Super User Darren. Posted June 11, 2013 Super User Posted June 11, 2013 I'm taking the family to SML next week, at the state park. Wondering how the lake is fishing right now. Never fished it as an adult, and never for anything other than bluegill as a wee laddie, so any help would be very welcome. In fact, I've not been to SML since I was like 4, so like 40 years ago. We'll be kayak fishing, limited arsenal going with us, mostly soft plastics... Suggestions welcome... I don't plan on long trips into the deeper waters (unless I have to), partly for safety to avoid boat traffic, prefer to stick close® to our site, hitting the shorelines and coves. I realize that limits me, so if any of you know the area around the state park, that'd be cool. I checked the lake level site and know it's at full pool and rising (not sure how this affects the fishery). Humble thanks! Quote
Hanover_Yakker Posted June 11, 2013 Posted June 11, 2013 Normally, SML is really clear, so hopefully all these storms will not cloud it up too horribly. Lots of main lake points and structure changes over in that area. Sam might be a good one to tap into on this one though. The area I fish is further down lake. In fact, there's two citation LMBs waiting for me when I head back. I spooked one last time in a shallow creek finger and lost another when she wrapped me on a sumberged stump on a secondary point. Quote
Super User Darren. Posted June 11, 2013 Author Super User Posted June 11, 2013 Normally, SML is really clear, so hopefully all these storms will not cloud it up too horribly. Lots of main lake points and structure changes over in that area. Sam might be a good one to tap into on this one though. The area I fish is further down lake. In fact, there's two citation LMBs waiting for me when I head back. I spooked one last time in a shallow creek finger and lost another when she wrapped me on a sumberged stump on a secondary point. Thanks. Looking at the map, there are a lot of coves and such in the State Park area, so I was planning on hitting them mostly. Maybe some citations my boys and I can land in that area! Quote
Hyrule Bass Posted June 12, 2013 Posted June 12, 2013 if youre in shallow water and can spot underwater stumps around you, fish them. ive never fished near the state park, but i hear there is lots of stumps in the area from people who have bank fished for cats there. also, fish the docks. dock fishing is one of the most popular methods on the lake. ive caught them under and around docks on a variety of lures. flukes, baby rage craws, senkos, jitterbugs, lizards, shakey heads and more. any downed timber along the banks are good too. to me the best fishing has been when they are pumping water back into smith mountain lake from leesville lake. do a google search for the smith mountain eagle newspapers website, travis patsel does a weekly fishing report for them. ive seen him post here and other fishing forums by the name of cats n' stripers. he runs a guide service for stripers and cats on the lake. he knows the lake very well. the lake is known for heavy boat traffic and lots of jet skis, so be careful and dont venture too far out on those kayaks. i would also recommend some night fishing from the bank with live bait for catfish and whatever else wants to bite, just for the fun of it. nightcrawlers, chicken livers, and cut bait will provide a fun night. ive caught a couple nice stripers doing this as well(liver and cutbait on the bottom). also the bass in my avatar was caught at SML while night fishing a drop shot with a night crawler next to an underwater tree stump that ive pulled bass from before... most importantly have fun, i love that lake, im hoping to get down there for 4th of july, dissappointed i didnt get to take my yearly memorial day trip there this year because work was too busy... 1 Quote
smlshow Posted June 12, 2013 Posted June 12, 2013 I'm taking the family to SML next week, at the state park. Wondering how the lake is fishing right now. Never fished it as an adult, and never for anything other than bluegill as a wee laddie, so any help would be very welcome. In fact, I've not been to SML since I was like 4, so like 40 years ago. We'll be kayak fishing, limited arsenal going with us, mostly soft plastics... Suggestions welcome... I don't plan on long trips into the deeper waters (unless I have to), partly for safety to avoid boat traffic, prefer to stick close® to our site, hitting the shorelines and coves. I realize that limits me, so if any of you know the area around the state park, that'd be cool. I checked the lake level site and know it's at full pool and rising (not sure how this affects the fishery). Humble thanks Quote
smlshow Posted June 12, 2013 Posted June 12, 2013 Check out the www.thesmlshow.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesmlshow. Lot of updates on what is happening at and around the lake and a June Fishing Report. 1 Quote
Super User Darren. Posted June 12, 2013 Author Super User Posted June 12, 2013 if youre in shallow water and can spot underwater stumps around you, fish them. ive never fished near the state park, but i hear there is lots of stumps in the area from people who have bank fished for cats there. also, fish the docks. dock fishing is one of the most popular methods on the lake. ive caught them under and around docks on a variety of lures. flukes, baby rage craws, senkos, jitterbugs, lizards, shakey heads and more. any downed timber along the banks are good too. to me the best fishing has been when they are pumping water back into smith mountain lake from leesville lake. do a google search for the smith mountain eagle newspapers website, travis patsel does a weekly fishing report for them. ive seen him post here and other fishing forums by the name of cats n' stripers. he runs a guide service for stripers and cats on the lake. he knows the lake very well. the lake is known for heavy boat traffic and lots of jet skis, so be careful and dont venture too far out on those kayaks. i would also recommend some night fishing from the bank with live bait for catfish and whatever else wants to bite, just for the fun of it. nightcrawlers, chicken livers, and