Lake Cumberland Striper Fishing

This is one of the largest lakes were engineered by the Army Corps. It is over one hundred miles long, and has over 1200 miles of shoreline. It is located on the banks of the Cumberland River in Kentucky. There is nothing to compare with Lake Cumberland striper fishing.

The waters will literally seem to be boiling with fish when a school is feeding. There is a huge population of striped bass feeding off the plentiful bait fish that share their waters. These fish can be caught anywhere on the water, from the shore, near the river or deep in the middle of the lake.

Striped bass catches are strictly regulated, and the value of these restrictions is seen in the healthy population found here. Your catches may be inspected and you are required to get a license before you cast into the water. Your limit is small and you may catch the full lot rather quickly. One reason you may want to go out with a guide is to try for the big bass. They can grow up to thirty two inches long.

A guide is familiar with the haunts of the stripers and knows what conditions will attract them to an area. The temperature of the water fluctuates, and bass populations will tend to seek the warmest water. They like muddy flats and shallows as well. The guides watch these fish carefully and keep records of their catch locations.

They can also show you how to fish very close to the shore. Large bass are frequently basking there in the warm water. The professional angler will cast his rig onto the sandy shore rather than in the water near the fish. Then the lure is bounced into the water and is frequently grabbed by a fish.

The winds can also be used in your favor when you fish in towards shore. Bait fish will struggle towards your boat against the current created by the wind. The big fish will follow after the bait fish.

In deeper water, many fishermen use sonar equipment to give them a bearing on schools of fish. They may troll for the fish, leaving baited hooks dangling over the sides of the boat while moving very slowly. They will also attach weights to their gear and try for the schools that are deep below the surface.

STRIPER FISHING on Lake Cumberland KY 1
Striper Fishing on Lake Cumberland in Kentucky in October, 2008 Part 1 of 2 with Eddie Tallent of the Tallent Guide Service filmed and edited by 25 Square Feet Productions

STRIPER FISHING on Lake Cumberland Ky 2
Striper Fishing on Lake Cumberland in Kentucky in October, 2008 Part 2 of 2 with Eddie Tallent of the Tallent Guide Service filmed and edited by 25 Square Feet Productions

This area has many vacation cottages for rent and other luxury accommodations. You may want to stay a few days and take a fishing trip with one of the guides. Striped bass are a superb game fish and this is one of the places to find them.