Cumberland Friday and Saturday???

[sbhonch]

A friend of mine has a houseboat at conley bottom. Im going to fish friday and saturday. Looks like the forecast calls for rain and mid to upper 50s fri and sat.

After reading all the posts on here over the last month it seems the water temp might still be too warm for fnf.

Im a lake barkley large mouth fisherman, so this is different for me. Im not used to fishing deep in clear water..

Im looking for the smallies.

Im all ears men,,, How big should my jig be????

Is it very important that i use light line on a spinning reel???

My plan is to hit as many main lake points that i can with a jig

Any advice will be greatly appreciated, I know im not going to catch anything with my heavy line and 3/4 ounce jig im used to flipping in muddy water.. haha

thanks,

Steve

[elnutsmalljaws]

6lb Floro, 1/8 to 1/4 oz hair jig in natural colors would be my choice with small chunk plastic trailer or real pork. Good Luck

[sbhonch]

Elnut,

I know you are the man with the smallies. Im headed to bass pro this afternoon.

Do you have a reccomendation on a spinning rig?


thanks

steve

[elnutsmalljaws]

I don't think I am the man on smallies and I don't keep up with the latest rods or reels hardly at all. I would bet there are many others on here than can recite rod and reel models to suggest a good outfit. For winter fishing for Smallies I would suggest a Medium Action 6 1/2 to 7' rod with large line guides to deal with the ice that forms at times and any decent 10 ball bearing spinning reel with a good drag system would do just fine. If you can get a spinning reel with an extra spool, it is a bonus. Keep one rigged up with 6lb to finesse fish and 8-10 to fish cranks or jerkbaits would be pretty good. Good Luck at Cumberland.

[redneckshadrap]

They're throwing a lot of jigs and shkyheads down there right now. The fish are still somewhat deep due to the last drawdown. With all the rain we've had and are going to have it will be a major generation schedule, thus pulling the lake even harder.

"Current surface water temperature: 52.3 °F measured at State Dock, live sensor reading courtesy forum member lake4fun.
Latest Corps of Engineers water temperature: 49° F at the surface and 5 feet, 48 degrees at 10 feet and 47 degrees from 15 feet to 30 feet (measured at Burnside Marina on Jan. 8)
Current lake level is 693.20 feet above mean sea level
Lake level change (approximate): 3.4" in 24 hours
Recent rains have caused an increase of the lake's level of around two feet since January 1. Release through the power facilities at Wolf Creek Dam has been increased to a high level, with the result the Cumberland River below the dam is high and fast around the clock. The lake is about 31-33 feet below the tree line, which is about 725' above sea level."

From the Lake Cumberland website.

Billy Elkins

www.thecreekbank.com
Not everything that gets wet is pretty, but sometimes it gets pretty wet.

[smljaw]

I can't beleive I'm sitting here on January 11 waiting for the FNF bite to start/pick up. I think I'm fishing C-Land next weekend. Sure hope the FNF bite is on by then.

[mhall]

Don't forget the crankbaits and shakeyheads. Also if I told you what I was catching them on last weekend you wouldn't even believe me so I'll just keep it to myself. My point is this, not all them ole brown fish are doing the same thing at the same time, be versatile and keep an open mind you may be pleasantly surprised and get your arm broke down there. :7

[KBB]

try a wiggle wart in the colored water.or a 3/8 pumpkin jig in the clear,i use 14# flouro.good luck....

[Chubminnow]

sbhonch - Check out the Shimano Sedona Series or the Sahara Series either one. For the money I'd get the Sedona, which being priced at 50 bucks is 10 bucks less than the Saraha.

[sbhonch]

I really appreciate all the info from you guys.

Where can i get a detailed map of lake cumberland on the web.


My plan will be to hit main lake points that are facing the north, the wind is going to be breezy out of south. This should be good. I have a gps, but i need to pick out my spots tonite before i get on the water.

Again im a beginner at this kind of fishing, but i will let you guys know how i do when i get back on sunday.

thanks

steve

[mhall]

>I really appreciate all the info from you guys.
>
>Where can i get a detailed map of lake cumberland on the web.
>
>
>
>My plan will be to hit main lake points that are facing the
>north, the wind is going to be breezy out of south. This
>should be good. I have a gps, but i need to pick out my spots
>tonite before i get on the water.
>
>Again im a beginner at this kind of fishing, but i will let
>you guys know how i do when i get back on sunday.
>
>thanks
>
>steve


Go back in the creeks and fish the points. Any good sporting goods store should have a map of the big C. Also don't forget there are two maps for the lake the East end and the West end, buy both or at least the end you plan on fishing.

[sbhonch]

Hey mhall,


I was planning on staying on the main lake for smallies.

Looks like i will start at the mouth of the creeks and move back hitting the point

I thought i would have better luck for smallies on the main lake.

What is the norm for these smallies in the winter time on the big c????

thanks,

steve