Fishing Lake Cumberland Shamino Tournament

On April 17 2010 i fished the shimino tournament. This tournament was free for anyone who had purchased a shamino rod or real from a local dealer. The day started off great, we left the house at 5:00AM and were headed to get the boat. Unfortunately the key to my parents lake house was left in Lexington so we had to turn around and get it. So finally getting the boat and heading to the tournament it was looking good. The fishing started out good with a small keeper Kentucky spotted bass but i decided to head up a creek where i new the water would be warmer. I caught a walleye and some small bass but none that would keep. Only two hours left in the tournament and we decided to head toward the main lake and fish the points near the mouth of the creeks. That was the ticket i caught a nice three pound fish but time ran out. The big thing was the fish weren't as far back in the creeks as i was told. The fish were right in the mouth of the creeks feeding up for spawning.
I learned a lot during the trip and now realize that the best thing to do when fishing a new area is run and gun. This means start at the mouth of a creek fish a hour. Then go up the creek fish a hour. Then go to the main part of the lake and fish for a hour. Record what you catch and use your best judgment to decide where to fish. I feel like if we return to Lake Cumberland I will have a better idea of where to fish are and what to catch them on.