smith mountain lake stripers
generally prefer a
live shad
over other baits/lures and over the years we have “Taxied” shad over the whole lake in order to catch these beasts.
Does Smith Mountain Lake have striper?
The striper fishery is also very notable with striped bass ranking as the second most popular sport fish at Smith Mountain Lake Striped bass have been stocked into this reservoir since impoundment in 1963. Limited spawning habitat for striped bass prevents natural reproduction.
How do you catch striped bass on Smith lake?
The baits are caught in a castnet, often in the Black Warrior River below the dam They’re kept alive in aerated wells and fished on circle hooks. Best size is four to six inches, Vines says. The bait is typically put straight down from the side of a boat, with a two-ounce egg sinker to get it deep fast.
How do you fish for striped bass in a lake?
Slowly trolling a live herring or shad is the predominant method for taking big striped bass in freshwater lakes. Downriggers and sinkers are used to get the baits down to the desired depth. The boat is moved slowly, just enough to keep the lines straight.
When should you fish for striped bass?
Many people consider the new and full moons to be the
best time
to fish for stripers because they create strong ocean currents, which bass thrive in. Generally speaking, three days before a new or full moon, and the three days after produce the best fishing, because there is more
vertical water movement
.
What is the best time to fish at Smith Mountain Lake?
Typically the largemouth bass is most abundant in the spring, and the striped bass are best caught in the summer. Stripers are found in the lake all year-round. 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.
What is biting at Smith Mountain Lake?
Smith Mountain Lake May Fishing Report – Topwater and the shad spawn If you’ve never experienced the biggest topwater bites you could think of, then its time to hit the water! The shad spawn is here and the most aggressive topwater bites are about to go down.
What is the biggest fish caught in Smith Mountain Lake?
Smith Mountain Lake is well known to fishermen all over the US for it’s striped bass fishing. The current state record for the fish is 53 lbs. 7 oz caught in 2000 from below the SML dam in Leesville Lake.
Is Smith Mountain Lake good for fishing?
Fishing enthusiasts will be happy to know that Smith Mountain Lake has a reputation as an excellent bass fishing lake Additionally the lake has healthy populations of stripers, muskie, perch, crappie, catfish and sunfish. Access to shoreline for fishing from the bank is available at numerous locations around the lake.
What is the slot limit on bass on Smith Lake?
Smith Lake does have a slot limit between 13-15 inches in length , and it is illegal to possess a black bass that measures in the slot.
Does Smith Lake have smallmouth bass?
Bass Fishing on Smith Lake Research reveals that there is about an equal catch percent of both Largemouth and Spotted Bass. But, there are many types of fish in the fishery. Along with the Largemouth & Spotted Bass, there are Smallmouth Bass , Striped Bass, as well as Bream, Crappie and many others.
What is the best rig for striped bass?
When using cut bait for striped bass, one of the most popular rigs is the fish finder rig This rig can be found in the surf fishing kit attached with a circle hook between size 1/0 and 5/0. This rig is best used with 2-4 inch chunks of cut bait such as bunker, herring and mackerel.
What is the best lure for striped bass?
- Best Overall: Offshore Angler Parachute Jig at basspro.com
- Best Topwater Lure: SZJP Multi Jointed Swimbaits at Amazon
- Best for Saltwater: Daiwa Salt Pro Minnow (Floating) at Amazon
- Best Popper: Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper Lure at Amazon.
What is the best bait for freshwater striped bass?
- Alewives. This is one of the best baits for big striped bass and hybrids
- Alewives. This is one of the best baits for big striped bass and hybrids
- Gizzard Shad. Gizzard shad are excellent striper baits
- Gizzard Shad
- Threadfin Shad
- Threadfin Shad
- American Eels
- American Eels.
Do striped bass reproduce in Smith Mountain Lake?
Stripers run up the river like they are going to spawn, but they don’t at Smith Mountain Lake , as conditions in the lake do not favor their reproduction (they are stocked); other fish species don’t seem to have a problem with what comes naturally for them.
Can you catch stripers from the bank?
It is not uncommon to see anglers on the banks and around ramps and parks at all hours of the day and night Stripers can and will feed at any time if they can find the food. Use some type of cut bait close to current to draw the fish to the baits.
Does Smith Mountain Lake have sharks?
During some of his deeper ocean dives, Smith said he has seen a variety of sea life, such as sharks, tuna and squid Smith said he did not see anything unusual during his dives at the lake.
