C-land report 3/16 & 3/17

Got out for a bit on Cumberland Sunday and Monday. Launched at Halcombs new ramp at the Dam. Very nice facility and other than the courtesy dock being out in the lake 15 to 20 feet and the ramp under water it would have been perfect. Keel guard and on the concrete no big deal. Water is still very cold, main lake from Beaver and Otter down to way back in Indian was 45 to 46 degrees. Water way back in Whipperwill creek was the warmest I seen in two days and it was 48 to 49 degrees and that was late Sunday and the sun had been out awhile. Bite is horrible and you have to pull out all the stops to get bit. Sunday I managed a whopping two fish and missed two other bites. One was a 16 inch smallmouth that I caught on a redneckshadrap (FNF) jig. Yes it got so bad I was fishing the fly. I had one other good pull down but I missed him day dreaming. The other was a 13 inch Kentucky caught on a jerkbait. My last and final bite was missed on the jerkbait. Monday started a little better with a 19 inch smallmouth that weighed 3.5, caught on a pointer jerked in 10 feet of water, main lake pocket. Soon there after I hooked another brown one on the jerk that was a better fish probably 4lb or a little better than came unbuttoned on the way to the boat. Only two bites I had and left at 1.00 o'clock. Talked to two other boats one with two guys in it and the other one fella. Boat with two guys had had zero bites in two days. The other fella caught one small spot while he and I were talking from opposite sides of the back of a creek we were in. Guys at the BP Bass Pro on 127 said it had been really tough for about a week now. That's all I got for now, not much of a report but hey I tried my best and it was tough.

At least you were able to get out...nice report Mark, thanks!

One was a 16 inch smallmouth that I caught on a redneckshadrap (FNF) jig. Yes it got so bad I was fishing the fly. I had one other good pull down but I missed him day dreaming.

Come on now Mark, "So bad that I was fishing the fly", makes me think Operator Error was involved somewhere for the Fly always works in cold water, especially in Clear Cold Water even in Chocolate Milk Cold Water (for Crappie that is) (It could have been that redneckshadrap fnf jig, just kidding Billy). That daydreaming pull down miss just could have been the 5 plus pounder that would have made the day. I will assure you that if you dedicate to fishing the fly from daybreak to 11am and throw nothing else when the water is below 53 degrees, you will catch more big Smallies than you ever see in the wintertime. Only been fishing it since December 2004 and I have caught and released a 6-6, 6-4, 6-2, 2 that were 5-15, another 25 or so between 5 and 6, and no telling how many between 4 and 5 (a guess would be 40-50) and that is including only 20 days on the water in the winter of 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 due to all my hernias. Planning on going back to Dale this Thursday thru Sunday and adding to all 3 weight columns and hopefully putting my first 7+ in the boat. I know it is a confidence thing, but EVERY time I launch at Dale when the water is 53 or below, I EXPECT to catch a 5 pounder. You keep throwing that fly, "If you fish it, THEY will come", THEY meaning BIG SMALLIE MOMMAS. All that being said, I wish I was with you for any day on the water is better than any day any other place. If I ever do hit the Powerball, I might as well give my wife her half up front for with me having houseboats on Dale and Ky, plus the best bass boat money can buy with the BIGGEST motor on all of them, I see too many days on the water and divorce proceedings starting eventually. Oh a guy can dream for a while.

[QUOTE=elnutsmalljaws;319995]One was a 16 inch smallmouth that I caught on a redneckshadrap (FNF) jig. Yes it got so bad I was fishing the fly. I had one other good pull down but I missed him day dreaming.

Come on now Mark, "So bad that I was fishing the fly", makes me think Operator Error was involved somewhere for the Fly always works in cold water, especially in Clear Cold Water even in Chocolate Milk Cold Water (for Crappie that is) (It could have been that redneckshadrap fnf jig, just kidding Billy). That daydreaming pull down miss just could have been the 5 plus pounder that would have made the day. I will assure you that if you dedicate to fishing the fly from daybreak to 11am and throw nothing else when the water is below 53 degrees, you will catch more big Smallies than you ever see in the wintertime. Only been fishing it since December 2004 and I have caught and released a 6-6, 6-4, 6-2, 2 that were 5-15, another 25 or so between 5 and 6, and no telling how many between 4 and 5 (a guess would be 40-50) and that is including only 20 days on the water in the winter of 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 due to all my hernias. Planning on going back to Dale this Thursday thru Sunday and adding to all 3 weight columns and hopefully putting my first 7+ in the boat. I know it is a confidence thing, but EVERY time I launch at Dale when the water is 53 or below, I EXPECT to catch a 5 pounder. You keep throwing that fly, "If you fish it, THEY will come", THEY meaning BIG SMALLIE MOMMAS. All that being said, I wish I was with you for any day on the water is better than any day any other place. If I ever do hit the Powerball, I might as well give my wife her half up front for with me having houseboats on Dale and Ky, plus the best bass boat money can buy with the BIGGEST motor on all of them, I see too many days on the water and divorce proceedings starting eventually. Oh a guy can dream for a while.[/QUOTE]

I didn't say it wouldn't catch fish as I know it will. I as most everyone on here know's that it's not my favorite way to fish as it bores me to death. I just meant that I would rather be fishing something different. Oh I did fish the fly several hours and one other guy I talked to was also trowing it, they just flat out wasn't eating squat. I hate a East wind, it seems it's bad no matter what time of year. Heck Elwood you might have even got your boody spanked by'em down there this weekend.....

