Cumberland River below dam

It's been a while since I've posted anything but thought I'd ask for some advise. I'm finally going to do a trip on the CR and I was wondering what might give me the best luck on catching fish. I don't own a fly rod so I'm just taken my ultra light and medium action outfits. Is trout the only thing to be expected? What are the best baits to use? (not fly). Are there any smallies in there? Any and all replys would be helpful. Hope everyone is catching fish. I'm not going until the end of the month but wanted to get mentally prepared.

Fish Hard!

Ahhh yes, the good old Cumberland River, God's country in my opinion.

In my experiences you'll do well with light tackle, spinning gear, 6lb test, nothing heavier than 1/4 lures is all you should need...minnow immitations and spoons.

I'm not a fly fishermen at all, but I'd like to be, I just don't have time to do all the fishing I'd like to do. But it seems to me that light tackle guys tend to catch more fish than fly guy's on the Cumberland River. I hope this doesn't start an argument here, it's just my own opinion on the subject.

Lastly, I've never caught anything but trout out of the Cumberland River but that's probably because that's what I was always fishing for...there are other fish in their but you're more than likely to catch trout than anything else, depending on what section of the river you intend to fish of course. Good luck and please give us a report when you get back!

I've only been there once or twice since the drawdown, but used to go all the time. Only fished for trout. In-line spinners such as Blue Fox, Rooster Tail and Panther Martin work well. They typically catch more fish but smaller. Don't be afraid to throw them right into the rapids. Deeper pools allow Rapala Countdown crankbaits to be used. Seem to catch the larger fish on the Countdowns. Chubminnow is right ..... God's country. Enjoy, be safe and let us all know how your trip went.

I've heard of others catching a few smallmouth in the river, but I've never even seen one. Expect to find lots of trout, with occasional walleye and white bass thrown in. If there's any flow, and there probably wont be then, you can run into some monster stripers.

The standard trout stuff works on the CR. Use panther martin inline spinners (I love the brown trout pattern) or rooster tails, super duper spoons are pretty deadly, pin minnows, and small plastic jerk baits. Berkley dough bait (I forget the name) will catch tons of trout.

You've got plenty of time to learn to use a fly rod if you're interested. If you can lay out 40 ft. of line and learn to mend the line with the current, you'll catch fish w/ nymphs. The first time I tried it several years ago, I caught around 25 or so on my first attempt. Haven't used much else since. I've seen many days when you could stand shoulder to shoulder with someone throwing hardware and catch three to his one on a nymph. Lots of fun.

Good luck.

Your equipment selection is just about perfect. Trout are of the overwhelming majority down there, however, just below the **** you can get some walleye too. I haven't caught any smallmouth but a few largemouth actually. You will catch your share of skipjack, which all in all are quite entertaining if its a slow day. The water is gonna be way down so plan on fishing shallow.

[U][B]Trout :[/B] [/U]

[B]Inline Spinners: [/B]
Mepps Agila #2/#3
Blue Fox Vibrax
Rooster Tails (White or Yellow)

[B]Cranks:[/B]
Rebel Wee-Craw
Shadrap
Minnow Imitators

If you get frustrated, some chartreuse powerbait fished about 2 ft down from a splitshot will get it done every time.


[B][U]Walleye (Best After Dark):[/U][/B]
Shadraps
Minnow Cranks
Nightcrawler Rigs



Try the Cajun Turkey Sandwich at the BP up the road...Good Stuff

Has There Been Enough Water Lately To Put In A 17' Bass Tracker At The Dam?

Can't thank you guys enough! Looking forward just to get down there camp and be on the water. I'll let you know how it goes.

One more question that KY47 hit on. I've got a 15ft bass boat, 20 ft john boat, or a two man 10ft bass raider with just trolling motor.

Is the water to low to put either of the bigger boats in at the dam and float? If so is there a ramp further down the river that I could use?

Thanks Again

Fish Hard!

[QUOTE=SMALLIES;338909]
One more question that KY47 hit on. I've got a 15ft bass boat, 20 ft john boat, or a two man 10ft bass raider with just trolling motor.

Is the water to low to put either of the bigger boats in at the dam and float? If so is there a ramp further down the river that I could use?

Thanks Again

Fish Hard![/QUOTE]

There are some usable ramps downstream.........I've not been in a couple months, but the times I've been, I could have easily put in my smaller 14ft john. The last 4-5 times down, I've used by canoe, which is PERFECT for down there.

This year I've not caught a brown, but have caught plenty of rainbows, a few walleye, some sauger, and a few KY bass.......

Like others said, inline spinners, etc, etc, on lighter tackle. AND I use the #4 Shadrap RS or #5 and NOTHING Larger, for walleyes, and larger rainbows.

I hope this helps.

Later,

Geo

No on the bass boat (unless it's alum), the jon boat would be great except there's no flow right now so it might be hard to unload and load and then you've only got about 2 miles of river you can fish before you get to the shallows. The 10 ft. is fine, just be careful...that water is cold and you don't want to take a plunge.

JoeB is right about the tackle...the super duper is deadly (bronze and silver work the best). So are little cleo's, pin minnows, and Kast masters. I have been useing a pink worm on a #2 hook with a #8 or #9 wieght up about 8" or so from the hook and letting it bounce off the bottom. It's a little aggrevating at first, but you'll catch a ton of fish that way...if you ball up orange powerbait on the tip of the hook you'll get more action.

For slow moving water around structure I use a white maribou jig...(1/8oz. jig head with white fur on it) Jerk is thru the water...lots of slack in the line...all you're really doing is making it dance. You'll not have as many hits, but it's a sure fire way to catch bigger fish.

I took a friend down the other week and he caught two largemouth. I didn't even know largemouth were in the river! You might catch skipjack, whitebass, walleye, or sauger...but more than likely you'll just catch trout.

Troutcrazy

I think there actually is some flow, but NOT much.

I think they are still running the suise gate starting around 7:00am and shutting it off a few hours later.

This will help you unload the boat, but loading will be a BEAR.

I just checked the TVA site......[url]www.TVA.COM[/url], and it says they are still running the gate at least 1 time a day. Of course, in the past, this has been WRONG, but I think that was mostly due to high water in the lake.

This time of year can be REALLY fun. If you go, PLAN on being there when the gate opens.....wait 30 minutes, and then put in.......you will have about 1 - 1 1/2 ft more water........

AGAIN, that is why I take a canoe now days.

BUT the fishing can be FANTASTIC...........Actually, I might do down this next weekend........

Later,

Geo

[QUOTE=troutcrazy;338911]I took a friend down the other week and he caught two largemouth. I didn't even know largemouth were in the river! You might catch skipjack, whitebass, walleye, or sauger...but more than likely you'll just catch trout.

Troutcrazy[/QUOTE]

Are you sure they were largemouth and not KY's........I've not caught a largemouth down there, but I've caught KY's.........

Later,

Geo

That's what I said...in fact when he told me that he caught a largemouth I said..."You can't catch largemouth in this river, it's too cold". About that time he landed another. I saw that one and it looked like a largemouth, but I believe you are probably right. Of course I think this guy could have thrown a sock on a hook and grabbed a blue marlin out of the river the way he was fishing that day. He caught everything with gills and fins!!

Ky's are pretty similar to largemouth aren't they?

TC