Lake Cumberland...

Anyone who bass fishes cumberland... What are your thoughts on this lake? On certain trips I love it, just go down there and slay them. And then you can go back to your same hot spots the next day or night and cant buy a bight. This lake frustrates me on certain trips, and then on certain trips it is the best lake to fish in my opinion, just depends on the bite. I cannot figure it out. Anyone else feel this way about CLand??? Also if anyone has been lately, im hading to Cland in the next few days, how has the smallmouth bite been lately? Largemouth? I usually fish around Beaver Creek, White Oak, and Fishing Creek....

"bite" - misspelled it in the original post....

It is a LONG way to Beaver Creek from Fishing Creek.

I am a Big C junkie, I have been for alot of years. To answer your question about it being tough, oh yea it can be real tough. I have fished all over the state and for many years. In my opinion no bite can change from day to day quicker than on Cumberland. The stripers can change that fast to not just bass. Had several times where I would get spanked one day only to follow it up with a 20lb sack on best five the very next day. I have never seen a lake that can switch gears so fast.

Time and lots of it will help this some but it will always be present. I seldon ever get skunked anymore as with the early years I would. Put in the time and it will get better and those occasional best five brown ones being 19 to 21lb will keep you more than interested. One thing I will add as with any lake there are time windows for seasonal habits, learn those well plan your trips accordingly and you'll have a good time.

Fishing Creek, I know its a long way, and we very seldom run from fishing to beaver by water, alot of times we will either put in at beaver and fish there, or put in at conley and fish white oak and fishing creek.
Mhall, im glad someone agrees with me. I very seldom ever get skunked there anymore, there are a couple of spots where I can always put at least 1 in the boat. But sometimes its different and we are on fire smoking them!!! We (my fishing partner and I) have fished that lake enough that we should be able to go down there and produce every time, and sometimes we do, but its like the last trip e took dow there a few weeks ago, we hit all of our hot spots, and didnt produce much, put 1 or 2 small fish in the boat, and thats it. But other times when the bite is on there is no place i'd rather be. Also, we are heading down this weekend for smallmouth, anyone who has been lately have any report on the bite.

I think the lake being lowered and played with so much on elevation changes it has really affected the lake and the bite. So very poor spawn classes have occurred down there since all this fix the dam stuf has started to. I also feel the lake needs stricker reg's on the smallmouth fishery to, 18'' isn't enough. In my opinion numbers are down some in the lake compared to years gone by all the above have contributed to it.

Of course all these are my theory's and opinions and I'm sure somebody will get on this thread now and tell me I'm crazy. They are there and some gooden's to, keep chunkin, fall is coming and when that water gets back down to the mid 60's it will really heat up, I hope, lol. Good fishin to ya.

when it gets tough go to live shiners!!!!!!!!!!

Shad Shad Shad...when those shad move your fish will also,at least the smallmouth

I moved to this area because of cumberland, left great fishing on lake michigan, sometimes I regret it. BUT even on bad days you can find seclusion, peace and quiet, and sometimes a fish you are really proud of.I have fished in19 states and canada, plus the gulf of mexico, With my arthritis those steep ramps have mads me visit it less this year. But one thing I will attest to. While I fish dale more often, the boaters and fishermen on cumberland are far more considerste than many of the places I fish. I made iot back this morning to fish for bluegill, and had a great time. I'll fish the stripes this fall, and the FNF this winter on cumberland.Its great to see undeveoped shore lines.If you ever have doubts about peacfull fishing try striupers on lanier in georgia.