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.
July 26, 2010: 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: 86 degrees Water Clarity: Good
This week the unusually hot, record setting temperatures seen last week will be replaced by those more
typical of this time of year. The forecast is for high temperatures ranging from the mid 80’s to the low 90’s
during the day and the low’s are expected to be between 65 to 72 degrees. Partly cloudy skies and
intermittent thunderstorms are in the forecast mid week, but as we approach the weekend skies are
expected to clear. We should enjoy sunny to partly cloudy skies starting late this week and continuing
through the weekend with a slight chance of a late afternoon, summer thunderstorm. The hot weather
experienced over the past several weeks has increased the surface water temperature several degrees.
The warmer surface water is moving down in the water column pushing several species of baitfish and
game fish deeper into cooler, well oxygenated sections of the lake. The moon will be overhead for most
of the week and the moon was full on Monday, so there will be a lot of light on the lake at night. The lake
water levels dropped a little more this past week and were between one and two feet below full pond over
the weekend. While all public ramps are currently open, several launches could have a problem if lake
water levels continue to drop.
Striped bass fishing was good this past week, especially for anglers using live bait like shad and the
shiners purchased in local tackle shops. Stripers are being found both in small pods and in large
schools. They continue to be caught on downlines as well as shot lines presented under floats and
behind planer boards. Some stripers are being caught relatively shallow in spite of the warm surface
waters. Most are being caught on downlines from 18 to 60 feet below the surface. Early in the morning
and late in the afternoon, huge schools of stripers are being found from 35 to 50 feet deep near the major
creeks in the mid and lower lake. Stripers seem to prefer small baits like alewives and shiners rigged
downlines. Remember to downsize your hook when using the smaller baits. Angler’s vertically jigging
spoons (Kastmaster, Luhr Jensen, Smashflash), flukes rigged on shad headed jigs and heavier
bucktails are also catching stripers in these schools.
Schools of stripers continue to push baitfish near the surface where flukes, bucktails, small Spooks and
swimbaits are producing good results. They are also being caught early and late in the day by anglers
casting and retrieving lures on long shallow points, near deep water. Trolling is another effective
technique for schooling stripers this time of year. Anglers are having success trolling a variety of different
rigs. These include Sutton spoons, plastic swim shad (Storm), traditional sassy shad and a number of
different Umbrella rigs. The Captain Mack Umbrella rigs are particularly popular as they contain a trolling
depth chart that allows the user to adjust trolling depth to accommodate different striper locations and
lake structure. Trolling will continue to be an effective way to fish for stripers as we move through the
summer. If you are interested in learning more about trolling including how to select, rig and use the
tackle, various trolling lures and accessories, consider attending our “Summer Trolling - Tackle,
Techniques & Tips” Workshop on Thursday, August 5th. For more details on this and the other
workshops we are conducting this summer just go to our website at http://www.virginiaoutdoorsman.
com/content/workshop.html. For those that like to fish at night, stripers are also being caught by anglers
casting and retrieving floating jerkbaits (Redfins, Thundersticks) parallel and close to shallow water near
deep-water shoreline and points.
Bass fishing continues to be good, but many are smaller fish. There is still a topwater bite very early in
the morning. Rico’s, Pop-R’s and small Spooks are good choices on calm days. Once the sun moves
overhead most bass will either move into the shade provided by deep-water docks or down into deeper
water. Those under docks can be caught near pilings and other structure on Yamamoto Yamasenko
worms either wacky rigged using finesse wide gap or circle octopus hooks or Texas rigged, without a
sinker, using an Extra Wide Gap (EWG) worm hook. Bass suspending on docks and off steep bluffs can
also be caught on light shaky head jigs. Squirrel head, Giggy Head, Shakee and Owner shaky head jigs
are all good choices. Shaky head worms and other plastics by Netbait, Roboworm, Deep Creek and
ZOOM are all popular plastics for these jigs. Most of these baits imitate crawfish. I suggest you check with
your local tackle shop for the best colors to use. We still catch crawfish each week and bring them to the
shop to help us determine the most appropriate color plastic trailer or worm.
Bass are also being found suspended in deeper water using electronics. These fish can be caught
using a variety of different techniques, but one of the most effective is the drop shot rig. Carolina rigged
plastic worms, lizards and creature baits (V&M, ZOOM, Netbait, YUM) are also producing fish on points
and deep diving crankbaits (Bandit, Bomber, Rapala, Norman) are also working. At night, bass are being
caught in structure including brush using straight tail worms in darker colors. For additional information
about how to select, rig and present lures for bass during the summer consider attending our “Summer
Bass - Early, Late and At Night” Workshop this Thursday evening starting at 6:30 p.m.
There were a lot of tournaments held on the lake this past week, including a number that brought anglers
in from outside the area. Participation at local tournaments continues to be strong. This past weekend
the husband and wife team of Robert and Lori Duncan won the Saturday Night Foxport Open Tournament
with a total weight of 17.35 lbs. They also caught the event big fish that weighed 5.35 lbs. The team of
Bradley and Dale Adkins took second place honors in the Saturday Night Tournament with 15.25 lbs.
There was a tie for third place when the team of Bobby Wade and Dennis Brown and the team of Chicken
Holland and Paul Perrault both identical bags of fish weighing 12.70 lbs. to the scale Saturday night.
The Friday Night State Park Tournament was won by the team of Mark Bradshaw and Tink Burns with a
five fish weight of 17.19 lbs. The team of Wayne and Ryan Mace claimed second place with a total weight
of 15.75 lbs. Maurice Oakes and Jim McDaniels caught bass weighing 15.03 lbs. to earn third place
Friday night. Chris Hutton and Luke Nichols caught the tournament big fish weighing 5.90 lbs.
Jason Hicks and Bill Blankenship took first place in this past weeks Tuesday Night Limit-5 Tournament
with a total weight of 15.55 lbs. Luke Bauer and Brent Anderson teamed up to take second place with a
weight of 14.65 lbs. and the team of Rick Tilley and Johnny Martin claimed third place honors with a bag
weighing 10.65 lbs. The tournament big fish, weighing 6.15 lbs. was caught by the team of Larry Horne
and Donnie Sink this week. In the prior week Limit-5 Tournament (July 13th) the team of Rick Tilley and
Johnny Martin took first place honors with a weight of 11.55 lbs. Second place in this tournament went to
the team of Luke and David Bauer when they brought a bag weighing 11.05 lbs. to the scale. John Jones
and Graham Spencer teamed up to catch bass weighing 10.85 lbs. to claim third place and the team of
Randy Mitchell and Mike Mayhew caught the tournament lunker weighing 4.30 lbs. For information about
local tournaments or to get the results of your tournament included future issues of this report, please
stop by or call the Virginia Outdoorsman on 540-721-4867.
Crappies are being caught deep on small minnows rigged on light jigheads and small, thin wire hooks.
Reports are that location is critical. Successful crappie anglers report that location is critical and that
crappies are currently being found, often in submerged timber from 12 to 22 feet below the surface. They
report that once the crappies are located they have been able to continue catching limited numbers of
quality fish from the same spot, but that if they drift or move off the structure just several feet it will kill the
bite almost immediately.
Channel catfish continue to be caught in good numbers using commercial “stinkbaits” presented on
bottom rigs with spring hooks and on night crawlers. One of the best stinkbaits used on this lake is made
by “Magic” bait. It is available in different scents, all of which work and it can be found in local tackle
shops. I do suggest you use a quality zip-lock bag to store the stinkbait once you open the bag.
Tight lines and have a great week.
Mike Snead
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: 86 degrees Water Clarity: Good
This week the unusually hot, record setting temperatures seen last week will be replaced by those more
typical of this time of year. The forecast is for high temperatures ranging from the mid 80’s to the low 90’s
during the day and the low’s are expected to be between 65 to 72 degrees. Partly cloudy skies and
intermittent thunderstorms are in the forecast mid week, but as we approach the weekend skies are
expected to clear. We should enjoy sunny to partly cloudy skies starting late this week and continuing
through the weekend with a slight chance of a late afternoon, summer thunderstorm. The hot weather
experienced over the past several weeks has increased the surface water temperature several degrees.
The warmer surface water is moving down in the water column pushing several species of baitfish and
game fish deeper into cooler, well oxygenated sections of the lake. The moon will be overhead for most
of the week and the moon was full on Monday, so there will be a lot of light on the lake at night. The lake
water levels dropped a little more this past week and were between one and two feet below full pond over
the weekend. While all public ramps are currently open, several launches could have a problem if lake
water levels continue to drop.
Striped bass fishing was good this past week, especially for anglers using live bait like shad and the
shiners purchased in local tackle shops. Stripers are being found both in small pods and in large
schools. They continue to be caught on downlines as well as shot lines presented under floats and
behind planer boards. Some stripers are being caught relatively shallow in spite of the warm surface
waters. Most are being caught on downlines from 18 to 60 feet below the surface. Early in the morning
and late in the afternoon, huge schools of stripers are being found from 35 to 50 feet deep near the major
creeks in the mid and lower lake. Stripers seem to prefer small baits like alewives and shiners rigged
downlines. Remember to downsize your hook when using the smaller baits. Angler’s vertically jigging
spoons (Kastmaster, Luhr Jensen, Smashflash), flukes rigged on shad headed jigs and heavier
bucktails are also catching stripers in these schools.
Schools of stripers continue to push baitfish near the surface where flukes, bucktails, small Spooks and
swimbaits are producing good results. They are also being caught early and late in the day by anglers
casting and retrieving lures on long shallow points, near deep water. Trolling is another effective
technique for schooling stripers this time of year. Anglers are having success trolling a variety of different
rigs. These include Sutton spoons, plastic swim shad (Storm), traditional sassy shad and a number of
different Umbrella rigs. The Captain Mack Umbrella rigs are particularly popular as they contain a trolling
depth chart that allows the user to adjust trolling depth to accommodate different striper locations and
lake structure. Trolling will continue to be an effective way to fish for stripers as we move through the
summer. If you are interested in learning more about trolling including how to select, rig and use the
tackle, various trolling lures and accessories, consider attending our “Summer Trolling - Tackle,
Techniques & Tips” Workshop on Thursday, August 5th. For more details on this and the other
workshops we are conducting this summer just go to our website at http://www.virginiaoutdoorsman.
com/content/workshop.html. For those that like to fish at night, stripers are also being caught by anglers
casting and retrieving floating jerkbaits (Redfins, Thundersticks) parallel and close to shallow water near
deep-water shoreline and points.
