Lake Cumberland Patterns, Now that the rains have stopped?

[FlyLie]

Thinking about fishing the West end this week. OSS races are over and the lake level is dropping and now down to ~690 feet. A lot of the debris which was on the lake is now on the bank (at least on the north shore of the main lake).

Anyone been lately, how is the night bite, any shad up, walleye and striped bass patterns?

[mhall]

This year it's a guessing game. Some nights are better than others. Go and give it heck and tell us how you do. Shad just aren't coming up good this year in my opinion. Last year I could go out any night in May and find shad almost everywhere I looked this year,,,,NOT. All this bad weather has really hurt the bite this year, I'm concerned about the bass spawn again to, Cumberland is having several bad spawning years out of the past few years, could be tough year classes down the road. Daytime guys are doing better on the stripers than the night guys by far right now. Some are pulling boards but alot are bottom fishing with good results and better than average size.

[FlyLie]

Thanks mhall. Still planning on going out this week, but as a back up, I spent some time yesterday working on the boat to get it set up for trolling. Still, would like to get into some of that "night bite".

Good Fishing to All,

[mhall]

It's been a tough year Boone, even finding shad up this year has been a chore. Talked to a couple of fellas in the last few days and the bottom fishing in the day has been really good. Some of the guides resorted to it because there was so much trash in the water they couldn't pull boards, and were pleasantly surprised. They are pulling the lake HARD. Cumberland actually has a noticable current right now.

[peter]

Oddly enough, I may actually go fishin and Cland stripers is what I hope to catch. Bottom fishin--no problem. Would you have an area of the lake to suggest/guess to try first. I'll be putting in at the dam Friday am and fishing anywhere between there and bugwoods.

Main lake
mail lake points
creek mouths
one third way up creeks
halfway up creeks...etc

I am guessing that the fish could be anywhere?

Any help appreciated
Peter

[mhall]

Peter again it's a crap shoot. I've been hearing most of the better fish have now moved out to the mouth of the creeks and mainlake points. Alot of guides and locals are saying this. However there are still fish being caught half way back in the creeks on flats near channels and deep water.

[Duayne]

If the night bite is slow, and you don't mind walleye, you can draw them in to you. Just find an area that has bait and put out a light. The light will draw the bait and the bait will draw the area walleye. You can either snag bait or cast the outside area around the light or do both. Set up within casting distance to the bank. If you snag, drop some over the side and "bottom fish" some closer to the bank. You can also put some under bobber.

[mhall]

If the night bite is slow, and you don't mind walleye, you can draw them in to you. Just find an area that has bait and put out a light. The light will draw the bait and the bait will draw the area walleye. You can either snag bait or cast the outside area around the light or do both. Set up within casting distance to the bank. If you snag, drop some over the side and "bottom fish" some closer to the bank. You can also put some under bobber.

Good thoughts for sure I like this idea. Walleye fight like a wet dish towell but man do they eat good.

[Duayne]

It works. And its a great way to introduce kids or beginners to night fishing..

[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.