Introduction and Cumberland Questions

Let me first say that this seems to be a 1st class site. I've been on a lot of fishing sites and the level of decency here is to be commended. I have been a hardcore bass guy for my life but have gotten some of the crappie bug over the last couple years. My experience has been limited to probing Cumberland in the spring when they are relatively easy and then I move on to night fishing bass and/or stripes. My kids would like to try them under the lights and I have a few questions. I understand the setup itself. I'm more interested in the type of locations in general that I should be looking for. Assuming I'm somewhere in fishing creek, should I be setting up on the main river or can I still find them back in some of the larger creeks but set up deeper? Do you look at steeper banks or flatter ones? I'm guessing I should be in 20-30 ft of water to start out fishing anywhere from 10ft to he bottom.

I'm thinking of making a short trip tonight but would need to leave by 12:30 or so. Is that enough time or should I just bass fish with just that amount of time? Sorry for all the questions. Any help is appreciated. Here are a couple pics from a successful trip this spring with my 2 youngest.

Thanks again for hosting a great and family friendly site.

Kyle

Welcome. It looks like you already have a good start at a couple of lifetime fishing buddies.

I know zero about Cumberland so I'll be of no help there. Bring those boys west to KY/Barkley and I can help.

Hey Kyle, looks like you guys had a nice day this spring. We do a lot of night fishing up in FC and it seems to be picking up right now at night. Most of our favorite spots hold some cover in about 30' of water just off the main channel. We have been out a couple nights here in the past month and have been mostly up toward the head waters sitting in about 20'. As the lake temp continues to rise it seems like the bigger ones move on up the creek toward the main lake. That's when we start hittings the spots on the other side of Lee's Ford Marina. Again sitting in about 30', dropping our lights down to around 8-9' feet. Once we get a good bait ball (which has been difficult for some reason so far this year) we will catch them anywhere from 10' all the way down to 30'. Some nights start out slow and then will pick up around 11:30-12:00. Then some nights start out great and then just stop:) Have fun...We love night fishing.

I have never had any luck above Lees ford. I caught all mine the last two years from LF and out toward the main lake. I was kind of thinking of hitting the creek I did well in this year maybe a couple miles from the main lake and tying off to some trees out in 25ft or so close to my spring spot but out a bit deeper. It isn't on a point or anything though. I would call it a gentle sloping bank. Not sure how good of a plan this would be. I guess most use minnows for this? Any luck with jigs? Also, do you get any eyes up in FC doing this?

I cannot see why u wouldn't be able to catch them in the creeks. The creeks on Cumberland is bigger then our main lakes around here. As long there is bait fish around should be just fine. I like to set up on underwater points or humps,don't like to set up over brush seem like they will get out and roam the area. I usually throw out couple of surmerge lights,I do use the green ones. About using jigs,they are in my opinion big fish baits. Wait until u start catching them on minners,then use your jigs,that way u won't lose confident in the jigs if the fish is not there. I will usually tightline my jigs.
LittleJohn

welcome

Welcome to you and your two sidekicks from western Kentucky

Well. We ended up going and for a short first time trip, had some decent luck. We got there about 7:00 and bass fished till dark. Got on a huge school of largemouth and ky bass and had a lot of fun for about an hour or so catching maybe a dozen 12-14" fish. My middle son actually caught two in one cast. He thought that was awesome. Caught one nice white bass as well and put that one in the well. After that died down, I started on a bluff type wall above lees ford and put the light out. Had baitfish almost immediately. Most were no bigger than a crappie minnow but they were pretty thick. Fished from dark until 12:30 and caught 8 crappie with 6 of them being nice keepers. Would be interested to hear from others that fished to see how we fared comparitively and if they it got better after we left. I don't know how to post pics from my phone but will try to post a couple later sometime.

Welcome to the site. Looks like you got a good start on it and two great fishing buddies. I am in SC so I can't help you as far as info on your lakes.

I figured the pictures out although i think one need rotated. Sorry about that. Couldnt figure out how to fix that o. The phone

Looks like you guys had some fun. I din't make it out last night but i am headed out tonight. I usually have better luck up past LF more toward the head waters this time of year but as summer goes along and the water continues to warm up we move further up the creek toward the main lake. The bigger crappie may be already moving that way. We usually use minnows and then as we start catching a few I will start using jigs or even small crank baits if they are biting good. Last couple of years it seems like 8-10 keepers was about the norm. Before they lowered the lake and brought it back up you might get 15-20 but now seems like there is so much cover out there just keeps them all spread out.