thanksgiving at cumberland

[Chefdave]

Planning a trip to cumberland weekend before thanksgiving.
I will be staying with some friends for a few days at Grider hill dock on Indian creek. I want to target smallmouth and spots, so if anyone knows this area and what to expect for this time of year, I would really appreciate it. Creeks or main lake That type of thing. I only go to this lake once a year and really don't have any ideas. I'm not looking for anyone to give up any honey holes, just what works and general info like that.
Thanks a lot.

[toby]

If you don't mind, report when you get back because we always go once a year the day after Thanksgiving.

[elnutsmalljaws]

Have not fished C Land all year and from the post that I have seen, know that I never fished it with water this low. I did fish it religiously for a couple of years all year around and found Smallies still on the main lake up until Mid December. The water temp should be getting down to the mid 50's by Thanksgiving then, unless it stays unseasonably warm like it is now. I start FNF for the Smallies when the temp hits 55. If FNF bite is not hot then I will fish 1/2 oz Silver Buddy on the points and bluffs on main lake. Main area I targeted was many of the main lake points on south side from Indian Creek to Beaver and the one bluff on left hand side going up into Beaver then other 3 main bluffs from Beaver to Jamestown. Have a few other spots that produced up in the creeks but not many. If FNF and Buddy is not working then I tried jerkbait or the old reliable 1/8 oz hair jig. When bite was even tougher switched to shiners. The bigger the shiner the better, #8 Octopus hook, 6lb test, tiny tiny split shot, flip him out to the edge of bluff or point and let him work. Best place for shiners I found was I believe it is named the Cumberland Country Store, if you are on US127 south it is the last store on your left just before you turn left into the state park. Not a pro by all means but hope this helps.

Tight Lines

[yearlyangler]

The smallies will bite most anything you put in front of them once the water temps get down in the lower 50's all the way down to 46-48 degrees. My personal favorite is a deep little N or a Little N in the Bumble Bee pattern. the first gets you down about 7-9 feet on 10-lb test and the second 6-8 feet. they hate that color. Also, from 52-55 degrees the spook and Pop R will work arond the inside of points or across points. the best area will be Mid lake around boys camp (Linney Branch or Thomas Branch. good luck and good fishing.

[Chefdave]

Thanks for the help guys, I will definately post when I get back. I am really looking forward to this trip and I feel a bit better about it now that I have a little bit of advice.
Thanks again.

[jeremys]

Me and Onemorecast were down there Monday, I had never fished the south end of the lake but after fishing with him that will proably be what I target the rest of the year. We caught a few fish and had a blast..the lake is down about 30ft and the water temp was 61-62. Saw 2 groups of striper busting shad and most of the fish were off main points. I'm planning on going down sometime around Thanksgiving myself, fish or no fish it'll still be better than working.