• Latest water temperature: 72.1 ° F surface (Fishing Creek – Lee’s Ford Marina) May 21st, 2013
• Latest water temperature: 70.9 ° F surface (Indian Creek) May 20th, 2013
• Latest water temperature: 72.6 ° F surface (Fishing Creek – Needle Point) May 21st, 2013
Currently, the lake level is right at 705.85 feet above sea level. The lake is now about 20 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 late summer (we will see!).
THIS IS MY 159th EDITION OF MY LAKE CUMBERLAND STRIPER FISHING REPORT!
It has been 3 weeks since my last report. Greetings to my readers! I hope 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 freedoms 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.
FISHING CONDITIONS AND TECHNIQUES - RECENT ACTIVITY
The fishing the last 3 weeks has been really great. All six (5) of the StriperFun Captains have been putting some really nice fish in the boat.
Just in the last week, the fishing got especially good!! Same story day after day! The planer boards and down lines getting “viscously” slammed and the rods being bent over double with the rod tips buried in the water!
Bam! Bam! Kapow! What a blast!
Check out the photos below of many of the great catches our clients have enjoyed reeling in!
The majority of the big predator Stripers are now staging in the mouths of creeks, within a half mile of the creek mouth in the creek or within a half mile of the creek mouth on the main lake. Basically, stay within a half mile of the creek mouth and you should do well!
You may find them holding in 40 to 65 feet of water in the creek bends and turns and on sharp points and humps on the main lake. They will be on the surface early and late in the day.
Learn to use your topographical maps and electronics. If you are looking for new electronics, feel free to call me and I can make some solid suggestions on HUMMINBIRD COMBO GPS AND FISH FINDER UNITS.
When we are also trolling, looking for schools of fish (with high water the Stripers are scattered some days – troll to find them) and they are absolutely “slamming” my Captain Jim Special Dominator umbrella rig (in Chartreuse color and “Tiger” pattern). I am running 4 nine jig full rigs out the back and 2 Captain Jim Special “mini” rigs with five jigs out the side. This presents 46 jigs at a time in the water. It has simply been tearing them up, with 20 to 30 fish caught per day with lots of nice keepers.
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.
It is important when live bait fishing that you have perfect control with your trolling motor.
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 and turn my back to deploy lines and have full confidence it will stay on course no matter the weather conditions! I would never consider using anything else but a Minn Kota trolling motor!
The continual warming water will cause the Stripers (and other species) to really begin to get active near the surface! This is where casting artificial lures can really pay off! PLEASE READ THE EQUIPMENT SECTION BELOW IN THIS REPORT to learn about lures to throw that will produce big fish for you!
My dad always took the time to take me fishing and taught me to enjoy and respect the outdoors. These valuable lessons serve me even today. SO TAKE A KID FISHING! Fishing is “family fun”. Come see us soon!
StriperFun has guides available this weekend so come see us! To get in on the great fishing action, you can book a Striper fishing adventure with StriperFun! Click the following link: Book a Charter with StriperFun Fishing Guide Service - Lake Cumberland Striper Fishing and Fish like the pros
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 and we virtually fish almost every day.
We live for this type of fishing and you can too! Come see us!
HAIR JIG CASTING TECHNIQUE
One of my favorite techniques (I use when pulling boards in the early spring) is to throw a ½ ounce white on white hair jig or all chartreuse or chartreuse and white “Captain Jim Special Dominator” hair jig rigged with a 2 inch plastic trailer.
The trick to catching these “ultra shallow” fish is to actually cast the jig “up on the shore”. The reason being, that the “splash” of the large jig in the shallow water will many times “spook” a large Striper.
If you fish shallow water in the winter or early spring often enough you will experience the sick feeling of seeing your lure hit the water and see an immediate “swirl” of a large “startled” fish fleeing for deep water!
So, to combat this problem, we cast our jigs up on the shore. Then, as we take up the slack of the line to get it tight, we then “hop” the jig (with a quick raising of the rod and a slight jerk on the lure) quietly into the water. The jig will have a tendency to snag on rocks and submerged wood. As soon as you hop your jig into the water you need to raise your rod tip high and reel quickly. This will virtually eliminate most snagging of the jigs on the bottom.
