SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE FISHING REPORT
September 2020
DALE WILSON’S
SML GUIDE SERVICE
PHONE NO: 540-297-5650 / 540-874-4950
www.captaindalewilson.us
Charles Burkes holds two stripers he caught recently while fishing with Capt. Dale Wilson.
Fishing has been fair. Water temperature is still in the mid- to upper 80s. Early morning and night fishing are the best times to try your luck. Boat traffic and warm water temperatures has caused the fishing to be slow.
Largemouth bass
Fishing will be fair this month. Best lures will be drop shots, Ned rigs, senkoes, plastic worms, Carolina rigs and top water. Most largemouth bass will be be caught on points and medium to deep structures. Bass will move to shallow water as the baitfish make a move into the creeks and coves later this month. Good areas to try will be docks, secondary points, rocks, brush piles and fallen trees. Anglers should practice catch and release this month.
Smallmouth bass
Fishing will be fair this month. Best areas will be main and secondary points, deep rock, deep docks and ledges. Best lures will be top water, small crankbaits, drop shot rigs, spy bait, Ned rigs and shaky heads. Best depth will be from the surface to 30 feet. The best times will be cloudy days and at night.
Striped bass
Fishing will improve this month. Best areas will be from the mid-sections of both rivers to the dam. Best lures will be Zoom flukes fished on ½- to ¾-ounce leadheads, swimbaits, top water and live bait on down lines and planer boards. Casting and vertical jigging will work best. Some fish may surface this month. Night fishing will continue to be poor.
Crappie
Fishing for crappie will be fair this month. Best depths will be 10 to 20 feet. Best areas will be in the upper section of both rivers and the main creeks around docks, fallen trees and brush piles. Best lures will be small minnows and 1½- to 2-inch shad-shaped plastic tubes fished on 1/32- to 1/16-ounce lead heads.
Tips of the month
Cooler nights and shorter days will make for better fishing later this month. Wear a life jacket and never fish alone at night. Make sure running lights are on after dark. Remember to practice catch and release, and take a kid fishing.