Wednesday, January 31, 2018

All You Should Know About 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.

Accommodation is available for visiting anglers at the many cabins, lodgings and rental houses near the lake. From the onset of summer, the reservoir gets dense with boat traffic. For this reason, many anglers who do not like distractions prefer visiting in the cooler months.

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.

The best months for fishing are the spring and early summer months. During these two seasons, vast populations of bass inhabit the shallow sections of the reservoir. This is also regarded as the perfect time for angling as the fish normally fall for all types of bait.

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.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment