1st time on Lake Cumberland

[STONEWALL]

I am looking for a little help with the Big C I have never fished it before and I will be their 7th-10th. I will mainly be on the uppper end. What kind of patterns should I be ready to fish for SM and LM (main lake points)? And what are some of the better colors of soft plastics to fish this time of year? I don't want your honeyhole just some basic info.


Thanks in Advance

[stevec]

Cumberland has always been pretty tuff for me..but I have caught several nice smallmouth throwing brown tubes on main lake points with boulders and big rock..also had some success throwing flukes at laydowns in shallow water...and when all else failed try throwing a senko at laydowns off main lake pockets..have picked up some real nice ky's that way

[kent]

Try throwing a spinnerbait too. Around chunk rock is best. Also parallel chunk rock banks. Keep spinnerbait within 10 ft of the bank. Throw a hair jig around same places.

[lesson]

I have had always had good luck catching quality fish on the C. Most of the spots I've fished came from suggestions on this board, lures too. By this time of year your best bet is to fish the main lake. If you fish the creeks stay in the 1/3 nearest the mouth. If your fishing at night, especially your first time, go in the creek while it's light and fish your way back to the mouth of the creek. Don't pay attention and you'll see the sun rise on the lake. Be extra careful of debris, especially at night.

During the day keep one rod rigged with a swimming grub - smoke, salt and pepper, etc. and another with a large spinner bait - preferable the kind with three blades. Another rod with a crank bait. I've had good luck with the Mann's 15+ in the grey ghost color.

Try night fishing. It's exciting and you don't have to deal with the large pleasure boats. I like to fish for striper at night on the surface and have caught some giant smallmouth and walleyes while using this technique: First, the striper don't usually come to the surface until 12 to 1am Central time they're following the alewive. You'll hear the alewive along the shore. It will sound like it's raining. Shortly after the alewive start, you'll hear large fish feeding on the surface. These are mostly striper with some large SM, LM, and walleye. Put your boat within three feet of the rock wall (parallel). Share the front of the boat with your buddy. Hopefully one of you is left handed. Cast a large surface bait (jointed redfin)and retreive steadily keeping your bait on the surface and within 6 ft of the wall. Hold on with both hands. Instant erection possible.

An oldtimer that worked at Cumberland point campground told me once, after I was complaining I couldn't catch a large SM that if your catching SM, your in the right place. Fish slower and deeper. Also, it's just hard to get big SM in the boat.

Hope this helps. Good Luck.

[STONEWALL]

Thanks it all helps alot. Sounds like alot of the same things I do on Norris and Cherokee in East Tenn. C'land is a huge lake and I was looking for some help and I found it I really appreciate the info you guys where willing to lend and any fish I am lucky enough to catch will back swiming real soon, unless it is a good size eye.


Again Thanks.

[elnutsmalljaws]

You have mail on your personal email.

[STONEWALL]

I sent you a personal mail back.