cut bait will provide a fun night. ive caught a couple nice stripers doing this as well(liver and cutbait on the bottom). also the bass in my avatar was caught at SML while night fishing a drop shot with a night crawler next to an underwater tree stump that ive pulled bass from before... most importantly have fun, i love that lake, im hoping to get down there for 4th of july, dissappointed i didnt get to take my yearly memorial day trip there this year because work was too busy... Some good info, Red. Thanks! Although I've yakked around some big boats, It was mostly behind wake buoys they couldn't speed around. I will definitely stick close to shore and may even do some night fishing with the family. I only wish we were camping on the water front!! Locally, Newport News Park was flooded today, and I had a tremendous day fishing fallen timber along the shoreline. Saw a lot of baitfish in close, and that's pretty much where I caught 'em. Biggest of the day was a 6, couple 3's and the rest 2 and under. Hopefully SML is as nice next week as NNPK was today Quote
Super User Darren. Posted June 12, 2013 Author Super User Posted June 12, 2013 Check out the www.thesmlshow.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesmlshow. Lot of updates on what is happening at and around the lake and a June Fishing Report. Thanks, followed the link to the local paper and June fishing report. Helpful. Quote
keith71 Posted June 12, 2013 Posted June 12, 2013 Darren the night bite is where its at this time of year.Thundersticks ,Redfins, slow as you can stand it.Daylight hours around boat docks and laydowns with stickbaits,worms and jigs.Any color is good as long as its greenpumpkn or watermelon. I dont kayak but have some friends that do and they do well.Stripers were feeding heavy last weekend at night. Good luck Quote
Super User Darren. Posted June 12, 2013 Author Super User Posted June 12, 2013 Darren the night bite is where its at this time of year.Thundersticks ,Redfins, slow as you can stand it.Daylight hours around boat docks and laydowns with stickbaits,worms and jigs.Any color is good as long as its greenpumpkn or watermelon. I dont kayak but have some friends that do and they do well.Stripers were feeding heavy last weekend at night. Good luck Thanks Keith. Quote
Hyrule Bass Posted June 12, 2013 Posted June 12, 2013 yeah, supposedly thundersticks kill the night bite stripers on SML. another good bait if theyre schooling and busting shad or alewive is a pearl white fluke on a ball head jig. i dont know if theyre back to schooling yet though. last i heard they were still spread out all over the lake spawning, but if it isnt already, it will be coming to an end real soon and the stripers will be back in schools... some good colors for me there have been pearl/white and anything with a light to medium green color like baby bass or summer craw... Quote
Super User Darren. Posted June 13, 2013 Author Super User Posted June 13, 2013 I think I'm ready for SML! Saw the latest fishing report posted today: http://www.smithmountaineagle.com/boating_fishing_outdoors/article_8b741ad8-d3a0-11e2-a8c8-0019bb2963f4.html Just want to have a fun time with the fam, fishing has to be a part of it for me, though ! I'll plan on mostly daytime (morning, etc) fishing of docks, laydowns and such with wacky, weighted wacky as primary tactics; drop, split and TX rigging rounding things out. Might carry a spinnerbait or two along. Quote
Hyrule Bass Posted June 13, 2013 Posted June 13, 2013 I think I'm ready for SML! Saw the latest fishing report posted today: http://www.smithmountaineagle.com/boating_fishing_outdoors/article_8b741ad8-d3a0-11e2-a8c8-0019bb2963f4.html Just want to have a fun time with the fam, fishing has to be a part of it for me, though ! I'll plan on mostly daytime (morning, etc) fishing of docks, laydowns and such with wacky, weighted wacky as primary tactics; drop, split and TX rigging rounding things out. Might carry a spinnerbait or two along. i find myself very super relaxed whenever i go to SML, thats part of why i love it so much. plus i can just sleep there like no where else lol. you and your family should have a great time. i always do, even if the fish arent cooperating. just remember to be mindful of all the idiots that zoom around that place on boats and jetskis, its like DC rush hour out there... Quote
Super User Darren. Posted June 13, 2013 Author Super User Posted June 13, 2013 just remember to be mindful of all the idiots that zoom around that place on boats and jetskis, its like DC rush hour out there... Ugh. That's one reason I usually avoid kayaking on waters that allow gas engines. Ah well, safety is numero uno, especially with my sons. Quote
Hyrule Bass Posted June 14, 2013 Posted June 14, 2013 im sure youll find some nice quiet coves in no wake zones. you have two things going for you in that aspect, its not a major holiday weekend/week. and you will be there during the week so there will be less traffic on the water... Quote
dustin11 Posted June 19, 2013 Posted June 19, 2013 there is a lot of good fishing around the state park. There are many coves where you can get away from the wakes near the boat ramp. If you were kayaking at night try throwing a thunder stick, as keith71 said, on the point with the red flashing light (channel marker) nearest the boat ramp. I have caught many bass there at night. Also I have good luck with a shaky head during the day around the rip rap at the state park. Good luck! Let us know how it goes. Quote
Super User Darren. Posted June 20, 2013 Author Super User Posted June 20, 2013 So far SML has been a blast. So different than NNPK and Harwood's Mill reservoirs. Caught a number of bass in the 1-3 pound range, seen others larger. Most fishing has been in the coves near the state park boat launch. Plan to get out later this afternoon/evening, and tomorrow. Don't have any thundersticks. Using Trick Worms, Senkos and Stick-o worms. Wacky and weightless TX rigging been productive. Quote
Hyrule Bass Posted June 21, 2013 Posted June 21, 2013 nice to hear youre having a blast. what colors have been best for you so far? Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.