How do you catch bass at Smith Mountain Lake?
Largemouth bass: Best lures are jigs, drop shot rigs, wacky worms, senkos, crank baits, swim baits, Ned rigs, topwater lures and Alabama rigs. Most largemouth bass will be caught on secondary points, in shallow coves, around stumps and docks Best depths will be from 2 to 10 feet.
Are there Muskie in Smith Mountain Lake?
Muskie are a rare catch in Smith Mountain nowadays.
When can you catch striped bass in Alabama?
In Alabama, striped bass angling is best during cool months and in tailwaters of locks and dams and also in Lake Lewis Smith Favorite baits include live gizzard shad, white or yellow jigs, and spoon lures.
What do Alabama bass eat?
Odenkirk says what he finds in bass stomachs is limited only to what foods are available and what they can fit in their mouths. Insects, crayfish, frogs, lizards, snakes, other fish and even baby birds end up on the dinner menu. Bass will even eat each other.
Can you fish at Smith Lake Dam?
In a
state replete
with fishing opportunities, a unique adventure awaits Alabama anglers in the Lewis Smith Lake Dam tailrace. Billed as the only year-round trout fishery in the state, that area just below Smith Lake Dam features excellent fishing for stocked rainbows.
What depth do striped bass eat?
On many of these fisheries—especially in the South–stripers remain in the creeks throughout the winter and hold at depths of 15 to 20 feet Catching striped bass doesn’t automatically slow down when the winter hits, these suspended fish will actively eat.
Can you catch striped bass during the day?
Anyone can catch stripers consistently during the day if they have a plan, know what to use, pay attention to conditions and have a little luck The first thing a surf fisherman looking for striped bass during daylight hours should do is divide the season into thirds; spring, summer and fall.
Is it OK to eat striped bass?
Should not eat any striped bass or bluefish year. It’s hard to believe that fish that looks, smells, and tastes fine may not be safe to eat. But the truth is that striped bass and bluefish have PCBs, dioxins and mercury in them.
Are there alligators in Smith Mountain Lake VA?
Q: Are there alligators in Smith Mountain Lake? A: According to Virginia’s Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) there are no wild alligators in SML – or anywhere in Virginia except the Dismal Swamp in southeastern Virginia. The state’s wintertime water temperatures are inhospitable to alligators.
What fishing license do I need for Smith Mountain Lake?
You need a Virginia fishing license to fish at Smith Mountain Lake; licenses are available online or at bait shops and sporting goods stores in the state. As of 2011, an annual license costs $18 for Virginia residents, $36 for non-residents.
Are there carp in Smith Mountain Lake?
This March will mark 9 years the sterile grass carp have been active at Smith Mountain Lake When they were introduced, many experts estimated their lifespan at around 10 years. Wilson said the carp have likely declined in numbers and are likely less active than they were when they were first introduced.
Are there spotted bass in Smith Mountain Lake?
While the Alabama bass can grow somewhat larger than spotted bass, they have a tendency to become stunted, which can result in a lake dominated by small bass. Bednarski said spotting Alabama bass may be easier to detect at Smith Mountain Lake since the similar-looking spotted bass are not found in this lake.
Are there walleye in Smith Mountain Lake?
Smith Mountain Lake: Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, this 20,000 acre clear water lake ranks as one of my favorite walleye spots Part of the reason is that as you fish for walleyes, you’re also likely to catch smallmouth bass, largemouths, stripers and crappies as well.
Are there otters at Smith Mountain Lake?
As for musky, the lake is stocked with fingerlings yearly but is not known to produce large numbers of them. Other swimmers that don’t require fishing gear to spot are the fairly common beaver, otter and muskrats , though they can get a bad rep for being nuisances.
Are there trout in Smith Mountain Lake?
In addition to black bass, the lake held crappie, walleye, striped bass, muskie, trout , white bass, catfish and coho — yes, coho salmon.
Is Smith Mountain Lake salt water?
General Information. On the second largest freshwater lake in the state, this picturesque park is the water enthusiast’s paradise. There are numerous water activities, including swimming, boat rentals, a boat ramp and a universally accessible fishing pier.
What kind of shad are in Smith Mountain Lake?
Using Gizzard shad on Smith Mountain Lake in the March-April Timeframe can produce large Smith Mountain Lake Stripers. A large Gizzard shad post spawn (Late May) can be ticket for prime-time Striper Fishing after the Spawning period.
References