Driving Map to Smith Mtn - Click to Enlarge
| A nice Smith Mountain Lake smallmouth caught by Terry's Guide Service |
| Click to Enlarge |
Smith Mountain Lake Overview
At 20,600 acres, Smith Mountain Lake is the largest reservoir entirely contained
within Virginia. It is home to good populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth
bass, crappie, catfish, and white and yellow perch, but it is really known for its
exceptional striped bass fishery. These fish are plentiful and grow large in this
sprawling reservoir. The fishing pressure is high and the pleasure boat traffic is
heavy during the warm weather months. However, due to the size of the lake
anglers can often find a quiet place to fish even on busy weekends. Crappie grow
large, but the numbers of crappie are not as high and the fishing not as easy as in
some other Virginia reservoirs.
within Virginia. It is home to good populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth
bass, crappie, catfish, and white and yellow perch, but it is really known for its
exceptional striped bass fishery. These fish are plentiful and grow large in this
sprawling reservoir. The fishing pressure is high and the pleasure boat traffic is
heavy during the warm weather months. However, due to the size of the lake
anglers can often find a quiet place to fish even on busy weekends. Crappie grow
large, but the numbers of crappie are not as high and the fishing not as easy as in
some other Virginia reservoirs.
June 30, 2008: Mike Snead of the Virginia Outdoorsman provided the following fishing report. Contact
Mike at (540) 721-4867 or visit him online at www.virginiaoutdoorsman.com.
Water Temperature: 80 degrees Water Clarity: Good
The forecast is for sunny to partly cloudy skies until the upcoming holiday weekend when we may see
increased cloudiness and a chance of scattered thunderstorms. The high temperatures early in the week
will only be in the low 80’s and will increase to around 87 degree’s midweek where they will remain
through the weekend. It will cool off at night with the low temperature dipping down into the mid 60’s each
evening. There will be a new moon this Wednesday, July 2nd, so there will be virtually no moonlight on
the lake this week and over the 4th of July weekend.
Overall, the fishing on the lake and in surrounding rivers and ponds has been good over the past several
weeks. The James River has been producing nice numbers of smallmouth bass for float fishermen
using small 3 and 4 inch “wacky rigged” Yamasenko worms, tubes and floating worms like the
Roboworm fished on split shot rigs. Spinnerbaits and plastics continue to work in local ponds.
There continues to be an early topwater bite for bass using popping lures (Rebel, Rico), top walkers
(Spooks, Sammy's), buzzbaits and spinnerbaits, but it only lasts for the first hour or so. Tubes, giggy
head, shaky head and sinking worms are working around docks during the day. Carolina rigs are
working in the day as well when fished off humps and deeper water points. The bass night bite on Smith
Mountain Lake continues for those using worms, crankbaits and topwater lures. The worm bite continues
to be good in the early evening and after dark. Texas and Carolina rigged worms are producing fish at
night around submerged structure and brush in from 8 to 22 feet of water. Deep Creek, ZOOM and V&M
plastics in greens and dark night colors are all working. If you are interested in learning more about
fishing for bass in Smith Mountain Lake this time of year, consider a seat in the upcoming “Summer
Bass Fishing – Jigs, Rigs and Plastics” Workshop. The workshop will be held in the second floor
meeting room above the Virginia Outdoorsman on July 10th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. For more information
or to reserve a seat, just call the shop.
The alewives are still moving up on rocky and rip-rap shorelines after dark to spawn. The bass are
following them to the bank and are being caught right up next to the shoreline on medium sized, floating
jerkbaits like the Rapala Floating X-Rap, Storm Jointed Thunderstick, Cotton Cordell Redfin and newer
Strike King “King Shad”. Most of these topwater lures produce the best results when retrieved slowly
along the surface, producing only a slight bow wake. Other topwater lures that are also producing bass at
night include the new wakebaits (Excaliber), chuggers (Jitterbug) and several different poppers and
propeller baits (Rico, Lucky Craft, Cotton Cordell). Stripers are also being caught at night using larger
stickbait lures like the Bomber Long A and Series 18 Original Floating Rapala. The Thunderstick, Redfin
and the Strike King “KingShad” produce good results on stripers as well as bass at night.