This type of fishing can be really exciting!
As you hop your lure into the water and begin to quickly retrieve your jig from the edge of the shore, it will begin to smack into rocks, wood etc. This can cause a “reaction” bite (like a large mouth smacking a crank bait after it careens off of a stump).
It works on Stripers too!
You will many times experience the same “swirl” of a large Striper’s tail in the shallow water. The difference is that now the fish isn’t running away, it is flying to eat your lure! You need to be ready as soon as you hop the lure in and begin the retrieve. We catch many Stripers that are hanging around eating bait fish right on the edge of the shore. A soon as you hop the lure in, they many times will slam it! This is especially true on windy days when the wind is blowing in towards the bank you are fishing. The wind blows in the bait fish that are “tired” from fight the wind. They make easy prey for the Stripers, so always pay attention to the wind direction when you chose a bank to fish.
This trick will deliver for you!
The next few months can be one of my favorite times of year to fish! The air and water temperature are heating up and it is a true pleasure to be out on the water. The fishing continues to improve and will only get better! Book a trip with us!
TARGETING BIG FISH
I also find that the very largest “older Stripers” will break away from the schools and will stay off by themselves. Similar to how a huge buck deer will separate from the herd to live alone.
This seems to be the normal life cycle of many of God’s creatures.
I also find that most of these larger older Stripers (really big targets on the fish finder!) will “strategically hold” on underwater current break points (within a few feet off the bottom) waiting to ambush prey.
Using high quality fish finders, I search out and locate where there are channel swings in the creek bottom forming ledges (which the current washes nutrient rich water across!) or where there are sharp mud to rock transitional areas (nature’s “party zones” for the algae, plankton and bait fish!).
It is in these areas I like to target these largest of fish and usually will find them!
To do this effectively (to narrow the focus to only larger fish), I will Slide Diver and down rig larger (3/4 to 1 ounce) Captain Jim Special hair jigs with plastics trailers. Always keep your colors consistent! Use white trailers with white jigs and green trailers with green (chartreuse) jigs, Do not mix colors and you should have better luck (at least, from my experience).
I troll at about 2.2 to 2.5 MPH in this cold water. Since the fish are holding right off of the bottom, you need to keep your hair jigs directly in the strike zone. To do this, you have to be continually moving the downrigger ball (and subsequently the trailing lure!) up and down with the bottom contour so as to not hang up your lure or down rigger ball. It is a constantly active moving process and is better worked by having at least two people on the boat.
I can teach you this technique when you book a trip!
Equipment section
Where “on the water” to buy Captain Jim Special StriperFun lures
You can now purchase all of the StriperFun – Captain Jim Lures and products (hair jigs, blade baits, umbrella rigs and multi lure casting rigs, DVDS and more!!) at Grider Hill Marina on the western end of Lake Cumberland (ask for Lucas or Gwen!)!
Captain Jim Lures is proud to now offer the new “Slide Diver – Lite Bite”!
I am pleased to advise that Captain Jim Lures is now selling the new “Slide Diver – Lite Bite” controlled depth trolling fishing device! Captain Jim and the StriperFun crew have been “beta testing” this great new tool for the last several months and the results have just been terrific, with limit after limit of Stripers caught (and some huge trophy monster Stripers as well)!
Over the years, many Lake Cumberland fishermen have had great success “down rigging” Captain Jim Special “Dominator” hair jigs. When using a down rigger, you can control the depth at which your hair jig is running. If you see the fish continuing to hold at a certain depth, by using a down rigger you can keep your hair jig at this depth to keep your lure in front of the fish.
However, down riggers (both manual and electric) can be very expensive! Many fishermen simply cannot afford to buy multiple down riggers for their boats. Also, smaller boats (or some boat designs) do not have sufficient space to be able to mount down riggers. Further, using down riggers can be intimidating for some fishermen, especially the need for “double stacking” to increase the number of lures being trolled.
