy the freedoms you do!

    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.

    CUMBERLAND RIVER STRIPER FISHING

    With several fish caught each year over 50 pounds, multiple 40 pounders and numerous 30 pound plus fish the Cumberland River continues to prove why she is a world class fishery! When you use large Trout as bait on the Cumberland River we only target big Trophy fish!

    As we now move through April, the "big fish bite" continues to heat up on the Cumberland River in Tennessee! Beautiful scenery, crystal clear water and great fishing! We are now full into 2017 spring season and last week the bite was spectacular!

    RECENT ACTIVITY

    The fishing has been fantastic the last 2 weeks. Stripers in the Cumberland River must be 42 inches long to keep (a keeper is 35 to 40 pounds) and we only keep a fish if it is over 42 inches long and the customer wants to mount it! We weight all fish on a Boga scale and then gently release them back in the cold waters of the river to grow even larger:

    In the last two weeks our customers have caught:

    Jim Cipielewski came all the way from northern michigan to fish with us. This year we have already had visitors from as far away as Florida, Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, California and many other far away States who made the trip to fish these world class waters of the Cumberland Plateau. I always enjoy having first time visitors on the boat and seeing their reaction to the beautiful Cumberland River area as well as their reaction to the spectacularly huge fish we catch!

    The Cumberland River produced well for Mr. Cipielewski who nailed a hard fighting 53 POUND female. THIS IS OUR LARGEST FISH OF THE YEAR TO DATE!

    A fish that large is hard to hold up to get a good photo, so Jim’s friend who came with him helped him hold it up! These big fish inhaled the 15 inch Trout and took off screaming, providing a fun fight of a lifetime!



    I had the pleasure to host Jim Cox from Lexington to fish with us yesterday. The Cumberland River produced well for Mr. Cox who nailed a hard fighting 27 pound Striper!


    Phil Paxson and his friend Tom Bragg who came all the way from Iowa to fish with us. The Cumberland River produced well for Phil and Tom! Tom started it off with a nice 32 pound Striper (Tom has a hat on) and shortly thereafter Phil nailed a hard fighting 45 pounder (a fish that large is hard to hold up to get a good photo)! These big fish also inhaled the 15 inch Trout and took off screaming, providing a fun fight of a lifetime!






    I also had the pleasure to host Dave Fuhrmann from Ohio and his friend Dave Bujanowski who was visiting from Wisconsin. Neither of them had ever been on the Cumberland River and man, she did not disappoint!!!

    Check out the massive 48 pound (Boga scale) Striper Dave Bujanowski caught. Wow!! What a fight! We took a quick measurement and photo and then she was released unharmed into the river to grow even bigger!



    My next trip I had the pleasure to host John Ackerman and his boys Jason and Justin from Ohio. They are old customers who have fished with me on Lake Cumberland but this was their first visit on the Cumberland River. We really fought difficult high wind and weather issues, but I finally zoned in on some big monsters and the boys nailed them!

    Jason caught a 35 pounder and not to be out done his little brother Justin’s fish was 46 lbs on the Boga scale! Enjoy the photos!

    It’s just great to see the boys growing in to polite, accomplished young men, now catching bigger fish! A real pleasure to host this family! We took quick measurements and photos of both fish and they were released unharmed into the river to grow even bigger!






    COME GET YOURS!

    Click the link below to book:

    https://www.striperfun.com/pages/bookacharter.php

    NOW IS THE TIME – Come see us for BIG Stripers as well as the Walleye and Sauger! Either click the above link to book, or you can call me at 931-403-2501.

    CUMBERLAND RIVER WALLEYE AND SAUGER FISHING WITH TENNESSEE WALLEYE CHARTERS!!

    My company Tennessee Walleye Charters provides fabulous Walleye and Sauger fishing on the Cumberland River all winter long! Be sure to book your April Walleye and Sauger trips on the Cumberland River. You are really going to love this exciting way to fish this beautiful river!

    The last couple of weeks the Cumberland River has continued to produce great stringers of delicious Sauger!

