MONETA, Va. (WFXR) — Smith Mountain Lake is one of the top freshwater fishing destinations on the east coast, and it is especially popular for anglers from Virginia.
While some people may be waiting for warmer weather, late winter and early spring could be a great time to target trophy largemouth bass and striped bass on the lake.
With the stocking of F1 hybrids, a cross between Florida Strain and Northern Strain largemouth bass with a genetic propensity to grow large quickly, chances for hooking up a trophy prespawn largemouth are better than ever. In fact, Captain’s Quarters owner Dewayne Lamb expects this to be the year of double digit bass, and he says F1s and ample forage are the reasons why.
“We’re going to break double digits this year, no ifs, and, or buts about it,” said Lamb. “With all the shad we have in the lake; gizzards, threadfins, and alewives, just an abundance of shad, that’s going to help the growth of the largemouth.”
Prespawn is a good time to target trophies because they are actively feeding.
“I’ve seen a lot of six pound fish here, lately,” said veteran Smith Mountain Lake guide Chad Green of Last Cast Guide Service. “I expect to see seven and eight pound fish this week or next.”
Green says shad imitations will be effective. He also likes crankbaits in a crawfish pattern.
The outlook for striped bass is also very good. Those fish are in prespawn mode, too.
Captain Johnny Mathena of Patriot Fishing Charters targets stripers. He says a lot of fish are already moving up the rivers that feed Smith Mountain Lake. Jigging can be effective for those fish. Mathena also likes to troll live bait throughout the lake.
“I troll all year long,” said Mathena. “It’s an effective method. You change the bait size depending on the time of year and the depth.”
Earlier in the season, Mathena says to troll slow, only about one mile an hour, and up in the water column and closer to the bank.
Crappies are also a popular target at this time of year. Downed timber or brush with access to deep water is a good place to find them. Minnows under a bobber, small jigs, small cranks, and small spinners are all effective methods of catching crappies.
You can hear the full interviews with Lamb, Green, and Mathena on the latest edition of the Outdoors Bound Podcast.