[QUOTE=mhall;319998]I didn't say it wouldn't catch fish as I know it will. I as most everyone on here know's that it's not my favorite way to fish as it bores me to death. I just meant that I would rather be fishing something different. Oh I did fish the fly several hours and one other guy I talked to was also trowing it, they just flat out wasn't eating squat. I hate a East wind, it seems it's bad no matter what time of year. Heck Elwood you might have even got your boody spanked by'em down there this weekend.....[/QUOTE]

No Spanking to be gotten this weekend, planning on catching a lot more than normal with the water temps that are coming up and fish moving to the backs of the creeks to spawn. The bulk of them may?? not come on the fly, but it will be thrown and there will be fish caught on it. Planning on jerking or cranking the majority of them to the boat this weekend.

[QUOTE=elnutsmalljaws;320000]No Spanking to be gotten this weekend, planning on catching a lot more than normal with the water temps that are coming up and fish moving to the backs of the creeks to spawn. The bulk of them may?? not come on the fly, but it will be thrown and there will be fish caught on it. Planning on jerking or cranking the majority of them to the boat this weekend.[/QUOTE]

I'm sure you are in touch with your network at the Holler but they aren't many fish in the backs of the creeks at Cumberland yet, I was surprised. Most of the brown fish caught right now from everybody down there in the know says the main lake is still where you need to be. Judging from what I experienced and the x-135 I would agree with that. Tourneys are yielding small bags down there right now. I should have went to Dale, I guess the extra hour talked me out of it. Dale is on fire, Cumberland is not, LOL. My wallet ain't as thick as yours ya know??? This dang gas is killing me!!!!! Maybe I should have went up lake some more and found some higher water temps, who knows. Don't worry my milk run jerkbait bite is getting REAL close and there WILL BE SOME GOOD BROWN ONES brought over the gunwale soon, count on it.

i hadnt been down since 2 weekends ago but some buddys went down and won the south central tourny sunday...said if theyd caight all the fish thye missed they would have culled out at least twice...were headin down friday to hopefullly wackem,have a report when i get back

[QUOTE=bereabasser;320026]i hadnt been down since 2 weekends ago but some buddys went down and won the south central tourny sunday...said if theyd caight all the fish thye missed they would have culled out at least twice...were headin down friday to hopefullly wackem,have a report when i get back[/QUOTE]

I knew that was coming, LOL. Didn't that go out of Burnside, I knew I should have went up lake, How much weight did they have?? If I would have landed that other one I had hooked up yesterday I would have had between 7 and 8 lb in two fish. Wanted to stay longer but my back was killing me and I was tired. 6 or 7 bites in 1 1/2 days is tough.

Tournament was out of conley bottom. They fished lower end . They had 15 lbs and some change. Second was 14 1/2. Third was THREE smallmouth weighing right at 14......... NONE of them came on a fly.
As for the fly it has not done much on cumberland this winter. All the guys who normally do well have said they have had a hard time getting it to produce. One day maybe 3-4 fish and then 3 or 4 days of only one bite.... water temps 45-49..... Jig and crankbait fishermen spanking the fly guys hands down....................

[QUOTE=Jbyrd;320041]Tournament was out of conley bottom. They fished lower end . They had 15 lbs and some change. Second was 14 1/2. Third was THREE smallmouth weighing right at 14......... NONE of them came on a fly.
As for the fly it has not done much on cumberland this winter. All the guys who normally do well have said they have had a hard time getting it to produce. One day maybe 3-4 fish and then 3 or 4 days of only one bite.... water temps 45-49..... Jig and crankbait fishermen spanking the fly guys hands down....................[/QUOTE]

Jbyrd, I threw the cranks till I thought my arm was gonna fall off, lol. I'll get'em next time.

the caught every one of there fish on jigs,3/8 and 1/2 ounce in 10-15ft of water...luke devere and his dad mike won it and i go to school with luke and were big fishing buddies and he said they couldve easily had around 22lbs if they wouldve landed fish...me and him is goin down friday,red ranger,be down lake if ya see us come by and say hi

[QUOTE=Jbyrd;320041]Tournament was out of conley bottom. They fished lower end . They had 15 lbs and some change. Second was 14 1/2. Third was THREE smallmouth weighing right at 14......... NONE of them came on a fly.
As for the fly it has not done much on cumberland this winter. All the guys who normally do well have said they have had a hard time getting it to produce. One day maybe 3-4 fish and then 3 or 4 days of only one bite.... water temps 45-49..... Jig and crankbait fishermen spanking the fly guys hands down....................[/QUOTE]

Jbyrd,
SOME of them weren't cathin' em. I've got some pics to prove 'em different. I
had several good days on the Fly. I'm not sayin' it's the magic bait, I'm just sayin' that because nobody in a tournament caught 'em on it (NOT talkin' about this tournament in particular), doesn't mean they weren't bitin' it. Even them old largeheads eat it good this winter. I had a 6.5 and a 5.75 the same day. I will admit it's time for other things now.....wiggley wart, jerking bait, hotter lips, and what's them other things called....jjjjjiiiiiggggssss. Seriously, I did make a believer out of a few of my fishin' buddies this year and I think we just all need to fish our strengths. Personally, I want to throw whatever it takes to catch 'em.
See ya'll on the water,
Tim
bassmaster