So what is the solution? How can fishermen inexpensively and dramatically increase the number of lures they can troll while at the same time actually “controlling the depth” at which the lures are running?
The answer is the new “Slide Diver – Lite Bite”!
The new Slide Diver – Lite Bite is a disc shaped “in line” device that utilizes water pressure against the planing surface which forces the unit to “dive both out and down” when trolling. The difference is, that while older styled divers were permanently attached to the line (and the lure could only be back as far as the length of the rod from the diver), the new Slide Diver – Lite Bite actually “releases” and slides down the line to the lure once a fish hits. This allows you to run your lures back as far as you want (generally 100 to 150 feet) before you lock down the Slide Diver – Lite Bite to the line.
This is very important.
Stripers (different for example from Lake Trout or Salmon) have very keen eye sight. They spook very easily! Because older styled divers were permanently attached to the line and the lure was within just a rod’s length from the disc, they were no good for Striper fishing. The disc would spook the Stripers and scatter them and the lure would pass just a second after. The Stripers would not have the time to regroup and settle back in to their normal pattern before the lure arrived.
However, the new Slide Diver – Lite Bite again allows the lure to be back 100 to 150 feet behind the disc. This is very similar to how you troll a hair jig and plastic trailer 100 to 150 feet behind a down rigger ball. This gives the needed time (once the disc passes) for the Stripers to regroup and settle back in to their normal pattern before the lure arrives. Just like a down rigged lure yanks the line off the down rigger clip when a fish hits, the new Slide Diver – Lite Bite “releases” when the fish hits and slides down the line to the lure.
It is just so cool how these things work!
The adjustable weight shifts the diver from the center to the far right or far left trolling positions from the boat. Based on the adjustable setting on each diver and the amount of line released, the Slide Diver will descend to a pre-selected angle and depth. I can “dial in” the degree I want the diver to run “away from the boat and down” just like a planer boat runs away from the boat. With a planer board, the more line you put out, the further the planer board runs out away from the boat.
The same thing happens with the Slide Diver – Lite Bite!
For example, I can put the Captain Jim Special “Dominator” hair jig and plastic trailer out 100 feet and then lock in the Slide Diver – Lite Bite. If I tune the diver in at a 6 degrees setting and let the diver itself out another 100 feet, at this setting the diver will be running at an angle (like a planer board) about 15 feet “away” from the boat and at a depth of about 28 feet. Then I will put out a second Captain Jim Special “Dominator” hair jig 75 feet out lock in the Slide Diver – Lite Bite. If I tune in the second diver at a 3 degrees setting and let the diver itself out another 75 feet, then the second diver will be running at an angle (like a planer board) about 7 feet “away” from the boat and at a depth of about 32 feet. The second diver at a 3 degrees setting (less severe) is running at a more “downward” angle.
You can tune the Slide Diver – Lite Bites either right or left –either way! As such, I generally run both a 6 degree “and” a 3 degree diver off each side of the boat (right and left) at the aforementioned settings. Once set, I then also double stack Captain Jim Special “Dominator” hair jig and plastic trailers on my Cannon down riggers.
This allows me to easily troll 8 Captain Jim Special “Dominator” hair jig and plastic trailers at the same time. The fish catching results are simply phenomenal!
You can buy the new Slide Diver – Lite Bites directly on the StriperFun website store! Just click the link below: Slide Diver Lite Bite | $26.60 | Striper Fun Guide Service!
For early 2013, look for new videos from StriperFun Lures demonstrating the powerful fishing tools of the new Slide Diver – Lite Bite trolling devices!
THE UMBRELLA RIG FISHING IS ALSO GETTING RED HOT!!! You can buy the full line of Captain Jim “Dominator” Umbrella rigs directly on the StriperFun website store! Just click the link below:
UMBRELLAS | Striper Fun Guide Service!
