Spring Smallies at Cumberland

Ya, I know, it’s a ways off, just planning ahead! Just looking for some tips on targeting smallies at Cumberland in spring. Wanted to get in to the smallies a little more and combine the night striper trips with some day time smallie action. I have the creek smallies down pretty good close to home, but am somewhat out of my element at Cumberland. I’ve had some success on and off the last few springs hitting rocky points in the main creeks or larger coves off the main lake. Usually throwing a topwater plug or a deep crank (shad color) close to the bank. Also caught a few Spots around timber. Don’t mind catching them either!

Sooo, any pointers? Types of plugs to use, colors, types of structure to target? I’m not looking for anyone’s honey holes, just some ideas so I can find my own areas. They’ll all be released. Well, unless I get that 8# smallie, then I might have to keep it to show mhall :D

good luck to you. I have burned up the creeks and the river myself and done very well with smallies. But I can't do well on Cumberland for some reason.

[QUOTE=apb;312364]Ya, I know, it’s a ways off, just planning ahead! Just looking for some tips on targeting smallies at Cumberland in spring. Wanted to get in to the smallies a little more and combine the night striper trips with some day time smallie action. I have the creek smallies down pretty good close to home, but am somewhat out of my element at Cumberland. I’ve had some success on and off the last few springs hitting rocky points in the main creeks or larger coves off the main lake. Usually throwing a topwater plug or a deep crank (shad color) close to the bank. Also caught a few Spots around timber. Don’t mind catching them either!

Sooo, any pointers? Types of plugs to use, colors, types of structure to target? I’m not looking for anyone’s honey holes, just some ideas so I can find my own areas. They’ll all be released. Well, unless I get that 8# smallie, then I might have to keep it to show mhall :D[/QUOTE]

I'll be calling ya, I'll have the Yammie back singing by then. We are gonna go and whack some. I promise, you are going to say, ''Mark, I think you might need to net this one". Or at least I'm going to try like heck to make you say it anyway. I know where a few browns live year after year. With Cumberland it's more about timing than anything. Spring of the year Feb thru April and even around Derby time many fish are caught. Prime water temps are from 52 to 60 degrees. My personal favorite is around the 55 to 58 mark and it's on. Maybe we'll get that magical 8 pounder that keeps me up at night??

Hey apb, you sound just like me. I wanted to do something other than bottom fishing for stripers during the day while waiting for it to get dark. Last spring we decided to hit main lake points with big rocks on them. We were using our lure and used it like a jerk bait. We caught a bunch of smallies including two between 4 and 5 lb. It's a blast getting them on a jerk bait. Those smallies just cant' stand it. They will follow it back to the boat and then hit right when you think they wont. I can't wait to hit them again this spring. Of course I will be after stripers at night, but there isn't anything wrong with big brown fish.

Thanks gents!

Mark, sounds like a plan to me. Hit the smallies until striper time, or hit the stripers and work the smallies for the first couple hours of daylight.

Mean, know what you mean. Certainly don't mind a good smallie. Been catching a few good ones while striper fishing. Would much rather hit them with lighter gear than with a heavy striper stick. Will have to give that Gizz a workout for the smallies too.

Andrew