Crankbaits
Rapala Shad Rap
A tight-wobbling crankbait that walleye anglers troll and cast.
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A deep, clear reservoir known for striped bass and big smallmouth.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Lake Cumberland for smallmouth bass, striped bass and walleye. The best months overall are Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov. In October, smallmouth bass, striped bass and walleye are in season, and Ned Rig, Walking Topwater and Suspending Jerkbait are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles (1 fly, 11 bait and tackle); the closest is Reed's Grocery & Bait in Monticello, 7 mi away. Cumberland River Tailwater is 14 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.
Best Months
Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov
In October
Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass, Walleye
Methods
Spin, cast & bait
Season at a Glance
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What You'll Catch
Lake Cumberland Species
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
8 picks for October. ● means in season that month.
Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in
LureHard Bait · Walleye, Smallmouth Bass · After dark.
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Walleye, Striped Bass
Shop This LureNed Rig 2.5 to 3 in
LureFinesse · Smallmouth Bass
Shop This LureWalking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Striped Bass · Surface blitzes.
Shop This LureTube Jig 3 to 4 in
LureSoft Plastic · Smallmouth Bass
Shop This LureBucktail Jig 1/4 to 2 oz
LureJig · Striped Bass
Shop This LureJig and Minnow 1/8 to 3/8 oz
LureJig · Walleye
Shop This LureLive Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Walleye, Striped Bass
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Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Smallmouth Bass
Fly 9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Striped Bass
Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.
Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.
Walleye
Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Lake Cumberland
Crankbaits
Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap
The classic lipless rattling crankbait for flats and schooling fish.
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Northland Baitfish-Image Spinner Harness
Crawler harnesses trolled behind bottom bouncers for summer walleye.
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St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.
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Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.
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Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel
A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.
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Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.
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Within 45 Miles
Shops Near Lake Cumberland
Bait & Tackle
Reed's Grocery & Bait
Monticello, Kentucky· 7 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Monticello, KY.
Bait & Tackle
Greenbrier Paylake - Fishing Supplies & Snack Shop - Byrdstown, Tennessee
Byrdstown, Tennessee· 25 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Byrdstown, TN.
Bait & Tackle
Patterson's Bait & Grocery
Knifley, Kentucky· 27 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Knifley, KY.
Bait & Tackle
Dale Hollow Bait Barn
Burkesville, Kentucky· 28 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Burkesville, KY.
Make It a Trip
Nearby Water
Rivers & Streams · Kentucky · 14 mi
Cumberland River Tailwater
A big tailwater below Wolf Creek Dam with trophy brown trout.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Lakes & Reservoirs · Tennessee · 34 mi
Dale Hollow Lake
A clear, rocky lake that produced the world record smallmouth bass.
Smallmouth Bass · Walleye
Rivers & Streams · Tennessee · 67 mi
Clinch River
A tailwater below Norris Dam known for big trout and midge fishing.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout