Lake Cumberland- Bait Situation

[HURRICANEBOB]

I'm glad the topic of throwing a net on someone else's light came up.. Some people probably do not know "bait light etiquette" and this is a way to get it out there. Of course I am exaggerating when I say casting on someone else's light is a shooting offense. For one thing I do not even own a gun. I've had people clean out my bait tank before too which is even worse. There is nothing worse than going down first thing in the morning and finding all your bait stolen or finding your light is out because someone pulled their (or your) net up over it and the water blew it out and you have no means of getting bait.

I have cast bait nets on dock over-head lights at other marinas I've visited with great success. Probably the best thing to do is use your depth finder, locate a school of bait and set out a light. You'd probably have all you need in a matter of minutes. I like the convenience factor of casting in my slip but there are many many times it isn't an optimal method.

As for the question of how bait is right now, I haven't been down so I can't say for sure. Earlier this year it was as good as it ever has been but I have had times during bait spawn where catching bait in slips was near impossible. I also didn't need much as trolling two boards on the bank was all that was needed. Dropping lights in main lake pockets would probably be the way to go.

Well said and I agree totally. All my kidding aside, I apologize if anyone in any way misunderstood what I was trying to say about lights at marinas. Sometimes, because I'm used to being surrounded by fair minded folks that look out for others, I forget that there is the few that will take what is not theirs, and will not respect others property. Duayne, I hear you about over head lights. There's one on the side of the last finger of dock at Jamestown leading to the ramp, and another on the back of that dock right by the ramp. In both cases, when I throw a net there I position my boat away from the dock, then throw from the side of the boat that is away from the dock, staying clear of the ramp for all you are ramping in or out. Another example, at Alligator 2, the walkway to the dock from the ramp/parking lot has overhead lights on it, or it did years back, and I used to catch bait under them while the boat was tied up to the causeway, by throwing the net to the outside away from the boat and causeway.

And I do agree, if I was a guide I'd be enraged by anyone that threatened my livelihood by stealing my bait, or trespassing on my slip, or damaging the equipment I use to gather the tools of my trade i.e. bait.

If I had a slip, I'd be enraged by anyone that trespassed, damaged my boat, or left my slip a mess when they invaded it and did so without any common courtesy.

When I had my pontoon (1994-2010) I had a 26 gallon oval livewell on the back deck for keeping shad. Twice at Alligator 2 someone raided my livewell. (Not counting the third time when the raccoon decided it was easier for him than throwing a net). I've had rods stolen off the boat. And I came down to my boat at Jamestown early one morning a couple years back, and found someone on the back deck trying to open by rear bulkhead door to get inside. Had my rods and electronics inside the cabin. I was about 75 feet away, walking toward the boat, when someone from the guide stand on the other side of the dock yelled at the guy and asked what he was doing. The guy departed fast before I could even get there. Good example of a bad incident where someone who cared stood in and made a difference.

I guess we all ought to set that as a goal. As anglers, for those who don't already, it's time to look out for the other guy thee same as you'd hope he'd look out for you.

[peter]

Been awhile, so how is the situation catching bait (shad) on the West end of the lake, i.e., Halcombs landing area, , Guffy Creek, Indian Creek, Greasy Creek...so on,,,so..on.?

AND BY THE WAY, ANY GPS LOCATIONS ON THE STRIPERS....

Anchor and put a light out in about 60' of water. Anywhere in the main lake should be OK. choose a flat or a flat near a channel. Let the net go down about 40'. It's been pretty easy most times I have tried this year.

[HURRICANEBOB]

don't crowd the tank

I have the opposite problem in bars, I get "Tanked in a Crowd".

I do need to get out for a trip. Staying home is killing me financially. Taxes, lawn maintenance, mower maintenance, taxes, doctor appointments, airconditioning repairs.

If I was fishing, I would not have paid any of that.

Course when I got home I'd be sick, a tax evader, sweating in bed at night, and have a lawn that looks like Jennifer Lopez's arm pits, but, I'd have more money in my pocket..........