Monday 12 February 2018

A Guide To Smith Mountain Lake Fishing

By Anthony Reynolds


One of the challenges that experienced anglers face is finding rivers or lakes that are good for fishing all year round. For those in Virginia, however, this is never an issue. All through the year, many anglers from the state and beyond head to Smith Mountain Lake fishing.

The lake, a jewel of Virginia, is a great spot from which to view the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains. It has a great reputation for its significant striper and bass population. The total size of the reservoir is estimated to be about 20000 acres. It also boasts a 500 mile shoreline. With such a vast size, finding a good angling location ought to be a walk in the park.

The lake shore is filled with private and public marinas and boat ramps. State Park is the main point of interest for many tourists visiting the area. Tourists flock it from the onset of summer, with a large number opting to stay in the campgrounds and cabins while exploring the many hiking trails, picnic areas and beach. The park hosts a great golf course as well.

One can get ready accommodation at the several nearby lodgings, rental houses and cabins. When summer begins, boats start to flock the waterway. As such, you should consider visiting in the other seasons, more so if you do not fancy getting routinely distracted.

The dominant fish species in the water is bass. Most anglers prefer the largemouth type. Largemouth bass are more predominant than smallmouth. You may also opt for striped bass. Despite the decent populations of crappies in the lake, many of the other local reservoirs host greater populations of the same.

Spring and early summer offer the best time to go fishing. By then, vast numbers of bass populate the shallow water sections. Furthermore, the fish usually fall for different types of bait during these seasons.

At the peak of the summer season, most bass venture into deep waters. The local anglers love to use live shad as bait. Crappies inhibit the shallow waters between March and May and from October to November. They also love to hang around the marshes and trees close to the shoreline.

There are state regulations that guide angling activities. You may ask for a free copy of the regulations at a bait shop. The authorities also post these regulations online. For starters, every angler must have a license. The authorities usually contract the local bait shops to distribute licenses. An annual permit costs $18 for residents and $36 for non residents.

Before setting out for your activity, make sure you dress appropriately and pack some drinking water. Anglers are discouraged from carrying glass bottles within the reservoir. Ensure you stay protected from the impromptu rainfall with the right rain gear. Since many of the stores nearby offer rental reels and rods, it is not a must to go with your equipment. There are local guides available for hire as well.




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