SURFACE ACTION AND FISHING ETIQUETTE
If you see a school of Stripers on the surface feeding, be sure to not run your boat directly into the school. Come down off of plane at least 150 feet away then approach by trolling motor on high speed. Be patient as well, do not throw until your lure can reach the edges of the school (that is mentally “hard” to do).
Be respectful of other boaters as well. Unfortunately, you will rarely get the same treatment.
The reality is that the fish usually will not stay up long. However, check the time on your watch and stay in the general area. My experience this time of year is that they re-surface every 6 to 8 minutes as they “herd” the large schools of shad to the surface (like any predators herd their pray). Many times, I find that if I “run” over towards them when I see them come up, by the time I get there they are “back down”! Then, when I look over, they are coming up “right where I just came from”! This is a technique you just have to learn (to be at the right place at the right time).
Truthfully, sometimes it is just “luck”.
If the Stripers are still all over the surface, we are absolutely hammering them throwing my Captain Jim “Little Friend” blade baits and my “Dominator” hair jigs, as well as the Kentucky and Tennessee “Thumper” rigs and the new “Striper Mugger” rig (multi lure casting rigs)!
LURES TO THROW
Captain Jim Lures, a Division of Striperfun.com, sells the top of the line 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!
DO NOT BE FOOLED BY IMITATORS LURES NAMED AFTER OTHER STATES!
The “Striper Mugger”, the "Kentucky Thumper", the “Tennessee Thumper” and the “Walleye Dazzler lures are all “higher quality” products that sells for much less than the competition AND THEY COME FULLY RIGGED where the competition’s rigs do not! They are tougher than any other multi lure casting rig and they will deliver for you!
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": Kentucky Thumper Lure - YouTube
To buy this lure click: "KENTUCKY THUMPER" [1234] | $24.99 | Striper Fun Guide Service!
“Tennessee Thumper”: Tennessee Thumper Striper Lure - YouTube
To buy this lure click: "TENNESSEE THUMPER" [1235] | $24.99 | Striper Fun Guide Service!
“Walleye Dazzler”: Walleye Dazzler Lure - YouTube
To buy this lure click: "WALLEYE DAZZLER" [1236] | $20.99 | Striper Fun Guide Service!
“Striper Mugger”: Striper Mugger Lure - YouTube
To buy this lure click: STRIPER MUGGER [1021] | $21.99 | Striper Fun Guide Service!
I also demonstrate these techniques on my “STRIPER FISH LIKE A PRO” instructional DVDs. You can buy the DVDs and umbrella rig lures on line off of the StriperFun website, or at Grider Hill Marina or at Lee’s Ford Marina (StriperFun Headquarters!) in the ship store.
Come book a charter with me and get in on the fun surface casting action!!!
GIFT CERTIFICATES
The gift of a weekend package trip (or even a one day Striper fishing trip) with StriperFun makes a great Father’s day 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 catching “trophy Stripers” or giving the perfect gift to that special someone, order a StriperFun Guide Service gift certificate today!
StriperFun also offers an extensive variety of products that make great gifts, including numerous types of fishing lures, Super bait tanks, Hydro Glow bait lights and much more!
We take VISA and MASTERCARD credit cards!
Call me for details at 513-304-8825 or click my photo above to go to the StriperFun website to send me an email!
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: HYDRO GLOW | Striper Fun Guide Service!
SUPER BAIT TANKS
You will need to put your live bait you catch in a bait tank. 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.
Click this link go onto the StriperFun website to learn more or buy your super bait tank!
SUPER BAIT TANKS | Striper Fun Guide Service!
StriperFun Guide Service now has six (6) guides to serve your charter needs. We can handle large group and corporate outings!
My Captains and I are all Federal Coast Guard Certified and State licensed, insured and are well trained with well over 160 years of combined experience! If you want to catch Monster Stripers this spring, then you better book soon! The prime spring dates are already booking up, so do not wait too long to lock in your trip! All of StriperFun’s guide boats are covered and heated as well.
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: League Of Kentucky Sportsmen | Kentucky Hunting Enthusiasts > Home
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 into the early summer season. “Twilight” now rolls around just a little later each night. 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!