Bass fishing continues to be good, but many are smaller fish. There is still a topwater bite very early in
the morning. Rico’s, Pop-R’s and small Spooks are good choices on calm days. Once the sun moves
overhead most bass will either move into the shade provided by deep-water docks or down into deeper
water. Those under docks can be caught near pilings and other structure on Yamamoto Yamasenko
worms either wacky rigged using finesse wide gap or circle octopus hooks or Texas rigged, without a
sinker, using an Extra Wide Gap (EWG) worm hook. Bass suspending on docks and off steep bluffs can
also be caught on light shaky head jigs. Squirrel head, Giggy Head, Shakee and Owner shaky head jigs
are all good choices. Shaky head worms and other plastics by Netbait, Roboworm, Deep Creek and
ZOOM are all popular plastics for these jigs. Most of these baits imitate crawfish. I suggest you check with
your local tackle shop for the best colors to use. We still catch crawfish each week and bring them to the
shop to help us determine the most appropriate color plastic trailer or worm.
Bass are also being found suspended in deeper water using electronics. These fish can be caught
using a variety of different techniques, but one of the most effective is the drop shot rig. Carolina rigged
plastic worms, lizards and creature baits (V&M, ZOOM, Netbait, YUM) are also producing fish on points
and deep diving crankbaits (Bandit, Bomber, Rapala, Norman) are also working. At night, bass are being
caught in structure including brush using straight tail worms in darker colors. For additional information
about how to select, rig and present lures for bass during the summer consider attending our “Summer
Bass - Early, Late and At Night” Workshop this Thursday evening starting at 6:30 p.m.
There were a lot of tournaments held on the lake this past week, including a number that brought anglers
in from outside the area. Participation at local tournaments continues to be strong. This past weekend
the husband and wife team of Robert and Lori Duncan won the Saturday Night Foxport Open Tournament
with a total weight of 17.35 lbs. They also caught the event big fish that weighed 5.35 lbs. The team of
Bradley and Dale Adkins took second place honors in the Saturday Night Tournament with 15.25 lbs.
There was a tie for third place when the team of Bobby Wade and Dennis Brown and the team of Chicken
Holland and Paul Perrault both identical bags of fish weighing 12.70 lbs. to the scale Saturday night.
The Friday Night State Park Tournament was won by the team of Mark Bradshaw and Tink Burns with a
five fish weight of 17.19 lbs. The team of Wayne and Ryan Mace claimed second place with a total weight
of 15.75 lbs. Maurice Oakes and Jim McDaniels caught bass weighing 15.03 lbs. to earn third place
Friday night. Chris Hutton and Luke Nichols caught the tournament big fish weighing 5.90 lbs.
Jason Hicks and Bill Blankenship took first place in this past weeks Tuesday Night Limit-5 Tournament
with a total weight of 15.55 lbs. Luke Bauer and Brent Anderson teamed up to take second place with a
weight of 14.65 lbs. and the team of Rick Tilley and Johnny Martin claimed third place honors with a bag
weighing 10.65 lbs. The tournament big fish, weighing 6.15 lbs. was caught by the team of Larry Horne
and Donnie Sink this week. In the prior week Limit-5 Tournament (July 13th) the team of Rick Tilley and
Johnny Martin took first place honors with a weight of 11.55 lbs. Second place in this tournament went to
the team of Luke and David Bauer when they brought a bag weighing 11.05 lbs. to the scale. John Jones
and Graham Spencer teamed up to catch bass weighing 10.85 lbs. to claim third place and the team of
Randy Mitchell and Mike Mayhew caught the tournament lunker weighing 4.30 lbs. For information about
local tournaments or to get the results of your tournament included future issues of this report, please
stop by or call the Virginia Outdoorsman on 540-721-4867.
Crappies are being caught deep on small minnows rigged on light jigheads and small, thin wire hooks.
Reports are that location is critical. Successful crappie anglers report that location is critical and that
crappies are currently being found, often in submerged timber from 12 to 22 feet below the surface. They
report that once the crappies are located they have been able to continue catching limited numbers of
quality fish from the same spot, but that if they drift or move off the structure just several feet it will kill the
bite almost immediately.
Channel catfish continue to be caught in good numbers using commercial “stinkbaits” presented on
bottom rigs with spring hooks and on night crawlers. One of the best stinkbaits used on this lake is made
by “Magic” bait. It is available in different scents, all of which work and it can be found in local tackle
shops. I do suggest you use a quality zip-lock bag to store the stinkbait once you open the bag.
Tight lines and have a great week.
Mike Snead
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
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Fishing Smith Mountain Lake
Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Guides
Largemouth Bass: In Smith Mountain Lake, largemouth 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.
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 © 2009 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 |
| April 2008 |
