Cumberland Striper Report

[mhall]

Excellent report, I wish I was with ya...

[apb]

Excellent report, I wish I was with ya...and apb was also in the boat

Fixed it for you

Andrew

[Duayne]

Ha! I could have used some help. Today was the first time it was constant from the start. Most days, it's been slow until they turn on but when they do it's been a one man Chinese fire drill. A pack comes through and it's on. I will say that it's paid off to give a spot more than 30 minutes after the early morning. late morning and afternoon bites are very possible.

[Rob1678]

What is the technique for bottom fishing. I usually troll with shiners. And how are you guys catching your bait, early morning with the throw nets?
Thanks
rob

[Duayne]

bottom fishing (Cumberland style) is pulling up on a the bank and fanning baits out at different depths around the boat. bait is caught at night or early morning (before daylight) under lights with a cast net. The bait fish gather under the lights and makes it easier (sometimes ha!) to get a better chance at them since they are gathered. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. The question about the full moon is very valid because many times the bait doesn't need artificial light when the moon is full. It's my personal opinion that it's not a good idea to bottom fish with shiners. When on the bottom, they seek places to hide on the bottom and get you hung up in a hurry. Alewives try to swim to the surface so they are right in a fishes path when they swim by.

[FlyLie]

When on the bottom, they seek places to hide on the bottom and get you hung up in a hurry. Alewives try to swim to the surface so they are right in a fishes path when they swim by.

I've read, that depending on how/where you hook the bait (shad) fish dictates if they will swim up or down. But can't remember what is up and what's down. I'll check on my references and post later.

Got it!! (A hook and the Bait - As Simple as it comes, just let em swim.)
With nothing more than a hook on the end of the line, you attach the bait fish and let "em" swim. You can learn to direct the way your bait swims by where you place the hook-- the further toward the head they tend to swim down--- the further toward the tail they tend to swim up. Use more of a swing when casting live bait as not to damage or pop them off your hook with a little practice you will have no problem.

GREAT SITE FOR STRIPER FISHERMEN: http://www.arkansasstripers.com/live...ipers.htm#Down Lining:

[thunderstorm]

Trolled w/ shiners Wed/Thurs mornings. Caught fish 1/3 of the way from the head of the ck in 40-45' (channel) water. All fish came with around 25' of line & 1 oz sinkers. Fish were nice and healthy.

[Duayne]

Trolling probably is the better way to go but I was plume too lazy. Saw bait up higher and fish swirling for a while three cast distances away. LOL Still did OK bottom fishing but the bite was soft again. Lots of pull downs and fish getting off. Managed seven and never got the 30 inch plus kicker I was looking for. Had several in the area on other days but not yesterday or today. Bait was as easy as before so I haven't had issues with the moon. The closer to day break, the more the moon is to the west and the better the bait quantity and quality.

It's my experience that I've never known a shiner not to dig if they see the bottom regardless of where you hook them. Alewives tend to swim up regardless of where I you hook them (on Cumberland anyway). Hook Alewives through the nostrils and they tend to turn on the hook and hook themselves in the side of the head, unless you use a piece of rubber band or coffee can lid plastic before the bait to keep them from sliding too far up the hook. Hook through the tail and they don't last as long. Tail hooking today got less misses but got less bites.

If you want to "bottom fish" shiners on Cumberland, the way to do it is reverse. In the same area you would bottom fish, rig up three ways with the hook off the middle and a one ounce (no more no less; and I don't know why) weight on a two foot leader on the bottom. The middle leader needs to be right at a foot. Slow slow slow troll those rigs in the same area with the weights always on the bottom and your line as verticle as possible. The nose hooked Shiners will dive and fight to get to the bottom and will give the best action shiners can give.

[mhall]

Fixed it for you

Andrew

Ha Ha, yea didn't mean to forget about ya Bro...

[Mean Morone]

As far as bottom fishing goes, don't forget cut bait. I watched my buddy bait up with the biggest hunk of skipjack meat I've ever seen anyone fish with(except for blue cat fisherman in the rivers)and proceed to catch a 25 lb striper. That was a fun fight from shore. Of course that was many years ago before the dam repair.

[Duayne]

This is a good time of year for crush bait or stomp bait. Take a fresh baitfish and crush it until its almost mush. Hook it up and cast it out. Wish I had tried it to see if they would hit it.

[peter]

Put a light out at dark up in the creek where the channel is 35' last night.

Bait was so thick the graph was solid yellow. No chance of identifying stripers because everything was the same color. Lots of small threadfins gilled in net but plenty of good sized ones to.

Cought a 25.5" very healthy football shape with sinker 2-4' off bottom. Fish took bait and fought just like a channel cat. It Just pulled on the rod and very slowly moved away.