There are a number of different “open” bass tournaments held around the lake at night during the
summer. Fishing at night allows anglers to avoid boat traffic, enjoy cooler temperatures and fish popular
night patterns. Open tournaments are ones available to all anglers. If you are visiting the lake and are
interested in fishing in one or more of the local open bass tournaments held each week, just call the
Virginia Outdoorsman for information about the different events including their format, location, times and
cost. This past week the Tuesday Night open tournament was won by the team of Mike Johnson and
Glen Sink with a five fish weight of 16.35 pounds. They also had the tournament big fish weighing 6.25
pounds. The Saturday Night open tournament out of Foxport had a field of 19 boats this week. Mark Vest
won the event with a total weight of 15.85 pounds while fishing without his regular partner. The team of
Charlie Haynes and Eddie Purdue brought in the big fish Saturday night weighing 5.20 pounds. The
Sunday SMLBass Open Tournament series is taking their mid season break for three weeks. They will
resume their normal Sunday schedule on July 20th.
Catfishing has picked up. Shad, small panfish and the jumbo, live shiners available in most tackle shops
and marinas are good bait for flathead catfish. Live shad, cut bait and prepared stinkbaits continue to
work for channel cats. Live bait should be fished on downlines or bottom rigs in deep water during the
day. Live bait can be placed under a float or bobber at night and allowed to swim along banks and flat
points near deep water where flatheads will find and take it.
Most anglers are catching stripers in the daytime fishing live bait on freelines, in-line planer boards
(Water Bugz, Off-Shore, Outcast), floats, free-lines and downlines. As the surface waters warm the
alewives and stripers will pull back into deeper cooler water with good oxygen content. Stripers are being
caught in the main channel around the mouths of most major creeks and pronounced points around the
lake. The most recent reports suggest the stripers being caught in the mid to upper arms of both the
Roanoke and Blackwater Rivers continue to be better fish than those currently found in the lower lake.
Stripers are schooling up and beginning to follow baitfish into deeper water.
Trolling for stripers is also producing good results and some very nice fish. Good trolling lures include 4,
5 and 9 bait Umbrella rigs as well as three way rigs with Sutton Spoons and sassy shad or swimbaits.
For trolling, lead core outfits continue to be very popular because of their low cost and ease of use. Good
line counter reels spooled with braided line are also popular trolling combinations, especially for those
pulling umbrella rigs.
Enjoy the fireworks, have a safe July 4th and tight lines.
Mike Snead http://www.virginiaoutdoorsman.com (540) 721-4867
40 Village Springs Drive, Hardy VA 24101
In Westlake Directly Across From Wendy’s On Route 122
(About 3 Miles South Of The Hales Ford Bridge)
Mike at (540) 721-4867 or visit him online at www.virginiaoutdoorsman.com.
Water Temperature: 80 degrees Water Clarity: Good
The forecast is for sunny to partly cloudy skies until the upcoming holiday weekend when we may see
increased cloudiness and a chance of scattered thunderstorms. The high temperatures early in the week
will only be in the low 80’s and will increase to around 87 degree’s midweek where they will remain
through the weekend. It will cool off at night with the low temperature dipping down into the mid 60’s each
evening. There will be a new moon this Wednesday, July 2nd, so there will be virtually no moonlight on
the lake this week and over the 4th of July weekend.
Overall, the fishing on the lake and in surrounding rivers and ponds has been good over the past several
weeks. The James River has been producing nice numbers of smallmouth bass for float fishermen
using small 3 and 4 inch “wacky rigged” Yamasenko worms, tubes and floating worms like the
Roboworm fished on split shot rigs. Spinnerbaits and plastics continue to work in local ponds.
There continues to be an early topwater bite for bass using popping lures (Rebel, Rico), top walkers
(Spooks, Sammy's), buzzbaits and spinnerbaits, but it only lasts for the first hour or so. Tubes, giggy
head, shaky head and sinking worms are working around docks during the day. Carolina rigs are
working in the day as well when fished off humps and deeper water points. The bass night bite on Smith
Mountain Lake continues for those using worms, crankbaits and topwater lures. The worm bite continues
to be good in the early evening and after dark. Texas and Carolina rigged worms are producing fish at
night around submerged structure and brush in from 8 to 22 feet of water. Deep Creek, ZOOM and V&M
plastics in greens and dark night colors are all working. If you are interested in learning more about
fishing for bass in Smith Mountain Lake this time of year, consider a seat in the upcoming “Summer
Bass Fishing – Jigs, Rigs and Plastics” Workshop. The workshop will be held in the second floor
meeting room above the Virginia Outdoorsman on July 10th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. For more information
or to reserve a seat, just call the shop.
