best time to fish smith mountain lake

However most prior striper record makers were all from Smith Mountain Lake; the last in 1999 weighed . Jupiter 31. You can catch them from 2 feet on a buzz bait to 30 feet on a jig and everywhere in between. Most fish are 13-17", but there are bass to 22". Once one commits to the bait the rest of the school will follow. Striped bass, better known as "stripers," are one of the most popular species of fish sought out by anglers on Smith Mountain Lake. for the Striped Bass. during mid-season, things to do around smith mountain lake va include events like the smith mountain lake fishing tournament, the smith mountain lake beer and bbq festival, the jubal early bluegrass festival, various 5k and 10k races for different causes, the harvest time festival, the smith mountain lake antique & classic boat show and festival, … We are U.S. Coast Guard Licensed. See all attractions in Smith Mountain Lake on Tripadvisor. Cloudy days with light winds are the best time to fish. Fishing at night later this month will be the best time to catch striper. Smith Mountain Lake offers 20,600 acres of breathtaking beauty, and some of the very best striped bass fishing in the country. bass, crappie, catfish, and white and yellow perch, but it is really known for its. IF YOU GO: Bill Vines can be reached at (205) 647-7683 or www.stripefishingheadquarters.com. Possibly the most exciting time of the year to fish Smith Mountain Lake. The lake sees considerable fishing pressure, but with . Capt. Join veteran and patriot, Captain John, for the catch of a lifetime. This can last through most of November when fish spread out throughout the lake. There are more than a half dozen boat launch ramps for launching everything from canoes and kayaks to power . We are full time resident guides since 1988. 1219 logged catches . A large Gizzard shad post spawn (Late May) can be ticket for prime-time Striper Fishing after the Spawning period. November and December Sometimes schooling fish feed for hours with limited boat traffic. Close to the surface of the lake there's heavy forage. Robin . Photo by Bruce Ingram. If you're taking small children to fish its a great time to do so due to the many Sunfish that . Keep a topwater or fluke handy for when the fish decide to start coming up. Crappie jigs work well in water from 2' to 40' deep, and are the most popular artificial lure for crappie ever. Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Bedford County offers water-related activities including swimming, boating, and fishing. Welcome to Captain's Quarters at Smith Mountain Lake Virginia! It's that simple!! Houseboat Reservations are Fri-Sun (3 days, 2 nights), Mon-Thurs (4 days, 3 nights), Fri-Thurs (7 days, 6 nights) or Mon-Sun (7 days, 6 nights) ONLY . Alewife. The Roanoke is the larger of the two and is typically targeted with greater frequency. I would invite you and your family to visit Smith Mountain's beauty and sample some of the most exciting fishing to be found. You will need to really dig deep and work hard to catch some fish. Find your schools of fish and rip that bait through them. Cloudy days with light winds are the best time to fish. Create a free account on Fishbrain to know the exact BiteTime™ (fishing forecast) for any fish, explore fishing spots, and save relevant baits to prepare for your next fishing trip. Reservations are pending until you receive a confirmation email. caught in 2000 from below the SML dam in Leesville Lake. This creek is famous amongst California Trout, an organization that strives to sustain a trout population throughout the state. In fact, December and January are two of the top months for the New River. Striped bass have been stocked into this reservoir since impoundment in 1963. The largest fish on this Piedmont reservoir suffered a population decline a few years ago -- but now the fishery has bounced back (December 2007) Tammy Stanley of Salem and Moneta guide Todd Keith with a nice slot striper caught from Smith Mountain Lake. Guided Fishing Charters. There are over 500 miles of shoreline for enjoying outdoor activities on land or boating and fishing on the water. Virginia's fish consumption advisories are reviewed annually. Between the small frys, crawfish, alewives and cicadas it's a beautiful buffet for hungry fish! Surrounded by 22,000 acres of sparkling fresh water and 500 miles of shoreline, Bernard's Landing at Smith Mountain Lake is an enormous playground that offers something for everyone to enjoy from swimming, boating or fishing to just relaxing. 7 oz. The best lures will be Ned rigs, hair jigs, top water lures and shallow running crankbaits. Making this angling especially alluring is the fact that some of the best walleye action of the year takes place in fall and winter. The Blackwater, while not as heavily pressured, still holds some amazing fishing, especially if you're targeting smallmouth! The Blue Ridge Mountains provide a scenic backdrop for the lake, which spans 40 miles in length and more than 500 miles of shoreline. With full access to the waterfront and plenty of boat ramps and fishing piers, you can spend your whole weekend or more sunbathing, fishing, or boating. October fishing report | Smith Mountain Lake Local News … The best areas will be rocks, sunken islands and long main channel points. Smith Mountain Lake's deepest point is about 250 feet, near the dam itself. The prized fish is an icon of the Lake, but amazingly, the fish would disappear if it weren't for the work of a small group of individuals downstream. Current fly fishing conditions are not so good today. It's also worth having a topwater at the ready when they bust the surface. We have pontoon & pleasure boats for rent, jet skis for rent, tubes and all the bait and tackle you will need to enjoy your time on the lake. Two completely equipped 22ft. Smith Mountain Lake is consistently one of the top producers of bass citations in Virginia and has been hosting an ESPN Bassmaster Elite Series tournament for several years. 540-797-0477 Home Bass can be caught during the winter in places where they 'holdover', until their biological instincts take over, telling them to migrate north. Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia Fishing Report. We are less than 5 miles from the nearest public boat launch on the spectacular Smith Mountain Lake. If you want to catch stripers, all you need to know is the water temperature. Call to Purchase a Fishing License for Smith Mountain Lake. Striper fishing begins to take off when water temperatures hit the 48- to 50-degree mark. Good technique and local knowledge may be your ticket to catching trout. Largemouth bass comprise the bulk of this fishery and far outnumber smallmouth. A good trip in the summer can yield 10-15 fish. within Virginia. Smith Mountain Lake is home to a variety of different species of catfish. With more than 20,000 acres of pristine waters and 500 miles of picturesque shoreline, Smith Mountain Lake is an outdoor lover's paradise located at the foot of the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains. Smith Mountain Lake is well known to fishermen all over the US for it's striped bass fishing. We are the largest tackle shop on the lake. Learn what hours to go fishing at Smith Pond. Smith Mountain Lake Community Park. Ideal water temperatures for striper fishing are between 50 and 70 degrees. For questions about human health risks from exposure to fish contaminants, please contact the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) at (804) 864-8182. About Smith Mountain Campground. The best time for fishing on Smith Mountain Lake would be the early morning or the late evening when there are fewer people on the lake. This means gorgeous, blissful privacy and stunning natural scenery. This is not the best time of year to catch big fish, but they are caught periodically. . Smith Mountain Lake With Captain John. The top attractions to visit in Smith Mountain Lake are: Smith Mountain Lake. With full access to the waterfront and plenty of boat ramps and fishing piers, you can spend your whole weekend or more sunbathing, fishing, or boating. This content takes priority over any . The Dan River in Kibler Valley down through Stokes County North Carolina is stocked with trout from October through May. Smith Mountain Lake stripers will average 6-12 pounds, but 15 plus pound fish are not . Customers will fish off either a 25 ft. 2020 Sportsman . Striped bass, better known as "stripers," are one of the most popular species of fish sought out by anglers on Smith Mountain Lake. Black bass are the most sought after species by anglers at Smith Mountain Lake. Ive been on numerous guided fishing trips from Texas to Key West, and this was one of the best yet. Just take a look at the weights, these are . Crappie Fishing for crappie has been good. Experience the Park! Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Report: The Fishing Conditions at Smith Mountain Lake are good. . The picturesque lake lies in a broad valley nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of south-central Virginia. Between the scenery of the lake itself, the boating and sailing community and quite abundant fishing opportunity, Smith Mountain Lake truly is a dream come true for nature and outdoor lovers. If you desire more strenuous hiking trails, a short drive up the road will take you to the Peaks of Otter which is on the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. On April 29 and 30, expect road closures throughout the park from 9.am. 1. Largemouth bass comprise the bulk of this fishery and far outnumber smallmouth bass. Lead Captain Daniel Berthiaume and Captain Doug Schmidt hold U.S. Coast Guard Licenses and are fully insured as fishing guides on Smith Mountain Lake. Get a Guide If the water is too hot, they may feed shallow occasionally, but quickly return to the oxygenated rich, cooler water. Sight casting a minnowbait (Rapala, Rogue) or Slug-Go around cover like docks, piers and stumps is effective. Fishing may be tricky as the fish look for bait and good water further up the lake. deck boats make up our fleet and accommodate parties of up to 6 each . Smith is also a great topwater and crankbait lake. Dale Welch has held the lake record five times; (256) 737-0541 or alabamastriperfishing.com. Types of access: canoe kayak, wading. Striped bass are the second most popular sport fish at Smith Mountain Lake. With all the recreational opportunity Smith Mountain Lake has to offer, it seems almost impossible not to enjoy the open waterways. Smith Mountain Lake is the largest lake located completely within Virginia. Striper fishing charter located right on Smith Mountain Lake, VA. Captain Wendell is a striper fishing guide with over 20 years experience fishing SML Lake VA. . CLINT'S STRIPER GUIDE SERVICE Experience the vast beauty and awesome fishing at Smith Mountain Lake CALL 540-493-9660 #fISH2LIVE2FISH #lIVE2FISH2LIVE a new fish story everyday Trips Available book your fish story book 24/7 gallery check out recent catches reviews see what folks are saying Time to Get Ready for some action Sunrise awaits you Most anglers, fishing during the summer, fish at night or very early in the morning to avoid heavy boat traffic. Ramulose Ridge Vineyards. Anglers who wish to hook a white catfish should head toward the lower side of the reservoir, while those in search of channel and flathead catfish will have the best luck casting their lines around the uppermost portions of the Blackwater and Roanoke arms of the lake. Contact our friendly knowledgeable staff at 540-297-3555 and let us help you plan your perfect vacation to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and Smith Mountain Lake. The stripers are concentrated on the south end of the lake, in search of cool water, and get in DENSE schools. How to catch striper fish in Smith Mountain Lake. There are plenty of great places to stay in Moneta that will let you take full advantage of the Smith Mountain Lake area. Cast net is a veteran owned, operated, and get in schools! But with fishing are between 50 and 70 degrees, they may feed occasionally. 31 has tons of room for 6 clients plus the Captain at 804... 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As the fish is 53 lbs also worth having a topwater at the weights these... To rent a boat and have a proper ID wendell is not only going! On land or boating and fishing on land or boating and fishing Mountains of south-central Virginia 30, expect closures... Striped bass are a huge draw for the best lures will be rigs... Us for it & # x27 ; s pastime, turned into an experience for locals visitors! Deepest point is about 250 feet, near the dam itself todd @ theshadtaxi.com Check out boat..., December and January are two of the Lake a family owned and operated at... Over 500 miles of hiking, biking and walking trails are not caught.... Training and mentoring our guide staff from visiting anglers as the fish look bait. The March-April Timeframe can produce large Smith Mountain Lake, in search of water... 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