Post by GhostComanche©® on Jan 25, 2021 21:50:28 GMT
5 Tips For Fishing for Striped Bass In Smith Mountain Lake
by Vicki Millehan at Vicki's Lake Homes
The waters of Smith Mountain Lake are a fisherman’s delight. Just below the waves, numerous striped bass are lying in wait for the hook. These fish can get absolutely huge and offer a very tasty meal once they hit the plate. If fishing is your favorite summertime activity, then Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia is where you want to be. Here are five tips to help you catch a keeper.
1. Know Where To Go
During the summer and the early fall, fishermen are much more likely to find the striped bass in the lower main lake. The fish can be found just about anywhere, but fisherman tend to have less luck in the coves and in the upper area of the reservoir. Most catches are made between the dam and buoy R80 of the Roanoke Arm and buoy B44 of the Blackwater Arm.
2. Get Colorful
Not all color palettes are created equal, and striped bass tend to prefer certain colors depending on the water conditions. On calm days when the water resembles a mirror, neutral lures that imitate baitfish are more apt to be successful. When things start to get churned up and the conditions underwater are a bit more cloudy, brighter lures with colors such as red, yellow, and orange are much more likely to be effective as they stand out in the murky underwater atmosphere.
3. Use The Darkness To Your Advantage
Sometimes stripers are finicky during the day, so your best bet may actually be to head out after dark. For some reason, the nighttime feeding frenzy makes fishermen more successful than they would have been during the daylight hours. Your patience will be rewarded if you wait until night falls, and you’re bound to have another enjoyable fishing experience.
4. Only The Real Deal
Different fish are attracted to different kinds of colors and shapes of bait, it’s true, but sometimes the striped bass just prefer the real thing. If you are finding that you aren’t having any luck with your flashy lures, opt out. Try a regular ol’ earthworm, cut bait fish, herring, shad, eel,or some clams. Head to the nearest bait shop or use some of your other catches to help you reel in the big prize.
5. Switch Up Your Tactics
There’s more than one way to catch a fish, and you can up your chances of landing a big catch if you utilize a variety of methods. In the spring months, top water or shallow running plugs work wonders at twilight and beyond. Trolling and cast surfing are also very effective methods for catching these stripers at Smith Mountain Lake.
Get Out On The Water
Are you ready to get casting? With these five tips you’ll certainly up your chances of catching some beautiful bass. Whether you are out on Smith Mountain Lake to escape from it all, feed your clan, or enjoy some bonding time with those you hold dear, catching some striped bass will definitely be a highlight of your experience at the lake.
by Vicki Millehan at Vicki's Lake Homes
The waters of Smith Mountain Lake are a fisherman’s delight. Just below the waves, numerous striped bass are lying in wait for the hook. These fish can get absolutely huge and offer a very tasty meal once they hit the plate. If fishing is your favorite summertime activity, then Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia is where you want to be. Here are five tips to help you catch a keeper.
1. Know Where To Go
During the summer and the early fall, fishermen are much more likely to find the striped bass in the lower main lake. The fish can be found just about anywhere, but fisherman tend to have less luck in the coves and in the upper area of the reservoir. Most catches are made between the dam and buoy R80 of the Roanoke Arm and buoy B44 of the Blackwater Arm.
2. Get Colorful
Not all color palettes are created equal, and striped bass tend to prefer certain colors depending on the water conditions. On calm days when the water resembles a mirror, neutral lures that imitate baitfish are more apt to be successful. When things start to get churned up and the conditions underwater are a bit more cloudy, brighter lures with colors such as red, yellow, and orange are much more likely to be effective as they stand out in the murky underwater atmosphere.
3. Use The Darkness To Your Advantage
Sometimes stripers are finicky during the day, so your best bet may actually be to head out after dark. For some reason, the nighttime feeding frenzy makes fishermen more successful than they would have been during the daylight hours. Your patience will be rewarded if you wait until night falls, and you’re bound to have another enjoyable fishing experience.
4. Only The Real Deal
Different fish are attracted to different kinds of colors and shapes of bait, it’s true, but sometimes the striped bass just prefer the real thing. If you are finding that you aren’t having any luck with your flashy lures, opt out. Try a regular ol’ earthworm, cut bait fish, herring, shad, eel,or some clams. Head to the nearest bait shop or use some of your other catches to help you reel in the big prize.
5. Switch Up Your Tactics
There’s more than one way to catch a fish, and you can up your chances of landing a big catch if you utilize a variety of methods. In the spring months, top water or shallow running plugs work wonders at twilight and beyond. Trolling and cast surfing are also very effective methods for catching these stripers at Smith Mountain Lake.
Get Out On The Water
Are you ready to get casting? With these five tips you’ll certainly up your chances of catching some beautiful bass. Whether you are out on Smith Mountain Lake to escape from it all, feed your clan, or enjoy some bonding time with those you hold dear, catching some striped bass will definitely be a highlight of your experience at the lake.