Lake Cumberland Patterns, Now that the rains have stopped?

[GITN-JIGY]

What kind of rig are you using? Hook-sinker size also how about store bought shinners ,minnows or nightcrawlers. The kids would like to go at night but dont want the hassle of catching my own bait and babysitting at the same time. Are you just floating in one spot or anchored down. Thanks for any info always saw guys with lights in the water while I was casting for stripers in the dark just asumed they where walleye fishing. Have to admit I didnt know much about it but want to learn.

[Duayne]

I have 17# triple fish on my spools. I use two different type of weights depending on the purpose of that rig. For poles that I use for plainer boards and bottom fishing, I use the rubber core weights. That way I can change out or go with no weight at all without re-rigging. For down rods that I also use for bottom fishing, I use 2 or 3 oz egg sinkers. Otherwise, the rigs are the same.

If it's an egg sinker, that goes on first. I then attach a swivel and a 2-3 ft leader of 17# fluorocarbon. I like this because it has a break strength that is lighter than the triplefish so if it gets hung, I can get my weight back. Then I'll add the hook. I use either circles, owner bait, or even treble hooks. Lots of people use the octopus hooks and they work great too. The hook size should be determined more by the bait size than anything. I typically go with a 2/0-4/0 but can drop down to a 1/0 or even a #1 if the bait is smaller. So it ends up looking just like a Carolina rig only it has a bait hook instead of a worm hook. If its a "rubber core" rig I'll add a 1 oz weight above the swivel.

And for those wondering, the rubber core weights do great for me, even bottom fishing. I can use a rig pulling boards with a 1/4 oz, then switch to a 1 oz bottom rig with the twist of the rubber.

[Duayne]

Also, the rig.. I use high capacity reels with seven foot medium to medium heavy uglysticks. I have an assortment of reels. Some are better suited for down rods, some for boards. Some with line counters and some that I could also use to cast with if needed. The reel should be able to hold a lot of line and should have a very good drag system. Otherwise, a wench would work.

[apb]

Been a while since I pulled boards, but like Duayne, I prefer rubber core sinkers to allow for quick change in weights as needed. For bottom fishing, I prefer the egg sinkers. It lets the line get pulled through the sinker rather than picking it up off the bottom with the lead attached. Less likely to warn the fish that somethings not right.

Andrew

[Duayne]

You would think so but it was 2-1 in favor of the egg sinker rigs as far as missed bites last weekend. Almost all my fish came on rubber core rigs. Of course it could have been the placement of those lines, as I tend to put the heavier weights deeper/behind the boat and the rubber core rigs more to the sides. If its a fish worth catching, the one oz weight doesn't slow em down, especially this time of year. The exception might be the walleye. Now watch someone post on Tuesday they lost a bunch of fish using rubber cores.. LOL