SMITH MOUNTIAN LAKE FISHING REPORT
By: Captain Chad Green
www.lastcastguideservicesml.com
August is one of the best months of the summer. Get out on the water when you can and enjoy the sunrises and sunsets. Practice catch and release as much as possible to preserve our great fisheries out there. As always, just make one more Last Cast as it could be the next trophy fish.
Visit Indian Point Marina for any tackle that you may need and they will fix you up.
Visit https://missilebaits.store/and check out all they have to offer.
Special Thanks to Brian Carter at the https://thebasscast.com/
Check out Smith Mountain Boat and Tackle Penhook for your boating needs https://www.smboats.com
PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE ON CITATION SIZE FISH
Largemouth Bass/Smallmouth Bass
The Bass have moved full swing in to the summer and the crawfish have become first priority as well. They will be located on primary point areas that have transition areas near them. The depth range will vary each day this month depending on rain, sunlight and temperatures. Target rocky areas, flat points shallow drop offs and deeper docks. Topwater in the mornings can be productive this month and will produce some quality fish. Primary baits in July are usually soft plastics producing the most bites. Shakey Heads, Plastic worms, Drop shots and Jigs in the 10-20 ft range. Night time fishing will be great this month as well. Try large profile baits in the same depth ranges especially around dawn and dusk. This is a great opportunity to catch some trophy fish and multiples per night is very common. Smallmouth will still be found near humps, shoals and rocky areas using the same lures. Make sure you take care of your fish in the summer as they can have Barotrauma and may need air released to survive.
Striped Bass
Striper fishing will be good this month and look for them in larger schools as they start to group up for summer. They will travel in smaller schools searching for feeding opportunities. This jigging in the 30-50ft range will produce fish throughout the day as well and larger fish will show up this month as well at times and may be in smaller schools. The lower end of the lake to mid lake is where most of the action will be this month. Some fish can be found on the surface feeding early mornings on the lower end of the lake and can be fast and furious action. Larger topwater plugs can be productive.
Crappie
Most of the Crappie have started their summer journey as well. Try deeper trees and larger docks with deep water in the 15-25 foot range.