The alewives are still moving up on rocky and rip-rap shorelines after dark to spawn. The bass are
following them to the bank and are being caught right up next to the shoreline on medium sized, floating
jerkbaits like the Rapala Floating X-Rap, Storm Jointed Thunderstick, Cotton Cordell Redfin and newer
Strike King “King Shad”. Most of these topwater lures produce the best results when retrieved slowly
along the surface, producing only a slight bow wake. Other topwater lures that are also producing bass at
night include the new wakebaits (Excaliber), chuggers (Jitterbug) and several different poppers and
propeller baits (Rico, Lucky Craft, Cotton Cordell). Stripers are also being caught at night using larger
stickbait lures like the Bomber Long A and Series 18 Original Floating Rapala. The Thunderstick, Redfin
and the Strike King “KingShad” produce good results on stripers as well as bass at night.
There are a number of different “open” bass tournaments held around the lake at night during the
summer. Fishing at night allows anglers to avoid boat traffic, enjoy cooler temperatures and fish popular
night patterns. Open tournaments are ones available to all anglers. If you are visiting the lake and are
interested in fishing in one or more of the local open bass tournaments held each week, just call the
Virginia Outdoorsman for information about the different events including their format, location, times and
cost. This past week the Tuesday Night open tournament was won by the team of Mike Johnson and
Glen Sink with a five fish weight of 16.35 pounds. They also had the tournament big fish weighing 6.25
pounds. The Saturday Night open tournament out of Foxport had a field of 19 boats this week. Mark Vest
won the event with a total weight of 15.85 pounds while fishing without his regular partner. The team of
Charlie Haynes and Eddie Purdue brought in the big fish Saturday night weighing 5.20 pounds. The
Sunday SMLBass Open Tournament series is taking their mid season break for three weeks. They will
resume their normal Sunday schedule on July 20th.
Catfishing has picked up. Shad, small panfish and the jumbo, live shiners available in most tackle shops
and marinas are good bait for flathead catfish. Live shad, cut bait and prepared stinkbaits continue to
work for channel cats. Live bait should be fished on downlines or bottom rigs in deep water during the
day. Live bait can be placed under a float or bobber at night and allowed to swim along banks and flat
points near deep water where flatheads will find and take it.
Most anglers are catching stripers in the daytime fishing live bait on freelines, in-line planer boards
(Water Bugz, Off-Shore, Outcast), floats, free-lines and downlines. As the surface waters warm the
alewives and stripers will pull back into deeper cooler water with good oxygen content. Stripers are being
caught in the main channel around the mouths of most major creeks and pronounced points around the
lake. The most recent reports suggest the stripers being caught in the mid to upper arms of both the
Roanoke and Blackwater Rivers continue to be better fish than those currently found in the lower lake.
Stripers are schooling up and beginning to follow baitfish into deeper water.
Trolling for stripers is also producing good results and some very nice fish. Good trolling lures include 4,
5 and 9 bait Umbrella rigs as well as three way rigs with Sutton Spoons and sassy shad or swimbaits.
For trolling, lead core outfits continue to be very popular because of their low cost and ease of use. Good
line counter reels spooled with braided line are also popular trolling combinations, especially for those
pulling umbrella rigs.
Enjoy the fireworks, have a safe July 4th and tight lines.
Mike Snead http://www.virginiaoutdoorsman.com (540) 721-4867
40 Village Springs Drive, Hardy VA 24101
In Westlake Directly Across From Wendy’s On Route 122
(About 3 Miles South Of The Hales Ford Bridge)
Virginia Outdoors - A Resource for Virginia Anglers and Hunters
Virginia Outdoors - Smith Mountain Lake
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Fishing Smith Mountain Lake
Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Guides
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth bass are the most sought-after species at Smith
Mountain Lake, and outnumber smallmouth bass 10:1. The highest density of
largemouth is found uplake of Hales Ford Bridge in the Roanoke River arm and
Buoy 26 in the Black water River arm. The numerous piers and boathouses on the
lake provide productive visible cover, and are an excellent place to start - especially
for newcomers. The water is typically clear, so natural colors and light line are
recommended. One tactic is flip and skip small plastics around boat docks and
then between boat docks cast Rat-L-Traps and spinnerbaits. Stained water can
be found at times in the back of tributaries like No Name (Magnum), Poplar Camp,
Stanford, Beaverdam, Grimes, and Buff. Flip jigs and cast spinnerbaits and
buzzbaits around natural cover in these creeks - especially during low light
conditions.