    Check out our customers:

    The Wesley Nelson group, with their nice stringer of heavy Sauger! Great day of fishing with Tennessee Walleye Charters!



    We also had the pleasure of hosting Aaron and Kerason Vogler. Great fishermen in their own right!



    Then the next photo is of Bill Burke and his son Brandon. Bill comes with us all the time. It was Brandon’s birthday and a great fun father and son adventure!



    Great days of fishing with Tennessee Walleye Charters, with all groups professionally guided by Tennessee Walleye Charters Captain Jeff Brown!

    AS AN FYI, IN MAY WE WILL BE SWITCH OVER TO DALE HOLLOW FOR THE WALLEYE BITE! This runs from May until October (then back on the river). We are already booking many of the prime summer time and early fall “full moon” dates! DO NOT BE LATE locking in your big Walleye night time fishing adventures on Dale Hollow!

    Click below to book your trip!

    http://www.striperfun.com/pages/bookacharter.php

    WILLOW GROVE RESORT LODGING

    As a professional fishing guide who has boated and fished on Dale Hollow Lake and the Cumberland River for over 50 years, I always want to make sure my customers are taken care. For super nice cabin accommodations on Dale Hollow, I always recommend Willow Grove 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

    Willow Grove Resort Marina offers spacious lodging in a variety of cabin settings right on Dale Hollow Lake with great lake views!

    All Willow Grove Resort lodging rentals have cable TV, microwave, 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!

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

    About StriperFun Guide Service

    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. StriperFun provides charters in KY on Lake Cumberland, on Tims Ford Lake in TN and Captain Jim’s Cumberland River Adventures in TN. Jim’s businesses also include Captain Jim Lures, Superbaittanks.com and much more…...

    StriperFun’s fishing charter businesses 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 (Kentucky License # 007).
     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 and his guides run hundreds of fishing charters a year. All StriperFun Captains are licensed, insured and are well trained in CPR & First Aid with no less than 20 years experience per man (a combined 180 plus years of experience). StriperFun has worked to be one of the best known guide services in the Cumberland Plateau 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 than many basic guide services, StriperFun 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 (Lake trips) as well as photos for you to remember your trip.

    Jim personally charters out of a 2015 new 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 StriperFun guide boats have the most modern electronics, fishing gear and Coast Guard safety equipment and are covered in inclement weather for customer comfort!

    StriperFun is a strong supporter of our nation’s military men and women as well as our police and firefighters, offering a 10 % discount as a “thank you” for their service!

    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 and the Cumberland River.

    You can listen to the radio show by clicking: http://whas.iheart.com/media/play/27193712/

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

    CAPTAIN JIM LOVES HIS MERCURY 4 STROKE AND SO WILL YOU!

    I love my Mercury PRO XS 150 four stroke! It has unbeatable gas mileage, trolls slow for me when I need it to and gets me to the fish when I am in a hurry! It is dependable, virtually no maintenance and starts every time!

    For people who demand speed and acceleration from their outboards, the OptiMax Pro XS is the only choice!

    CLICK BELOW TO GO TO THE MERCURY SITE!

    https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/engines/outboard/

    CASTING

    We are casting Captain Jim lures to the occasional (this time of year) surfacing fish:

    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 “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:

    “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

    You can also purchase Captain Jim lures at the Willow Grove Marina ship store on Dale Hollow and at Grider Hill Marina on Lake Cumberland!

    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”

    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

    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”. My new Helix 12 Humminbird finder is really delivering for me! These huge Stripers act like Largemouth in the river, stacking up and hiding behind cover in the current to “swoop” out and hit the Trout! This new side scan technology can make the difference on a slow day, helping me spot the patterns!

    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!

    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

    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 4 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 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 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!

    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 spring. Dawn rolls around a little earlier each morning and “Twilight” now rolls around just a little later each night as the winter solstice has come and gone.
    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 TN fishing regulations while on Lake Cumberland or any Kentucky (or 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, call Tennessee or Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.

    Until next time, blue skies and tight lines!
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