SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE FISHING REPORT
By: Captain Chad Green
www.lastcastguideservicesml.com
Fall is here and some great fishing is coming with it. 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 will be in there full swing this month in to their fall patterns. Look for fish to be in many depth ranges and a variety of lures will be needed with changing weather. 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 the Fall are usually crawfish imitating lures and will produce the most bites. Shakey Heads, Plastic worms, Drop shots and Jigs will produce fish anywhere from 5 to 15ft in the fall. Topwater can also be a factor this month. Try buzzbaits and pop R’s. This is a great opportunity to catch some trophy fish as well. Smallmouth will still be found near humps, shoals and rocky areas using the same lures. Crankbait could start producing some fish soon as well as the water cools down. Be mindful of safety as cool weather comes in.
Striped Bass
Striper fishing will be good this month and look for them in larger schools as they start to group up for fall. They will travel in smaller schools searching for feeding opportunities. This jigging in the 20-40ft 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 upper end of the lake to mid lake is where most of the action will be this month. Some fish have been found on the surface feeding early mornings and late evenings on baitfish and can be fast and furious action. Look for fish in the mouths of the larger tributaries and large bays this month. Larger topwater plugs can be productive. Swing by Indian Point Marina they provide you with a great selection of what you need.
Crappie
Most of the Crappie have been in the 15-25 foot range.