Striped Bass: Several hundred thousand fingerling striped bass are stocked each
year. Adult fish are scattered throughout the lake most of the year, but tend to
concentrate in the lower lake during the summer and early fall. Live bait is the
most popular tactic with some trolling during the summer and casting during the
spring or in low light conditions. Think large for live baits - large shad up to 10" can
be productive - and use Waterbugz planers to cover a larger area. Popular lures
for trolling include deep-diving plugs and bucktails. Good lures to cast include
swim baits (Sassy Shad and Shad Assassins), bucktails, and even topwater lures
(Cordell Redfin) at dawn and dusk. It is well worth the price of a good guide to get
a lesson in how to pursue these hard-pulling, good-eating fish. Fish over 20 lbs
are always a possibility.
Mountain Lake, and outnumber smallmouth bass 10:1. The highest density of
largemouth is found uplake of Hales Ford Bridge in the Roanoke River arm and
Buoy 26 in the Black water River arm. The numerous piers and boathouses on the
lake provide productive visible cover, and are an excellent place to start - especially
for newcomers. The water is typically clear, so natural colors and light line are
recommended. One tactic is flip and skip small plastics around boat docks and
then between boat docks cast Rat-L-Traps and spinnerbaits. Stained water can
be found at times in the back of tributaries like No Name (Magnum), Poplar Camp,
Stanford, Beaverdam, Grimes, and Buff. Flip jigs and cast spinnerbaits and
buzzbaits around natural cover in these creeks - especially during low light
conditions.
Striped Bass: Several hundred thousand fingerling striped bass are stocked each
year. Adult fish are scattered throughout the lake most of the year, but tend to
concentrate in the lower lake during the summer and early fall. Live bait is the
most popular tactic with some trolling during the summer and casting during the
spring or in low light conditions. Think large for live baits - large shad up to 10" can
be productive - and use Waterbugz planers to cover a larger area. Popular lures
for trolling include deep-diving plugs and bucktails. Good lures to cast include
swim baits (Sassy Shad and Shad Assassins), bucktails, and even topwater lures
(Cordell Redfin) at dawn and dusk. It is well worth the price of a good guide to get
a lesson in how to pursue these hard-pulling, good-eating fish. Fish over 20 lbs
are always a possibility.
Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Report
|
| A good wintertime striper caught by Terry's Guide Service |
| Copyright © 2007 Virginia Outdoors, LLC Ruckersville, VA |
Other Useful Info and Links
Campgrounds and Lodging:
Smith Mountain Lake State Park (camping, swimming, cabins): (540) 297-6066
Eagle's Roost Campground: (540) 297-7381
Goose Dam Campground: (540) 483-2100
Blue Ridge Campground and Marina: (540) 721-3866
Mitchell's Point Marina and Campground: (540) 297-7174
Crazy Horse Marina and Campground: (540) 721-1587
Paradise Inn (Campground, marina, hotel): (540) 297-6109
Marinas:
The marinas on Smith Mtn Lake are almost too numerous to list. In addition to
Blue Ridge, Mitchell's point, and Crazy Horse, some popular marinas include:
Bay Roc Marina: (540) 890-2194
Foxport Marina & Lodge: (540) 721-2451
Parkway Marina: (540) 297-4412
Bridgewater Marina and Boat Rentals: (540) 721-1639
Smith Mountain Lake State Park (camping, swimming, cabins): (540) 297-6066
Eagle's Roost Campground: (540) 297-7381
Goose Dam Campground: (540) 483-2100
Blue Ridge Campground and Marina: (540) 721-3866
Mitchell's Point Marina and Campground: (540) 297-7174
Crazy Horse Marina and Campground: (540) 721-1587
Paradise Inn (Campground, marina, hotel): (540) 297-6109
Marinas:
The marinas on Smith Mtn Lake are almost too numerous to list. In addition to
Blue Ridge, Mitchell's point, and Crazy Horse, some popular marinas include:
Bay Roc Marina: (540) 890-2194
Foxport Marina & Lodge: (540) 721-2451
Parkway Marina: (540) 297-4412
Bridgewater Marina and Boat Rentals: (540) 721-1639
| Featured Article: Where to Catch Virginia's Trophy Largemouth Bass |
| A nice Smith Mountain Lake Striper caught April 2008 |
